The Boat Galley

Somehow, you've started to think about cruising. Maybe you saw boats anchored in a harbor or got talking with a cruiser. Maybe a friend is living on their boat and you'e starting to think it about it too. Or maybe you've just always liked the phrase "sail off into the sunset." But now you're wondering: would I really like it? How do I find out more? Well, The Boat Galley podcast and blog have tons...

Catching water is a special way to keep your water tanks filled to the brim, even if there's some scrambling. Here, Nica Waters tells her experiences. Links: Rainman watermaker:  https://www.seataskgroup.com/ Downspout for an awning (a plastic thru-hull fitting!): https://amzn.to/2KCKGbY Jerry jugs for water:  https://amzn.to/2z3rHD2  (spigot style) or  https://amzn.to/2NnVnxB  (spout style) Ball...

"If you can read, you can do anything." That was the lesson Carolyn Shearlock's mother drummed into her as a kid. Listen in to learn how this translates into DIY work on the boat. Yes, you really can do a lot of things you think you can't. Sponsor: Fastseas.com Coupon Code: GALLEY2018 Music: "Slow Down" by  Yvette Craig

Storms, breaking seas, shrieking rigging, it seems every new sailor fears their first encounter with heavy winds. But it is not just new sailors who experience these fears. Join Lin Pardey as she relates this story of her first winter passage. Learn how, in spite of several decades of voyaging, she too fell prey to fear and had to build confidence in her ability to handle heavy weather. Links -- b...

Not everything on a boat revolves around moving the boat and navigating. And many of those skills can be practiced on shore, every day. Carolyn Shearlock explains how you can ease the first-year learning curve by working on seven things right now! Sponsor: Shambala Sailing Adventures , offering customized learning charters in Exumas, Bahamas. Sail her like you own her with coaching from Captain Su...

A quick, comprehensive and invaluable guide to the essential spares you'll need to carry if you're planning to spend a good deal of time on board your boat. Listen in for Carolyn Shearlock's tips on figuring out what you do — and don't — need to carry with you. As her husband Dave says, you can't just tow an entire second boat, so you have to make choices! Sponsor:  GoSunstove.com  Inventors of th...

Is it easier to make friends when you sail, or is it the people who are different? Nica Waters gives her thoughts on the topic. Links: Caribbean Compass: http://www.caribbeancompass.com Annapolis Boat Show: https://www.annapolisboatshows.com Eileen Quinn (boating music): https://store.cdbaby.com/Artist/EileenQuinn Wendy Mitman Clarke (poet/writer): https://www.wendymitmanclarke.com Sailing Totem:...

Ugh. Engine problems. Even if you have a sailboat with a so-called "auxiliary engine," there are plenty of times when you count on that engine working. And fuel problems are probably the most frequent type of engine problem that boats have. So how do you track one down? Carolyn Shearlock has -- unfortunately -- had experience with this and offers pointers on a logical approach and tips to make it...

Roving reporter Mike McDowell interviews a young couple living the dream as digital nomads on their 26' catamaran. Links: Sailing Kittiwake: http://sailingkittiwake.com Kittiwake on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT9U1fPkHj0mJjC4LWGH26g Sponsor:  Rainman Watermakers, capable of producing up to 37 gallons of fresh, clean drinking water per hour from seawater - without the need for instal...

Some cruisers want every electric appliance they had at home, others want none. Most have at least a few. Carolyn Shearlock discusses things to think about in deciding how many you want aboard. Links: 2000 watt pure sine wave inverter (Amazon): https://amzn.to/2lsU2Jg Sponsor:  Marmara Imports . Turkish towels and other fine hand-loomed, fair trade textiles from Turkey. Soft and luxurious, yet tin...

Have you ever really seen the night sky? From a place where there is no light pollution? All I can say is WOW. In ten years of cruising, Carolyn Shearlock has seen some spectacular skies and here she gives a bit of info and some useful resources . . . Music: "Slow Down" by Yvette Craig

Every cruiser needs a dinghy. Which one is best for you? Listen in as Nica Waters explains the two very different dinghies they've cruised with . . . and why they are looking for still something different for their next cruise. Links: Handheld depth sounder (on Amazon):  https://amzn.to/2JOVTXt Wooden Boat magazine:  https://www.woodenboat.com Dinghy ladder:  https://amzn.to/2K0cPWL Sponsor:  Marm...

Cruising to foreign destinations generally doesn't mean abandoning communications with your family and friends. We all still want to stay connected — and not just through the latest Facebook and Instagram posts. We want to talk and text. But have you seen international phone rates? YIKES! There are better solutions and Carolyn Shearlock tells of her favorites. Sponsor: SeaTech Systems, offering cr...

