The Boat Life Knowledge Base
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We’re Matt and Lucy Claiborne. We’re experienced boat owners (25+ years), living aboard (10+ years), and cruising full-time (8+ years). We want to share some of the tips and tricks we’ve learned along the way. On this site, you’ll find…
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Authentic Bahamas Rum Punch Recipe
A real Caribbean Rum Punch is something you just can’t get when not on an island in the Caribbean. I’ve had some great ones on previous trips to the Bahamas, the BVI, but never in the States. In the US,…
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Chesapeake Bay Destinations by Boat — Where to Go and What to See on The Bay
Chesapeake Bay is one of America’s most storied cruising grounds for sailors (blow boaters) and motorboaters (stink potters). It’s full of possibilities for gunkholing, plus a number of key towns and noteworthy destinations along the way. This list is to…
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Best Great Loop Towns and Destinations, According to Boaters
One of the things that makes America’s Great Loop a bucket-list-worthy adventure is that it can be many things to many people. There are all the possible routes and side trips you might want to take. And then there’s the…
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How to Buy a Boat: Tips for a First Time Buyer
So, you’re dreaming of the boating lifestyle, maybe even considering selling it all and sailing off into the sunset. Early on in the dreaming phase, it will probably strike you that buying a boat, particularly a big cruising boat, is…
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Boating Destination: Cuttyhunk Island, Massachusetts
There are some pretty famous islands in Massachusetts, but this isn’t about them. Cuttyhunk is a tiny little speck of an island at the mouth of Buzzards Bay, much less known than some of her more popular neighbors. Climb the…
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Boating Destination: Camden, Maine
Penobscot Bay is high on my list of favorite cruising destinations. The jewel of Maine’s coastline is studded with beautiful islands to explore and blessed with summer seabreezes that make every afternoon outing a pleasant one. Add in the fact…
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Best Place to Live on a Boat — US East Coast Options for Liveaboards
Living on a boat is a dream shared by many people, but being a liveaboard means different things depending on how you intend to do it. Will you be parked at a marina, essentially using your boat as a waterfront…
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Boating Destination: Block Island, RI
Block Island is located about 8.5 nm south of Point Judith, Rhode Island, or 18 nm southwest of Newport and 12 nm east-northeast of Montauk, NY. It’s THE summer destination for a large population of boaters from Connecticut through Rhode…
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Best Marine Consignment and Used Boat Parts Stores
Every boat owner, regardless of vessel type, probably has a wish list of things they’d love to have but can’t justify the cost. Most consignment and used parts shops price their gear at approximately half the price of brand-new retail…
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Boating Destination: Urbanna, Virginia
While cruising the Chesapeake, it pays to get off the beaten path. Cruisers commonly complain that everything in the Bay takes too much time to get to — that you must plan an extra 5 – 10 miles out of…
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