Big ship owners have it good: On large yachts, the issue of equipment and baggage is not a dominant issue. In principle, everything is like at home: fluffy terry towels in the cupboard, bed linen with a decorative anchor motif in the owner's cabin, a perfectly equipped pantry with stove and oven - everything is there and everything has its place. But what if the storage space is very limited?
Owners of smaller ships have to be inventive if sailing fun is to be combined with comfort. The suppliers have a number of ingenious solutions ready - but it is still worth thinking outside the box. The outdoor industry is booming like never before, hiking and camping are suddenly in vogue again, top prices are paid for VW Bullis of every year of construction.
Bulli or boat? The requirements are the same
And what works for the limited space in the VW bus usually also works on board. When it comes to romantic sunsets, sailors are professionals anyway, and every Jolli owner who pulls his boat onto the beach in a lonely bay at the weekend knows coffee or bread on a stick over the campfire.
But it's not just outdoor outfitters who offer intelligent solutions for the perennial congestion problem on small boats.
Ikea, Karstadt and Co. also have many products that work wonderfully on board - and especially below deck, where space is the most limited. We looked beyond the usual yacht outfitter catalogs and collected the best ideas.
Cutting & shoveling
The Chop2Pot by Joseph Joseph
The English manufacturer of practical kitchen utensils Joseph Joseph has a whole range of products on offer that are made for life on board. For example the Chop 2 Pot *: A thin cutting board made of plastic that hardly takes up space in the Schapp and can be transformed into a scoop after chopping thanks to intelligent folds - so everything is guaranteed to end up in the pan and not in any cracks on board. Different colors and sizes. From 15 euros.
Eat & drink
The quencher from Ruffwear
One step into the cockpit, it makes "Klong", and the contents of the dog bowl spill over the shoe. That can also do not prevent the quencher from Ruffwear * - only the "clong" is omitted because it is so soft. It is quick-drying, foldable and therefore easy to stow away. From 19.90 euros
Rinsing aid
The Wash & Drain by Joseph Joseph
The portable washbasin also comes from Joseph Joseph. A must, especially for boats without a pantry - the dishes can be quickly put together and carried ashore using two handles. There it can either be cleaned thoroughly or quickly rinsed off at the jetty. An integrated drain ensures easy washing up, a removable insert lets the dishes dry well. Wash & Drain *, from 33 euros.
Light cuisine
Tableware from Zuperzozial
FirmZuperzozial specializes in the production of tableware made from bamboo and corn. This saves a lot of weight compared to conventional boat harnesses. And the best: beyond the ubiquitous blue and white anchor motif, it offers many beautiful designs for a cheerful, individual table - no matter how small it is. Many different designs, four plates in a set *. From 25 euros.
Homely
Uco candle lantern
If you want a sunset to be even more romantic than it already is, then you can do that with the UCO candle lantern *. The special candles burn for around nine hours and are always held at the same height by a spring. The lantern itself can be pushed together very small, which not only saves space, but also protects the glass against breakage. They are available in many rich colors and - in admittedly extremely calm weather - they also function as a small anchor light thanks to the integrated chain for hanging on the tree. But then you have to be prepared for a longer cleaning action of the lamp the next morning. Otherwise it provides bright light for reading and comfortable sitting in the cockpit. From 26 euros including a candle, replacement candles from 4.95 euros in a set of three *.
Comfortably warm
The Vaude Navajo
Normal bedding is impractical on small boats: what to do with the blankets if the bunks are used to sit on during the day? The solution is - especially for those who don't like mummy sleeping bags - a compressible blanket sleeping bag. Light, warm, to use like a blanket and still quickly stowed away in the pack sack. With the Navajo *, Vaude has a model made of breathable synthetic fiber on offer. From 70 euros.