The whole idea seems daunting. You are in charge of ensuring there is lots to eat once you set off to cross the Pacific. But what is enough? And how do you ensure you and the crew will enjoy the meals you prepare once you have been at sea for three or even four weeks. Lin Pardey shares her hard-earned secrets to help you feel more comfortable as you prepare for your first ocean passage. Links: Car...

Seven years on a monohull. Four years now on a catamaran. Carolyn Shearlock compares her Gemini catamaran to her Tayana 37 heavy monohull and describes the pros and cons of each. Links: Tayana 37 -  https://bit.ly/2K3KySq Gemini 105M -  http://bluewaterboats.org/gemini-105m/  OR  http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_id=3777 Sponsor:  Rainman Watermakers, capable of producing up to 37 gallo...

Cruising with a dog? Is it really possible? I mean, not just in a marina, but out sailing or motoring? How about full time cruising in foreign countries? How much of a hassle is it? Listen Carolyn Shearlock (aka "Paz's mom") for everything you need to know to cruise with your best friend . . . or decide that it would be better to leave Fido at home. Music: "Slow Down" by Yvette Craig

Grilling is a favorite way of cooking on board cruising boats. Nica talks about her favorite tools! Links to items mentioned (Amazon): Magma Kettle Propane Grill:  https://amzn.to/2JCrStJ Magma Charcoal Grill:  https://amzn.to/2l8Xloz Chimney starter:  https://amzn.to/2JFi567 Grill mount:  https://amzn.to/2sV2KnC Magma Rectangular Grill:  https://amzn.to/2laJ1w1 Propane Adapter:  https://amzn.to/2...

If you buy a used boat, someday you're sure to discover something that the prior owner did that leaves you scratching your head. For Carolyn Shearlock, it was wiring colors. It seems that if a piece of wire was needed, one was simply grabbed without regard to whether it was the same color as what it was spliced into. She and her husband didn't want to get into the time and expense of re-wiring. He...

Things WILL break on your boat. Many times, a permanent fix isn't immediately possible, especially if you're in a remote area. So what are you doing to do in the meantime? Carolyn Shearlock details numerous ways to cope with common gear failures. Sponsor:  Marmara Imports . Turkish towels and other fine hand-loomed, fair trade textiles from Turkey. Soft and luxurious, yet tiny to store and fast dr...

Unfortunately, with hurricanes come sunken, holed and grounded boats. The shattered dreams are devasting and everyone wants to recover their boat or at least go aboard and see what can be salvaged. Be careful, though: think about what's in the water in the wake of a hurricane. Two of Carolyn Shearlock's boats have taken direct hits by hurricanes and she's been very involved in the harbor cleanups...

Moving onto a boat means downsizing. Nica Waters, who's doing this right now, gives you clues on how to decide what comes with you! Links to items mentioned: Life Changing Magic of Tidying (Amazon):  https://amzn.to/2JxMbaV Colorful mixing bowls (Amazon):  https://amzn.to/2kQOJTE Cast iron skillet: https://amzn.to/2sN48b0 French press: https://amzn.to/2JlSWsS Ceramic baking pan:  https://amzn.to/2...

There's a saying about cruising that "the highs are higher and the lows are lower." Some of those lows can seem miles deep. And while Carolyn Shearlock generally loves cruising, one of those "get me out of here" days hit her last summer. But it wasn't permanent . . . listen in for how she quickly got back to loving it. Sponsor:  Marmara Imports . Turkish towels and other fine hand-loomed, fair tra...

The cruising cook has many responsibilities beyond ensuring everyone on board is well fed. She/he is the person who is most responsible for ensuring the crew stays healthy. Lin Pardey, who has sailed more than 200,000 miles, much of this as a Crew Maintenance Engineer (cook) shares two important tips tor making your summer cruise or voyage through the tropics a healthy one. Links to Lin's books di...

How do you know if your batteries are getting charged enough? If there's enough power to watch a movie? If your solar panels or wind generator are sufficient? Do you need to run the generator? Carolyn Shearlock explains a simple device that will give you just the info you need. Links to items mentioned in the show: Victron Battery Monitor on Amazon:  https://amzn.to/2JrJ4RI Sponsor:   SeaTech Syst...

If you're living off the grid — at anchor — what electrical "goodies" can you reasonably have and how do you power them? Carolyn Shearlock, with ten years of full-time living aboard mostly at anchor, believes in "no amp ogres" - that is, no saying that things aboard can't be used because of the power they will require. In this episode, she details the 4-step approach she takes to having sufficient...