Spending a day out on your boat calls for the right kind of food. If you’re spending a couple of hours in the early morning, you might get away with a handful of snacks. For full-day outings and longer trips, creating a meal plan makes the most sense. With these tips, you’ll have a variety of ideas you can use for your next boat excursion.
Ideal Non Perishable Snacks for Boating
For a quick trip, such as a brief waterskiing jaunt or a fishing outing, you might not want to worry about bringing a cooler or cooking apparatus. For these experiences, you should consider packing nonperishable items, such as:
Crackers
Pretzels or chips
Muffins
Jerky
Nuts
Dried fruit
Bottled drinks
These foods make a great choice because they don’t take up a lot of space and you don’t have to cook or refrigerate them. If you want to step up the meal a bit, try packing a bottle of shelf-stable salsa or queso. You can open the jar when you take a break and throw away the excess when you get back.
Cold Meals for Boat Trips
For the days when you need a full meal but you don’t want to take the effort of cooking, you might consider a variety of cold meal items. Popular options include:
Sandwiches — you may want to pack the ingredients separately
Pasta salad
Fresh fruit with dip
Fresh veggies with dip or hummus
Sweet treats, such as pudding or gelatin dessert
Preparing cold meals reduces the time you need between stopping on the water and starting to eat. Your only limit is your imagination and your cooler size.
Preparing Meals While Boating
Sometimes, you just want to taste the delight that only comes from a cooked meal. On these occasions, if you have the space and facilities to support a grill or small appliance, you may enjoy the following:
Hamburgers or hot dogs
Fried shrimp
Fresh fish, straight from the water
Tacos
Chili
Before you make a meal plan, confirm that you understand the limitations on the equipment you can use on your boat. Some boats may not be able to store additional fuel or handle the electrical load of small appliances. Others could allow you to easily run a propane grill or air fryer.
Tips to Simplify Meal Prep on the Boat
Ultimately, the goal of boating is to have a fabulous experience out on the water without having to compromise on excellent dining options. You can minimize a lot of the hassle of working in a small space by preparing as much of the food as you can before you get on the boat.
If you want to make tacos, you can prepare all the ingredients on the shore so that all you have to do is cook the meat or warm it through. Shopping for prepared side dishes can give you the time to focus on a great entrée. Don’t forget to keep a variety of snacks on hand for children or guests with specific dietary preferences.
Maintaining Food Safety on a Boat
As with any outing that involves meals, you should keep food safety as a priority in your planning and execution of the event. These tips can minimize your risk of food-borne illness:
Store cold or perishable foods in a cooler that can maintain a temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below.
Separate raw meats from foods you will be eating cold, such as salads or side dishes.
Avoid preparing meats on the same surfaces as fresh vegetables or cheese.
Put away prepared dishes within two hours of setting them out at room temperature or sooner if they are sitting in the hot sun.
Dispose of foods that have sat at room temperature for more than two hours without proper refrigeration.
For more information about food safety, consult your local health department.
A boating experience feels so much nicer with a full meal or even a light snack. Making a meal on a boat doesn’t have to be as hard as it seems. By following these tips, you can stay safe and comfortable while you enjoy your time on the water.
SOURCES: Fish and Ski, Hurricane Boats
The post Best Foods To Bring On Your Boat appeared first on My Boat Life.
