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The Boat Galley

The Boat Galley

By: Carolyn Shearlock & Nica Waters
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 Making boat life better, 5-10 minutes at a time. The Boat Galley Podcast contains quick bits of actionable information to help you learn all about boat life and going cruising.Copyright 2016-2024 The Boat Galley
Episodes
  • Glass Fishing Floats - The ultimate treasure from the sea

    Glass Fishing Floats - The ultimate treasure from the sea
    Dec 22 2025

    Hunting for the elusive, Japanese glass fishing floats.

    Summary:

    Fishermen around the world use floats of some kind to keep their nets suspended in the ocean. Originally, floats were often wood or cork. Today, they are frequently made of plastic or styrofoam. The choice of material depends on where you are.

    We think the most attractive floats are made of glass. No longer in production, the last glass fishing floats were made in Japan in the 1970s.

    When nets get lost or washed onto reefs, the floats continue their journey. We've been hunting for glass floats since we cruised with our kids in 2009-2010 after getting hooked on the search by friends.

    Now that we're in French Polynesia, the search continues. We see them decorating homes, which means that a particular atoll (perhaps due to currents and prevailing winds) is a likely place to find them.

    We found more in Takaroa, the farthest north inhabited atoll of the Tuamotus, than anywhere else. Would we be lucky there as well?

    To learn more details of our search and to discover if we ever found a glass float of our own, listen to the complete podcast or check out Takaroa Treasures (https://www.fit2sail.com/countdown-to-cruising/2025/9/8/takaroa-treasures-atoll-6).

    Subscribe to the Boat Galley Newsletter! - https://theboatgalley.com/newsletter-signup-2

    Links:

    Nica email - nica@fit2sail.com

    Carolyn email - carolyn@theboatgalley.com

    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
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    5 mins
  • Catamaran or Monohull - Which is Better?

    Catamaran or Monohull - Which is Better?
    Dec 15 2025
    So, you've decided to buy a cruising boat. Congratulations! Which is the best fit for you? A catamaran or a monohull? Here are some thoughts from someone who has cruised on both. Summary Which is a better cruising vessel, a catamaran or a monhull? After cruising aboard both a 37-foot monohull and later a 34-foot catamaran, I've seen benefits and drawbacks to each. For life aboard, a catamaran is more comfortable. Even a shorter cat will feel larger. Beds are more likely to fit standard sizes, and the space can feel light and airy. However, storage is usually easier on a monohull. They have more built-in storage spaces. In addition, while no boat should be overloaded, catamarans are particularly sensitive to weight. If you fill a cat with too many spares and tools, it will affect performance. Underway, cats are faster. Without a heavy keel to push through the water, they slip along. However, monohulls tend to point higher when sailing upwind. A catamaran's shallower draft opens up more anchoring possibilities. With twin engines, it can do some tricky maneuvers. However, with a wider beam and higher windage, close-quarters handling can be challenging. Monohulls with fin keels are easier to maneuver, while full-keels can be especially fussy backing into a slip. Catamarans offer tons of space to entertain in the cockpit. But in poor weather, the deeper and more sheltered cockpit of a monohull will feel safer in rough or cold conditions. Generally, catamarans are easier to board. A monohull with a sugar scoop completes well. But generally, cats are easier. While the catamaran's two engines offer a backup if one fails, they also require double the maintenance. Their saildrives provide less drag but also require more maintenance. For people who dislike heeling, a catamaran's stability offers a big selling point. However, the motion is more jerky underway. Different sailors prefer different motions, and you have to experience it to decide for yourself. With a roomier deck, sail handling tends to be easier on a catamaran. However, the annoying "slapping" sound under the bridge deck can be irritating when the waves hit wrong. It even happens at anchor. Noise can be another difference. Catamarans can have an annoying slap under the bridge deck when waves hit just right. It can happen even at anchor. Don't forget to consider righting ability. A monohull will nearly always right itself. A catamaran, while it's less likely to capsize, will not turn itself back up. Catamaran costs can be higher because of their width. Consider the difficulties of finding a spot in a marina or getting hauled out. Insurance may be more expensive as well. Extra equipment--davits, windvanes, solar panels-- works better on one or the other. Think about your needs carefully. Finally, catamarans are nearly always more expensive to buy and maintain. So, which is better — a catamaran or a monohull? Catamarans offer space, stability, and a shallow draft. A monohull offers simplicity, sailing performance, and a boat that will right itself if the worst happens. They both have benefits. The choice is up to you. To get more details, listen to the full podcast or check out Catamaran or Monohull (https://theboatgalley.com/catamaran-or-monohull-2/). 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
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    11 mins
  • Sloppy Joes, the Lentil Edition

    Sloppy Joes, the Lentil Edition
    Dec 8 2025
    A meat favorite gets a makeover aboard. Here's how to make a crowd-pleasing vegetarian version of a classic meat dish, perfect for a boat galley! Summary Although the crew of Calypso isn't vegetarian, with limited cold storage, we eat like we are. And beans are a great meat substitute. The dried ones are especially fabulous on a boat. You're probably familiar with the ubiquitous brown lentils. You can find them everywhere. Even the smallest shop in the Tuamotus has them on the shelves. But the best lentils for this recipe are the black ones. Although they are harder to find, we stocked up on them in Panama. What makes them so perfect? The flavor is delicious, but the texture is even better. Yes, many vegetarians rely on Texturized Vegetable Protein (TVP) for that mouthfeel. But lentils are cheaper and require fewer extra ingredients. My recipe is flexible, depending on the ingredients you have aboard. I've found it satisfies even the pickiest eaters. I saute assorted vegetables (onions, garlic, peppers, carrots, and zucchini are my go-tos). Add tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes. Add seasonings and canned corn before serving on top of bread. For more details and the complete recipe, listen to the full podcast or check out Sloppy Joes, the Lentil Edition. 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): Large Sauté Pan (Amazon) - https://amzn.to/44gr0Cu TVP (Amazon) - https://amzn.to/4a2HXEc Petite Green Lentils (Amazon) - https://amzn.to/48VVfBa Pardina Lentils (Amazon) - https://amzn.to/3MjPB3a Nica email - nica@fit2sail.com Carolyn email - carolyn@theboatgalley.com 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
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    9 mins
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