If you only use your boat occasionally — or rarely drink coffee — instant coffee can be a good solution for the times when you do want it. As long as you can heat water and have something to drink it from, you can have a cup of coffee pretty quickly.
Most boats actually carry some instant coffee onboard as a backup method for times when it’s just too rough (or there’s no electricity) for making coffee any other way. For use underway, boil water in a tea kettle to reduce the chances of hot water sloshing out of the pan, put (or wedge) mugs in the sink, then pour the water into them.
Pros: Can make any number of cups, fast, very low space required, no electricity needed, no glass involved, easy to make underway
Cons: Most people just don’t like it as well as brewed coffee
Keeping it hot: Put hot water in a good Thermos or airpot and make more as needed
Cost: very low – can use any pan you already have, although a tea kettle is safer for handling boiling water.
By far the best instant I’ve tried is Starbucks VIA, which other reviewers also say is way above other instant coffees, but can’t compete with fresh-ground premium coffee.
It comes in single-serving packets, ready to mix with 8 ounces of boiling water, in a variety of roasts and flavors. Most supermarkets have one or two varieties, Starbucks shops usually have a good selection, or you can buy online:
Note that most mugs hold 12 to 16 ounces of coffee, so either adjust the amount of coffee you’re using or don’t fill your mug full of water.
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Chuck Burns says
I also discovered Folgers coffee bags, which are more like brewed coffee…
Carolyn Shearlock says
I haven’t had them in 10+ years! I was never wild on them as the coffee always seemed weak, but I’m sure the technology has changed . . . maybe I should try again!
Kathy Steveson says
We race Hobie cats, and are often at regattas camping in cool foggy mornings. 2 coffee bags per 10 oz cup is delicious. We stock up on Folgers bags. We are reading your website as we are planning on cruising in a few years. Very, very helpful!
Bonnie West-Goodrum says
We also use these…. love them on the boat!!
John Huft says
I wish I could get those Nescafe packs with coffee, cream, and sugar in them like you can get in Europe.
Allan Cobb says
I think this is a pretty good instant. It is an expresso but it is easy to adjust the amount added to the hot water.
https://amzn.to/2xPu4sc
The Boat Galley says
Thanks! I’ve never seen it, much less tried it. Going to have to get a jar.
Allan Cobb says
I get it at my local grocery store but the first time I had it, I bought it in Thailand.
jennifer miller says
My Husband andI love Cafe Bustillo instand, soo good!
Jackie Martin says
We love the Starbucks Via instant for the boat. Costco sells 2 boxes with 15 packets in each box at a good price. Every time I go, I pick up a double carton. I then store them in a gallon zip lock bag. The small size of the individual packets take up less space and are less trash. The zip lock bag is good for stuffing in the cabinet to keep things from moving around in rough or rolly conditions.
Dave Skolnick (S/V Auspicious) says
We’ve seen the single serve packets from Starbucks, Nescafe/Taster’s Choice, and Folgers. Very convenient. Packaging is not recyclable as far as I know. My wife and I both carry them in our travel gear. On the boat we have a jar as a backup to our percolator.
I know a lot of people like Starbucks. For me it is bitter and tastes burnt. If you have to put stuff in it to get paste the taste is it still coffee?
My first coffee was at sea when I was a cadet on an oil tanker. I was happy to get the coffee in the cup on night watch (the old man was a light disciplinarian) so putting cream and/or sugar in was just too hard.