sailboat galley storage ideas

Sailboat Storage Ideas For The Organised Sailor!

Before we moved on board I was not the tidiest of people, and sailboat storage ideas were far from the number one thing on my Pinterest boards! I would describe myself as somewhat chaotic. I have an idea, I pull out the things I need and I’m in such a rush that I just don’t have time to put them away again.

Unfortunately living on a sailboat does not allow for unorganised sailors. I quickly learned that pulling something out and not putting it away again meant that either I couldn’t sit down for the rest of the day, or it ended up broken.

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To help me in my endeavor to become a boat storage ideas pro I sought the help of the internet, and of my inventive other half (let’s face it, devising clever boat storage systems worked in his favour too!)

We have slowly but surely developed some great boat storage ideas, going from a sailboat that continuously looked like it had only just survived a hurricane, to one that I’m pretty proud of!

🏆 Our favourite bit of sailing gear 🏆 The Helly Hansen Skagen jacket

Tips And Tricks For Sailboat Storage

It took a while to train ourselves to keep tidy when living on a boat. Sailboat storage is great, but it’s not good at all if you don’t use it. There are a few things I have made myself get into the habit of doing while living on a boat.

Tidy It Away

Firstly, I tidy away anything breakable straight away. For example, as soon as I’ve finished my cup of tea it goes in the sink, where it’s safe to rock around a little. I don’t necessarily wash it up straight away (I’m not a tidy person remember!) but I make sure it’s not going to fly across the boat if a speedboat jets past in a quiet anchorage.

Give It A Home

Secondly, everything has a ‘home’. As soon as something new arrives on the boat, Adam and I decide where it’s going to live. That means it’s easy to out away and find again. When we get this wrong, we end up forgetting where it is and having to pull apart every cupboard on the boat to find it. So it’s a good time saver in the long run!

At the end of every day I spend a few minutes putting any stray items back into their ‘home’.

If we’re having a day of DIY then the boat ends up an absolute tip, so if we’re somewhere safe like a marina or on the hard, then I allow a few days of mess before a big tidy up, as we’re using the same tools over and over. But here, the rule is that the tools in use live on the pilot birth sofa. That way, we know where they straight away, and it saves seating space for us to actually live in!

Be Ruthless

Let’s face it, the less you have on board, the less there is to tidy away. I’m the worst at this, but I’ve got a lot better since moving on board. Go through your boat a cupboard at a time, and simply get rid of anything you don’t use.

Most marinas have a place you can leave unwanted goods – just don’t come back with armfuls of things others are getting rid of! Be ruthless!

Sailboat Storage Ideas

There is no doubt that having a decent sailboat storage system does wonders for your organisation when living aboard. The great thing is, you shouldn’t have to spend too much money to get your boat well organised and easy to maintain.

We have shared our handy tips below for all of you who aren’t the domestic gods and goddesses that you wish you were.

Existing Sailboat Storage Ideas

If your boat is anything like ours, it came complete with a wealth of hidden shelves and cupboards. When I saw how much storage there was on Hot Chocolate I wondered what all the fuss was about. I could easily keep my stuff tidy, there was enough cupboards by far to store all of my worldy possessions and I’d have no problem keeping the boat tidy.

Oh how wrong I was.

I very quickly realised that although there are clever little hidey holes all over the sailboat, they are not user friendly in the slightest. They are hard to get into, too deep, too shallow, too hot, too cold-you name it.

The biggest problem with existing boat storage is that they are hard to get into, and too deep. We tried to be systematic in our approach to storing things, putting away the things we thought we would use least at the bottom or the back of the cupboard. But obviously it rarely works, so we end up pulling everything out just to get to one tiny thing.

Over time I have learnt to optimise these spaces to make sure I get the most from every nook and cranny. We have made use of the boat storage ideas below to help us overcome the problems with our existing boat storage.

