5 Strategies That Will Make Onboard Meal Preparation Much Easier On Your New Yacht

If you're new to owning a private yacht, you're probably looking forward to your upcoming purchasing with a great deal of anticipation and excitement. After all, setting out on your own yacht will free you from the hassle of conformation to the scheduling restraints of cruises and other pleasurable activities. Even if your knowledge of yachting is limited, you are probably already aware of some of the basics of stocking a yacht to ensure a safe and comfortable boating experience, such as having an ample amount of life jackets designed to fit all shapes and sizes, a supply of over-the-counter seasickness medication in the event that the waters turn rough, and plenty of thick towels. However, those who are new to yachting are often unfamiliar with the basics of on-board meal preparation and optimal food storage solutions for the limited space available on boat pantries. Following are five strategies that will make your kitchen experience on your new yacht much more pleasant and productive. 

Choose Cooking Tools That Multitask

You'll find yourself multitasking while on board, so you should expect the same of your culinary accessories. Learn to think creatively -- if you're going to make crepes or pie crust while on board, instead of bringing along a bulky rolling pin, consider the fact that an empty wine or craft beer bottle works just as well to roll out pastry. Choose a can opener with a bottle opener on the end of its handle so you'll only have to pack and store one item. 

Pay Special Attention to Creating Your Shopping List

You won't be able to run out to the store if you forget an ingredient while preparing a meal while onboard your yacht, so practice meticulous planning in order to ensure that kitchen chores go as smoothly as possible and achieve good results. 

Purchase Non-Slip Items

Stocking your boat with items with non-properties will prevent kitchen-related accidents and injuries. For instance, buy knives with non-slip handles, non-slip cutting boards, and bowls and plates with non-slip material on the bottom. Although any good yacht galley features flooring made from non-slip materials, adding a non-slip mat or two provides an extra layer of protection. Even on calm days or those times when you're anchored in at a cove or tied up in a marina, you'll have to expect some degree of motion -- and you'll never know when a fast-moving vessel might come along and create enough waves to send your culinary efforts flying, so always keep one eye out the window for any approaching watercraft. Keep in mind that non-slip cooking items won't completely prevent this from happening

Limit Your Use of Culinary Gadgets

Even large yachts have limited counter and storage space, so only take those culinary gadgets that you simply have to have and that can't be replaced by other methods of preparation. For instance, if coffee is a must in the morning, take along a small coffee maker, but leave the hefty espresso machine behind. You likely won't have room for food processors and other kitchen gadgets, but a good set of sharp knives can replace them anyway. 

Plan a Lot of One-Pan Meals 

Although it will be tempting to throw a bunch of ingredients in a slow cooker and let it simmer all day long, this type of cooking really isn't conducive to enjoying life on board a yacht -- you'll have to plan on being present in the galley at all times while food is being prepared in order to avoid accidents. Nonetheless, the one-pan meal strategy is a sound one when it comes to making food onboard. Take advantage of the experience of others and read some cookbooks dedicated to the art of preparing delicious meals in galleys.