Food and drink keep body and soul together
This wisdom takes on special significance on board. However, catering and cooking on a boat or yacht – regardless of weather and waves – is a challenge. Space in the pantry is usually limited for the cook (smutje), equipment, and certainly for food and drinks.
Onboard kitchen or restaurant
Boaters or yacht owners who do not automatically end their day in a marina or harbor with shore power and water connections, or go out to eat there, must rely on self-catering. A family crew often finds this easier: habits – and not least the division of roles on the boat – are frequently based on the familiar routines at home.
With an all-male crew or a charter crew that is not well-coordinated, very different ideas about provisions and meals can clash. It is also not uncommon for a crew member who has nothing to do with cooking in real life to volunteer as the smutje. In individual cases, this can lead to ill-temper or even mutiny if a can of corned beef is used to “conjure up” the spaghetti bolognese that was announced as the highlight of the day.
Cooking on board: Short trips vs. Long passages
Those who spend shorter periods at a time at sea or in anchoring bays have less effort with logistics and meal planning than the crew of a yacht on a long voyage. To avoid unpleasant surprises, it must be clarified beforehand: What can be brought from home and what will be bought locally so that harmony on board remains intact. This topic should be discussed in advance, as tastes and eating habits vary.
If arriving by car, essential basic foodstuffs and drinks can be brought along without much trouble, ideally covering most of the trip in this regard. Supplemented by local fresh produce, vitamins and the occasional positive “aha” experience reach the table. Especially those who don’t just stock up at the supermarket but also check off their shopping list at roadside stands or small markets will often find flavorful tomatoes and naturally ripened fruits.
Cooking in a small space
Trying to create a multi-course menu in a confined space is difficult. Frying, baking, or slow braising is not only a challenge for the gas supply or generator but also for clothes if they are not consistently tucked away. Grilling can also be a great experience, provided an electric or gas-powered device is installed on board – in contrast to a charcoal grill mounted outboard – as long as sails, fuel tanks, upholstery (and other boats!) are not nearby.
Tips for catering on board
- It is always important to clarify with the crew in advance how food and drink will be organized, what the meal plan might look like, and whether the necessary “infrastructure” for this is available on board.
- Never go shopping without a provisions list. Ideally, a list compiled with the crew helps to remain relatively self-sufficient and prevents “basics” like dish soap or sugar from being missing in the galley. The fact that compromises must be made is in the nature of things.
- The often undersized refrigerator limits the storage of fresh food. Storage areas below deck, ideally below or at the waterline, are often suitable and can provide a few degrees of cooling even in summer.
- Regardless of all considerations regarding food and drink, there must always be enough drinking water and “emergency food” on board. In large supermarkets, water is offered in larger bottles/canisters alongside the usual 1.5-liter six-packs.
- While there, you could also pick up the often-maligned ready-to-eat meals. From 3-minute snacks to quite acceptable canned beef roast: everything is possible and helps not only in nautical emergencies but also in the anchoring bay if a swim stop turns into an unplanned night at anchor.
- Don’t underestimate the small hunger in between, which can be prevented with fitness bars, storable fruit, nuts, and other snacks.
In general: Cooking on board should not be underestimated, as food and drink literally hold not just body & soul, but also the crew together. And since fresh sea air makes you hungry, a balanced diet is a great prerequisite for a relaxed trip and a motivated crew.
