Doing Laundry in a Bucket When You Live on a Boat

When you need to do laundry on the boat and there's no laundromat nearby, one unexpected tool will make the job easier. Here are the steps to having clean laundry aboard--no washing machine required! Summary: As budget cruisers in the 1990s, we did nearly all laundry on board. Today, we intend to splurge on laundromats. However, not everywhere has them. Or the cost can be high, like in French Polynesia where we are now.  So what do you need to wash clothes on board? My supplies include two buckets, cold water detergent, fresh water, and a clean (unused) toilet plunger.   Here's my method: Fill a bucket 2/3 full. Pour in detergent and swish until it dissolves. Add clothes and use the plunger for about twenty minutes per piece of laundry. Wring out soapy water before rinsing in fresh water. Then wring clothes thoroughly to help them dry faster. Pin clothes to your lifelines (watch for rain) until dry. And that's it. Smaller loads are easier to wash in a bucket than large ones. So don't wait too long between washes.  Check out my recommended products in the links. Listen to the full podcast for more information, including a tip about how much detergent to use in a load.  Subscribe to the Boat Galley Newsletter! - https://theboatgalley.com/newsletter-signup-2 Links (Amazon links are affiliate links, meaning that The Boat Galley Podcast earns from qualifying purchases; some other links may be affiliate links): Clean buckets (Amazon) - https://amzn.to/42Jd7eh Dirty Labs Non-Toxic Detergent (Amazon) - https://amzn.to/3EFqJzj Dirty Labs Non-Toxic Detergent - https://dirtylabs.com/products/signature-bio-laundry-detergent Plunger (Amazon) - https://amzn.to/3RFlylT Laundry Plunger (Amazon) - https://amzn.to/3RCEhi4 Nica email - [email protected] Carolyn email - [email protected] 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                  

Preparing for surgery when you live on a boat? Then we have some tips to help from when my husband Dave had a hip replacement while we were living aboard Barefoot Gal. Summary So how do you make arrangements when you live on a boat full time and have to schedule a surgical procedure?  There are three components important to consider: 1) How long will it take for you to recover from your procedure? You need to get a realistic assessment from your doctor. And remember, when you're asking questions, they may not understand what it's like to live on a boat. 2) Where is the safest place to keep the boat during recovery. Dave's surgery fell right during hurricane season. So hauling the boat and putting it on the hard was the best choice for us. 3) Can your emergency plan handle all the expenses? For us, this meant hauling and storing the boat. We also rented an apartment for several months (3 months longer than the doctor predicted). And we had to put items in storage.  Luckily, we had time to make a plan for Dave's surgery. But if you have a large enough emergency fund, even an emergency should be okay. Listen to the complete podcast for more details or check out Managing Surgery When You Live on a Boat. Subscribe to the Boat Galley Newsletter! - https://theboatgalley.com/newsletter-signup-2 Links: Quick Reference Cruising Guides - https://products.theboatgalley.com/collections/quick-reference-guides   Click to see all podcast sponsors, past and present. - https://bit.ly/3idXto7 Music: “Slow Down” by Yvette Craig  

Distilling a 4200-mile Pacific passage into memorable sound bites isn’t easy. But certain experiences definitely stand out. Here are some favorite moments from our 33 days at sea. Summary  Sitting in a rolling anchorage is a great time to review Pacific passage highlights. After 32 days at sea and 8 hours heaving to so we could anchor during daylight there are so many epic experiences to reflect on. On our passage, I wrote daily emails. Follow the link below for access to all of them. They include observations of conditions and the moon and stars. But here, I'm just focusing on the highlights. One major highlight was crossing the Equator. Why should crossing an imaginary line feel so momentous? I don't know. But talking to other cruisers, I know we're not alone.  We also saw an epic pod of commuting dolphins. I say commuting because they didn't play in the bow but kept moving. Other wildlife included a visiting bird, determined to be a swallowtail gull.  Near the equator, the moon rises as the sun is setting. So we could see the sun going down over our bow as the moon rose over our transom.  Before the seas became rough, we caught a large mahi-mahi that kept us fed for two days.  While not a highlight, the chafe of our main halyard added some excitement to the passage. Using the topping lift to carry the main was a temporary fix until we used it as a messenger line to secure a replacement halyard.  Other highlights included ticking off milestones--our first 1000 miles and crossing the equator. I enjoyed watching our self-steering unit (we called it Larry) do its work.  Of course, even routines are momentous underway, including our traditional Sunday pancake breakfast. With 30 knots of wind, it was exciting. But it was a good reminder of how we're adjusting our ideas about acceptable conditions.  We completed our passage of over 3000 miles at 5.5 knots on average, faster than many cruisers on boats longer than our 28-foot Calypso. In the end, we were generally comfortable, ate well, and got enough rest. I hope to see you in an anchorage. Look for Calypso. And check out the links to find pictures and more details of our passage. Subscribe to the Boat Galley Newsletter! - https://theboatgalley.com/newsletter-signup-2  Links:   The Boat Galley Cruising Guides - https://products.theboatgalley.com/collections/quick-reference-guides  Daily Emails - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Ffv_dDmAQiqo013OHaZPhUpQJbkQx5b3?usp=sharing  More Details & Photos - https://www.fit2sail.com/countdown-to-cruising/2025/4/11/highlights-from-a-pacific-passage   Nica email - [email protected] Carolyn email - [email protected] Click to see all podcast sponsors, past and present. - https://bit.ly/3idXto7 Music: “Slow Down” by Yvette Craig    

