sailing yacht accessories

20 Must-Have Sailing Accessories

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

June 15, 2022

While some sailing accessories are simply nice to have, others are a must if you want to have a safe and enjoyable sailing experience. From safety equipment to navigation systems and communication devices there are must-have sailing accessories.

Leaving the dry land and going sailing is, without a doubt, a lifetime opportunity. But you can only stay safe and enjoy this opportunity if you outfit your sailboat with the right accessories. While you'll hear a sailor saying he/she can't go sailing without a plumbed-in washing machine, we aren't sure if this is a must-have accessory. But going out there on a sailboat that doesn't have a wind vane self-steering gear is unthinkable. Although we all have our eccentricities, there are several accessories that you shouldn't even think about sailing without.

Sailing, of course, requires preparation, training, and practice. While accessories such as life jackets are a must-have in any sailboat, there are other must-have items that you should always have before setting out. These accessories are critical not just for safety purposes but also for an enjoyable sail.

This article, therefore, provides a handy guide to the 20 must-have sailing accessories that you should have before going out there on the water.

Table of contents

Safety Equipment

How do you escape from the sailboat should the worst come to you? Well, life raft becomes the order of the day. This is essentially a type of lifeboat that must be carried in the sailboat for emergency evacuation purposes if there's a disaster on the sailboat. Keep in mind that a life raft is a lot easier to launch than a lifeboat. This is because a life raft is designed with an auto-inflatable system, so you won't have to launch it manually.

When choosing a life raft, a rule of thumb is that the life raft should be big enough to carry more people than the sailboat typically carries. For instance, if you have a six-person sailboat, the life raft should be able to carry 8 people. Make sure that the life raft has a hydrostatic release and is kept on the deck where it can be easily accessed when there's an emergency. More importantly, make sure that the life raft is regularly serviced so that it doesn't work with a hitch.

This bag should contain all the important emergency supplies that you can take with you in the life raft. In addition to being waterproof, the grab bag should be able to float and have interior pockets where you can keep safety items. You can also add a lanyard that makes it impossible to lose the bag even if the life raft capsizes.

A grab bag is a perfect place to store all your essentials including the survival gear, vessel's signaling, medical kit, spare battery pack, flashlights, SOLAS flares mobile phone, EPIRB, and many more.

• 406 MHz EPIRB

Connected to a global satellite network, an EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) is a small radio that can be used worldwide to alert Search and Rescue agencies about an emergency in the seas. For instance, you can use the EPIRB to alert the agencies that your sailboat is sinking.

The EPIRB is one of the most important safety items when sailing. When buying this device, you can look for an upgraded model that comes with a built-in GPS. This is essential in the sense that your position can be instantly transmitted to a nearby rescue agency. You should always keep the EPIRB in the grab bag in case things go wrong.

• Handheld VHF Radio

This is an excellent backup to the boat's VHF radio. This is because a handheld VHF radio is independent of the boat's antenna and DC system. As such, it makes sense to have one in the grab bag but do not forget additional alkaline batteries.

Some of the best handheld VHF radio models to consider include Standard Horizon and West Marine. You should keep in mind that some models can float if thrown overboard. Such models have several features such as an integral GPS receiver with full Digital Service Calling (DSC) safety features.

• SOLAS Grade Signals and Flares

Any sailboat that's going out there on the water must have SOLAS grade signals. These flares are of great importance when you want to give out a signal and call for help when disaster strikes. You should have handheld red flares as well as rocket parachute flares and at least two orange smoke canisters for daytime signaling.

It's always advisable to have at least a pair of the red, rocket parachute, and orange flares with you. You can consider placing one each in the cockpit while keeping the rest in the grab bag. You should always remember that SOLAS flares are a very powerful way of sending out signals, so you must be very cautious when using them. In other words, don't just use them; use them only when you're in serious help.

• Emergency Watermaker

Having SOLAS flares and the EPIRB will, of course, increase the likelihood of having a quick rescue but what happens if the rescue doesn't come as fast as you had thought? Well, you should have an emergency Watermaker. This is essential in producing enough fresh water that can keep nearly 24 people hydrated for days on end.

• Radar Reflector

This is an important accessory while sailing in the sense that it's what alerts other vessels, both big and small, of your presence. Although these radar reflectors may vary greatly in their performance, you should use something that's effective such as Trilens and Echomax reflectors.

Most ships out there generally use a 24-mile scale on their S-band radar but such radars are unlikely to notice a small craft in their radar reflectors until they're within a range of six-mile or less. This means that these ships can sometimes detect your sailboat when it's a little too late. As such, you shouldn't take chances. Instead, use your radar reflector and detect whether there's a huge ship or any other vessel, for that matter.

• Portable Fire Extinguisher

You should have several portable fire extinguishers to help the crew fight fire. The locations of these fire extinguishers should be clearly labeled to make sure that everyone is familiar with their locations and how to operate them.

• Patching Materials

There are certain instances when your boat may suffer from collision or any damage that may put a dent on your hull. Without appropriate patching materials, this may spell doom as there will be a constant flow of water on the deck.

You should, therefore, have patching materials that can help you prevent water from flowing into the deck, thereby allowing for emergency repairs. Some of these patching materials include underwater-cure epoxy putty and pre-cut pieces of waterproof plywood.