Sailboat Storage Ideas-Utilising Space

Top tip: When ever you are invited onto someone elses boat, ask them about their storage. Trust me, people love to show off their ideas, and we got so many of our boat storage tips from being nosey! You can check out our boat here and feel free to steal some of our storage ideas!

Canvas Storage Baskets

Durable storage baskets are one of the best sailboat storage ideas ever invented. They fit easily inside cupboards, maximising strange shapes and curves, in a way that rigid containers just can’t do. They can squeeze up if they don’t quite fit, making it easy to pull them in and out of cupboards.

Storing your things inside canvas storage baskets tucked away in the cupboard means that you don’t have to pull every little thing out to find something, you just pull out the bag containing the things you might need, and then shove the bag back in again. Easy!

I have even labelled the bags so that we are 100% sure of where to put it away again after, meaning we never lose anything! And I think they look pretty too.

We use them in most of our cupboards. The only place they aren’t so useful is the fridge, where we use rigid, washable containers (see below).

Packing Cubes Are A Great Sailboat Storage Idea

Not only a travel essential for me, these packing cubes have become a sailboat storage essential too. They are perfect for storing clothes neatly in cupboards and keep them from flying out into a heap on the cupboard floor after a day of sailing.

You can also get hanging packing cubes designed to be hung from a rail or hook. We’ve found these are great for storing toiletries, but they’re a handy shape for so many purposes!

If you want to do your bit for the environment then consider these packing cubes instead. They’re made from recycled plastic bottles (that’s less in our oceans!) and they’re also better quality, with compression pouches to really maximise space.

Top Tip: Packing cubes are great for any friends or crew that are visiting. Encourage them to pack their clothes into these and provide them with some handy S-hooks so they can hang their packing cubes from a shelf or wardrobe. They’ll save a load of space and it will make life a lot easier for people who aren’t used to living in a small space!

Tupperware Storage

We use canvas bag storage for everything other than in the galley and to organise our cleaning products. For this we use good old Tupperware. It’s washable and long lasting.

If you have a bin style fridge then you’ll probably end up like us-tearing your hair out after a week of using it and wondering how anyone copes with all their food being in a big pile on top of each other. The answer is Tupperware .

We bought four large containers. The two at the bottom of the fridge serve as long term storage. We keep long life milk here, or emergency water (beer) supplies that we don’t need to access very often. Then we stack two other large containers on top and they are for our fresh veg and other cold goods.

It means we can actually reach our food, but we aren’t wasting space and nothing gets lost in the bottomless pit of a fridge.

We can easily pull out a container when we’re cooking and shove it back in again when we’re done, saving us from the frustrations of having chopped up the veg on the fridge work surface and then realising we’ve forgotten a vital ingredient from inside and having to move everything to get back in!

Mesh Storage Bags

These. Are. Awesome. We use these mesh storage bags in the fridge, along with the tupperware, or we hang them up in the galley if we’re short on space. They are washable, so they’re perfect for food, and they fill the space in a way that tupperware can’t.

For me, the best thing about these bags is that you can take them to the supermarket with you. Instead of using the little plastic bags to gather up the tomatoes or spinach, we use these. Then we can just chuck them straight into the fridge when we get back.

You can actually use these bags for a load of different purposes on a sailboat and once you have them you’ll start to wonder how you lived without them!

Boat Storage Ideas-Creating Space

One of the best ways to get extra storage from your boat is to create it. With a few carefully placed items your boat storage can be really maximised!

Adding more space to your boat storage system is win win. You can create the storage where you want it and how you want it, and you’ll feel so much more organised once you’ve done it!

Hooks For Sailboat Storage

Having some carefully placed hooks on a sailboat makes storing certain things a whole lot easier. When we first moved on board we were hanging wet towels from the fruit basket and stacking hats on top of electrical cables. It was absolute chaos!

We soon invested in some pretty hooks so now not only do the walls look a little less bare but our stuff is stowed away nicely and easy to grab when we need it.

