Documents for Boat Buyers and Owners
Documents for Boat Buyers and Owners
FREE • Stay organized with essential documents for buying, owning, and managing your boat
Essential Documents for Boat Owners and Buyers
Buying and owning a boat involves a lot of details—from comparing options during your search to staying organized once you’re underway. These free, editable documents are designed to simplify the process and give you peace of mind.
Whether you’re buying your first boat, moving aboard a new one, or maintaining your current vessel, these tools will help you stay prepared, informed, and safe.
For Boat Buyers:
- Boat Buying Comparison Sheet (editable): Easily compare boats side by side and make an informed decision.
- New Boat Checklist: Ensure all legalities and practicalities are covered when purchasing your vessel.
For Boat Owners:
- Boat Details Document (editable): Keep vital boat information at your fingertips.
- Before Moving Boat Checklist (editable): Safely prepare for every journey.
- Important Info for Your Emergency Contacts (editable): Provide critical details to loved ones in case of an emergency.
- Boat Safety Briefing for Guests: Help your visitors understand key safety procedures aboard your boat.
- Boating Daily Checklist: Simplify routine checks to keep your boat running smoothly.
✔ Lifetime access, including updates
✔ Available anytime—no schedules, no pressure
Accessing your free documents is simple:
- Immediate access: Download your files instantly after signing up.
- Email confirmation: You’ll also receive an email with download links for easy access later.
- Lifetime updates: Always have the most up-to-date versions, free of charge.
- Convenient format: Editable files that are easy to customize for your unique needs.
Plus, you’ll also get a free subscription to The Boat Galley Newsletter, filled with tips to make boat life easier and more enjoyable. Don’t like it? You can unsubscribe at any time—we don’t sell your email or send spam.
Carolyn Shearlock has 17 years of experience living aboard two very different boats—a Tayana 37 monohull and a Gemini 105 catamaran. During over 14,000 miles of cruising through the Sea of Cortez, Central America, Florida, and the Bahamas, Carolyn developed the practical tools and checklists shared in this download.
As the founder of The Boat Galley, Carolyn is dedicated to helping boaters simplify their lives on the water. She’s the author of The Boat Galley Cookbook and Storing Food Without Refrigeration and teaches at Cruisers University. Her realistic, approachable advice has guided countless boaters toward smoother, more confident adventures.
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FREE - no payment required at check out
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Download immediately upon check out
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Raved About By Whitney M. . . .
"Carolyn’s resources are a gold mine."
Verified Purchaser, Documents for Boat Buyers and Owners
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Meet The Boat Galley Team
At The Boat Galley, we’re all cruisers. We know the joys—and the challenges—of boat life. The steep learning curve, costly mistakes, and hours spent searching for answers can be overwhelming. We’ve been there. That’s why we’ve created practical tools, trusted resources, and real-world guides to help you skip the frustrations and focus on enjoying your cruising life.
- Founder of The Boat Galley
- 17 years liveaboard cruiser
- US, Mexico, Bahamas, Central America, Virgin Islands, Turkey
- Cruisers University instructor
- Cruising Guide creator
- 6 years living aboard and cruising
- US East Coast from Florida Keys to Maine and Bahamas
- Ex-Air Force; singlehander
- Provisioning guru; podcaster
- On & off living aboard since 1992
- Atlantic crossing; US, Caribbean, and Bahamas
- Years of cruising with kids
- VHF pro and frugal cruiser
- Cruiser and delivery captain
- US East Coast, Bahamas, Haiti, and Caribbean
- Cruisers University instructor
- Creator of Cruising With Your Dog
- 7 years cruising with Honey
- US East Coast and ICW
- Part of the Go Pet Friendly team
- 15+ years writing about dogs
- Graphics designer
- 8 years living aboard
- US East Coast to SE Caribbean
- Design and layout for all printed products
- Social media coordinator
- Pacific Ocean: Seattle, WA to New Zealand, incl. French Polynesia
- Complete newbie to sailing prior to her 11,000 nm voyage
- Boatshow booth "mom"
- Sabbatical and part-year cruiser
- US, Bahamas, Caribbean
- Family cruising New England to southern Caribbean
Curious about our story and what drives us? Learn more about us here.
We are making improvements to your boat and could not think of a way that was logical and we could keep all info in one place. This satisfies both of the those needs.
I thought it was very basic. Good thing it was free. I don’t see your documents for entering countries on the site anymore. I think these should be in there too.
Documents for Boat Buyers and Owners
Make Life Aboard Simpler with Weekly Tips and Advice
The Boat Galley Newsletter provides practical tips, expert insights, and proven strategies to help you tackle life aboard with confidence and simplicity.
Get our free newsletter right in your inbox!
At The Boat Galley, we have one mission: to help you cruise with confidence.
As liveaboard cruisers, we understand the challenges and questions that come with boat life. That’s why we create practical products and courses designed to tackle the same issues we’ve faced ourselves—making your life on the water easier, safer, and more enjoyable.
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