If you own a small, seaworthy vessel in South Africa, you may have had urges to take it out on the sea and spend a couple of days on the water. It is an adventure in itself—one that is worth experiencing. During your getaway, you may wish to cook for yourself and the family/friends on the vessel. But how do you get it right? There are many risk factors that you should not take lightly. In this article, let’s understand how to get cooking right on a boat in South Africa.
The Thrill and the Risk Factors associated with Cooking on a Boat
If you love cooking, challenging yourself to cook on a boat can be an exhilarating experience. After all, it is not your regular kitchen experience!
Unless you are planning an excursion exploring South African rivers and whatnot, you are likely going further away from the shore on South African seas. The waters there are not exactly gentle and you will experience sways that will throw you off balance.
Now that sounds like you have to be careful.
This is your major risk factor as anything not properly secured can become an instantenous hazard for you and the vessel. Not to mention the food spillage. Working in a galley on a moving rowboat is indeed an experience.
Secondly, galleys or your cooking space are not exactly spacious. It is not your regular comfortable spacious kitchen space, which proves to be challenging for many.
And lastly, your cooking options are limited. Whatever you are cooking, you have to be swift. Now, do not try to cook meticulous dishes unless you know what you are doing. If it is your first-ever cooking experience on a swaying, rolling vessel, stick to simple dishes.
So, how do you get Cooking on a Boat Right in South Africa?
Gimballed Stove
Not all vessels come with a gimballed stove. So if you find yourself often in rough waters (if that is your idea of having a thrilling adventure on the sea), get a gimballed stove. A gimballed stove will remain levelled regardless of ship motions. This means you can cook without worrying about any spillage during your cooking session.
If you do not have a gimballed stove, consider heading towards the shoreline where the seas are calmer and then consider cooking.
Getting Used to the Motion
Get used to the boat’s motion. Your boat’s rocking and rolling as a rhythm if you try to understand it. Don’t fight it but flow with it. You will find your balance, which will make it easier for you to work in galleys.
Choosing the Right Cookware
Regardless of how careful are, chances are your utensils are still going to tumble or fall. It is okay, as long as you and everyone else are safe. However, is the utensil okay?
Your average kitchen pots and utensils are usually made of porcelain or ceramic. Use sturdy utensils made of denser aluminium or stainless steel, like a saucepan.
It is a great idea to check whether all the utensils have a secured compartment before your trip.
Focusing on Easy-To-Cook Meals
While you’re out on the sea, you would want to keep your cooking time as minimum as possible to reduce to risk. There are some great one-pot recipes by Taste that you may consider cooking on your boat.
We highly recommend you plan your meals so that you can pack the right ingredients or store the right provisions.
If you are planning on cooking something that takes a little extra time, how about you prep the ingredients while the seas are calmer? Prep the ingredients and store them appropriately to avoid spoilage. May we recommend ziplock bags for such practices?
Prepped ingredients will significantly reduce your cooking time and your meals will be fresh.
Conclusion
That’s basically it! If you get the above steps right, you can significantly improve your cooking experience on a boat in South Africa. It can be an adventurous experience; must experience at least once in a lifetime.
Remember, to drive a boat at night, you will require a relevant SAMSA skipper’s license or RYA certification. For more information on skipper’s license, please feel free to connect with us today. With our 30+ years of experience in the industry, we will equip you with all the necessary knowledge to obtain and effectively drive a powerboat at night.