• Throwable PFD

Whether it's a horseshoe buoy, a throw rope bag, or a rescue stick, a sailboat must have a lifeline sling that can be used to save someone in the water. Some of these devices throw well for long distances and with good accuracy and can be used to provide flotation. Most of these devices remain connected to the vessel, which makes it a lot easier to pull the victim out of the water and to the boat.

Medical Equipment

• The Boat's Medical Kit

A medical is a must-have accessory in any sailboat. It should have partitions with each partition meant for a particular class of injury. The kit should also be readily available to the crew and have common drugs, bandages, and a first-aid kit. It should have sunscreen, common painkillers, tweezers, bandages, and many more.

Additionally, you should also get a doctor to write prescriptions for non-OTC. You can as well consider using a telemedicine service that can help you in case of a serious emergency.

Personal Equipment

• Inflatable Life Jackets

This is a personal safety gear that's not only comfortable to wear but will also offer great performance in the water. When used together with safety harnesses, you'll have a single piece of gear that has nearly all the safety gear that you need on the deck.

Inflatable jackets are great especially on the open water and should also be available for guests and everybody on the boat.

• Safety Harnesses and Tethers

Although safety harnesses and tethers may be too heavy or too hot to wear especially in warm climates, they're of great importance in keeping you safe should things go wrong. It's advisable to integrate them with inflatable life jackets and must be worn in almost all conditions. In fact, it would be appropriate if you make them mandatory on the deck.

You should make sure that the tethers do not have hooks that can accidentally unhook and cause injuries. The safety harness should also have an easy-to-release snap shackle at the chest.

Sailing requires foul weather gear just the same way a corporate business director requires a three-piece suit. Don't just buy any gear. Instead, go for a quality gear that fits lightly and can allow you to put shielding garments beneath. The fabric should be breathable for additional comfort. Some of the brands to consider include West Marine, and Henri Lloyd.

Part of this gear should include fleece jackets and pants. Fleece garments are excellent in providing warmth and cushion and shouldn't be bulky. They are also great for sleeping during long passages. You should also have long underwear to keep you from freezing. You should go for a synthetic material. Something like polyester or polypropylene fabric is appropriate. This is because such materials can cling to your skin, thereby transporting moisture away from your skin. That being said, you should never use cotton or any other natural fiber.

• Deck Shoes , Hats and Gloves

Nothing arguably ruins a fascinating sailing trip than a broken ankle or foot. It doesn't matter the type of shoes that you prefer, you must have shoes with better grip while on the deck. This is not only to secure your feet but also to prevent you from skidding, which can cause serious injuries.

While a hat may make you look like a dork, it's of great importance in protecting your head and face from sunburn and also from insects at night. Floppy canvas hats are the best thanks to their wide brim but you can also use baseball caps for extra protection.

You should also have line-handling gloves to protect your hands from wear and tear. The gloves should be manufactured from either synthetic or genuine and should remain flexible even after several exposures to saltwater soaking. They should also be waterproof to keep your hands warm.

Electronic and Communication Gadgets

• Shortwave Receiver

You should get a quality Sony, Sangean, or Grundig receiver that can work with WFAX software as a shortwave receiver. You can also choose an SSB (Single Sideband) radio as a shortwave receiver, though it will drain the battery banks quickly as it tends to draw a lot of currents.

• Spare Antenna

Although they don't have to be elegant, they're of great importance particularly if you lose your mast. There are many affordable models out there, so you can't lack something that can work for you.

• VHF Marine Radio, Antenna

This is one of the most important communication devices on a sailboat and can enable you to communicate clearly for up to 60 miles. You can use a base-loaded stainless steel whip with antennas at the masthead. They also offer remote stations as an option and are like large microphones. This is to allow you to have full-power radio that's accessible from the helm while the main radio remains at the navigation station.

• Weather Map Solutions

Good weather is of great importance if you want to enjoy safe sailing. While the Furuno FAX207 used to be the standard device on most sailboats, you can now use a laptop, an iPad, or a Xaxero.

This can work in tandem with a fixed mount network GPS that can be used to perform many tasks. The model that you choose should have a large and sharp display, as well as a good interface.

• Depth Sounder and Knot Log

Speed and distance are some of the most important navigation information. You should use a knot log to measure speed and distance and use depth sounder to measure the depth to avoid unintentional grounding while enhancing safe sailing and navigation.

• Main Compass

This is to ensure that you can know the latitudes and, of course, the direction that you're traveling at.

Whether you've been sailing for decades of just starting out on this incredible adventure, preparation is key to safe and fun sailing. Part of this preparation is being aware of all the must-have accessories that you should have in your boat. Hopefully, you're in a much better position as far as must-have sailing accessories are concerned.

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I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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7 Best Sailboat Accessories

Table of Contents

Finding the perfect sailboat for your cruising plans is a terrific start to a great life on the water. Even better? Outfitting that sailboat with accessories that make being aboard safer, extra comfortable, and even more fun. Here’s a look at the seven best sailboat accessories for all kinds of sailors, from day cruisers to long-haulers.

• Wind indicator
• Sea-rail bag
• On- deck cooler
• Telescoping boat hook
• Fiberglass boat repair kit
• Barbecue grill
• Handheld VHF radio

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1. Wind indicator

You can go a few ways when looking for an accessory to help you keep track of the wind.

Wind indicators are just what they sound like: a vane or arrow that sits on the boat’s mast and tells you the apparent wind direction at any time.

