Finding Support While Cruising
The Boat Galley
When you’re just starting out, how do you find the support you need as a new cruiser? Well, I have a few ideas for you. There are great ways to build your support network--both practical and emotional--while cruising. Summary One of the biggest things that makes living aboard and cruising easier—by far—is having a support network. And I’m not just talking about having friends and family who don’t think you’re totally nuts, although that definitely helps. Support comes in many forms. The trick is knowing where to find it—and not being afraid to tap into it. ...
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Getting a Long Stay Visa for French Polynesia
The Boat Galley
Here are some pratical hints about applying for a long stay visa in French Polynesia: the three steps to follow so you can leisurely enjoy the islands. Note - this information is current as of July 2025. Summary If you're an American who wants to stay longer in French Polynesia than the standard 90-day visa allows, you must apply for a long-stay visa. However, unlike in some Caribbean nations, such as the Bahamas, you cannot simply extend your visa when it is nearing expiration. If you don't have a long-stay visa, you'll be required to leave. So, if you worry about completing boat tasks on...
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Caring for Minor Injuries During Boat Projects
The Boat Galley
When working on boat projects, extra hands can help--especially smaller ones. But how do you deal with minor injuries that result? Summary For all the talk about the importance of mechanical ability and hand strength for boat projects, sometimes having hands small enough to get into tight spaces is even more crucial. And the minor injuries that come with those projects are part of boat life. When we had to restring a line on our centerboard, my hands were the only ones on board that fit, barely. I got a few cuts and scrapes, and even a blister. It's part of the process. Another...
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Add Corn Tortillas to your Boat Pantry
The Boat Galley
Why should you add corn tortillas to your boat pantry? Well, they're nexpensive, ubiquitous, and long-lasting. Corn tortillas from the grocery store are fantastic! Summary It's fun making things from scratch on the boat. But there are some great "cheater" staples. One of my favorites is corn tortillas. Why are tortillas a great pantry staple on a boat? They last a long time--much longer than wheat tortillas. Corn tortillas don't need refrigeration. You can find them in many supermarkets. And they serve as a great base for many easy boat meals--enchiladas, quesadillas, and even...
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How Long Do You Have to Prep for a Hurricane?
The Boat Galley
When a named storm is forecast for your area, how long do you have to prepare your boat? Listen carefully for the tips few realize make the difference between being prepared and caught. Summary When your boat is in the path of a forecast hurricane, knowing how long you have to prepare is invaluable for good results. But you need some basic information to figure it out. First, understand that the National Hurricane Center refers to the eye of the storm when they predict arrival times. Gale-force winds will extend considerably farther. And you want to be fully prepared before they hit you. If...
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Making Sweet Potato Black Bean Tacos on your Boat
The Boat Galley
Sweet potato black bean tacos are the perfect boat recipe--ideal for when stores are slim. Versatile and easy to customize, one secret ingredient makes it really special. Summary When your stores are low and fresh produce is scarce, sweet potato black bean tacos are my go-to meal. Adding one secret ingredient takes it from delicious to over-the-moon fantastic. We never tire of it. Beans are a great source of protein. We don't have a freezer. Dried beans last a long time without taking up space. Add freeze-dried sweet potatoes (if you don't have fresh ones), aromatics, some...
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A Cool Way to Enjoy Happy Hour on a Boat
The Boat Galley
Cruising in hot weather? Why not cool off by enjoying happy hour in the water? Here are a few tips to keep it fun and safe. Summary Our cruising grounds exposed us to frequent high temperatures, sometimes over 100 degrees F. How did we keep cool? With lots of swimming. And not just throughout the day but when socializing with friends during happy hour. Sitting in shallow water off the beach or off the stern of an anchored boat is perfect for staying cool while visiting. Safety is key. A line off the stern not only gives visitors a place to hook their dinghies but also provides swimmers a place...
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Grocery Shopping in the Marquesas
The Boat Galley
Grocery Shopping, Marquesas-style. Here are three things to know about restocking your food supply in the Marquesas. Summary Before we arrived in the Marquesas, I worried about the ease of provisioning groceries. Yes, everyone eats everywhere. However, I had heard that stores were mostly nonexistent, had few items available, and what was found would be expensive. What was the reality? First, you'll find three types of "stores": magasins (small, department-store-ish businesses), green markets, and locals selling affordable produce from their gardens. Second, we found most of what we...
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Monitor Your Boat From Afar - Review Of The ROAM Device
The Boat Galley
If you have to leave your boat, are you confident all is well aboard? You can be with the Roam Device, an affordable and easy remote boat monitor system. Summary John Herlig from The Boat Galley team recently installed the Roam marine monitor hub on his 1967 Rawson 30 sailboat, currently anchored in Florida while he is away from the boat. He found the installation and setup of the Roam device faster and easier than expected. The device monitors vital boat systems and connects to a cell network to send data to the cloud. Users can access data from an app on their phone. The price is...
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No Foreign Land - A Great Cruiser Resource
The Boat Galley
Everything you need to know about this cruiser-based, crowd-sourced, social app. We rely on it every day! Summary When you've arrived at a new anchorage, how do you figure out how to find necessities? Especially if you're out of range of The Boat Galley cruising guides? After all, there are places where cruising guides don't exist. Luckily I have a great resource to share. Cruising is more than dolphins and beautiful sunsets. Sometimes, you gotta get stuff done, like buying groceries or diesel. Or maybe you're just craving a restaurant meal or want a fun day off the boat. You have...
info_outlineDistilling 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 on the highlights.
One major highlight was crossing the Equator. Why should crossing an imaginary line feel so momentous? I don't know. But talking to other cruisers, I know we're not alone.
We also saw an epic pod of commuting dolphins. I say commuting because they didn't play in the bow but kept moving. Other wildlife included a visiting bird, determined to be a swallowtail gull.
Near the equator, the moon rises as the sun is setting. So we could see the sun going down over our bow as the moon rose over our transom.
Before the seas became rough, we caught a large mahi-mahi that kept us fed for two days.
While not a highlight, the chafe of our main halyard added some excitement to the passage. Using the topping lift to carry the main was a temporary fix until we used it as a messenger line to secure a replacement halyard.
Other highlights included ticking off milestones--our first 1000 miles and crossing the equator. I enjoyed watching our self-steering unit (we called it Larry) do its work.
Of course, even routines are momentous underway, including our traditional Sunday pancake breakfast. With 30 knots of wind, it was exciting. But it was a good reminder of how we're adjusting our ideas about acceptable conditions.
We completed our passage of over 3000 miles at 5.5 knots on average, faster than many cruisers on boats longer than our 28-foot Calypso.
In the end, we were generally comfortable, ate well, and got enough rest. I hope to see you in an anchorage. Look for Calypso. And check out the links to find pictures and more details of our passage.
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Links:
The Boat Galley Cruising Guides - https://products.theboatgalley.com/collections/quick-reference-guides
Daily Emails - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Ffv_dDmAQiqo013OHaZPhUpQJbkQx5b3?usp=sharing
More Details & Photos - https://www.fit2sail.com/countdown-to-cruising/2025/4/11/highlights-from-a-pacific-passage
Click to see all podcast sponsors, past and present. - https://bit.ly/3idXto7
Music: “Slow Down” by Yvette Craig