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The Boat Galley

making boat life better

 

Boat DIY Tips
Boat DIY Tips
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Owning a boat turns everyone into a DIY-er! Sometimes, there's just no one else to do the job.
 
Along the way, we've learned how to do many things a little more easily and here we share it all with you.

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Don’t Lose Small Parts During Boat Projects

Published on April 24, 2025; last updated on April 23, 2025 by Carolyn Shearlock

Winch parts on a paper towel - don't lose boat parts when making repairs

Don’t lose small parts during boat projects. Some preparation and good working methods will ensure it. Here are tips.

How to Prep a Boat Bottom for Switch to Hard Paint

Published on February 27, 2025; last updated on February 26, 2025 by Carolyn Shearlock

Man painting bottom of sailboat in boatyard - how to prep boat bottom for switch to hard paint

Wondering how to prep a boat bottom to make the switch from ablative to hard paint? Here’s our experience and some DIY tips.

DIY Tips for Electrical Troubleshooting

Published on May 15, 2024; last updated on May 14, 2024 by Carolyn Shearlock

DIY Tips for Electrical troubleshooting - boat electrical parts

These DIY tips for troubleshooting electrical problems will help you stay organized while looking for a repair.

Boat Renovation: Cleaning Teak

Published on April 25, 2024; last updated on April 24, 2024 by Carolyn Shearlock

What’s the best technique for cleaning, literally, a boatload of horribly stained and dirty teak? Here’s what worked for me.

🎧A Great Tool for DIY Boat Scraping

Published on April 12, 2024; last updated on January 4, 2025 by Carolyn Shearlock

Scraping a boat bottom is never fun–but one tool makes it easier. Here’s one we recommend for all DIYers.

What to Ask Before Hauling Out

Published on December 20, 2023; last updated on December 19, 2023 by Carolyn Shearlock

Do you know the right questions to ask before hauling out? Here are a few to get you thinking. Picking the right boatyard is important.

🎧DIY Holiday Decor for your Boat

Published on December 1, 2023; last updated on January 4, 2025 by Carolyn Shearlock

Need some holiday cheer on your boat? Here are DIY decor ideas from a world cruiser that anyone can make.

🎧Making Square Cuts in Stainless Tubing

Published on October 20, 2023; last updated on January 4, 2025 by Carolyn Shearlock

If you need to make square stainless steel tubing cuts but don’t have a shop, what do you do? Here’s my best tips.

🎧Build Your Own Boat Garden

Published on August 4, 2023; last updated on January 4, 2025 by Carolyn Shearlock

Fresh greens and herbs make a cruising menu even better. But how do you keep them on hand? Check out these DIY boat garden plans.

🎧How to Make Oil Changes Less Messy

Published on February 28, 2023; last updated on January 4, 2025 by Nica Waters

Oil changes are crucial for keeping your boat engine running. Here are 3 tools that make the job less messy. And easier.

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Welcome

Carolyn Shearlock

Hi! I'm Carolyn Shearlock. My husband and I have been living on a boat and cruising over 17 years and 13,000 miles, first on a Tayana 37 monohull and then on a 34' Gemini catamaran. Along the way, we sold pretty much everything we owned (twice!), gained a great boat dog, had a bunch of wonderful times and some adventures . . . and learned a ton about what does and doesn't work!

      

Getting Started

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The Boat Galley can be overwhelming with over 1,000 articles. We have four FREE mini-courses to guide you to just the info you need, whether you’re discovering what living on a boat would be like, preparing to cruise, overwhelmed with the first-year learning curve, or needing help with cooking aboard. Click here.

Latest Articles & Podcasts

Marina with a row of boats - how to shop for a boat

How To Shop For A Boat

May 22, 2025 By Carolyn Shearlock

How do you shop for a boat if you’ve never done it before? My best tips to make your experience easier. And less scary.

bucket on a boat deck catching rainwater

🎧How (and Why) to Catch Rainwater from your Boat

May 17, 2025 By Nica Waters

How to catch rainwater from your boat. And why you should, even if you have regular access to water elsewhere.

Man getting sick over the water from a sailboat - seasickness

Seasickness? What You Need to Know

May 15, 2025 By Carolyn Shearlock

I’d never really suffered from seasickness until a trip with friends a few years ago. And I learned a few things.

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