Though gliding through beautiful waters, anchoring in on a new-found location, and discovering hidden gems along the way are all a huge part of the adventure when it comes to sailing, there’s one other aspect that makes sailing such a great experience – the cooking on a sailboat! 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.
The following tips and tricks for eating well on the water should help ensure your sailing holiday is nothing but memorable and enjoyable.
Keep It As Simple As Possible
The keyword for any cooking, dining, or snacking while on board a sailing vessel is SIMPLE. The simpler you make it, the more enjoyable your time on board will be – it is as simple as that! Here’s how to make sure you do that:
Leave the roast turkey at home. Despite the fact that you may very well be craving a hearty turkey or even chicken like the one you make at home all the time, you are far better off sticking to simpler meals.
Bring ingredients on board that are more likely to last for a longer amount of time. You don’t want to have to throw away most of your products; That will be both a waste of money and space.
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.
Prepare Well In Advance
The second most important word to keep in mind? Prepare! The last thing you will want to happen is climbing on board and being eager to set sail only to realize you don’t have the tiniest idea of what you are going to eat that day once the hunger sets in. To avoid eating strictly granola bars and potato chips, here are some tricks to know:
Write out a list of your chosen meals in advance before setting sail and attach the recipes of each to your meal list.
Consider preparing meals ahead of time and then freezing them so that all you need to worry about is reheating – meaning more time for fun and less time cooking. Just make sure to leave time for defrosting!
Be sure to check with your guests and other passengers ahead of time if anyone has any allergies (like gluten or wheat) so that everyone can enjoy the same meals together.
Non-Perishables Are Lifesavers
Although you may, of course, have a fridge and/or freezer on board, having non-perishables ready and available as snacks can come in extremely handy. Being out on the water will give you cravings for something to snack on in between all the fun you are having so jot these tips down on what to bring:
Non-perishable snacks to consider adding to your grocery list before your leave include: potato chips, dried fruit, beef jerky, granola bars, and trail mix.
For meals, you may want to consider bringing along a few boxes of your favorite pasta – but be sure you are boiling the water only when the boat is docked or anchored as to avoid any spills or possible burns.
BBQ Until Your Heart Is Content
Not only is barbecuing super simple and easy, but it also makes cooking more enjoyable because you will be preparing your food right outside instead of in that tiny little onboard kitchen. If you haven’t already invested in a boat-ready BBQ, we highly suggest doing so before setting sail.
Use Common Sense
Last, but certainly, not least is one of the most important things to keep in mind for eating well on the water – use common sense while cooking and preparing food on the water. Here are some examples:
Never BBQ indoors.
Do not boil anything while on bumpy waters (even docked).
Conserve as much water as possible.
Never leave a knife sitting out on a counter.
Avoid using glass dishes or cups at all costs.Use lightweight metal for all of your dishes.
Be sure to check all propane tanks for leaks and for possible refills.
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