The Basics of Living on a Boat

Master the liveaboard lifestyle with practical advice to flatten the learning curve

$39.00 USD

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This course is part of our All-Access Pass, where you get all 9 of our courses (plus some bonuses) for one low price. Learn more

Your Guide to Living on a Boat Full Time

Dreaming of living on a boat full time but not sure where to begin? The Basics of Living on a Boat gives you the essential knowledge to make your transition to life afloat smooth and successful. From preparing for everyday routines to understanding what to expect, this course takes the guesswork out of becoming a liveaboard.

Designed specifically for aspiring and new liveaboards, this course provides actionable advice, answers your biggest questions, and helps you avoid common beginner mistakes. Learn how to live comfortably, safely, and happily on the water.

Unlike courses that focus on boat operation or navigation, this course is dedicated to mastering the unique skills and routines of living on a boat full time—helping you feel confident and prepared for this exciting new lifestyle.

What You’ll Learn • Start Your Life Aboard with Confidence

✔ Master the practical aspects of daily life aboard a boat
✔ Understand cruising etiquette to avoid common faux pas
✔ Gain insights into provisioning, laundry, mail, and more
✔ Learn how to handle emergencies and unexpected challenges
✔ Build your confidence for interacting with other boaters

What’s Included • 30+ Sections of Practical Knowledge

This course is packed with straightforward tips, step-by-step instructions, and answers to common (and uncommon!) questions about life aboard.

Foundations of Life Aboard

Orientation and getting started
New boat checklist to get you up and running
Understanding propane stoves, daily checklists, and anchoring basics

Day-to-Day Essentials

Sleeping well aboard: bedding and quieting halyards
Internet, trash, recycling, and office services
Provisioning without a car
Laundry room etiquette

Community and Cruising Culture

Etiquette in marinas and at anchorages
Socializing with other boaters: tips for shyness, dietary restrictions, and tight budgets
Understanding the cruising community and building connections

Unique Challenges of Life Aboard

Living on a boat and cruising over age 75
Handling emergencies: dragging anchors, spare parts, and more
Traveling with a dog and navigating drone usage
Living in foreign countries

This course also tackles the trickier questions, from dealing with dragging anchors to how to approach tight social situations.

Why It’s Different

Unlike courses that focus on boat operation or navigation, The Basics of Living on a Boat is specifically designed to help you master the lifestyle side of cruising.

✔ Targeted at new and aspiring cruisers, with no prior experience required
✔ Addresses real-life concerns with honest, practical advice
✔ Provides actionable solutions for challenges unique to life aboard

How It Works • On-Demand and Always Accessible

Get started right away—your login details will appear on the purchase confirmation screen and be sent to your email for easy access later.

✔ Go through the course at your own pace, as fast or as slow as you like
✔ Refer back to topics whenever you need a refresher
✔ Lifetime access means you’ll always get updates at no extra cost

This online course is entirely text-based, with photos and downloadable checklists. Everything is designed for practical use, even in areas with limited connectivity.

About the Instructor • Carolyn Shearlock

Carolyn Shearlock is a seasoned cruiser who lived aboard full-time for 17 years on both a Tayana 37 monohull and a Gemini 105 catamaran. These two very different boats gave her firsthand experience with the challenges and rewards of boat life.

During her 14,000+ miles of cruising in the Sea of Cortez, Pacific Mexico, Central America, Florida, and the Bahamas, Carolyn developed the insights and practical advice she shares in this course. As an instructor at Cruisers University, a contributor to top boating publications, and the founder of The Boat Galley, Carolyn has helped thousands of people turn their cruising dreams into reality.

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Our Guarantee

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.

Try our products and courses for yourself. If they don’t make your boat life better, use our 90-day FREE no-hassle return guarantee.

Raved About By Josie M. . . .

"I am so glad I took this course! The knowledge I gained about cruising etiquette was invaluable. I already feel more secure about beginning our cruising journey."

Verified Purchaser, The Basics of Living on a Boat

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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.

A very easy course to follow, whilst imparting enough knowledge and confidence to feel more relaxed as a new member of the cruising community.

good information. Necessary for my "debut" on the scene...

This series is great, particularly for the non/new cruiser. As is discussed early on in this course, being the newby can be very daunting. Thanks for a well put together course.

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The Basics of Living on a Boat

The Basics of Living on a Boat

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