Despite the fact that you’ll most likely find plenty of fantastic places to chow down at throughout your journey, there are going to be countless times where restaurants and cafes aren’t so reachable. That’s when knowing what and how to cook on a sailboat comes in extremely handy. Here are some important things you should take into account before hopping aboard and setting sail…
Limited Cooking Space – Use It Wisely
As you very well know, the kitchen on your sailboat isn’t exactly going to be quite like the one you have back home. There is limited space (to say the least) and you’re going to want to make sure you get the most out of every single meter you have. Here’s how you do just that:
- Bring only the necessities of cooking equipment
1 pot, 1 skillet, and just enough bowls, cups, and plates for the number of passengers you have.
- Pack a cooler for your drinks even if there is a big fridge
You can even use it as an extra “table” or “chair” when cooking.
- Invest in a couple nets or hanging storage bins
You can make use of the wall space as well.
Your Meals – Keep It Simple
Unlike your kitchen at home where you can dive right on into elaborate and elongated meal prep, it’s best to keep it as simple as possible when sailing through the wide-open seas. Here’s how to do it when cooking on a sailboat:
- Plan ahead! This is the most important thing to keep in mind when cooking on a sailboat as you won’t want to be scrambling or running around unprepared.
- Be sure to check all propane tanks for leaks and for possible refills.
- Try to cook only when the boat is docked or anchored to avoid any rocky times where food and beverage spillage occurs.
- Don’t only use paper cups and plates as they fill up the trash bin rather quickly – instead, have dish soap on hand and keep up with the dishes each time you finish a meal.
- Avoid boiling water while the yacht is moving as it is very dangerous – instead, prepare things like pasta or rice ahead of time.
- Find recipes that call for very few ingredients yet are still tasty – these could be omelets, tacos, sandwiches, etc.
Equipment – Staying Safe
With limited space, comes limited utensils and equipment. The following tips will ensure you bring the necessary ones aboard:
- Bring along cutting boards that either clamp onto something or fold down.
- Include wooden spoons, a spatula, can opener, wine opener, and bottle opener on your packing list.
- Use lightweight plastic or metal for all of your dishes – this also ensures they float if they happen to go overboard.
- Be sure to have safety railing over the edge of the stove and make sure you put away each item or ingredient as you cook.
- If the vessel lacks in safety latches on cupboards, be sure to invest in some beforehand.
Meals – Plan, Plan, Plan
So important that it needs to be said twice – plan your meals in advance with these tips:
- Write out a dinner list for each night you will be on board with the recipe attached.
- Plan to have simple meals for both lunch and breakfast (eggs, toast, Granola bars).
- Estimate your fuel and propane needs BEFORE setting sail as space is limited.
Now that you know how to cook on board, let's get sailing. Remember, the Tubber Experts are always here to assist you with choosing your boat and that dream location.
Maybe you also like to read more about our other blog items like for example our sailing routes in Croatia.