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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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The Work Pillow

Published on February 16, 2015; last updated on June 12, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

Working over compartment edges can get painful. We just happened to have an old pillow aboard . . .

Working over compartment edges can get painful. We just happened to have an old pillow aboard . . .

How to Make Loops in Shock Cord

Published on February 12, 2015; last updated on January 24, 2023 by Carolyn Shearlock

We use shock cord to organize lots of stuff, but don't really like the plastic ends sold commercially. Instead we make much stronger loops with hog rings -- here's how to do it.

We use shock cord to organize lots of stuff, but don’t really like the plastic ends sold commercially. Instead we make much stronger loops with hog rings — here’s how to do it.

Dinghy Getting Heavier?

Published on February 2, 2015; last updated on June 12, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

We wasted a lot of time trying to find a serious problem, when the real problem only took five minutes to solve!

We wasted a lot of time trying to find a serious problem, when the real problem only took five minutes to solve!

Easier Paint Scraping on Boats

Published on January 23, 2015; last updated on January 24, 2023 by Carolyn Shearlock

6 in 1 Painter's Tool: This inexpensive tool made the scraping the bottom paint on our boat so much easier without gouging the gel coat. And we've used it for lots of other projects as well.

This inexpensive tool made the scraping SO much easier without gouging the gel coat. And we’ve used it for lots of other projects as well.

Save Your Knees When Doing Boat Projects

Published on January 12, 2015; last updated on January 24, 2023 by Carolyn Shearlock

OUCH! Kneeling for any length of time, especially on non-skid, is hard on the knees. How to make it easier to DIY.

OUCH! Kneeling for any length of time, especially on non-skid, is hard on the knees. How to make it easier to DIY.

Saving Paint Rollers & Brushes

Published on December 6, 2014; last updated on June 12, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

The worst part of painting is cleaning up at the end of the day. You just want to be done with it! Here's a quick tip to make it go MUCH faster.

The worst part of painting is cleaning up at the end of the day. You just want to be done with it! Here’s a quick tip to make it go MUCH faster.

When You Need an Extra Hand on a Boat Project

Published on November 5, 2014; last updated on January 24, 2023 by Carolyn Shearlock

What do you do when you’re asked to hand tools, parts or hold a light just every so often? I mean, you’re working on something, too!

Shopping for Boat Parts in Foreign Countries

Published on October 15, 2014; last updated on January 21, 2023 by Carolyn Shearlock

Don't assume you'll be able to pick out the right parts by sight!

Don’t assume you’ll be able to pick out the right parts by sight!

Know Your Boat Details

Published on May 26, 2014; last updated on March 3, 2023 by Carolyn Shearlock

Want to know the details of your boat? Here’s how to have all the model numbers, sizes, when installed and more available at your fingertips.

Super Digest-It Safe Drain Opener for Boats

Published on September 11, 2013; last updated on July 31, 2024 by Carolyn Shearlock

Uses good enzymes instead of harsh chemicals -- and it really works!

If you’ve got a clogged drain that the simple remedies — boiling water, vinegar, baking soda, plungers and so on — just won’t budge, you might try this. Chris and Melody on Vacilando found it by chance and swear it works — and isn’t nasty for the environment!

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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

Everyone wants those perfect cruising days. We found them in the atolls and lagoons of the Tuamotos.

🎧Perfect Cruising Days You Dream About

October 18, 2025 By Nica Waters

For those perfect cruising days that defy description . . . , Or how the unexpected joy of sailing in the Tuamotus leads to a new term–pas de suckage. Summary Working on Calypso in the […]

Don't lose your dinghy. Being without is a nightmare. Here are some tips.

Don’t Lose Your Dinghy

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Don’t lose your dinghy. Doing without can be a nightmare for cruisers. Here are a few tips to keep it from being lost or stolen.

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🎧Calculating Power Needs for a Cruising Boat

October 11, 2025 By Carolyn Shearlock

Calculating power needs for a cruising boat is the difference between being comfortable on board and just getting by. Here’s how.

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