Freshly baked
The Omnia Oven
The Swedish Omnia camping stove is a classic in small boat kitchens. It works on the one-burner spirit stove as well as on gas or even on a normal stove. So there are not only freshly baked rolls, but also casseroles, breads and cakes - everything you normally need an oven for. The set includes a baking rack, a silicone mold and even a recipe book. From 50 euros (only the oven); * Set with grid, silicone baking pan and book 99 euros *.
Slim & no frills
The Sweep it from Stelton
Stelton is best known for Erik Magnussen's designer coffee pots. With the Rig-Tig product line, the manufacturer also has something for sailors on offer. For example the hand brush with a shovel: flat, space-saving and with a hole for hanging on the lanyard. Rig-Tig Sweep-it *, from 20 euros.
Shatterproof
Safekeeping by Nalgene
Anyone who has already tipped or broken an olive oil bottle on board knows: you never, ever have to have that again. The solution are the transparent wide-neck bottles with screw caps made of polyethylene from the US manufacturer Nalgene *: They are 100 percent leak-proof, can be filled and cleaned just as easily through the wide opening and are available in sizes from 30 milliliters. The small specimens are also great for storing spices. From 1.60 euros.
Peel & save
3-in-1 peeler by Joseph Joseph
Multifunctional tools like this 3-in-1 potato peeler by Joseph Joseph * are ideal for cooking on board and can be easily stowed away. From 11 euros.
Cozy
Therm-A-Rest pillows
Here it is, the solution for the eternal jumble of bedding on the saloon berths: The compressible pillows from the American manufacturer Therm-A-Rest * are ideal for sleeping thanks to their size and filling and can be stowed away quickly the next morning. The bag is integrated, all that remains is a small package that quickly disappears into any drawer. Various colors and sizes. From 28 euros.
Dry
Terry Towel from Cocoon
Terrycloth towels dry very slowly. The alternative are microfiber towels, in this case from FirmCocoon. The Terry Towels * are available in numerous sizes and colors, they absorb moisture perfectly and dry quickly. Then they disappear in the mini-sachet. From 8 euros.
Neat
The double kit from Topo Designs
The perfect toilet bag for the boat comes from the USA: The Dopp Kit from the manufacturer Topo Designs * is made in Colorado. Thanks to its triangular shape, it fits well on narrow shelves in sanitary buildings. The spacious bag is available in different colors. What they all have in common is the yellow lining; so there is always enough light inside to find everything. Also works as a storage bag for small items such as charging cables. 32 euros.
Weatherproof
The Rite-in-the-Rain
"Kalkgrund abeam" or the moment when the jib was replaced by the motor: Everything needs to be noted, for example in the Rite in the Rain memo *. The notebook is handy and defies any weather. Different colors and ties. From 9 euros.
Foldable
The Fjällräven seat cushion
Everyone knows them, the square seat cushions for the cockpit - but where do they go on small boats? The foldable cushions from Fjällräven * can be folded to a quarter of their original area. The underside is coated and keeps moisture out. 24.95 euros.
Stackable
Primus cookware
The cookware of the Litech series by Primus is made of non-stick coated aluminum and is very light; the rubberized handles from pan & Co. can be folded down. This makes it easy to stack. Litech Frying Pan *, pan 34.95 euros, tea kettle from 24.95 euros.
Animal
Outback Dreamer from Hurtta
There are also sleeping bags for dogs. Like the Outback Dreamer *, it is adapted to the curled up sleeping position of dogs. The material is soft, but so smooth that not all hairs get stuck. The sack is easy to shake and wash. Three sizes, from 79 euros.
Delicious lightweight
Cookbook The Great Outdoors
The cookbooks by Markus Sämmer are intended for hut hikers and van drivers. But the recipes work just as well on board - ingredients that are easy to obtain, dishes that can be cooked quickly and taste great. Each book comes with a booklet with the recipes without photos, so they fit in every cupboard. "The Great Outdoors" * and "The Great Outdoors Winter Cooking" *, each 35 euros.
The cook and author also reveals tips and tricks for cooking in a small pantry in an interview.
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