There also are accessories called telltales, which you position directly on the sails to get instant feedback about the airflow based on the way you have trimmed the sails. If you want to spend bigger bucks, there are electronics you can mount at the helm to show you not only wind direction but also your heel and trim angles, speed, and all kinds of other helpful information.

Davis Instruments’ WindTrak has long been the most popular brand of wind indicator. For higher-end electronic devices, look to brands such as Raymarine and Garmin .

2. Sea-rail bag

There’s never enough stowage on a boat. It doesn’t matter if you’re heading out for a few hours or a few months. You will inevitably run out of places to put stuff that you want or need to have on board.

A sea-rail bag gives you extra space on deck for things like docklines and laundry clips. These bags often attach with Velcro flaps to the boat’s wire or rail, so you can easily remove them if you get into rough seas. For smooth sailing days, the sea-rail bag can stay out as long as you need it, especially if you buy a brand that’s built to withstand the elements.

Take a look at the sea-rail bags from Blue Performance , which makes them with features such as mesh side panels and fabrics that resist mildew, water, and ultraviolet rays. Another brand worth consideration is Ronstan , whose bags attach with hook-and-loop fasteners and 3M self-adhesive, and have a screw-in option.

3. On-deck cooler

A top-notch cooler is a great investment on any sailboat. Not only can it be kept on deck to eliminate trips below to the galley to grab a cold drink or a snack, but it also can be tossed into the dinghy for trips ashore to the beach.

Hard- and soft-sided coolers are available, some with suitcase-style pullout handles that let you roll them up the dock instead of lugging them. While the soft-sided coolers can be easier to stow, the hard-sided coolers can double as seating with a cooler-top cushion that you can buy separately.

If you go with the hard-sided option, a cooler-mounting kit can keep the accessory where you want it on deck with no sliding around. Some of the big brand names in coolers include Yeti , RTIC , and Engel .

4. Telescoping boat hook

Time and time again, while sailing, you’ll wish you had longer arms. Sometimes, it will be so you can reach a mooring ball just a little bit easier. Other times, it will be so you can fish a blown-off hat out of the drink. You can even use some boat hooks to help fend off encroaching boats tied up too close to your own boat at the dock.

A telescoping boat hook is a popular option because it combines long length during use with short length for stowage. Marine suppliers such as West Marine , Wholesale Marine , and Defender sell a variety of choices, including some models that float (just in case you accidentally drop the boat hook while trying to set your boat’s hook).

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5. Fiberglass boat repair kit

Yes, stuff happens. There are myriad ways to ding up your sailboat’s fiberglass hull , leaving it with cracks, scrapes, gelcoat blisters, and other problems. Having a fiberglass boat repair kit on board will let you patch up the little problems before they turn into bigger problems that require a hefty expense at the repair yard.

West System makes a kit that can handle holes up to one inch wide in solid laminates a quarter-inch thick. The kit comes with the epoxy resin, fiberglass fabric, fairing filler, and other materials you’ll need to execute the repair. Instructions are illustrated for common repair tasks.

Evercoat also makes a fiberglass repair kit that it advertises for rebuilding rotted-out areas on fenders, body sections, and rocker panels and for forming customized shapes.

6. Barbecue grill

Few pleasures in life compare to grilling up whatever you catch that day for the freshest meal on earth. Sailboats and barbecue grills are a terrific combination, allowing you to make the most of the great outdoors without getting stuck belowdecks in the galley.

Barbecue grills can be portable on a boat, or they can be mounted directly onto the rail for more stability. As with home grills, barbecues for boats come in various shapes and sizes, including some with toppers for treats like grilled pizza if that’s what you and your family like to cook up.

The big name in boat grills is Magma , which also makes grill covers and other accessories designed to withstand the marine environment. Note: You’ll be cooking with propane gas since charcoal and salty environments don’t play well together.

7. Handheld VHF radio

A fixed-mount VHF radio is, of course, must-have safety equipment for any sailboat helm. But a handheld VHF radio can be a great addition to the boat, too.

The handheld versions can be used anywhere on the boat, including away from the helm, and they can be used in the tender during gunkholing and beach outings. As just one example, they’re a great way to keep tabs on teenagers who head to shore for some time away from the adults (or vice versa).

Standard Horizon , Icom , and Simrad are all good places to comparison shop for handheld VHF radios that have good reputations for working when they’re needed and for surviving the water and sun on a sailboat.

Like what you read here? We’ve got more—

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Kim Kavin has been on boats in more than 50 countries and islands, including in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, South Pacific, Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia. She grew up learning to steer a ski boat and Hobie Holder at her grandfather’s lake house in New Jersey, and went on to spend time aboard everything from America’s Cup racing sailboats to submarines. 

Kim is a PADI-certified scuba diver and animal lover who always enjoys a good, long look around a coral reef. Her award-winning writing and editing regularly appears in national marine magazines and on leading websites. In her early years, she was a Dow Jones editing intern and a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism. When she’s not writing, Kim can usually be found hiking northwest New Jersey’s beautiful park trails with her adopted shelter mutt, Ginger.

