Category: Boat Life Hacks
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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, rum punch always equals some sugary, cough-syrupy nastiness. Rum Punch is to the Atlantic Isles…
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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 condo? Or will you be traveling by boat, actively cruising, and living on board while…
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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 parts and accessories. These shops work in different ways. Some are consignment stores, where boats…
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Smallest Composting Toilet and Porta Potty Solution for Boats
In all our years of boating, from our first sailboat and its complete lack of functional plumbing to our little cuddy cabin fishing boat with its disgusting porta potty, we’ve seen it all. Buckets, proper marine toilets, the most expensive electric heads, and even the various alternatives to toilets, like those fancy composters. Which is…
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When, Why, and How to Use Bob423 ICW Tracks — And When Not To
If you’re a veteran Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) boater, you probably know who Bob423 is and what he does. Even if you’re new to cruising, you might have already heard the name from other cruisers. Often, they tell you that you must have Bob’s tracks to keep from running aground. This article will discuss precisely what…
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Outfitting a New Boat: Things Every Boater Needs
Whether you buy a new or new-to-you boat, your first task is to outfit it. It’s pretty easy to come across lists of the things you MUST have, thanks to the Coast Guard and state authorities. But these lists don’t provide any recommendations, and we’ve learned many things about these items. You should also have…
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Boater’s Guide to Maine
Arriving by boat to the coast of Maine for the first time is like landing on an alien planet. At least it was for this Florida boy, who had never been to the state before by land or sea. Everything is different in Vacationland: You don’t worry about sandbars, you worry about rock ledges. There…
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The Wonderous Omnia Stovetop Oven
I originally published a blog post, “An Ode to My Omnia,” on our travel blog during the first year of our live-aboard, cruising life. The Omnia Stovetop Oven was one of the first things I purchased for boat cooking, and it’s one of the only items that has stood the test of time. It is…
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Starlink Alternatives for Boaters, Van-lifers, and RVs
Starlink has rocked the boating world like the transformative technology it is. Boats that cruise the Bahamas or other rural areas have spouted Dishys like fungus. RVs love it, too, because they can boondock anywhere and still be connected for work and play. But Elon Musk, on track to become the world’s first trillionaire, has…
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Bahamas Snacks and Treats We’re Missing
Before heading to the islands, many cruisers spend a lot of time worrying about provisioning for the Bahamas. They worry they won’t be able to find X, Y, or Z — or that the prices will be too much to bear. We always like to remind people that the locals eat, too. And while things…