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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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Stay Safe When Climbing the Mast

Published on September 11, 2025; last updated on September 11, 2025 by Carolyn Shearlock

Person on a bosun's chair at the top of a mast - climbing the mast

Are you safe when climbing the mast? How about those on deck? Here are the tips you need to know.

How to Calculate Boat Power Requirements

Published on August 21, 2025; last updated on August 20, 2025 by Carolyn Shearlock

boats at anchor at night - calculate boat power needs

Do you know how to calculate boat power requirements? If not, your batteries may not be able to keep up. Here’s how to do it.

DIY Tips for Connecting Boat Wires

Published on August 7, 2025; last updated on August 6, 2025 by Carolyn Shearlock

Here are my best DIY tips for connecting boat wires, learned over years of doing our boat’s electrical jobs.

Tips for Hauling Out Your Boat

Published on June 5, 2025; last updated on June 3, 2025 by Carolyn Shearlock

Man watches another main watching the bottom of a hauled out boat - hauling out your boat

If hauling out your boat is a new experience, read these tips to make it easier and less stressful. Little things you need to know.

How to Survive Dirty Boat Projects

Published on May 29, 2025; last updated on May 27, 2025 by Carolyn Shearlock

Person wearing white coveralls and a red hat with safety glasses and a dusk mask - dirty boat projects

Wondering how to survive dirty boat projects? These tips will make you less miserable during even the worst boat jobs.

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.

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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!

      

Latest Articles & Podcasts

Roasted cabbage slices - cabbage for a cruising boat

10 Ways to Use Cabbage While Cruising – Podcast Transcript

September 15, 2025 By Nica Waters

Way to use cabbage while cruising that are easy and delicious. It’s a miracle vegetable for living on a boat.

Boat in slings being hauled out - questions to ask before hauling out

🎧Questions to Ask Before Hauling your Boat

September 13, 2025 By Carolyn Shearlock

What are the questions to ask before hauling your boat? If you ask them, you’re less likely to have expensive regrets.

Person on a bosun's chair at the top of a mast - climbing the mast

Stay Safe When Climbing the Mast

September 11, 2025 By Carolyn Shearlock

Are you safe when climbing the mast? How about those on deck? Here are the tips you need to know.

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