What does monohull galley storage truly look like?
Last week, I showed the galley storage on our 34′ Gemini catamaran. This turned out to be a really popular post, as it’s so hard to imagine how the storage areas would really work when you’re looking at boats.
Several readers asked to see the storage areas — as they are in use, not cleaned out for a photo op — on a monohull. Reader Rosalind Franks generously offered to take photos aboard her Caliber 40LRC (the LRC means it’s the “long range cruising” model with larger tankage).
First, the layout of the Caliber 40 LRC. The galley is a nice U-shape, and their monohull galley storage is pretty typical.
Monohull Galley Storage Pictures
The locker under the stove — as you might expect, it houses pans:
Over the stove — the previous owners had put a microwave there that has been removed. That’s the opening on the left. When underway, Roz and her husband have a strap that goes across the opening. They plan to add a door to this locker before leaving the San Francisco Bay area.
Spices are right behind the stove. With an arrangement like this, you have to remember to get out what you need before you light a burner. You never want to reach across a lit burner!
And the right-hand side of those compartments with the sliding doors:
Drawers next to and a locker under the sink area:
Drawer contents from top to bottom:
The cupboard under the sink:
“Overflow” storage for bulk goods and cans behind the back of the starboard settee:
Paper goods and cleaning supplies behind the port settee:
Their table folds into the wall and hides a wine closet, complete with nice storage for wine glasses. Hanging glass racks are nice, but glasses can clank together. Learn how to quiet them and prevent breakage.
Their table folds up against the wall and hides this wonderful wine and liquor cabinet! There’s a latch on the table, but they also use a bungee underway. Lots of non-slip material as padding, too!
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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.
Pamela Douglas Webster says
Thanks!
Dividers in the drawers are really helpful. Looks like they were built in later. A smart choice.
The Boat Galley says
You can also add them . . . Rubbermaid makes a lot for land kitchens that are individual compartments, so you can mix and match to fit.
Pamela Douglas Webster says
The Boat Galley My husband made two layer dividers out of cardboard and masking tape. Less pretty. But perfectly sized for us and they gave us use of all the depth.
And you can’t beat the price. 🙂
Rosalind Franks says
The dividers were added a few years ago. We bought wood strips, cut them to fit and stapled them together. I’d like to add some more in the lower drawers
Pamela Douglas Webster says
Rosalind Franks I bet you suffered a lot of aggravation before you got those dividers, eh? 🙂
Rosalind Franks says
Yes ma’am! That was one of the first things we did ?
Maryanne Grady says
I am on the boat right now trying to organize my new to me galley this was quite timely. Thanks!
Rosalind Franks says
Very nice article. Thank you Carolyn. Storage is always a work in progress isn’t it.
Carolyn Shearlock says
Thanks to you for all the photos! Really appreciate it!
Florian Wolf says
The liquor cabinet hidden by the fold-up table is very nice and a smart solution to create more storage space. We have two ‘cellarettes’ for 6 bottles each built into our boat, but it’s a 65 ft. timber gaff ketch, so a bit roomier than both of yours. Still, storage space is a big priority on board, not only for red & white wine…☺.
Robert says
Thanks for this post, I always enjoy reading about the experiences of others. Some questions: how are the drawers secured? I can’t see any latches on them. In a heavy sea I would imagine that they would open up and possibly spill their contents out into the cabin.
Of course on my 30 footer storage is WAY more limited than on your roomy boat. Not meant for long distance cruising either, although I wonder how the previous owner got her from England to Hong Kong. Then again, in decades past people went long distance cruising on boats around 30′ long, or even shorter.
Carolyn Shearlock says
It’s not my boat, so I can’t say for sure, but the drawers run fore-and-aft which makes them much less prone to sliding open.
Rosalind Franks says
The drawers have a detent, you have to lift and pull to open them.
Melissa White says
I’m just changing out my drawer unit in favor of shelves. The drawers, while useful, drove me crazy because I could never find what I needed without digging through everything. Narrow, long, deep. I’ll probably miss them while underway, though. We are fortunate on our monohull. What used to be a large hanging locker to the right of the companionway was long ago refit to become a pantry with deep shelves. I’m grateful for that all the time.
Carolyn Shearlock says
Both our boats have had hanging lockers re-purposed — on the previous boat, we put sliding bins in; on this boat, shelves. We just don’t need the hanging space!
LISA KELLY says
Suggestions on how to store drawer items, silverware, st. I have only one drawer but lots of sliding cabinets. I want them had to the cooking area.
Carolyn Shearlock says
Put them in a stand-up container, and then put it in the sink or lay it down in a protected area when underway.
Brenda Tough Grimes says
Thx as always to you Carolyn and friends for sharing your helpful info.
We are now living aboard our RL 34 (narrow beam) and I am still working out how and where is the best place for stuff. We will be moored for the next couple of months except for weekend sails, in preparation for a 3 month sail up the Queensland Coast, so at the moment I am using appliances on shore power so they take up a bit of space.
I have a cupboard under the stove which is deep and shaped like ‘V’ so yeah, not sure how to make best use of this space.
I also wish I had closed cupboards behind the stove but am working with elastic to hold things in place and the mat surface stuff to hold containers in place when we sail.
Suggestions for evening out my frypan are welcome too both on stove and my electric one as oil always moves to starboard side.
I know everything won’t be perfect but I need to have it organised.
Thanks, Brenda
Amanda says
I love reading articles for ideas or different perspective. However I wish there was more posts for us power laborers. My family and I live on a 45’ Bayliner . I’m having a hard time with organizing the pantry and around my stove. If any of your followers have ideas let me know!