The Basics of Living On A Boat

The Basics of Living on a Boat (formerly Unwritten Rules of the Cruising Life) is an introductory course, designed for people who are actively preparing to cruise as well as people who are starting to explore whether they might like cruising. 

For those who are preparing to cruise, it's an opportunity to get a leg up on that first-year learning curve.

And for those who are exploring cruising, this is a chance to see what other cruisers are like and how you'll fit in. To answer a lot of the questions about the lifestyle.

Although I've been cruising for over 15 years now, I still remember what it was like when we first started. I had hundreds of questions, questions that weren't answered in any sailing classes, charters or cruising books that I found. 

That's what this course is designed to help with. To give you all the "living on a boat" information that's not part of a "learn to sail" or "learn to cruise" course.

You'll find a total of 29 (!) modules in this course:

• New Boat Checklist
• Getting Help In An Emergency
• Anchoring & Mooring Balls
• Stopping Water Coming Into The Boat
• Using a Propane Stove
• Getting Back Aboard From The Water
• The Daily Checklist
• Sleeping Well
• Boat Bedding
• Quieting Halyards
• Internet
• Trash and Recycling
• Getting Mail and Packages
• Office Services
• Cleaning Products on a Boat
• A Bug-Free Boat
• How To Check In to A Marina
• Etiquette Around the Marina Or When Anchoring Out
• Dinghy Safety
• Provisioning Without A Car
• In The Laundry Room
• Doing US Taxes
• Living on a Boat and Cruising
• Over Age 75
• Drones
• What the Cruising Community is Like
• Socializing With Other Boaters
• Meeting People
• Boat Cards
• Living in Foreign Countries

Buy Now

Enrollment gives you access to a private Facebook group where you can meet other course participants and discuss your questions, worries, and triumphs with them and with me. You'll also get a free subscription to The Boat Galley Newsletter, a weekly collection of tips to make your transition to "cruiser" just that much smoother.

If you've read even a few of my articles on The Boat Galley, you'll know that I'm a straight talker, without fluff. I don't repeat myself five times just so that the material looks longer. There's plenty to talk about without that!

I promise not to waste your time. Each section is packed with useful information. John Herlig, who wrote "Using Your VHF Effectively" operates the same way.

What People Say

I don't shy away from the trickier questions, either:

• How do you deal with constantly having to meet new people if you're shy?
• When should you offer a spare part that you thought to bring to a remote anchorage, and someone else didn't?
• What should you do if a boat is dragging anchor and no one is aboard?
• What's the best way to tell someone they've anchored too close to your boat? What should you do if they don't move?
• How do you gain respect in the cruising community?
• Should you take someone's clothes out of the washer in the laundry room?
• What if you don't drink alcohol? Have food allergies or other dietary restrictions?
• How do you socialize if you're on a really tight budget?

Let's get started!