The Balancing Act - Pleasure vs Boat Work

02/03/25 • 10 min

Deciding how to divide cruising time between work and pleasure is a real conundrum. Another joint podcast wherein we answer a fantastic question about life balance from a follower.

Podcast Summary

No one starts cruising so they can work on their boat all the time. Yes, it's important to keep your vessel in good repair. But you also need to learn how to balance fun with boat work. But just how do you do that?

Here are a few tips:

Cruiser and coach, Behan Gifford, suggests someone onboard becomes a "happiness engineer." They take on the responsibility for planning fun activities on a regular basis.
Make sure you block out time on your schedule for both fun and boat chores.
Fun is important. So besides scheduling time for it, leave money in your budget for it.
Be sure to make time for fun when you're in particularly interesting spots. After all, you can make repairs nearly anywhere (once you have supplies). But some adventures are site specific.
And, if you struggle to find time for fun and boat work, extend your stay. You can always slow down.
Even if you prefer anchoring, an occasional marina stay can help you replenish your spirits.
Beating weather may be a race. But balance it with a break when you're past the worst of it.
Make sure everyone on the crew gets moments of fun, including pets and kids.

Links:

Outboard Motor Troubleshooting Guide - https://bit.ly/42Di75K

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 Lunatec, makers of the hydration spray bottle, odor-free dishcloth and self-cleaning washcloth. Lunatec offers practical gear designed to save water and reduce waste. A water bottle that doubles as a garden hose? A dish cloth that doesn’t get stinky? Yes, please! Visit Lunatecgear.com to learn more; use code boatgalley to save 10% on everything. Lunatec: innovative gear for your outdoor adventures.

Click to see all podcast sponsors, past and present. - https://bit.ly/3idXto7

Music: “Slow Down” by Yvette Craig

Deciding how to divide cruising time between work and pleasure is a real conundrum. Another joint podcast wherein we answer a fantastic question about life balance from a follower.

Podcast Summary

Here are a few tips:

Cruiser and coach, Behan Gifford, suggests someone onboard becomes a "happiness engineer." They take on the responsibility for planning fun activities on a regular basis.
Make sure you block out time on your schedule for both fun and boat chores.
Fun is important. So besides scheduling time for it, leave money in your budget for it.
Be sure to make time for fun when you're in particularly interesting spots. After all, you can make repairs nearly anywhere (once you have supplies). But some adventures are site specific.
And, if you struggle to find time for fun and boat work, extend your stay. You can always slow down.
Even if you prefer anchoring, an occasional marina stay can help you replenish your spirits.
Beating weather may be a race. But balance it with a break when you're past the worst of it.
Make sure everyone on the crew gets moments of fun, including pets and kids.

Links:

Outboard Motor Troubleshooting Guide - https://bit.ly/42Di75K

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

Previous Episode

Swapping Out Equipment in the Galley

It's unlikely you have as much gear in your boat galley as you did in your kitchen on land. So what should you do if a recipe calls for a tool you don't have?

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 Eating Well with a Tiny Fridge - 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/40z4jGG

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

Next Episode

Best Waterproof Tablet Case for a Boat

The best waterproof tablet case for a boat is expensive insurance--especially if you use your tablet for navigation or trip planning. But even if you just use it for playing music or reading do you really want to risk ruining it?

Podcast Summary

In recent years, tablets have become common on cruising boats. We found ours useful for navigation, trip planning, reading, and more. But your tablet is worthless if you can't keep it dry and working in a wet cockpit.

Even our own Boat Galley cruising guides come in PDF versions you can access easily from your tablet. They're handy for a quick lookup of a bridge opening or finding a place to take the dog off when you stop for the evening.

So what are the minimal features a tablet case needs to be worth bringing onboard?

tech must be fully usable while contained in the case
case must keep the tablet from overheating
you must be able to charge the tablet in the case.
case must be completely watertight in both wind and waves

The one I think is the best option has two other features that I'm very thankful for:

floats if dropped (no matter how much you stuff inside)
easy to carry and hold onto

So that is this amazing boat tablet case? It's the ugo wear waterproof tablet case. I used their phone case for years. And I've been just as happy with the tablet case since I've had one.

My iPad functions in every way right in the case. It pairs easily to Bluetooth so I can use WiFi and earbuds. I add an external battery pack to the case and plug it in.

Best of all, it never overheats. That is not true for other cases I've tried over the years.

The ugo case has both a shoulder strap an a smaller hand strap. I used the hand strap frquently for keeping it close at hand underway.

Extra pockets have room for money, credit cards, and small extras. With a little regular maintneance of the zipper, it seals up easily. And provides inexpensive insurance for expensive tech.

Links (Amazon links are affiliate links, meaning that The Boat Galley Podcast earns from qualifying purchases; some other links may be affiliate links):

The Boat Galley Quick Reference Guides - https://products.theboatgalley.com/collections/quick-reference-guides

The Boat Galley Quick Reference Guides (Amazon) - https://amzn.to/3EvF8O3

ugo wear Waterproof Tablet Case (Amazon) - https://amzn.to/3CurKt6

Gear Aid Zipper Cleaner & Lube (Amazon) - https://amzn.to/4jNcTup

ugo wear - https://ugowear.com/?aff=7

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