If you’re heading out on a bareboat charter, I’ve got a few things that you might want to add to your packing list.
The charter companies claim they’ve got everything you need for the kitchen/galley. In my experience, you can manage with what they provide. However, I’m happier bringing a few things so that I know work well.
Galley Gear to Bring on a Boat Charter – My List
Everyone who charters a bareboat finds things they wish they had in the galley. Here’s my list.
Knife and Sharpener
I like using sharp knives, and I’ve never found one on a bareboat charter. They get knocked around a bit, and some crew are a little careless using them. Worst of all, I can never find a knife sharpener. Now, I don’t take my best knife with me, but I do take a decent one and a sharpener. If you’re planning to catch any fish, be sure to take a fillet knife (see my favorite). I’ve never seen one on a charter boat that is not a sportfishing charter. If you don’t want to take one of your knives, at least take an inexpensive sharpener so you can “improve” whatever knives are there. If you take a knife, remember that it has to go in checked luggage!
Can Opener
It is absolutely horrible to wake up your first morning, go to make a pot of coffee to enjoy in a beautiful anchorage, and discover that the can opener doesn’t work. Can openers are often beaten up on charter boats, or don’t work in the salt air. Again, it’s easy to stick a manual can opener in your luggage (see my favorite), and then you know you’ll be able to open that can of coffee — and anything else in a can.
If you’re concerned about weight and space in your luggage, charter sailor Bruce recommends the P38 (Amazon), a manual can opener developed by the American military. It’s small enough to carry on your key ring.
Insulated Mugs And Water Bottles
On our first charter, we learned that coffee quickly goes cold in a “normal” mug in even the slightest breeze. Taking insulated mugs makes those mornings in the cockpit much better! Pack other small items inside the mugs so you don’t waste space. See my favorite mug here.
A refillable water bottle will, of course, be useful in the airport as well as onboard.
Vegetable Peeler
Our first charter boat didn’t have a vegetable peeler on board. We only discovered it when we went to peel potatoes for dinner. We ended up doing the job with a paring knife, which took quite a bit longer. Ever since then, I take a peeler with me, and about half the time find that I need it.
Plastic Food Containers
These really help to keep food organized in the refrigerator. Charter boats usually have one or two on board. On our first charter, we were able to beg a few more from the company, who had just gotten some they hadn’t put onto boats yet. But on subsequent trips, we packed some of our clothes into plastic containers and then put them in the suitcases. We found that they were also great on the way home for packing and protecting somewhat fragile souvenirs.
Dish Rag
Okay, I’m spoiled by my Scrubr non-stinky dish rags. They never stink, and I love how well they clean dishes. On one trip, I found myself wishing I had them every time I did dishes. They’re tiny, so it’s worth adding a few to your luggage.
Meal Plan and Recipes
If you’ve planned your meals in advance (I heartily recommend it), be sure to take a copy of your provisioning list, meal plan, and recipes. I also have my Kindle copy of The Boat Galley Cookbook with me on both a tablet and my smartphone in case I need to look up a substitution or find a different recipe that works with the provisions that I actually find. Remember, “finding” a fish on the end of the line is always a good reason to change the meal plan.
The more time you preplan your meals, the more time you’ll have for fun on the boat.
Boat Galley Gear Suggested by Others
If you’re looking for good ideas, ask other charter guests. Here are a few more ideas:
Spices
If you have specific favorites or want to be sure your spices still have some flavor, you might want to bring your own. Wendy packs hers in snack-sized plastic bags. She buys them at a bulk foods store and labels them with a marker. You may get questions from customs officials, however. Annette B. suggests taking McCormick Recipe Inspiration packets to get around this problem, and they don’t take up much room.
Diana reuses plastic breath mint containers for hers. Liz suggests using old prescription bottles, which keep the smells from seasonings from taking over your luggage.
Galley Tools
Judie A. takes kitchen shears and BBQ tongs. And several charter boaters couldn’t believe I didn’t suggest a corkscrew. A classic Swiss Army Knife (Amazon) is a handy way to travel with a corkscrew and a few other useful tools. Latis wouldn’t be without a French coffee press. Packing socks inside and out makes it less likely to break in your luggage.
Other Items Useful in the Galley and Elsewhere
Of course, you’ll do things besides eating on your charter vacation. Here are a few more useful items to pack.
Flashlight/Headlamp and Spare Batteries
Whether it’s trying to find something in the refrigerator or grilling after dark, there are so many times that a small flashlight or headlamp is useful on a boat. We used them every day!
Packing List
Be sure to take a list of what all you took with you! Particularly if you take some galley tools with you, it’s easy to forget about them when you pack up. If you check the packing list before you leave the boat, you can be sure you’re taking everything you came with, plus tons of great memories!
Electronics and Other Gear
Bill D. suggested taking a handheld radio and your favorite chart plotting app on a tablet. It’s always a good idea to have redundant systems, and this ensures you have a tool that you’re already familiar with.
Steve C. also took his communication headsets along. Having an easy way to communicate while docking or anchoring makes challenging tasks a little easier. You can find our favorite device, the 2Talk Bluetooth Headsets, in the Boat Galley store.
Linda T. packs a battery-operated travel fan to make sleeping easier. This portable, rechargeable fan on Amazon is one option.
Paper Products
Nancy G. reminds us that disposable products are expensive on the islands. She packs garbage bags, toilet paper, and face tissues, just in case. Obviously, if you can do without these items, you’ll create less trash.
Bits and Bobs
A few other items don’t fit into an easy category, but I can see how they’d be useful. Carol packs a small amount of line and some clothespins. Kirk G. struggled to light the burner on his gas grill in high winds. A fire lighter can make the task a little easier. He also recommends bringing a roll of duct tape.
Learn More
A bareboat charter is one great way to explore the cruising life. If you’re curious about other options for learning whether life on a boat is in your future, enroll in From Dreamer to Cruiser, an exploration to help you move from your current skill level to becoming a successful liveaboard cruiser.
Whether your charter is a vacation or a step along the path toward full-time cruising, you now have a list of items to bring on your next trip.
Are there other things you always take on charter? Leave a note in the comments!
Carolyn Shearlock has lived aboard full-time for 17 years, splitting her time between a Tayana 37 monohull and a Gemini 105 catamaran. She’s cruised over 14,000 miles, from Pacific Mexico and Central America to Florida and the Bahamas, gaining firsthand experience with the joys and challenges of life on the water.
Through The Boat Galley, Carolyn has helped thousands of people explore, prepare for, and enjoy life afloat. She shares her expertise as an instructor at Cruisers University, in leading boating publications, and through her bestselling book, The Boat Galley Cookbook. She is passionate about helping others embark on their liveaboard journey—making life on the water simpler, safer, and more enjoyable.
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