The Boat Galley

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.

Galley Straps on a Boat - Do They Help or Harm? 05/05/2025

Doing Laundry in a Bucket When You Live on a Boat 04/28/2025

Recovering from Surgery When You Live on a Boat 04/21/2025

Pacific Passage Highlights 04/14/2025

Pacific Passage Highlights 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 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. to the Boat Galley Newsletter! - Links: - - - - [email protected] - [email protected] - Music: “Slow Down” by /episode/index/show/theboatgalley/id/36115435

Vacuum Sealer on Your Boat - Yes or No? 04/07/2025

Vacuum Sealer on Your Boat - Yes or No? 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 properly. If you're a weekend or part-time cruiser and use it at home, it's great for preparing meals or snacks in advance. Full-time cruisers are more likely to use them at a big provisioning stop. And, if you catch more fish than you can eat right away, a vacuum sealer is a great way to ensure the fillets last and retain a good texture. But not all vacuum sealers work consistently. And that can drive you nuts on a boat. Especially if you're used to having one and can't replace it when it fails. A quality home-rated vacuum sealer costs around $150 and bags are upwards of 15 cents a piece. Small commercial units work better but are double the price. Finally, they do take some power (although for a short time). I used mine the most often in a marina, hooked up to shore power. If you're planning on using it away from the dock, make sure your inverter is large enough for the unit you buy. My final comment is that vacuum sealers are great on a boat if you get a good one. But they're still a luxury. And if money is tight, they might not rise to the top of your list. If you want a vacuum sealer for your boat, listen to the full podcast or read on The Boat Galley website to learn the 5 factors you need to consider first. Links: - to the Boat Galley Newsletter! - Today’s episode of The Boat Galley Podcast is sponsored by , 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 and see for yourself! - Music: “Slow Down” by /episode/index/show/theboatgalley/id/36024805

Provisioning for a Long Passage in Unfamiliar Places 03/31/2025

Keeping Pets Safe on your Boat in a Storm 03/24/2025

Feeding the Panama Canal Crew 03/17/2025

Feeding the Panama Canal Crew 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 comfort of your advisor. This includes the availability of shade, a toilet, sealed water bottles, and hot meals. In addition, your advisor can arrange food delivery if they are dissatisfied with your offerings. The key was to prepare ahead as much as possible and to be flexible. I recommend offering options to the advisor. And, of course, snacks and coffee are always welcome. The podcast offers more details of how we managed to feed the agent during our canal transit. Or, if you prefer to read, follow the podcast link at The Boat Galley website for a link to a blog post with pictures. Links: - - - - [email protected] - [email protected] to the Boat Galley Newsletter! - 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. - never worry about your boat from afar again. Use coupon code BOATGALLEY for an exclusive 5% discount. - Music: “Slow Down” by /episode/index/show/theboatgalley/id/35713760

Best Fans for Living on a Boat in Hot Weather 03/10/2025

Enter the Discomfort Zone (when moving onto a boat and cruising) 03/03/2025

The Great Mini Pot You Need for Your Boat 02/24/2025

Transiting the Panama Canal 02/18/2025

Best Waterproof Tablet Case for a Boat 02/10/2025

Best Waterproof Tablet Case for a Boat The best waterproof tablet case for a boat is expensive insurance--especially if you use your tablet for navigation or trip planning. But even if you just use it for playing music or reading do you really want to risk ruining it? Podcast Summary In recent years, tablets have become common on cruising boats. We found ours useful for navigation, trip planning, reading, and more. But your tablet is worthless if you can't keep it dry and working in a wet cockpit. Even our own Boat Galley cruising guides come in PDF versions you can access easily from your tablet. They're handy for a quick lookup of a bridge opening or finding a place to take the dog off when you stop for the evening. So what are the minimal features a tablet case needs to be worth bringing onboard? tech must be fully usable while contained in the case case must keep the tablet from overheating you must be able to charge the tablet in the case. case must be completely watertight in both wind and waves The one I think is the best option has two other features that I'm very thankful for: floats if dropped (no matter how much you stuff inside) easy to carry and hold onto So that is this amazing boat tablet case? It's the ugo wear waterproof tablet case. I used their phone case for years. And I've been just as happy with the tablet case since I've had one. My iPad functions in every way right in the case. It pairs easily to Bluetooth so I can use WiFi and earbuds. I add an external battery pack to the case and plug it in. Best of all, it never overheats. That is not true for other cases I've tried over the years. The ugo case has both a shoulder strap an a smaller hand strap. I used the hand strap frquently for keeping it close at hand underway. Extra pockets have room for money, credit cards, and small extras. With a little regular maintneance of the zipper, it seals up easily. And provides inexpensive insurance for expensive tech. Links (Amazon links are affiliate links, meaning that The Boat Galley Podcast earns from qualifying purchases; some other links may be affiliate links): - https://products.theboatgalley.com/collections/quick-reference-guides (Amazon) - (Amazon) - (Amazon) - - to the Boat Galley Newsletter! - - Music: “Slow Down” by /episode/index/show/theboatgalley/id/35204980

The Balancing Act - Pleasure vs Boat Work 02/03/2025

The Balancing Act - Pleasure vs Boat Work Deciding how to divide cruising time between work and pleasure is a real conundrum. Another joint podcast wherein we answer a fantastic question about life balance from a follower. Podcast Summary No one starts cruising so they can work on their boat all the time. Yes, it's important to keep your vessel in good repair. But you also need to learn how to balance fun with boat work. But just how do you do that? Here are a few tips: Cruiser and coach, Behan Gifford, suggests someone onboard becomes a "happiness engineer." They take on the responsibility for planning fun activities on a regular basis. Make sure you block out time on your schedule for both fun and boat chores. Fun is important. So besides scheduling time for it, leave money in your budget for it. Be sure to make time for fun when you're in particularly interesting spots. After all, you can make repairs nearly anywhere (once you have supplies). But some adventures are site specific. And, if you struggle to find time for fun and boat work, extend your stay. You can always slow down. Even if you prefer anchoring, an occasional marina stay can help you replenish your spirits. Beating weather may be a race. But balance it with a break when you're past the worst of it. Make sure everyone on the crew gets moments of fun, including pets and kids. Links: - - [email protected] - to the Boat Galley Newsletter! - Today’s episode of The Boat Galley Podcast is sponsored by Lunatec, makers of the hydration spray bottle, odor-free dishcloth and self-cleaning washcloth. Lunatec offers practical gear designed to save water and reduce waste. A water bottle that doubles as a garden hose? A dish cloth that doesn’t get stinky? Yes, please! Visit to learn more; use code boatgalley to save 10% on everything. Lunatec: innovative gear for your outdoor adventures. - Music: “Slow Down” by /episode/index/show/theboatgalley/id/35116090