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Our Ultimate Sailing Accessories

• By The Editors
• Updated: December 12, 2011

If there’s one thing I’ve learned over a lifetime of racing on different boats, it’s that we sailors are a needy bunch. Even if our boats are old, we eventually need new sails, we need good wet gear to keep us warm and dry, we need shoes that don’t slip on worn non-skid. We need butt pads, kneepads, and now spleen pads for long days spent creased over the lifelines. There’s all of this on top of the basic essentials: shades, hats, gloves, watches, and more. It’s a wonder we can actually leave the dock without all of it. No matter. Whatever it takes for us to race at full intensity and with full enjoyment is essential equipment. In the spirit of a holiday shopping theme, we are sharing our favorites, accessories guaranteed to make any racing sailor—big boat or small—smile, without dipping into the new-sail fund.

Put a lid on it The ubiquitous Mount Gay hats are the universal beacon of the vast majority of yachties, but true red-hat zealots would never chance losing their precious cap to a gust and watching it drift away in the wake mid-race. Nope. Leave it ashore and go for something technical, something with a retainer cord and clip. One of our favorites of late is the Gill Race Cap a huge seller at the merchandise table at our Sperry Top-Sider NOOD Regattas. It’s an incredibly lightweight hat, really breathable, and there’s a mesh headband to absorb the beads when it’s sweltering. There’s no logo on the front, which makes it a great team hat as well.

Dry digits If you’re like me, you have your wife or significant other buy your socks for you. But the one pair of socks you can buy for yourself are of the waterproof variety. I’m talking Rocky Socks , the standard in dry digits. I’ve tried many other types, and none come even close to out-waterproofing and outlasting these Gore-Tex socks. They’re just as good for inshore racing as they are for offshore racing: when you kick off your boots coming off watch, you can walk around a wet cabin. If you can’t afford a pair of sea boots, they’re the next best thing, and take up a lot less room in your bag. Pair Rocky Socks with good, technical wicking socks (ask Mom to splurge) and your feet will never be happier.

Time on distance It’s true that a great watch for racing is the one you’ve got on your wrist, and, honestly, for the racing sailor on your list, there could be pages upon pages of excellent options. But you can’t always rely on your run-of-the-mill timepiece to do precisely what you want, when you want it to. I learned this when I started wearing a borrowed Suunto Elementum Ventus . Where most watches take at least two steps to get you into and starting the countdown timer, this one has one-step access. There’s a user’s manual, but you won’t even need it—everything about the functions is intuitive. And I’ll be honest, not a day passes when someone doesn’t say, “Nice watch! What kind is it?” This timepiece will set you back a grand, but if time is money, and money is no issue, it’s worth it.

Let there be light If there’s one inexpensive piece of gear every sailor should have, it’s a headlamp. Racing the overnighter? You gotta have one. Trailering to your next regatta? Get one. It will come in handy when you’re changing your trailer tire roadside, or digging through your trailer box after the party looking for your room key. But no ordinary headlamp will do. A red light is a must to avoid blinding your watchmates. While there are numerous manufacturers and types, a popular seller at sailing chandleries is the Petzl TIKKA XP2 , which is lightweight enough to let you forget you are wearing it, and has three white LED lighting modes (maximum, economic, and flashing). For safety’s sake, there’s even a whistle built into the headband should you become hopelessly lost in the mooring field as you attempt to find your boat well past last call.

Fits like a glove The ultimate cheapskate’s sailing glove was exposed long ago when a dinghy sailor somewhere walked into his neighborhood hardware store, looked at the Atlas Therma Grip display, and thought, “If I cut the fingertips off, these would make awesome sailing gloves.” And so it began. While sailing-specific leather gloves will far outlast the disposable offerings from Atlas, it’s hard not to resist the $3 price tag. And, they’re cool among the dinghy and cat-sailing set. Atlas’ newer model, the Atlas 370 Nitrile Tough , has a thinner coating (said to be three times more puncture resistant than rubber) that has super grip on wet items. That alone makes the decision to go cheap even easier.

Note this All the coolest tacticians on the pro-sailing circuit have a Ritchie WetNotes pad either tucked in their backpack or stuck in their back pocket. If you don’t have one, you should get one today. It’s the industry standard for jotting down rig-tune notes, to-do lists, polars, and fast settings. SW’s senior editor, Stuart Streuli, ever the frugal Yankee, cuts his in half; giving him two pint-sized notepads.

Cool is fast A buddy of mine turned me on to the wonders of Gold Bond Powder . Sure, go ahead and snicker, but when I pack for a distance race, it’s the first thing in my bag (I do prefer the travel size for shorter races). Its “triple-medicated” drying powers will do wonders to the clammy environment inside your salopettes. For the extended race, the Extra Strength powder (in the green container) has an extra “medicated” cooling kick. By the time you reach Mackinac, you’ll roll into the Pink Pony fresh as the day you left the Chicago YC’s men’s room.

Slices, dices, and opens Multitools are like the aforementioned watches; everyone has their preferences, especially when it comes to blade size and the number of tools. When it comes to multitools, I’m a minimalist; I only want the essentials; everything else comes out of the toolbox. The best multipurpose knife I’ve used in the past few years is the Leatherman Skeletool CX . You’ve got your 2.6-inch stainless steel blade, pliers, bit driver, pocket clip, and carabineer/bottle opener, which, by the way, does not require peeling back eight other tools to access. It’s 4-inches long (closed), weighs only 5 ounces, and has the carbon fiber, so you’ll ooze fast when you whip out the opener to crack that post-race Heineken.

