The Boat Galley Podcast Por Carolyn Shearlock & Nica Waters arte de portada

The Boat Galley

The Boat Galley

De: Carolyn Shearlock & Nica Waters
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Making boat life better, 5-10 minutes at a time. The Boat Galley Podcast contains quick bits of actionable information to help you learn all about boat life and going cruising.Copyright 2016-2024 The Boat Galley
Episodios
  • Goodbye For Now

    Goodbye For Now
    Mar 18 2026
    The last regularly scheduled episode of The Boat Galley Podcast is a discussion between Nica and Carolyn on how cruising has changed. Summary Today's episode of The Boat Galley podcast is actually a little different. Welcome to a conversation between Carolyn Shearlock and Nica Waters on changes to cruising in the past few decades. But first, we have some news for you. We've enjoyed recording this podcast for over 800 episodes over the past eight years. That's a lot of useful information available in short episodes--most less than ten minutes long. If you're new to the podcast, make sure you go back and check out our old content. Thank you to all our listeners. And also, thank you to our sponsors who have supported us. We reached out to our sponsors because we use and love their products. We're not only grateful for their support of the podcast but also for how they've helped make our own cruising lives easier. Changes in Cruising Nica first began cruising in the 1990s, and Carolyn began in 2002. Since then, we've seen a lot of changes. One of the biggest has been access to information. With access to satellite-based internet, it's easier to get information than ever. The new challenge is learning to differentiate between useful information and infotainment. GPS Of course, a huge game-changer has been the arrival of GPS. In the early days, it wasn't reliable. Early chart plotters made it appear your boat was on land, and GPS service included a warning that it would only be reliable to five miles. Nica notes that in her current location in French Polynesia, GPS has made navigation much easier. However, she would not rely on it at night. Ease of Setting Out Carolyn notes that it used to be typical for cruisers to begin by coastal cruising. They might stay just offshore for five years while they gain the skills required to travel farther afield. Today, it's easier to set off more quickly. You can connect to the information you need farther from shore. However, it also means some cruisers don't have the experience and skills to rely on if things go wrong. More cruisers set out with a big goal, like circumnavigating. Carolyn reminds us of Lin Pardey's advice: to keeping going as long as it's fun. Nica notes that many cruisers are buying larger and more luxurious vessels. That means that they may not have a plan for when their freezer fails or their watermaker needs to be repaired. Skills like knowing how to keep food without refrigeration or how to gather rainwater can help any cruiser if equipment breaks down in a remote location. Redundancy of skills is as important as redundancy in equipment. Returning to navigation, a cruiser needs to have a plan for if GPS itself becomes unavailable. With paper charts no longer being updated, this becomes a greater challenge. Carolyn credits her experience as a small boat racer for having the skills to move her boat if something goes wrong. Although she feels self-sufficiency is important, she also expresses gratitude for fellow cruisers who suggested quick fixes when she and Dave were trying to make the perfect repair. Advice for Cruisers The Boat Galley exists to make cruising easier and more fun. So it's time to share some advice. Flexibility Nica and Carolyn agree that mental flexibility and the ability to slow down are among the most important traits for any cruiser. The theme music of the podcast expresses this key. It's titled "Slow Down." Stay Curious and Open to Adventure There will be days when you feel tired or homesick. But if you keep that curiosity and sense of adventure, whether you're sailing in familiar waters or farther ashore, you'll be enjoying the best benefits of cruising. Carolyn reminds us that you can't plan for everything. That's actually the definition of adventure--not knowing what will happen next. Not everything will look like a YouTube video. You'll experience highs and lows. But most of cruising is the mundane middle--washing dishes, moving stuff around to reach other stuff, etc. Farewell Carolyn and Nica are proud of all the work they've done on the podcast, providing useful tips for others. They love hearing from listeners and look forward to sharing more about this amazing lifestyle. Subscribe to the Boat Galley Newsletter! - https://theboatgalley.com/newsletter-signup-2 Today's episode of The Boat Galley Podcast is sponsored by MantusMarine.com, maker of the Mantus anchor, now available in models with and without a roll bar. Proven to set reliably in the most challenging bottoms, the Mantus anchor digs like no other, making anchoring safer and boating more enjoyable. Mantus Marine brings to market practical, durable and affordable marine products, including: anchoring gear, scuba diving accessories, and rechargeable waterproof headlamp for hands-free lighting and solar charging Navigation light. Visit MantusMarine.com and see for yourself! Links: Lin and Larry Pardey Books (Amazon) - https://...
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    20 m
  • Glass Fishing Floats - The ultimate treasure from the sea

    Glass Fishing Floats - The ultimate treasure from the sea
    Dec 22 2025

    Hunting for the elusive, Japanese glass fishing floats.

    Summary:

    Fishermen around the world use floats of some kind to keep their nets suspended in the ocean. Originally, floats were often wood or cork. Today, they are frequently made of plastic or styrofoam. The choice of material depends on where you are.

    We think the most attractive floats are made of glass. No longer in production, the last glass fishing floats were made in Japan in the 1970s.