The only thing to bare in mind when choosing where to put your hooks is that you don’t want them to be anywhere you could poke an eye out if you fell. With a rolly sailboat it’s all too easy to lose your footing, so make sure those hooks are high up or on the inside of cubby holes!

Buy now from West Marine

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Hanging Pockets

Hanging pockets add additional storage to your sailboat and brighten up the boat too. These are a brilliant boat storage idea for any size sailboat. You can get colourful designs to hang on show, for things you need to grab in a hurry, or plain and simple ones for the inside of cupboard doors.

In our opinion they work better than hooks, because you can put them anywhere without worrying about bashing into them and things won’t fall out when the boat is heeling. We even hang one from the mast in the saloon-it looks homely and is so useful.

Sailboat Storage Hammocks

Hammocks are equally as useful. One of the best things about them is how they add to the space you have around the boat by creating an extra surface. They move with the boat so you don’t have to worry about things falling off them or clattering around, and you can add them and take them away really easily. All you need is a few hooks in the wall.

We use ours for hanging fruit as it keeps it aired. We just take it down when we aren’t using it and it opens up the boat again!

Adding Shelves As Additional Boat Storage

This is a really easy way to make more storage on your boat, but you do have to commit. Once you’ve drilled screws into the walls there’s no going back. As most of the extra space we wanted was in cupboards this wasn’t such an issue.

Unused holes will be hidden if decide at any point that we don’t need the shelves anymore. What it has done is given us a whole layer of extra storage in some of our cupboards. You can make the shelf half the width of the cupboard if you need to store taller items in there too.

Top tip: Live in the boat for a good few months before you start to add things. It took us ages to decide on the best cupboards to store things in, and so our need for shelves changed over time. We moved where we stored our food several times before we were happy, and only added a shelf for our tins and jars when we were sure it was the right place!

If you aren’t keen on ruining your beautiful woodwork interior with your dodgy DIY skills (we sympathise!) then these ‘temporary’ shelves are a great idea. They clip on the side of the bed, or anywhere with a lip (which on a boat is plentiful!) and create an extra shelf that is easy to add or take away. The shelf is already boat proof, with a lip all the way round to keep your things from falling off.

One things a sailboat usually has got is ‘wall’ space. Whether that’s between cupboards, above doorways or under shelves there is always un-utilised space available to fit a hanging rail . These are great for boat storage as so many things need to be hung on a boat to stop them flying across the companionway in any big seas.

Use them for hanging pots, pans and utensils in a galley, as temporary boat storage for hanging things like towels when it’s wet outside, for tea towels and oven gloves, for face cloths or scrubbers…..the list is endless!

We even use ours for hanging herbs and more decorative items to help make the sailboat a little more homely!

Over The Cupboard Basket

These things are amazing ! You can hang them onto the back of any cupboard door (providing any shelves won’t be in the way) and you’ll have some handy extra storage. We have one on the back of a galley cupboard and it creates a whole load of extra storage.

The picture in this one shows it holding baking tins, which is exactly what we use it for. Before we had this there was literally no shelf big enough for them, so we’ve found this cupboard basket a bit of a life-saver, or a space saver at least!

Sailboat Storage Ideas-Organisation

Adding storage to your boat is all very well, but if you can’t find things easily once they’re all put away then you’re in big trouble. Trust me. Once you have emptied yet another drawer looking for something during a spot of bad weather then you’ll be cursing yourself for not investing some time into organisation.

Drawer Dividers

These things are great for keeping our drawer storage top notch! We got ourselves into a bit of a mess in galley, we could never find the forks for some reason, and it was the cause of many an argument! These bamboo drawer dividers have proved to be very useful indeed. We even got some for the bedroom for our underwear drawers!

Device Charging Station

This might be one of the coolest inventions ever. We have a lot of electrical items on the boat, and before we got a device charging station they lived, well, everywhere. All over the boat. We constantly lost the tablets we use for navigation, we lost our phones when we needed to check the weather and so on.