Dry bag, dry gear I stumbled upon Glacier Clear Dry Bag while browsing the aisles of APS Ltd., in Annapolis one fall, and as a fan of the roll-top drybag, it instantly caught my eye: finally a drybag that allows you to see its contents, rather than blindly digging into the bottomless hole. There’s pros and cons, though: you see what you have inside, but so too, does your weight-conscious skipper who can see how many clean pairs of underwear and magazines you’re smuggling onboard. It’s worth it though, and you can’t beat the waterproofness. If you’re sailing sportboats, you’ll be glad you have it when your bag gets shoved in the wet bilge.

Toasty domes You’d be hard pressed to find a lighter (1 oz.) and more effective temperature regulatory device than the Patagonia Capilene 4 Beanie . Putting it on can take the chill out of a cloudier—or windier than-expected—afternoon; taking it off opens the human body’s primary heat vent (the top of the head). When not covering your dome—hirsute or chrome— it’ll fit into the smallest of pockets. And it does not absorb water. patagonia.com

Speed in hand One-design dinghy sailors have long been disciples of relative speed. It doesn’t matter how fast you’re going as long as it’s a fraction faster than the boats around you. That’s one of the beauties of one-design racing. There’s also the fact that installing speed-monitoring electronics on a dinghy or a small keelboat has been a serious hassle. But with Velociteck’s Speedpuck , this is no longer the case. The GPS-driven speedo and compass is completely self-contained—it runs on three AA batteries—and mounts just about anywhere with some industrial-strength hook-and-loop fasteners. While racing, it monitors speed to the tenth of a knot, heading, and whether you’re headed or lifed. It also records your track for review later (initially this feature only worked on a PC, but now there’s a program for Macs, provided you’re running OS 10.6). It’s great for racing in small keelboats and dinghies (double check that it’s not against class rules), or for solo training.

Freeze frame It was always the ultimate conundrum for the sailor/photographer: how to get good onboard images. The best photos always came when the conditions were most likely to ruin expensive camera equipment. Waterproof housings were one option, but they turned even a nimble point-and-shoot into a cumbersome appendage. The Olympus Stylus 8010 is one of a handful of high-megapixel cameras that can be dropped, submerged, and (in the case of the Olympus) frozen. The zoom is limited, and the quality won’t match that of the top digital SLRs, but it will likely outstrip the best digital point-and-shoots you found under the Christmas tree three years ago. It also takes YouTube-quality movies and will fit comfortably in your pocket.

For professional marksmen Some sailors can sense boatspeed through their butt and evaluate sail shape down to the millimeter with a squinty glance. For the rest of us, it’s about working to find the right settings for each condition and then remembering them. That’s where a multicolored electrical tape pack (and a few permanent markers) will come in handy. Mark sheets, halyards, jib tracks, the outhaul, the cunningham, and the boom vang.

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Boat galley accessories: essential cooking tools for cruising sailboats

• Nica Waters
• April 7, 2022

After 30 years trying out various boat galley accessories, long-term cruising sailor Nica Waters offers her top recommendations for kitting out your sail boat's kitchen with a few tried and tested items from our Tech Editor Fox Morgan's Dehler 36 galley…

A well founded boat galley with just the right accessories for your food prepping style can make life on board an absolute joy.

Nica writes “We recently rebuilt the galley on our 28’ cutter, Calypso , the boat we’ve owned and cruised intermittently on since 1992. This time, using the wisdom gained over the past 30 years, we incorporated more usable storage areas, installed a large undermount sink, and even splurged on Corian counters.”

“As we moved aboard in April of 2021, we made sure that the galley items we brought with us are all ones we love and use frequently. After all, having the right tools makes cooking even more of a pleasure.”

The Marine Tech Editor, Fox Morgan loves their linear galley as it is especially well organised with just the right bit of kit in just the right places.

“Working in a confined space with limited storage, it’s a balancing act to make sure you have enough galley kit on board and don’t lack things that would make your life easier. Being judicious about what comes aboard can pay off handsomely both in terms of organization as well as the sense of space. For example, despite being a self-proclaimed cutting board addict, I had to be honest and realize that most of the time I use the same board over and over. I don’t need to take 15 on the boat! Almost everything needs to serve double duty; almost nothing is single use.”

If you’re just setting up a galley on the boat, here are some boat galley accessories you might not have thought of…

Boat galley accessories – knives

At the core of a good galley is its knives . You do not need to buy a complete knife set, which often include a number of knives you don’t need, but rather buy individual ones.

A 9” (or 7”) chefs knife, a serrated blade for cutting bread, and a smaller paring knife are essential; the next one I’d get is a long bladed boning knife for filleting your fresh catch of fish.

Find knives that fit your hand and feel good; some people prefer heavier ones while other people like light blades. Stainless steel blades will dull faster than carbon steel blades, but carbon steel blades will rust. Ceramic blades hold their edge for a long time but are notoriously hard to sharpen.

ZWILLING Chef’s Knife, Blade length: 20 cm, Wide blade, Special stainless steel/Plastic handle

A chef’s knife is an absolute must, ideally you’ll have more than one of these. As a boat galley accessories go, this is an area not to be scrimped on. Buy good quality. There’s a chance it will also be used for cutting and trimming lines on deck at some point too.

Price £63.84

Buy Zwilling paring knife from Amazon.co.uk

Shop for Zwilling knives on Amazon .com

ZWILLING Twin Pollux Bread Knife, steel, Silver/Black

A bread knife is one of the staple boat galley accessories, you might be cutting bread with it… sometimes it’s useful lashed to a pole for lopping a rope off your propeller too. Make sure you buy a good one of these!

