Pleasure boating convenient and in style
Getting ready for a boat trip? Prepping your galley is just as important as prepping your engine room. Have the right tools for the right job to keep your crew happy and that starts with a prepared pantry. Regardless of your culinary capability, always remember that this is pleasure boating!
Whether your cruise is for a day, a week, or longer, it determines what supplies and provisions you bring aboard. A day jaunt may only require lunches, snacks, and beverages that can be contained in an ice chest. But a week or longer can be a bit of a challenge. Please don’t expect to use anyone else’s grocery list; in fact, think about what food you love to eat on land and go from there. Having a few signature dishes keeps things stress-free. With minimal adjustments to accommodate space issues, you can eat what you enjoy. So, let’s start with what can work for you.
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Tools of the Trade
We lived aboard for about 15 years so space was the No. 1 limiting factor in our boat galley. It became a real challenge of where to put all the galley gadgets we thought were essential. Plate size vs. cabinet depth is a common concern because boatbuilders understandably address engine and boat-specific systems before focusing on the galley layout.
For a few months, I carried a laminated list of our cabinet and drawer dimensions. I discovered that my usual giant-size bottle of olive oil could only live in the guest hanging locker—not very convenient. I began to realize that size matters. If I wanted to keep my tools where I actually used them, then I would need smaller tools. So, I also carried a mini measuring tape to confirm things would fit in my galley before I brought them aboard.
Drawer organizers can help, but you really need to get creative. A flat whisk and a flat cheese shredder will fit so much better in your smaller drawer space than the traditional three-dimensional galley tools. Consider storage bags like Ziploc instead of hard-sided containers. Rubbermaid makes a collapsible container that is up to the task when a bag won’t do.
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It’s best to start with all the spices and condiments that you use at home. Cajun spices remind us of our roots in New Orleans. But we discovered Old Bay while in the Chesapeake. You will add many other local seasonings to your cache as you cruise.
No oven? No worries. A toaster oven or even an air fryer takes up minimal counter space and can allow you to create an almost unlimited variety of meals while at the dock or on a generator. Think about what brings you joy. Cutting boards, sharp knives, and a pressure cooker top our list for essential galley equipment. I’ll bet you find a place to store whatever is on your list.
Chilling…
For longer trips, an ice chest can accommodate what won’t fit in your built-in marine refrigerator. Try blocks of ice which cool better than ice cubes. We like to fill our glass with ice to chill our water, spirits, or something fizzy. An inexpensive portable countertop icemaker can pop out cubes in six minutes.
Insulated bags can keep food and beverages cold until you make some space in the fridge. But items such as fruit, fresh veggies, ketchup, and peanut butter usually do NOT need to be kept cool. Imagine that!
…And Grilling
Barbecue options abound with grills of all sizes and types. Keeping charcoal dry and lighter fluid from spilling can be a challenge. Propane tanks cannot be stowed below anywhere. Think about where you will keep the grill when not in use. When you walk down the marina piers, look at how others store their grills. It can be done if grilling is in your repertoire.
Docktails Anyone?
Presentation is a huge part of meal prep. Your eyes judge the food even before your taste buds can fully react. Find a few pretty platters to serve in style. We use insulated cups while underway. But back at the dock, sipping a chilled wine seems more special when it’s served in a stem glass. Koozies slipped over top of each glass will help store it safely in your cupboard. Don’t forget the paper umbrella to add a little festivity.
Hosting friends for a day on the water can be easy and carefree when you take a few minutes to provision with panache. Do It Yourself and remember that your best meals can come from your boat galley. It’s pleasure boating, after all!
-by Alyse Caldwell