Now that we have this device charging station , our electrical equipment always finds its way back here to get charged. We keep it on a shelf next to the plug socket and I feel a lot less stressed knowing our electrical equipment is always charged and ready to go when we need it most.

Hanging Laundry Bags

When we first moved onto the boat I had a problem with laundry storage. Where on Earth do you put dirty clothes. In a house you can have a pretty laundry basket in the corner of a room, or even better, a whole laundry room! But on a boat there isn’t room. I tried keeping a bag at the bottom of the wardrobe, but if clothes fell off the hanger they’d end up lying on top of all the dirty clothes. It wasn’t ideal.

This hanging laundry bag is the answer. It sits on the inside of the wardrobe door, it’s easy to get to and shove dirty clothes into and it’s easy to take to the launderette when it’s full-no need to decant all the clothes into another bag.

If you want to go one step further then buy one of these . A laundry bag perfect for lugging to the launderette. It even has a pocket for the detergent so you don’t forget it (like we have so many times!)

Vacuum Sealed Storage Bags

These vacuum sealed clothes bags are perfect for long term sailboat storage. They really do shrink clothes down to nothing, meaning you can store so much more. In the summer we put all of our winter clothes into vacuum sealed bags and store it under the wardrobe where it’s tricky to reach.

We do the same with guest bedding that we don’t need to get out too often. That way we have all the useful space in the wardrobe for the clothes we are actually wearing.

Bedside Caddy

It just slips over the side of the bed frame and it has space for everything you could need – even a handy hole built in to pop a charging cable through. It also folds into a little bag meaning you can just grab and run with all your essentials packed inside!

Plate Stackers

If you want to make more storage inside your galley cupboards then consider getting a few of these plate stackers. It’s a great way of organising your crockery, or making more space, as it enables you to separate out different sizes of plates or bowls, or to stack cups on top of plates making more sailboat storage!

These ones have non-skid feet so they won’t fly out while the boat is heeling!

Boat Storage Ideas-DIY

A lot of boat storage ideas will come from finding your individual boats needs and coming up with a way to fix it-by yourself. I’m not the best at DIY, but sometimes the simplest of changes can make a big difference to living aboard in such a tiny space. Get inventive and you’ll be amazed by what you can achieve!

Below are some inspirational DIY boat storage ideas that you can steal and claim as your own!

Rake Head Utensil Hook

If you have an old rake lying around (or can source one off Facebook marketplace!) then you can use it as the perfect multi hook for galley utensils. You can also get old of super cheap ones from Amazon . Just attach it to a wall in your galley and hang all your utensils in an easy to store, easy to reach space! Beats trying to cram them into tiny boat storage drawers like we used to do!

Bungee Cord Shoe Rack

We love bungee cords and aren’t ashamed to say that we use them to fix all kinds of things on the sailboat. One of their best uses is to aid boat storage. We have attached a bungee cord to the outside of the basket storage in our cockpit and it is the perfect place to tuck away our flip flops when we aren’t using them.

We have also wrapped one around the side of the stairs to store random bits and bobs that we want to be easily accessible while we are sailing, such as head torches. We have even used them in the cockpit lockers to hang up spare lines!

String Sunglasses Holder

If you’ve watched any of our sailing videos then you will know how many pairs of sunglasses Adam has lost so far this season. For that reason we stock bought a load of cheap sunglasses from the internet as back ups (we really can’t do without them while we’re sailing!).

We now have about five different pairs of sunglasses, the ones we actually use and several spare ones for when Adam throws his in the sea!

Storing sunglasses is difficult though, as the last thing you want to do is chuck them in a drawer where they’ll get scratched. You also don’t want to be spending ages carefully pulling them out of three different cases while there is sailing to be done.

To solve this problem we used an off cut of our fruit hammock to make a hanging string for sunglasses. We have attached it in the companion way so that whenever we have to step outside, they are right there for us to grab.

