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: 

Outboard Motor Troubleshooting Guide - https://bit.ly/42Di75K

Nica email - [email protected]

Carolyn email - [email protected]

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

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 Lunatecgear.com to learn more; use code boatgalley to save 10% on everything. Lunatec: innovative gear for your outdoor adventures.

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

Music: “Slow Down” by Yvette Craig

 

 

 

 

 

It's unlikely you have as much gear in your boat galley as you did in your kitchen on land. So what should you do if a recipe calls for a tool you don't have? 

Links (Amazon links are affiliate links, meaning that The Boat Galley Podcast earns from qualifying purchases; some other links may be affiliate links):

Provisioning Course - https://products.theboatgalley.com/products/provisioning-meal-planning-and-food-storage   Eating Well with a Tiny Fridge - https://products.theboatgalley.com/products/eating-well-with-a-tiny-fridge   The Boat Galley Cookbook  - https://products.theboatgalley.com/products/cookbook   The Boat Galley Cookbook (Amazon) - https://amzn.to/40z4jGG  

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

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

Music: “Slow Down” by Yvette Craig

 

 

     

 

A little background on the voices you hear each week in a rare joint podcast where we ask each other questions about our cruising, our boats, and why we got into podcasting together.

Links (Amazon links are affiliate links, meaning that The Boat Galley Podcast earns from qualifying purchases; some other links may be affiliate links):

 Nica bio -  https://www.fit2sail.com/about-nica 

 About Nica’s boats - https://www.fit2sail.com/about-the-boat 

 About Carolyn - https://products.theboatgalley.com/pages/about-us 

Lin Pardey and her Books (Amazon) - https://amzn.to/4g59nby

Nica email - [email protected]

Carolyn email - [email protected]

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!

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

Music: “Slow Down” by Yvette Craig

 

 

 

 

Making the bed in your boat can be a nightmare if you don't have property fitted sheets. So waht are your options? Here's a good one we've found. 

Links (Amazon links are affiliate links, meaning that The Boat Galley Podcast earns from qualifying purchases; some other links may be affiliate links):

Cinch-Fit Sheets - https://bit.ly/4gQj2UC

Shallow Pocket Sheets - https://bit.ly/4acca1m

V-Berth Boat Sheets - https://bit.ly/3WDOWfl

V-Berth Boat Sheets (Amazon) - https://amzn.to/4hbsQbB

Cinch-Fit Queen Sheets (Amazon) - https://amzn.to/4gRAM21

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

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 Lunatecgear.com to learn more; use code boatgalley to save 10% on everything. Lunatec: innovative gear for your outdoor adventures.

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

Music: “Slow Down” by Yvette Craig

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not marine grade? Not a problem! 5 reasons we have generic 2x4 pieces aboard Calypso. 

Links:

Nica email - [email protected]

Carolyn email - c[email protected]

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

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

 

 

Boat work often involves spending time on your hands and knees. And whether your decks are fiberglass or teak, it will start to hurt. Here's one easy way to protect your knees.

Summary

When we bought our first cruising boat, we were surprised to find basketball knee pads in a locker. But it didn’t take long before we saw the need for knee protection. 

Changing the oil, protecting the teak, working on the engine, putting away canned goods–they all required kneeling on a hard floor. But the basketball pads we got from the previous owner were a poor fit. Eventually, we found a perfect substitute. They didn’t shift around, provided good cushioning, 

Sure, you can use a pad or a scrap of carpet. But we found the pads we bought were superior. 

To learn more about the features of the perfect knee pads for boat work, listen to the full podcast. Or check out How to Save Your Knees When Doing Boat Projects. 

Links (Amazon links are affiliate links, meaning that The Boat Galley Podcast earns from qualifying purchases; some other links may be affiliate links):

Non-Marking Knee Pads (Amazon) - https://amzn.to/3ZU7sRd

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!

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

Music: “Slow Down” by Yvette Craig

 

 

 

Being able to help with a humanitarian mission is a joy. Learn how carrying boxes of supplies to the Bahamas for a non-profit made our recent crossing extra special. 

Links: 

 Hope Fleet -  https://hopefleet.org 

Nica email - [email protected]

Carolyn email - [email protected]

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!

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

Music: “Slow Down” by Yvette Craig

 

 

 

All cutting boards protect your counter, keep your knives from getting dull, and guard against food poisoning. But on a boat, they also have to stay put. Here's my recommendation.

Links (Amazon links are affiliate links, meaning that The Boat Galley Podcast earns from qualifying purchases; some other links may be affiliate links):

Oxo Good Grips Cutting Board 10" x 15" (Amazon) - https://amzn.to/4gRx9sL

Oxo Good Grips Cutting Board 7" x 11" (Amazon) - https://amzn.to/3Pfkxjn

Oxo Good Grips Cutting Board 9" x 13" (Amazon) - https://amzn.to/49FtsUC

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

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 Lunatecgear.com to learn more; use code boatgalley to save 10% on everything. Lunatec: innovative gear for your outdoor adventures.

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

Music: “Slow Down” by Yvette Craig

 

 

It’s not only about the weather in the next 2 days that matters . Or how weather windows to the Bahamas in November of 2024 were challenging! 

Links: 

 National Hurricane Center - https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ 

 West Palm Beach -  https://www.wpb.org/Departments/Parks-Recreation/City-Docks 

Nica email - [email protected]

Carolyn email - [email protected]

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

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

 

 

 

Sorry, it's just not possible to do all the holiday baking on a boat that you may have done on land. But that doesn't meant you don't have plenty of fun options. Here are a few ideas for making holiday treats without stress.

Links:

Gingerbread Cake Recipe - https://theboatgalley.com/gingerbread/

Booze Balls Recipe - https://theboatgalley.com/no-bake-booze-balls/

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!

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

Music: “Slow Down” by Yvette Craig