Price £30.95

Buy Zwilling bread knife via Amazon.co.uk

Ceramic Blade Paring Knife with Sheath 

Tech Editor, Fox Morgan says “Onboard Boogie Nights there’s two paring knives. One steel the other is ceramic and 9 times out of 10 I’ll reach for the ceramic blade. It is light and I like the white blade. It is SUPER sharp and I have already sliced the tips of my fingers off when not paying attention chopping an onion one day while distracted and chatting with my co-skipper. The blade protector stays in place and the knife lives in the cutlery drawer with other stuff. It’s a few years old now but still sharp and still my first choice from the drawer. It’s also great for slicing mooring lines for splicing or repairs. watch out for the super sharp blade really near the handle though. That can catch you out”

Food prepping in the cockpit on a very hot day. Ceramic paring knife in hand. Look carefully, they can be difficult to see with their white blades. They do come in brighter colours, I would recommend trying a bright colour for safety.

Price: £16.99

Buy Ceramic paring knife from Amazon.co.uk

Note: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

Having chosen your knives, you need to have a place to store them safely, and a way to sharpen them. One of our galley upgrades was a pair of magnetic knife strips which we’ve attached to the underside of the deck in the galley area.

under counter magnetic strip – doubled up for extra security

You do need to make sure these powerful magnets are placed far from any compass or autopilot. We have two strips so the knives are secured in two places along the blade. Our stainless steel knives hold well, which is an indication of the quality of the stainless steel they are made from. (note from Tech Ed: beware that some stainless blades are not fero-magnetic due to their metal composition. So double check this if buying new blades and intend yo hang them safely on magnets.)

MIU France Stainless Steel Magnetic Knife Bar, 15-Inch

Price: £32.87

Buy the MIU France Stainless Steel Magnetic Knife Bar on Amazon

If you store your knives in a general cutlery drawer, be prepared to sharpen them even more frequently as the blade edges will be .amaged and dulled by contact with other utensils, although some knives do come with blade protectors that slide or clip onto the knife blade to keep it tip top and to avoid accidental injury when reaching into the cutlery drawer.

A knife sharpener can range from a simple whetstone all the way up to an electric knife sharpener ; our preferred tool is an easy-to-use hand sharpener that guides the knife to the correct angle.

WORK SHARP Guided Field Sharpener 

Price: £32.95

Buy Worksharp field sharpener via Amazon.co.uk

Chef’s Choice Professional Electric Kn ife Sharpener

Price: £217

Buy Chef’s Choice electric knife sharpener from Amazon.co.uk

Though this item possibly fails the ‘multi-use’ test, a Microplane zester is another must-have cutting tool in Calypso’s galley. Coming with its own guard, this slender rasp-style grater makes quick work of ginger, garlic, and parmesan cheese and stores flat; it’s also relatively easy to clean since you have access to both sides of the tool.

Microplane Zester Grater Black for Citrus Fruits, Hard Cheese, Ginger, Chocolate, Nutmeg and Truffle from The Premium Classic Series with Stainless Steel Blade

Price: £18.30

Buy Microplane Zester via Amazon.co.uk

Buy the Microplane zester on Amazon

Boat galley accessories – tongs

Everyone has their own preference as to tools to use to turn food in the pan. While spatulas and spoons, forks and even chopsticks all have their place in the galley, I can’t speak highly enough of these locking tongs .

OXO Good Grips Tongs – 12 inch

We have two pairs as we use them so much. One might be in use at the stove, turning meat or stirring pasta, while the other is being used to toss salad. I find the 12-inch size to be far more versatile than the longer ones, and personally find the silicone-tipped ones go gummy too quickly. Just be careful if using these with a nonstick pan surface.

Price: £27.99

Buy OXO 12-Inch Stainless-Steel locking tongs on Amazon

Colourworks Mini Tongs

These Mini tongs are useful in so many ways around the galley. You can pull a hot packet of wet food out of the the boiling pan with them or give a small pot a stir or flip your bacon with them. These fit into places where the larger tongs do not. Silicon tips can also help to preserve nonstick if you have that on your pans. Tongs of all shapes and sizes are considered one of the most essential boat galley accessories.

Price: £3.49

Buy Mini tongs from The Range

Boat galley accessories – blenders

Rounding out the hand tools category is an immersion blender .

When I lived on land, I used my beloved Cuisinart food processor almost daily. Space and power constraints on the boat mean it can’t come with us cruising, but I really did want something that could do some pureeing and fine chopping tasks.

A good galley alternative is an immersion blender. This stick blender does require an electrical outlet nearby, but fits into small spaces and larger pots with ease.

We call it the boat motor; it makes a lovely smooth vegetable soup as well making quick work of frozen fruit and yogurt for a smoothie.

The accompanying small bowl and blade means that smooth hummus and other luxuries are possible on board.

You can buy kits that come without some of the extra attachments (we in particular question the masher attachment), but they’re more expensive.

Braun MultiQuick Hand Blender

As used for over 10 years on the Tech Eds boat, this tried and tested hand blender has been pressed into action offshore many times, whipping up cake batters and chopping tomatoes and anything else we care to throw at it. One of the best value for money items ever introduced to the galley. It’s powered from a small inverter. Though, sometimes cake making goes a bit awry… sense of humour required when this happens. Thankfully we were moored up when this happened. This Braun hand blender was the secret weapon used in the great Atlantic bake-off during the Azab 2019 race.

utter carnage in the galley as the frosting went for a flyer.