Further reading:

Recently moved onto a sailboat? Here are some more handy tips for full time (and part time!) sailboat living!

• How much does it really cost to live aboard?
• Saving water on a sailboat
• What’s it really like to live on a sailboat?
• How to get the internet on a sailboat
• Anchoring for idiots

If you’ve got any more smart storage ideas for living on a sailboat then we would love to hear about them below (the quest for even better boat storage ideas continues!) Follow us on social media for more sailing inspiration!

For the short version check out our sailboat storage story

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How to organize your galley for maximum efficiency

"An organized galley is the heart of a boat, where you'll be preparing meals, storing food, and spending quality time with your loved ones. Discover tips and tricks to maximize efficiency and make meal prep and family time a breeze."

How to Organize Your Galley for Maximum Efficiency

Sailing the open seas with your family is an incredible experience, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. One of the most important aspects of living on a boat is ensuring that your galley is organized and efficient. After all, the galley is the heart of your boat, where you’ll be preparing meals, storing food, and spending quality time with your loved ones.

In this article, we’ll explore various tips and tricks to help you organize your galley for maximum efficiency. We’ll cover everything from storage solutions to layout ideas, ensuring that your galley is a functional and enjoyable space for your family.

Assessing Your Galley Space

Before diving into specific organization tips, it’s essential to assess your galley space and determine what you’re working with. Consider the following factors:

• Size: How much space do you have in your galley? This will determine the types of storage solutions and appliances you can incorporate.
• Layout: Is your galley an open or closed design? This will affect how you organize your space and the flow of movement within the galley.
• Appliances: What appliances do you have or plan to have in your galley? This will impact your storage needs and overall organization.

Once you have a clear understanding of your galley space, you can begin to implement organization strategies that will maximize efficiency.

Storage Solutions

One of the most critical aspects of an organized galley is having ample storage for all your cooking essentials, food, and dishware. Here are some storage solutions to consider:

1. Utilize Vertical Space

Maximize your galley’s vertical space by installing shelves, hooks, and racks. This will allow you to store items above countertops, freeing up valuable workspace.

• Shelves: Install shelves above your countertops to store frequently used items like dishes, cups, and spices. Adjustable shelves are a great option, as they can be easily reconfigured to accommodate different-sized items.
• Hooks: Use hooks to hang items like pots, pans, and utensils. This not only saves space but also makes these items easily accessible.
• Racks: Install racks on the inside of cabinet doors or on the wall to store items like cutting boards, baking sheets, and lids.

2. Opt for Stackable Containers

When it comes to storing food and other supplies, opt for stackable containers that can be easily nested together. This will save space and make it easier to find what you’re looking for.

• Food Storage: Use airtight containers to store dry goods like pasta, rice, and cereal. These containers will keep your food fresh and prevent spills.
• Dishware: Choose stackable dishware like plates, bowls, and cups. This will save space in your cabinets and make it easier to access your dishes.

3. Use Drawer Organizers

Drawer organizers are a simple yet effective way to keep your galley organized. They can be used to store utensils, spices, and other small items.

• Utensil Organizers: Use adjustable drawer organizers to store your cutlery and cooking utensils. This will keep your drawers neat and make it easy to find what you need.
• Spice Organizers: Store your spices in a drawer organizer to keep them organized and easily accessible. Opt for a tiered organizer to make the most of your drawer space.

4. Incorporate Multi-Functional Furniture

When space is limited, multi-functional furniture can be a game-changer. Consider incorporating furniture that serves multiple purposes, such as:

• Folding Tables: A folding table can be used for meal prep, dining, and even as a workspace. When not in use, simply fold it up and store it away.
• Storage Benches: A storage bench can be used for seating and also provides additional storage for items like blankets, linens, and extra dishware.

