Outfitting Your Cabin and Galley—Making Use of Limited Space and Selecting High Quality Products

The scant amount of storage available within the confines of small boat cabin and galley spaces means you must be selective when choosing what to bring onboard. The selection available from West Marine represents brands that have found their place on boats all around the world. Here are some tips for selecting the best cabin and galley supplies for your boat.

Only the Essentials

When stocking a cabin, keeping your list simple helps, as does selecting tools and boat galley accessories that can multi-task and that fit your available space. At a very basic level, you’ll want to be able to eat and drink onboard in a way that is convenient, safe and does not pose a risk to the environment. Invest in non-breakable drink, bar and tableware to serve the amount of folks you typically have aboard.

Look for kitchen supplies like baking mats, cutting boards, and cooking or serving utensils that telescope or fold away for easy storage. If power availability is limited, shop for countertop appliances like a French press or pour over coffee maker or food processors that are manually operated.

Storage Solutions

The best boat cabin accessories are functional and stylish. Waterproof cases keep essentials on deck dry and cabin organizers can keep all of your things organized and close at hand. On small boats especially, clear and sturdy plastic bins make finding what you need a snap and keep things organized despite the movement of the boat. Small gear hammocks can also make use of vertical and overhead space. For food storage, clear plastic bins with airtight lids keep moisture and bugs from ruining your snacks.

Safety

Non-slip flooring is especially important for safety on a sailboat, where passengers need to compensate for the angles of the boat when heeling. Always have safety in mind when purchasing boat cabin products—from non-skid mats to place under any items stored on shelves or countertops to locks and latches to keep doors from swinging while underway.

Food Storage and Cooking

If you have the space for appliances such as a propane range or cooktop or refrigerator and freezer, these can broaden your options when it comes to cooking on a boat. If not, a high-quality cooler and and a small single-burner propane or alcohol stove can offer similar functionality at a fraction of the footprint and cost.

Related: How to Plan a Multi-day Fishing Trip by Boat