Prepare to Live on a Boat Full-Time

FREE • Start your journey to living on a boat with this free step-by-step guide

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Your Step-by-Step Guide to Living on a Boat Full-Time

Dreaming of living on a boat but unsure how to start? This free mini-course is your ultimate introduction to the liveaboard lifestyle. Prepare to Live on a Boat gives you a practical roadmap to help you transition from land life to living aboard full time, covering essential skills, planning, and gear to get you started.

Whether you're just starting to dream or ready to take the leap, this course will guide you through the key steps and resources you need to move forward with confidence.

What You’ll Learn • A Clear Path from Dreaming to Doing

✔ Understand the essential skills for living on the water
✔ Explore how to find the right boat and make it your own
✔ Discover must-have gear for a safe and enjoyable life afloat
✔ Learn how to make your transition from land life smooth and exciting
✔ Get connected to trusted resources for more in-depth learning

This course isn’t about doing everything for you—it’s about giving you the tools to take the next step toward your cruising dreams.

What’s Included • Simple Steps to Get You Started

Prepare to Cruise breaks down the preparation process into six key areas:

Gaining Skills: Understand the basics of navigation, boat handling, and more.
Buying a Boat: Tips for choosing a vessel that fits your budget and lifestyle.
Learning Your Boat: Build confidence as you explore its systems and quirks.
Buying Boat Gear: Focus on what you truly need without overspending.
Learning to Cook on Your Boat: Find resources to help you master the galley.
Moving Aboard: Get practical advice for downsizing and transitioning.

You’ll also receive a subscription to The Boat Galley Newsletter, packed with tips and tricks to make boat life easier and more enjoyable.

Why It’s Different

Prepare to Live on a Boat is designed for people who are just starting their journey and don’t even know what questions to ask.

✔ Beginner-Friendly: Focused on the basics to help you get started.
✔ Actionable Steps: Links to trusted resources and tools to guide you.
✔ Completely Free: Learn and plan without any financial commitment.

This course doesn’t overwhelm you with information—it gives you exactly what you need to take the next step toward cruising.

How It Works • On-Demand, Lifetime Access

Prepare to Live on a Boat is easy to start and simple to use:

✔ Immediate access: Get login details onscreen and via email right after signing up.
✔ Lifetime access: Revisit the course anytime and enjoy free updates.
✔ Flexible learning: Work through the material at your own pace, from any device.

All materials are text-based, so you can learn even in areas with limited connectivity.

About the Instructor • Carolyn Shearlock

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 in the Sea of Cortez, Central America, Florida, and the Bahamas, she learned what it takes to prepare for life afloat.

As the founder of The Boat Galley, Carolyn is passionate about helping others turn their cruising dreams into reality. She’s the author of The Boat Galley Cookbook and teaches at Cruisers University. Her practical, approachable teaching style ensures you’ll feel supported and confident as you plan your adventure.

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Our Mission

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.

Raved About By Tammy A. . . .

"These courses have been absolutely crucial for us being total newbies. They are full of information. Definitely worth it."

Verified Purchaser, Prepare to Live on a Boat Full-Time

Thumbs-up icon with stars, representing customer testimonials praising The Boat Galley’s products and resources.

Where You’ve Seen Us

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.

Carolyn Shearlock

Founder of The Boat Galley
17 years liveaboard cruiser
US, Mexico, Bahamas, Central America, Virgin Islands, Turkey
Cruisers University instructor

Larry Webber

Cruising Guide creator
6 years living aboard and cruising
US East Coast from Florida Keys to Maine and Bahamas
Ex-Air Force; singlehander

Nica Waters

Provisioning guru; podcaster
On & off living aboard since 1992
Atlantic crossing; US, Caribbean, and Bahamas
Years of cruising with kids

John Herlig

VHF pro and frugal cruiser
Cruiser and delivery captain
US East Coast, Bahamas, Haiti, and Caribbean
Cruisers University instructor

Pamela Douglas: Creator of the Cruising With Your Dog course, 7 years cruising the US East Coast and ICW with her dog, Honey.

Pamela Douglas (& Honey)

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

Julie Tijerina

Graphics designer
8 years living aboard
US East Coast to SE Caribbean
Design and layout for all printed products

Katherine González

Social media coordinator
Pacific Ocean: Seattle, WA to New Zealand, incl. French Polynesia
Complete newbie to sailing prior to her 11,000 nm voyage

Kimberly Ward

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.

An Invaluable Resource for Aspiring Cruisers

Prepare to Live on a Boat Full-Time from The Boat Galley is an absolute gem for anyone considering or already embracing the liveaboard lifestyle. The wealth of practical advice, insights, and step-by-step guidance makes transitioning to life on the water smoother and more enjoyable. The Boat Galley team’s dedication to supporting sailors is truly evident through the depth and quality of their resources. Whether you’re dreaming of cruising or already on board, this guide—and the entire Boat Galley website—offers unparalleled support. Highly recommended!

Great Resource

I dove into this resource with great enthusiasm and was not disappointed. It was filled with great tips and information for us as we prepare to embark on our full-time cruising journey. In fact the entire website has loads of information, but this course narrowed it down to the information I needed right now. Highly recommend!

excellent. I've read alot of blogs, and articles about preparing to go cruising. This blog took a great approach. Gave a realistic and practical approach for the beginning cruiser. I loved it!

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Prepare to Live on a Boat Full-Time