Galley Layout Ideas

An efficient galley layout is crucial for maximizing your space and ensuring a smooth workflow. Here are some layout ideas to consider:

1. The Work Triangle

The work triangle is a classic kitchen layout concept that can also be applied to your galley. The idea is to create a triangle between your three main work areas: the stove, sink, and refrigerator. This layout promotes efficiency by minimizing the distance between these areas, making it easier to move between tasks.

2. The Galley Layout

The galley layout is a popular choice for boat galleys, as it makes the most of limited space. This layout features two parallel countertops, with appliances and storage on both sides. This creates a central aisle, allowing for easy movement between work areas.

3. The U-Shaped Layout

If you have a larger galley, consider a U-shaped layout. This design features three walls of countertops, appliances, and storage, creating a highly efficient workspace. The U-shaped layout also provides ample storage and counter space, making it ideal for families.

Additional Tips for an Organized Galley

Here are some additional tips to help you maintain an organized and efficient galley:

• Label Everything: Use labels to clearly identify the contents of your containers, drawers, and cabinets. This will make it easier to find what you need and prevent items from being misplaced.
• Keep a Minimalist Mindset: When living on a boat, it’s essential to be mindful of the items you bring on board. Stick to the essentials and avoid cluttering your galley with unnecessary items.
• Clean as You Go: Make a habit of cleaning up as you cook and put items away immediately after use. This will help maintain a tidy and organized galley.

Organizing your galley for maximum efficiency is crucial for a comfortable and enjoyable sailing experience. By implementing the storage solutions, layout ideas, and additional tips discussed in this article, you’ll create a functional and organized space that will make meal prep and family time a breeze. Happy sailing!

Home » Blog » Live on a boat » Boat galley storage solutions

Boat galley storage solutions

By Author Fiona McGlynn

Posted on Last updated: September 6, 2019

KEEP FOOD FRESH LONGER WITH THESE BOAT STORAGE HACKS

Whether gearing up for a wilderness cruise or a long ocean passage, it can be difficult to find space for all the food you want to take ; not to mention, making it all last while being jostled and knocked around onboard. After many smashed tomatoes, wilted greens, and moulded breads, we’ve devised several onboard food storage systems that expand available galley storage. From mason jar racks to making the most out of your bilge space; these boat storage ideas are sure to leave you with more room, and keep your food lasting longer too.

THE HANGING PANTRY

Hammocks are commonplace on many cruising boats, and are a fantastic way to expand your galley. String them up in a free berth or in the main saloon to make a hanging pantry for your goods. They’re great for most foods, though they can often bruise delicate produce and be a pain to rummage through. Hang them so that they can swing freely without hitting anything and line them with baking tins, plastic containers, or foam to distribute the load evenly. This will prevent your hammock strings from biting into your apples before you do.

Breathable mesh drawstring bags are a great way to keep your fruits and veggies sorted in the hammock, while providing plenty of air circulation to maintain freshness. They make it easy to quickly grab what you need while cooking and are great for hang-drying produce after washing.

THE GREEN BAR

Greens not only take up a lot of volume in the fridge, but are also of the hardest things to make last as they wilt due to water loss. However, if you keep them in water, the capillary action draws the water up and into the plant, keeping the cells hydrated. Our Green Bar consists of water filled plastic cups, supported by a rack, in which we store our greens – much as you might fresh cut flowers. We’ve had success with kale, bok choy, chard, cilantro, romaine, and water cress and even cilantro, all of which lasted close to a week in water. It’s very clean and holds everything securely even in choppy seas. You can further improve the longevity of your greens by cutting an inch off the bottom of the stems before putting them in water. Be sure to refresh the water every 2-3 days.

THE BILGE CELLAR

The bilge is a great place for food that needs to be kept at a lower temperature (e.g. cheese and wine). Of course you can put anything in there you like so long as it is protected from water and secured so that it doesn’t end up knocking out your bilge pump. Depending on the design of your bilge it may make sense to build a custom rack, like the one below that our friend Dennis made for his boat Ultegra. We’ve also heard of cruisers stringing up netting across the opening of their bilge with equal success. Be sure to double bag and remove any paper packaging (including can labels) before storing them in your bilge.