Chocolate and Guinness cake, the SV Boogie Nights signature arrival cake, once we got the frosting in the right place it was utterly delicious and a doddle to make thanks to the little Braun gizmo.

Buy the Braun hand blender via Amazon.co.uk

Buy the Braun 4-in-1 Immersion Hand Blender on Amazon

Best pots and pans

Made-in stainless clad saute pan.

On board, I tend to cook with an eye toward cleanup. Like most cruisers, we’re water-conscious, and one way to minimize water use is to create fewer dirty dishes.

One-pot meals are a good way to put this mantra into practice. A surprise favorite pan for this is a stainless steel 3.5-quart saute pan (if we were a family of 4 still on board, I might like a larger version.)

This straight-sided skillet goes from stove top to oven flawlessly; the tight fitting lid for it means it can also work to cook rice or pasta. Watch for a handle that’s short enough to fit in the oven.

Price: £123.99

Buy the 3.5 quart Stainless Clad Saute Pan on madeincookware.com

Kuhn Rikon Duromatic Inox Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker with Long Handle, 5 Litre / 22 cm

Pressure cookers are another conservation tactic, working to save on cooking fuel as well as time spent in the galley. The premise behind these pots is that they cook foods at a higher temperature by applying pressure, meaning that cooking takes less time.

For example, if we decide at 5 pm that we’d like black bean soup for dinner; the pressure cooker takes beans from dried to yummy in half an hour. This pot doubles as my largest mixing bowl as well as a regular, non-pressurized pot for pasta.

Unfortunately, the Fagor brand we use has been discontinued, but this recommended one has been in use on my friend Behan’s boat for the past ten years.

Price: £132.53

Buy the Kuhn Rikon Duromatic Pressure Cooker on Amazon

Instant Pot Duo Nova 7-in-1 Smart Cooker, 5.7L – Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Sauté Pan, Yoghurt Maker, Steamer and Food Warmer

If you have the electricity and storage space to spare, multi-cookers (essentially, electric pressure cookers with a few other bells and whistles) are all the rage in the United States. I’ve never used one but have yet to meet anyone who is not wildly impressed. Many boats are shifting away from propane as a cooking fuel especially as lithium batteries are becoming more widespread, and a multi-cooker is a favourite boat galley accessory for cruisers with an electric galley.

Price: £69.99

Buy the Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker on Amazon

Tefal Ingenio Essential Non-Stick Pots and Pans Set, 5-Piece, Starter Kit

The Tefal Ingenio pans are also a boat galley favourite as they can go from stove top to oven to cool box and back again with their removable handles and clip lids to stop spillage.

The Tech Ed writes “These have been in use onboard SV Boogie Nights for around 8 years now.

Tefal Ingenio pans, with quick release handle removed for better balanced pans when sailing offshore. Stackable and versatile. An excellent investment for the galley.

The small frying pan is looking a bit tired because it get’s the most use but the clip handle, lids and pans are still going strong. The good thing is that you can buy the pans individually so you can make your own set that suits your particular galley needs. The handles are easy to find, often in European supermarkets too.”

Price: £56.99

Buy Tefal Ingenio starter kit from Amazon.co.uk

Best of the rest

Other favorite boat galley accessories and tools are personal: there’s the wide-mouth thermos I use to make yogurt, the citrus juicer I bought in an eclectic hardware store in the Dominican Republic, the French Press coffee maker we use every morning.

Zulay Metal Lemon Lime Squeezer – Manual Citrus Press Juicer

If lemons and Lime are your thing, then much like a garlic press, you’ll love this and it will make life just a little neater. Cocktails and cooking are a little bit better with a dash of citrus. The boat galley accessory you never knew you needed…

Buy Zulay lemon squeezer via Amazon

CLASSIC LEGENDARY FOOD JAR | 1.0 QT

A robust food flask with a wide mouth. Its ubiquitous design can be seen around the globe in the ditty bag of anyone who travels or wants to travel relatively light but head away from it all. This isn’t just a boat galley accessory, but a trekking and hiking accessory too.

Buy Stanley food flask via Amazon

Frieling USA Double Wall Stainless Steel French Press Coffee Maker with Zero Sediment Dual Screen

If you’re a coffee lover then a decent press will really enhance your mornings. Avoid glass and go for something sturdy, reliable and without consumable parts, such as paper filters. The dual mesh inner keeps the coffee grounds away from your cup and you’ll have enough in this press for more than one cup.

Buy Frieling stainless coffee press via Amazon

Luci Solar String Lights + Phone Charger with 100 Lumens

One special tool, although not a galley-specific item, that has immeasurably improved our dining life at anchor is these Luci string lights . Solar powered, they clip easily to our bimini top and provide light and ambience for dinners in the cockpit.

My husband was skeptical at first and now is the first person to reach for them when the sun starts to go down!

Buy Luci Lights via Amazon

Didn’t find what you’re looking for? Head to Amazon’s dedicated sailing page for more marine products.

