Big ship owners have it good: on large yachts, the question of equipment and luggage is not a dominant issue. In principle, everything is just like at home: fluffy towels in the locker, bed linen with a decorative anchor motif in the owner's cabin, a perfectly equipped galley with hob and oven - everything is there and everything has its place. But what if storage space is severely limited?
Owners of smaller boats have to be inventive if they want to combine sailing fun with comfort. Outfitters have a range of patented solutions to offer - but it's still worth looking outside the box. The outdoor industry is booming like never before, hiking and camping are suddenly back in vogue, and top prices are being paid for VW Bullis of every model year.
Bulli or boat? The requirements are the same
And what works for the limited space available 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 their boat onto the beach in a secluded bay at the weekend is familiar with coffee or bread on a stick over a campfire.
Intelligent solutions for the perennial stowage problem on small boats are not only offered by outdoor equipment suppliers.
Ikea, Karstadt and the like also offer many products that work wonderfully on board - especially below deck, where space is at a premium. We have looked beyond the usual yacht chandlery catalogues and collected the best ideas.
Cutting & shovelling
The English manufacturer of practical kitchen utensils Joseph Joseph has a whole range of products on offer that are perfect for life on board. For example the Chop 2 Pot : A thin plastic chopping board that hardly takes up any space in the cupboard 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. Various colours and sizes. From 15 euros.
Eat & Drink
One step into the cockpit, it goes "clang" and the contents of the dog bowl spill over the shoe. This can
also the Quencher from Ruffwear The only thing you don't have to worry about is the "clang" because it's so soft. Nevertheless, it is quick-drying, foldable and therefore easy to stow away. From 19.90 euros.
Flushing aid
The portable washbasin is also from Joseph Joseph. A must-have, especially for boats without a galley - quickly packed away, the crockery can be carried ashore using two handles. There it can either be thoroughly cleaned or quickly rinsed off at the jetty. An integrated drain makes washing up easy, while a removable insert allows the crockery to dry thoroughly. Wash&Drain*, from 33 euros.
Light cuisine
The company Zuperzozial specialises in the production of tableware made from bamboo and corn. This saves a lot of weight compared to conventional boat crockery. And the best thing is that, beyond the ubiquitous blue and white anchor motif, it offers many beautiful designs for a cheerful, personalised table - however small it may be. Many different designs, four plates in a set. From 25 euros >> e.g. at Avocadostore available .
Cosy
If you want to make a sunset even more romantic than it already is, you can do so with the UCO candle lantern . The special candles burn for around nine hours and are always kept 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 colours and - in admittedly extremely calm weather - they also work as a small anchor light thanks to the integrated chain for hanging on the tree. In this case, however, you have to be prepared for a lengthy cleaning operation the next morning. Otherwise, it provides bright light for reading and cosy sitting in the cockpit. From 26 euros including a candle, Replacement candles from 4.95 euros in a set of three .
Cosy and warm
Normal bedding is impractical on small boats: where to put the blankets when the bunks are used for sitting during the day? The solution - especially for those who don't like mummy sleeping bags - is a compressible blanket sleeping bag. Lightweight, warm, can be used like a blanket and can still be stowed away quickly in the pack sack. With the Navajo a model made of breathable synthetic fibre on offer. From 70 euros.
Freshly baked
The Swedish Omnia camping stove is a classic in the small boat kitchen. It works on the single-burner spirit cooker as well as on gas or even on a normal cooker. This means that you not only always have freshly baked bread rolls, but also casseroles, breads and cakes - everything you would normally need an oven for. The set includes a baking rack, a silicone mould and even a recipe book. From 50 euros (oven only) ; Set with rack, silicone baking tin and book 99 euros .
Slim & straightforward
Stelton is best known for its designer coffee pots by Erik Magnussen. However, with the Rig-Tig product line, the manufacturer also has something for sailors. For example, the hand brush with scoop: flat, space-saving and with a hole for hanging on the handle. Rig-Tig Sweep-it , from 20 euros.
Shatterproof
Anyone who has ever tipped out or even broken an olive oil bottle on board knows: you never, ever have to do that again. The solution is the transparent Wide-neck bottles with polyethylene screw cap from US manufacturer Nalgene : They are 100 per cent leak-proof, are easy to fill and clean thanks to the wide opening and are available in sizes from 30 millilitres. The small ones are also ideal for storing spices. From 1.60 euros.
Peel & Save
Multifunctional appliances like this 3-in-1 peeler from Joseph Joseph are ideal for cooking on board and are easy to store. From 11 euros.
Cosy
Here it is, the solution to the eternal jumble of bedding on the saloon bunks: the compressible pillows from the American manufacturer Therm-A-Rest Thanks to their size and filling, they are ideal for sleeping and can be stowed away quickly the next morning. The bag is integrated, leaving just a small packet that quickly disappears into any cupboard. Various colours and sizes. From 28 euros.
Dry
Terry towels dry very slowly. The alternative is microfibre towels, in this case from the company Cocoon. The Terry Towels They are available in numerous sizes and colours, absorb moisture perfectly and dry quickly. They then disappear into the mini bag. From 8 euros.
Tidy
The perfect toiletry bag for the boat comes from the USA: in Colorado, the Dopp Kit from the manufacturer Topo Designs . Thanks to its triangular shape, it fits well on narrow shelves in sanitary buildings. The spacious bag is available in different colours. What they all have in common is the yellow lining, so the inside is always bright enough to find everything. Also works as a storage bag for small items such as charging cables. 32 euros.
Weatherproof
"Kalkgrund abeam" or the moment when the jib was replaced by the engine: Everything needs to be noted, for example in the Rite in the Rain-Memo . The notebook is handy and can withstand any weather. Various colours and bindings. From 9 euros.
Foldable
Everyone knows them, the square seat cushions for the cockpit - but where to put them on small boats? The Foldable pad from Fjällräven can be folded down to a quarter of their original size. The underside is coated and keeps moisture out. 24.95 euros.
Stackable
The cookware in the Litech series from Primus is made of non-stick coated aluminium and is very light; the rubberised handles of the pan & co. can be folded up. This makes it easy to stack. Litech Frying Pan , pan 34.95 euros, kettle from 24.95 euros.
Beastly
There are also sleeping bags for dogs. Like the Outback Dreamer , it is adapted to the curled sleeping position of dogs. The material is soft, but so smooth that not every hair gets stuck. The bag is easy to shake out and wash. Three sizes, from 79 euros.
Delicious lightweight
Markus Sämmer's cookery books are designed for hikers and van drivers. However, the recipes work just as well on board - easy-to-find ingredients, dishes that are quick to cook and taste great. Each book comes with a booklet containing the recipes without photos, so they fit in every cupboard. "The Great Outdoors" and "The Great Outdoors Winter Cooking" , 35 euros each.