The answer to whether you should have a vacuum sealer on you boat is complicated. But hopefully I can give you a few ideas of what to think about before you decide for yourself. Summary Over the years, many readers asked me about vacuum sealers for boats. I had one aboard two different cruising boats. And although I liked mine, I still consider them a luxury item.  Here's what you should know if you're thinking of buying one. Vacuum sealers preserve food better than zipper bags. They remove more air, their bags are tougher, and they won't open unexpectedly if you seal the bags properly. If you're a weekend or part-time cruiser and use it at home, it's great for preparing meals or snacks in advance. Full-time cruisers are more likely to use them at a big provisioning stop. And, if you catch more fish than you can eat right away, a vacuum sealer is a great way to ensure the fillets last and retain a good texture.  But not all vacuum sealers work consistently. And that can drive you nuts on a boat. Especially if you're used to having one and can't replace it when it fails.  A quality home-rated vacuum sealer costs around $150 and bags are upwards of 15 cents a piece. Small commercial units work better but are double the price.  Finally, they do take some power (although for a short time). I used mine the most often in a marina, hooked up to shore power. If you're planning on using it away from the dock, make sure your inverter is large enough for the unit you buy.  My final comment is that vacuum sealers are great on a boat if you get a good one. But they're still a luxury. And if money is tight, they might not rise to the top of your list.  If you want a vacuum sealer for your boat, listen to the full podcast or read Do You Need a Vacuum Sealer on Your Boat on The Boat Galley website to learn the 5 factors you need to consider first. Links: Inverters 101 - https://theboatgalley.com/inverters-101/ 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      

Provisioning for a long passage is only one thing you have to do before setting out for distant shores. It's even more difficult when you're doing it in somewhere that's new to you. Here's how we managed the task on a 4-day timeline.  Summary We thought we had plenty of time to leisurely provision our boat before leaving for French Polynesia. We could focus on other boat tasks in the meantime. But receiving a visa ahead of time meant we had to get moving.  So, how do you provision for a long passage on a short timeline? And especially when it's in a place you're unfamiliar with? Although this wasn't a new activity, the short time meant efficiency trumped budget. We did not have time to travel all over the city to buy beans for ten cents less a can.  What helped me stay organized? Making a list focused on our needs for the passage and what would be expensive at our destination. Using the Internet to decide where to shop--would they have what we needed to be worth the trip? Keeping in mind how much we could carry at a time. And finally, buying fresh items last. I can't say I wasn't frazzled. But I got the job done. And in the time available.  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 The Boat Galley Website - https://theboatgalley.com Nica email - [email protected] Carolyn email - [email protected] 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 storm is headed your way and you have pets on board. Have you thought about what you need to do to keep them safe? Summary Storms require forethought when you live on a boat. But if you're cruising with a dog, cat, or other pet there are a few other things to consider.  You want to be sure belongings are well stored away. Even a big dog could be hurt or startled by something falling off a table or counter. But for a tiny dog or cat, even a book could cause serious injury.  If you plan to go ashore, take pets with you. If it's too rough for you, it's not safe for them to stay on the boat. If you have a cat who likes to hide, put them in their carrier so they're ready to go when you are. Don't forget to take food and water.  You'll also want to account for pets in your ditch bag even if you don't intend to leave the boat. After all, conditions can change quickly. Different pets and different boats have different needs. But if you think about your pets before a storm hits, you'll be in good shape for whatever the weather holds. Visit The Boat Galley website for more advice on cruising with pets and to read about how we kept our tiny pup Paz safe during a rough bar entry in el Salvador.  Links: Cruising with Your Dog course - https://products.theboatgalley.com/products/boat-dog 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      