FRIDGING FANTASTIC

Most cruisers are tight on fridge or icebox space so it’s important to make the most of the available room. Stackable plastic bins are a great way to do this. Sort food by category and put the items that need to be ice cold in the bottom bins and things that just need to be cool in the top bins. 2 L soda bottles with the top third cut off also make for handy and inexpensive containers as they can be filled with tomatoes or other fruit and then stacked in your fridge space.

RACK ATTACK

If you have some space at the back of a spare berth, or a large locker, a rack is a great way to stash food with a long shelf life . We’ve gotten great use out of this mason jar rack (holds 12 jars), which we use to store canned fish and preserves in an out-of-the-way locker above the head.  The rack keeps the jars separate so they don’t break or clink together during rocky passages. Crates are also a great place to stash dry goods. Choose crates that are short and ideally stackable so you’re not piling food stuffs on top of each other which will crush the items on the bottom and make it difficult to find things later.

EVERYTHING IN ITS PLACE AND A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING

It may take some trial and error to find the food storage systems that work for you but in the long run having consistent places for all of your food will go a long way to making your food last longer and eliminate the frustration of rooting around to find something. You may even discover that you have a much larger galley than you thought you had.

Have a storage tip you’d like to share? Let us know in the comments below.

Fiona McGlynn is an award-winning boating writer who created Waterborne as a place to learn about living aboard and traveling the world by sailboat. She has written for boating magazines including BoatUS, SAIL, Cruising World, and Good Old Boat. She’s also a contributing editor at Good Old Boat and BoatUS Magazine. In 2017, Fiona and her husband completed a 3-year, 13,000-mile voyage from Vancouver to Mexico to Australia on their 35-foot sailboat.

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The Boat Galley

making boat life better

Real-Life Monohull Galley Storage

Published on February 22, 2017 ; last updated on March 21, 2023 by Carolyn Shearlock

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!

• Can’t Simmer on Your Stove?
• Galleyware Nesting Pan Set
• Organizing Bags without Cardboard
• 🎧Ten Things to Make Galley Life Easier

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Reader Interactions

Pamela Douglas Webster says

February 22, 2017 at 11:47 am

Dividers in the drawers are really helpful. Looks like they were built in later. A smart choice.

The Boat Galley says

February 22, 2017 at 12:35 pm

You can also add them . . . Rubbermaid makes a lot for land kitchens that are individual compartments, so you can mix and match to fit.

February 22, 2017 at 2:31 pm

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

February 22, 2017 at 3:10 pm

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

February 22, 2017 at 5:42 pm

Rosalind Franks I bet you suffered a lot of aggravation before you got those dividers, eh? 🙂

February 24, 2017 at 3:55 am

Yes ma’am! That was one of the first things we did ?

Maryanne Grady says

February 22, 2017 at 6:16 pm

I am on the boat right now trying to organize my new to me galley this was quite timely. Thanks!

February 23, 2017 at 11:24 am

Very nice article. Thank you Carolyn. Storage is always a work in progress isn’t it.

Carolyn Shearlock says

February 23, 2017 at 11:47 am

Thanks to you for all the photos! Really appreciate it!

Florian Wolf says

February 23, 2017 at 6:18 pm

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

February 23, 2017 at 9:25 pm

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.

February 24, 2017 at 7:32 am

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.

February 28, 2017 at 4:58 pm

The drawers have a detent, you have to lift and pull to open them.

Melissa White says

February 23, 2017 at 9:26 pm

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.

February 24, 2017 at 7:33 am

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

May 6, 2018 at 11:09 pm

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.

May 7, 2018 at 10:20 am

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

February 6, 2019 at 8:36 pm

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

October 12, 2020 at 3:50 pm

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!

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