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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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An Easier Way to Splice Double Braid Rope

Published on April 30, 2018; last updated on March 19, 2026 by Carolyn Shearlock

Completed double braid eye splice on a red-and-white halyard attached to a stainless shackle

One tip from a professional rigging shop changed everything about how I splice double braid. Here’s what they taught me.

Removing Fuel Pickup From Tempo Tank

Published on December 11, 2017; last updated on June 12, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

How to remove a metal fuel pickup fitting from an 18-gallon Tempo tank or any similar tank. DO NOT use this technique with gasoline or other explosive fuels.

You CAN Do It

Published on June 26, 2017; last updated on January 5, 2026 by Carolyn Shearlock

I get it. Trying something new can be intimidating. That’s true even after ten years of living aboard and cruising. But I’ve discovered that I can do a lot more than I think I can!

The Photo That Saved Us $120

Published on May 10, 2017; last updated on December 31, 2025 by Carolyn Shearlock

We like having a photo record of our travels . . . but our camera is paying for itself, too. If you can find a part number, you may not be locked into buying a proprietary part!

Clogged Outboard Fuel Line

Published on April 11, 2016; last updated on January 2, 2026 by Carolyn Shearlock

How to tell if you have a blockage in an outboard fuel line, why they occur and how to choose a replacement fuel line that will have fewer problems.

Changing Lower Unit Oil in an Outboard

Published on April 8, 2016; last updated on April 4, 2021 by Carolyn Shearlock

Changing the lower unit oil on an outboard is part of the routine maintenance. Here's how we do it when we're out cruising without a motor stand ashore

Changing the lower unit oil on an outboard is part of the routine maintenance. Here’s how we do it when we’re out cruising without a motor stand ashore

Pulling Electrical Wires

Published on March 28, 2016; last updated on January 3, 2026 by Carolyn Shearlock

Installing new equipment on a boat often requires new electrical wiring. Two tips for running that wiring in tight spaces.

Dinghy Bottom Cleaning Made Simple

Published on March 5, 2016; last updated on June 12, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

A much easier way to clean the dinghy bottom. Why didn't we think of this years ago??

A much easier way to clean the dinghy bottom. Why didn’t we think of this years ago??

Don’t Let Bugs in the Thru-Hulls

Published on January 29, 2016; last updated on January 3, 2026 by Carolyn Shearlock

Keep bugs out of your boat with this easy, low-cost way to prevent ants, mud daubers, spiders, and cockroaches from entering thru-hulls when in a boatyard.

Better Than Acetone to Clean Hands

Published on December 11, 2015; last updated on December 17, 2022 by Carolyn Shearlock

Using acetone to clean up after nasty messy projects such as epoxy or sealant? There's something that works better, is cheaper AND is less toxic!

Using acetone to clean up after nasty messy projects such as epoxy or sealant? There’s something that works better, is cheaper AND is less toxic!

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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!

How Can We Help You?

I'm curious about the cruising life What is it, who does it, and what's it really like day to day?
I'm tempted — but is it realistic for my situation? My budget, my health, my partner, my life, my skills (or lack thereof)
I'm getting ready to go Buying a boat, getting insurance, planning to move aboard
I'm aboard and navigating the learning curve How do I make it the life I dreamed of?

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A simple realization made it so much easier to know where I’d put stuff!

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Don’t assume your instruments — particularly the depth sounder — are set up correctly. Ours weren’t and it took us a while to realize it.

Protect the Kids & Pups: Lifeline Netting

August 10, 2026

Kid boats and dog boats . . . lifeline netting adds a bit of safety to both. A few notes on installing it and where to get the best price on the netting.

Living on a boat

There's no shortage of sailing and navigation courses. But who teaches you how to provision, store everything, stay cool, prep for hurricanes, and actually live on a boat? We do.

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