What are the food logistics for a Panama Canal transit? With the potential for an expensive food delivery bill on the line, we give you the best tips to avoid a real budget buster.  Summary When we hired an agent to help us navigate our transit through the Panama Canal, we got a lot of answers. But the requirements for feeding the advisor who boarded to help us through the locks were vague. And we found little information on blogs and websites by fellow cruisers. So these are the requirements for ensuring the advisor's comfort. And how we dealt with them. You must provide for the comfort of your advisor. This includes the availability of shade, a toilet, sealed water bottles, and hot meals. In addition, your advisor can arrange food delivery if they are dissatisfied with your offerings.  The key was to prepare ahead as much as possible and to be flexible. I recommend offering options to the advisor. And, of course, snacks and coffee are always welcome.  The podcast offers more details of how we managed to feed the agent during our canal transit. Or, if you prefer to read, follow the podcast link at The Boat Galley website for a link to a blog post with pictures.  Links:   Pasta with Beans and Garlic Recipe - https://www.fit2sail.com/countdown-to-cruising/pastagarlicbeans   Canal Agent Erick Galvez - https://www.centenarioconsulting.com  The Boat Galley - https://theboatgalley.com    Nica email - [email protected]  Carolyn email - [email protected] Subscribe to the Boat Galley Newsletter! - https://theboatgalley.com/newsletter-signup-2 Today's episode is sponsored by Roam Devices. Their Marine Monitor is a premium boat monitoring system that allows you to stay informed with what's happening on your boat while you’re ashore for just $349 and $5 per month. Never be caught off guard by a failing battery or burnt-out bilge pump —Your boat will text you as soon as anything starts going wrong! The Roam Devices app shows a real-time view of your boat’s status and location with an awesome built in remote anchor alarm. RoamDevices.com - never worry about your boat from afar again. Use coupon code BOATGALLEY for an exclusive 5% discount.  Click to see all podcast sponsors, past and present. - https://bit.ly/3idXto7 Music: “Slow Down” by Yvette Craig      

Good fans are a necessity when you're cruising in a hot climate. But which one will give you the most air movement for the fewest amps? Summary If you're cruising in the tropics, you'll want to know the best fans for living on a boat in hot weather. My choice is the Caframo, 12-volt, cage-free fan. It moves the most air using the fewest amps.   This fan offers three mounting options, giving you maximum flexibility. We found that it lasted about five years with nearly continuous use in a very hot climate. Replacement parts are affordable and easy to find. It's worth keeping a few extra blades onboard, just in case. We had over a half dozen fans aboard each of our previous boats, some hard-wired and others portable. They were vastly superior to Caframo's other model with blade guards, a lower life expectancy, and a higher cost. Links (Amazon links are affiliate links, meaning that The Boat Galley Podcast earns from qualifying purchases; some other links may be affiliate links): Caframo Two Speed Compact 12v fan (Amazon) - https://amzn.to/3FlRubP Caframo Two Speed Compact 12v fan (West Marine) - https://fave.co/3eakVfz Caframo Two Speed Compact 12v fans, replacement blades and clip (Downwind Marine) - https://store.sandiegomarine.com/products/caframo--ultimate--2-speed-fans-15005.html The Basics of Living on a Boat Course - https://products.theboatgalley.com/products/unwritten-rules All-Access Pass for Boat Galley Courses - https://products.theboatgalley.com/products/all-access-pass 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        

Moving onto a boat is one thing. Starting to cruise is another. And both have steep learning curves. Nica and Carolyn suggest tips for getting out of your comfort zone when making these big life changes.  Summary Moving onto a boat and beginning cruising has a steep learning curve. It's not just beaches and cocktails. The challenges of living on a boat include adapting to small spaces, difficult storage options, lack of climate control, and providing your own electricity and water. So how do you cope?  Admit that you feel uncomfortable Find support from others Break learning into small steps by figuring out living on a boat in a marina before setting off One piece of advice from fellow cruiser and Boat Galley team member Katherine Gonzalez is to consider which of your land-based talents will benefit you in the new setting aboard. By breaking the learning into manageable steps and relying on the great cruising community, you'll enlarge your comfort zone in no time.  Links (Amazon links are affiliate links, meaning that The Boat Galley Podcast earns from qualifying purchases; some other links may be affiliate links): The Co-Captain's Log by Katherine Gonzalez (Amazon) - https://amzn.to/3DrtxiK The Boat Galley - https://theboatgalley.com  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        

The best galley gear takes up little room and can do more thn one thing. And the Kuhn Rikon 4th Burner Mini Pot exceeds all expectations. If you have space for one more pot, this is the one I suggest. Summary This flexible bit of galley gear is worth having on your boat if you can make room for it. Wihile it won't replace a skillet or conventional pot, it may replace a tea kettle, vegetable steamer, and even serve as a mini canner. The Kuhn Rikon Mini Pot holds 3 quarts and is narrow enough to sit even on a narrow galley stove top alongside another pan. It has a spout top for pouring out hot water and an insert for straining (or steaming). The top is made of glass, perfect for checking on food without wasting propane by lifting the lid. The pot and lid handles are coated with silicone. They stay cool enough to handle without a pot holder. And the high-quality stainless steel resists staining and pitting. Over the years, I've bought one three times (no, I never wore them out; I've left them behind for others to use).  Take a look. You might find this clever bit of boat galley gear as useful as I do.  Links (Amazon links are affiliate links, meaning that The Boat Galley Podcast earns from qualifying purchases; some other links may be affiliate links): Kuhn Rikon 4th Burner Mini Pot (Amazon) - https://amzn.to/433dRgd Provisioning, Meal Planning, and Food Storage for Boaters Course - https://products.theboatgalley.com/products/provisioning-meal-planning-and-food-storage Eating Well with a Tiny Fridge Course - 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/4gVJDiD 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