Galley Straps on a Boat - Do They Help or Harm?
The Boat Galley
Some cruisers think galley straps are a great safety item. I disagree. Here's why. Summary An important feature of a well-designed cruising boat galley is safety for the cook--ensuring they aren't tossed around the boat in rough seas. Many cruisers think galley straps solve the problem. But I believe they can make things worse--particularly the ones I saw on my friend's boat. What are the major issues? 1) Straps confine the cook in front of fire and hot pans with no ability to move away. 2)Straps don't help if you need access to other areas like lockers or the sink. 3) You need two hands to...
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Doing Laundry in a Bucket When You Live on a Boat
The Boat Galley
When you need to do laundry on the boat and there's no laundromat nearby, one unexpected tool will make the job easier. Here are the steps to having clean laundry aboard--no washing machine required! Summary: As budget cruisers in the 1990s, we did nearly all laundry on board. Today, we intend to splurge on laundromats. However, not everywhere has them. Or the cost can be high, like in French Polynesia where we are now. So what do you need to wash clothes on board? My supplies include two buckets, cold water detergent, fresh water, and a clean (unused) toilet plunger. Here's my...
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Recovering from Surgery When You Live on a Boat
The Boat Galley
Preparing for surgery when you live on a boat? Then we have some tips to help from when my husband Dave had a hip replacement while we were living aboard Barefoot Gal. Summary So how do you make arrangements when you live on a boat full time and have to schedule a surgical procedure? There are three components important to consider: 1) How long will it take for you to recover from your procedure? You need to get a realistic assessment from your doctor. And remember, when you're asking questions, they may not understand what it's like to live on a boat. 2) Where is the safest place to...
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Pacific Passage Highlights
The Boat Galley
Distilling a 4200-mile Pacific passage into memorable sound bites isn’t easy. But certain experiences definitely stand out. Here are some favorite moments from our 33 days at sea. Summary Sitting in a rolling anchorage is a great time to review Pacific passage highlights. After 32 days at sea and 8 hours heaving to so we could anchor during daylight there are so many epic experiences to reflect on. On our passage, I wrote daily emails. Follow the link below for access to all of them. They include observations of conditions and the moon and stars. But here, I'm just focusing...
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Vacuum Sealer on Your Boat - Yes or No?
The Boat Galley
The answer to whether you should have a vacuum sealer on you boat is complicated. But hopefully I can give you a few ideas of what to think about before you decide for yourself. Summary Over the years, many readers asked me about vacuum sealers for boats. I had one aboard two different cruising boats. And although I liked mine, I still consider them a luxury item. Here's what you should know if you're thinking of buying one. Vacuum sealers preserve food better than zipper bags. They remove more air, their bags are tougher, and they won't open unexpectedly if you seal the bags...
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Provisioning for a Long Passage in Unfamiliar Places
The Boat Galley
Provisioning for a long passage is only one thing you have to do before setting out for distant shores. It's even more difficult when you're doing it in somewhere that's new to you. Here's how we managed the task on a 4-day timeline. Summary We thought we had plenty of time to leisurely provision our boat before leaving for French Polynesia. We could focus on other boat tasks in the meantime. But receiving a visa ahead of time meant we had to get moving. So, how do you provision for a long passage on a short timeline? And especially when it's in a place you're unfamiliar with?...
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Keeping Pets Safe on your Boat in a Storm
The Boat Galley
A storm is headed your way and you have pets on board. Have you thought about what you need to do to keep them safe? Summary Storms require forethought when you live on a boat. But if you're cruising with a dog, cat, or other pet there are a few other things to consider. You want to be sure belongings are well stored away. Even a big dog could be hurt or startled by something falling off a table or counter. But for a tiny dog or cat, even a book could cause serious injury. If you plan to go ashore, take pets with you. If it's too rough for you, it's not safe for them to stay on the...
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Feeding the Panama Canal Crew
The Boat Galley
What are the food logistics for a Panama Canal transit? With the potential for an expensive food delivery bill on the line, we give you the best tips to avoid a real budget buster. Summary When we hired an agent to help us navigate our transit through the Panama Canal, we got a lot of answers. But the requirements for feeding the advisor who boarded to help us through the locks were vague. And we found little information on blogs and websites by fellow cruisers. So these are the requirements for ensuring the advisor's comfort. And how we dealt with them. You must provide for the...
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Best Fans for Living on a Boat in Hot Weather
The Boat Galley
Good fans are a necessity when you're cruising in a hot climate. But which one will give you the most air movement for the fewest amps? Summary If you're cruising in the tropics, you'll want to know the best fans for living on a boat in hot weather. My choice is the Caframo, 12-volt, cage-free fan. It moves the most air using the fewest amps. This fan offers three mounting options, giving you maximum flexibility. We found that it lasted about five years with nearly continuous use in a very hot climate. Replacement parts are affordable and easy to find. It's worth keeping a few extra...
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Enter the Discomfort Zone (when moving onto a boat and cruising)
The Boat Galley
Moving onto a boat is one thing. Starting to cruise is another. And both have steep learning curves. Nica and Carolyn suggest tips for getting out of your comfort zone when making these big life changes. Summary Moving onto a boat and beginning cruising has a steep learning curve. It's not just beaches and cocktails. The challenges of living on a boat include adapting to small spaces, difficult storage options, lack of climate control, and providing your own electricity and water. So how do you cope? Admit that you feel uncomfortable Find support from others Break learning into...
info_outlineIt can be tempting to fit equipment anywhere you can shoehorn it in. But if you can't get to it for routine maintenance or repairs, you'll regret it. Here are some things to consider about access for maintenance before you buy your cruising boat.
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Music: “Slow Down” by Yvette Craig