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Boat Test: 2024 Formula 457 CCS

• By Randy Vance
• March 29, 2024

When I pressed the throttles on the 457 CCS, it didn’t rear up like a ­Lippizan, but rather surged forward like a Kentucky Derby thoroughbred out of the starting gate. Formula’s proprietary double-stepped hull kept the bow down as it stretched forward in a long, loping gate, the two-speed transmissions of the Merc V-12 Verados proving their worth. In turns, sharp and hard-over, the 457 CCS held its ground, carved them smoothly, and without the chine tripping or spinning out. The outboards themselves held their ground, sensing with electronic magic the added load that turns cause. They fed in more power to keep the speed steady through the arc. In port, joystick steering and a bow thruster made docking the 47-footer (LOA with ­engines) a breeze. Even an amateur can do it with confidence.

We weren’t surprised by its performance—every Formula that our test team has ever touched over the years has offered a high-performance ­experience thanks largely to the FAS 3 Tech design and engineering.

In fact, FAS 3 Tech is the technology below deck on the 457. Instead of stringers and bulkheads laid into the hull and storage buckets glued in place, Formula builds a one-piece stringer grid that melds to the hull in a single piece, and includes all fish boxes, dry-storage compartments and machinery access to the bilge, plus ample wire chases for a nearly unlimited array of accessories. The boat is filled with gadgets such as inductive cellphone-charging brackets, electric adjustable seats, bow cocktail table and a full assembly of navigation equipment—just for starters. Once the grid is bonded to the hull, the two pieces become one. The deck is then bonded in, and three become one. Formula perfected this technique decades ago, when competitors were still using wood stringers and ­transoms.

Another exceedingly well-built center-­console is Pursuit’s Sport 428. Pursuit was an early starter in the sport-model realm, bringing the 280 Sport to market in 2008 and the 310 ST in 2011. Pursuit met the needs of fishermen with broader interests than just wetting a line. The style became so popular, Pursuit expanded it with several models, including the 428. Soon the company rebadged the entire line as “Sport,” but all bristle with a fishing backbone while catering to diving and cruising fans. The S428 ($1,339,935 with quad Yamaha XTO 425s) ­offers a platform more on par with Formula’s far-fishier 457 CCF, sistership to this 457 CCS. The Pursuit has dual-row helm seating with a deck galley to double as a rigging station and mezzanine seating that faces the cockpit. For at-anchor R&R, there is a starboard-side fold-down terrace in the gunwale, and for diving and easy dockside entry, a portside boarding door. ­Formula ­offers port and starboard transom doors to a spacious platform too. ­Pursuit’s 428 is just 43 feet, 9 inches with a 13-foot beam compared with the nearly 46 feet length overall and 13-foot-9-inch beam of the Formula. Size, plus the fact that the Formula is powered by Mercury’s new V-12 600 hp outboards versus the four Yamaha 425s on the Pursuit, accounts for much of the $600,000 ­difference in base price between the two.

Both competitors drench passengers in ­luxury seating with a dual lounge ahead of the console and wraparound seating at the bow.

Interior and Accessories

Formula’s length and beam make for a roomy cabin below deck that includes a double berth that converts from a C-shaped lounge, and it’s nestled into a cheerily lit (with recessed LED lighting and overhead and forward portlights) arrangement with a large head compartment with shower, and an abbreviated galley with microwave, coffee maker and fridge. The topside galley also has plentiful drawer storage, a fridge, and there’s a grill on the transom hiding beneath its own hatch, expanding galley features.

There are rod holders, and in place of a livewell in the CCS, there is a cooler. But when fishing is on the agenda, the equipment is there to help ­ensure angling convenience and success.

In addition to enormous deck compartments, there are compartments in all of the coamings for boat hooks, rods and gaffs if you do fish. They tilt outward from beneath the gunwales and tuck back in flush with them, to keep the passageway clear. Lines, fenders and life jackets are accommodated as well. A transom lazarette, or “boot,” can stow more mooring gear, but aboard our tester, this housed a Seabob water scooter—a Formula option painted to match.

It’s important to note that this boat is not only part of a series, and sibling to the even-more-fishing-oriented 457 CCF, but also either version of the boat is eligible for a program called FormulaFlex. FormulaFlex is an exclusive plan offering boat buyers individual personalization in key areas such as graphics, upholstery and electronics. Many of these preferential changes can be had at no additional charge. If a charge is required for a buyer’s request, you participate in FormulaFlex MyWay, allowing you to choose paid-for changes or options. The point is not so much the charge of a fee for the change as it is Formula’s willingness to make changes to ­accommodate buyers’ ­desires in the first place.

Read Next: Formula 387 CCF

While we can wax on about the deck plan, it’s better to report what our test truly revealed. The Formula 457 CCS is indeed akin to a thoroughbred, delivering a combination of performance, luxury, versatility and great opportunities for owner personalization.

How We Tested

• Engines: Triple 600 hp Mercury V-12 Verados
• Drive/Props: Outboard/29-inch-pitch stainless-steel contra-rotating propsets
• Gear Ratio: 1.75:2.5 Fuel Load: 650 gal. Water on Board: 50 gal. Crew Weight: 800 lb.

High Points

• Tempered-glass windshield raises on electric actuators; can be fully open while running.
• Standard Seakeeper 6 gyrostabilizer, bow thruster, and 18,000 Btu air conditioning in the cockpit.
• FormulaFlex and FormulaFlex MyWay programs offer great personalization. 
• Cabin berth has ample room to stretch out, but vertical space allows feet-first entry only.
• The diesel generator is safer than gasoline power, but it requires a second fuel tank. 

Pricing and Specs

Speed, efficiency, operation.

Formula Boats – Decatur, Indiana; formulaboats.com

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