• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Events
  • Articles
    • Preparing to Cruise
    • Buying a Boat & Gear
    • Living on a Boat
    • Food & Cooking
    • Cruising & Chartering
    • Boat Work
    • Worries & Concerns
    • All Articles: New to Old
  • Cruising Guides
  • Courses
  • TBG on Amazon
    • Our Products on Amazon
    • Other Recommended Products on Amazon
  • Course Login
  • Newsletter
  • Visit Our Store
    • Cruising Guides
    • Courses
    • Books & References

The Boat Galley

making boat life better

 

Boat DIY Tips
Boat DIY Tips
Image is not available

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.

SEE REFERENCES AND ORGANIZERS

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.

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.

  • Page 1
  • Page 2
  • Page 3
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 8
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

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

Sailboat under cloudy skies

🎧 3 Key Factors for Departure Planning While Cruising

August 9, 2025 By Nica Waters

What are the key factors for departure planning when cruising? Hint: the time you’ll arrive at your destination is central.

DIY Tips for Connecting Boat Wires

August 7, 2025 By Carolyn Shearlock

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

Bow of sailboat in anchorage - how to find support while cruising

🎧How to Find Support While Cruising

August 2, 2025 By Pamela Douglas

Wondering how to find support while cruising? We have some great tips for building your network for both personal and practical support.

Podcast Sponsors

Check out all the special deals from our podcast sponsors! Click here.

Footer

Newsletter

Each week you’ll get:

• Tips from Carolyn
• New articles & podcasts
• Popular articles you may have missed
• Totally FREE – one email a week

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Advertising · About · Privacy · Terms of Service · Contact · © 2010–2025 The Boat Galley, LLC. All Rights Reserved.'
  • Questions? Click to Email Me
  • Visit Our Store