Living full-time on a boat has taught me that the smallest changes in the galley can make the biggest difference. When you're cooking underway, every extra step, slippery surface, or bulky appliance becomes a hassle. These are three simple tricks that have made cooking onboard easier, safer, and a lot more enjoyable.

1. Make Your Induction Burner Non-Slip

If you cook with an induction burner, here's one of my favorite hacks: place a ¼-sheet silicone baking mat between the burner and your pot.

The silicone creates just enough grip to keep your cookware from sliding around when the boat is moving. As a bonus, it's a true multi-purpose galley item. I also use mine instead of parchment paper when baking, so it earns its place in my limited storage.

Small change, big improvement. These are the ones I have.

2. Get a Custom Chopping Board

One of the best additions to my galley has been a custom chopping board that lives permanently on the countertop. If your counter has a lip, having one made to fit perfectly into a corner keeps it from sliding around while you're underway, making it a low-maintenance, low-worry addition to your galley. It's not something you have to scramble to stow the moment the sea state picks up. It's always ready when you need it, and it's one less thing to dig out and put away while cooking in rough conditions.

It may seem like a small change, but eliminating even one extra step makes a noticeable difference when the boat is moving. We also have one that covers our gas cooktop, so that becomes functional space when not in use. This one is from Wave Designs in New Zealand.

3. Use an Immersion Blender

It took me far too long to realize I didn't need to haul out a countertop blender or food processor every time I wanted to make something.

An immersion blender has become one of my most-used galley tools. It's compact, uses less power, is easy to clean, and stores almost anywhere. Best of all, you can blend right in the pot, jar, or in a tall cup, which means fewer dishes and less mess. For anyone cooking for one or two people aboard, it replaces a full-sized blender for most everyday tasks while taking up only a fraction of the storage space.

I use mine for:

  • Salsa
  • Creamy soups
  • Smoothies
  • Sauces (pesto, aioli, homemade mayonnaise, butter, etc.)
  • Whipped cream
  • No-churn ice cream (recipe here)

Final Thoughts

Space is always at a premium on a boat, so every item in the galley has to earn its keep. If you're outfitting your boat or just looking to make life in the galley easier, I'd start with these. Sometimes it's the smallest changes that make the biggest impact. What’s your best galley tip?