    When nets get lost or washed onto reefs, the floats continue their journey. We've been hunting for glass floats since we cruised with our kids in 2009-2010 after getting hooked on the search by friends.

    Now that we're in French Polynesia, the search continues. We see them decorating homes, which means that a particular atoll (perhaps due to currents and prevailing winds) is a likely place to find them.

    We found more in Takaroa, the farthest north inhabited atoll of the Tuamotus, than anywhere else. Would we be lucky there as well?

    To learn more details of our search and to discover if we ever found a glass float of our own, listen to the complete podcast or check out Takaroa Treasures (https://www.fit2sail.com/countdown-to-cruising/2025/9/8/takaroa-treasures-atoll-6).

    The next podcast will be a joint one with Carolyn and Nica and may be delayed. Look for it sometime in the new year.

    Subscribe to the Boat Galley Newsletter! - https://theboatgalley.com/newsletter-signup-2

    Links:

    Nica email - nica@fit2sail.com

    Carolyn email - carolyn@theboatgalley.com

    The Boat Galley podcast is sponsored by FastSeas.com. Plan your next passage using FastSeas.com. Whether you are after speed or comfort, FastSeas will find the optimum route to your destination. FastSeas - making weather routing simple. Use coupon code GALLEY for an exclusive 10% discount.

    Click to see all podcast sponsors, past and present. - https://bit.ly/3idXto7

    Music: "Slow Down" by Yvette Craig
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    5 m
  • Catamaran or Monohull - Which is Better?

    Catamaran or Monohull - Which is Better?
    Dec 15 2025
    So, you've decided to buy a cruising boat. Congratulations! Which is the best fit for you? A catamaran or a monohull? Here are some thoughts from someone who has cruised on both. Summary Which is a better cruising vessel, a catamaran or a monhull? After cruising aboard both a 37-foot monohull and later a 34-foot catamaran, I've seen benefits and drawbacks to each. For life aboard, a catamaran is more comfortable. Even a shorter cat will feel larger. Beds are more likely to fit standard sizes, and the space can feel light and airy. However, storage is usually easier on a monohull. They have more built-in storage spaces. In addition, while no boat should be overloaded, catamarans are particularly sensitive to weight. If you fill a cat with too many spares and tools, it will affect performance. Underway, cats are faster. Without a heavy keel to push through the water, they slip along. However, monohulls tend to point higher when sailing upwind. A catamaran's shallower draft opens up more anchoring possibilities. With twin engines, it can do some tricky maneuvers. However, with a wider beam and higher windage, close-quarters handling can be challenging. Monohulls with fin keels are easier to maneuver, while full-keels can be especially fussy backing into a slip. Catamarans offer tons of space to entertain in the cockpit. But in poor weather, the deeper and more sheltered cockpit of a monohull will feel safer in rough or cold conditions. Generally, catamarans are easier to board. A monohull with a sugar scoop completes well. But generally, cats are easier. While the catamaran's two engines offer a backup if one fails, they also require double the maintenance. Their saildrives provide less drag but also require more maintenance. For people who dislike heeling, a catamaran's stability offers a big selling point. However, the motion is more jerky underway. Different sailors prefer different motions, and you have to experience it to decide for yourself. With a roomier deck, sail handling tends to be easier on a catamaran. However, the annoying "slapping" sound under the bridge deck can be irritating when the waves hit wrong. It even happens at anchor. Noise can be another difference. Catamarans can have an annoying slap under the bridge deck when waves hit just right. It can happen even at anchor. Don't forget to consider righting ability. A monohull will nearly always right itself. A catamaran, while it's less likely to capsize, will not turn itself back up. Catamaran costs can be higher because of their width. Consider the difficulties of finding a spot in a marina or getting hauled out. Insurance may be more expensive as well. Extra equipment--davits, windvanes, solar panels-- works better on one or the other. Think about your needs carefully. Finally, catamarans are nearly always more expensive to buy and maintain. So, which is better — a catamaran or a monohull? Catamarans offer space, stability, and a shallow draft. A monohull offers simplicity, sailing performance, and a boat that will right itself if the worst happens. They both have benefits. The choice is up to you. To get more details, listen to the full podcast or check out Catamaran or Monohull (https://theboatgalley.com/catamaran-or-monohull-2/). Subscribe to the Boat Galley Newsletter! - https://theboatgalley.com/newsletter-signup-2 Today's episode is sponsored by Roam Devices. Their Marine Monitor is a premium boat monitoring system that allows you to stay informed with what's happening on your boat while you're ashore for just $349 and $5 per month. Never be caught off guard by a failing battery or burnt-out bilge pump —Your boat will text you as soon as anything starts going wrong! The Roam Devices app shows a real-time view of your boat's status and location with an awesome built in remote anchor alarm. RoamDevices.com - never worry about your boat from afar again. Use coupon code BOATGALLEY for an exclusive 5% discount. Click to see all podcast sponsors, past and present. - https://bit.ly/3idXto7 Music: "Slow Down" by Yvette Craig
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    11 m
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