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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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🎧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.

Patching Your Inflatable Dinghy

Published on February 22, 2023; last updated on April 4, 2023 by Carolyn Shearlock

Patching your dinghy in the tropics is a challenge. Unless you use the right glue. Here’s my recommendation and a step-by-step how-to.

🎧How to DIY a Cheap Cockpit Enclosure for Your Boat

Published on September 23, 2022; last updated on September 29, 2024 by Carolyn Shearlock

Planning to cruise in cold weather.?Then a cockpit enclosure is a must. But don’t spend thousands if you don’t have to. Here’s how to DIY a basic one for your cruising boat.   

Figuring Out Your Power Needs on a Boat

Published on August 31, 2022; last updated on January 18, 2023 by Carolyn Shearlock

With limited battery storage on a boat, you need to keep track of what the products onboard draw in power. Here’s what you need to do to calculate your power needs.

Tracking Down Leaks–The Easy Way

Published on May 4, 2022; last updated on June 21, 2023 by Carolyn Shearlock

Ever need to track down a tiny leak on your boat? Sure you have. But it doesn’t have to be a horrible task if you use this clever little trick.

What Repairs Do You Make Now? What Can Wait?

Published on April 13, 2022; last updated on June 21, 2023 by Carolyn Shearlock

Cruising means you have a long to do list for repairs–all the time. But do you really need to spend ALL your time doing boat maintenance?

Find a Fuel Problem on a Boat

Published on August 31, 2020; last updated on August 31, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

How to find the cause of a fuel problem on a boat. Symptoms and possible causes, plus step-by-step strategies for finding it.

DIY Fuel Polishing

Published on July 26, 2020; last updated on October 31, 2023 by Carolyn Shearlock

If your boat has been sitting for a while, you may need to polish your fuel. Here’s how with suggested tools to make it easier to accomplish DIY fuel polishing.

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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

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.

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