Choosing the Best Sailboat Galley Layout

In a Nutshell...

A well-designed sailboat galley layout is a game-changer for anyone spending time offshore. The best layouts, typically U-shaped or L-shaped, prioritise safety and efficiency by keeping the cook secure and the three main components—the cooker, sink, and fridge—within easy reach. It's not just about the appliances; it's about a holistic approach that includes good ventilation, robust storage, and a deep understanding of how to manage power, water, and waste in the challenging marine environment. Ultimately, an optimised galley turns a potential hazard into a safe and efficient space for preparing nourishing meals at sea.

A U-Shaped galley at the foot of the companionway steps on a Westerly Oceanranger 38

A well-designed U-shaped galley on a 38 foot cruising boat

Location, Location, Location: Where's the Best Place for a Galley?
Galley Essentials: Design & Practicality
Modern Galley & Appliance Options
Ergonomics & Safety in Heavy Seas
Essential Galley Cookware & Utensils
Provisioning & Food Storage Strategies
Galley Safety & Emergency Procedures
Summing Up
Frequently Asked Questions

Anyone who's spent a few days at sea knows that a practical, seagoing galley is a vital element in a good cruising sailboat. For me, anyone that can conjure up a nourishing meal on a pitching, rolling boat is a treasure beyond value. And anything you can do to make their life easier is likely to bring rich culinary rewards!

An efficient galley is a good place to start. It's not just about the quality and layout of the individual components, but also where it's situated in the boat itself. The principal requirements are simple: a good location, a practical working layout, and an eye for safety and ergonomics.

Location, Location, Location: Where's the Best Place for a Galley?

The galley's location should be well-ventilated and easily accessible to both the cockpit and the saloon. The most common arrangement is for it to be at the foot of the companionway, and this has much in its favour.

Sketch of galley at foot of the companionway

Safest location when underway

This part of the boat is less prone to violent pitching, there's good natural ventilation through the companionway, and hot food and drinks may be easily passed up to the cockpit. While you can't do much about the rolling, the cooker should be gimballed on its longitudinal axis, which will largely take care of that.

Some centre cockpit boats have a linear galley in the passageway linking the after-cabin to the rest of the boat. This is a less successful arrangement than those with an L-shaped galley, where the cooker and sinks are in the conventional place and only the worktops and refrigerator are tucked into the passage.

Sketch of a linear galley opposite the saloon seating

Convenient at anchor, but less successful underway

Another common location for a linear galley is forward, opposite the saloon seating. In my view, this isn't the best spot for it. It's just too far from the main hatch. The chance of getting a full mug of tea from the galley to the cockpit in anything of a blow is pretty slim.

Galley Essentials: Design & Practicality

The three main units—the cooker, sinks, and refrigerator—should be close together so the cook can reach all three without having to move more than a step or two. This is much easier to achieve with a U-shaped or L-shaped galley than a linear arrangement.

An efficient sailboat galley layout also needs to consider the finer details:

Restraining the Cook: A restraining harness should be rigged to secure the cook close to the cooker when it's on the windward side of the boat. There should also be a stout metal bar across the front of the cooker to keep the cook from accidentally falling onto it when it's to leeward. However, when secured by a harness, the cook has nowhere to go if they spill a pan of hot liquid, and many serious scalds have occurred this way. In boisterous conditions, it’s a sound idea to wear a full-length waterproof apron, or at least the lower half of your foulies.

Worktop Area: There should be an adequate worktop area with 75mm (3-inch) high, sturdy fiddles. A heatproof area for hot pans is also essential.

Splash Protection: Stainless steel sheeting should be fixed to protect adjacent cabinetry and the hull side outboard of the cooker, as these surfaces can get very hot.

Sinks: A good boat galley will have stainless steel dual sinks—one for washing and the other for draining. They should be deep enough (150mm to 200mm) to retain plates and prevent spillage when the boat rolls. It’s also no bad idea to have both a freshwater and a seawater supply at the sink. Just remember which is which when you're filling the kettle!

Modern Galley & Appliance Options

The galley isn't stuck in the past! While the basics of a cooker and fridge remain, the technology has moved on.

Refrigeration: For long passages, power consumption is king. Modern 12V refrigeration systems, often using Danfoss or Secop compressors, are incredibly efficient. They sip power rather than gulping it down, which is crucial when you're relying on batteries charged by solar, wind, or a generator.

Induction Cooktops: I know what you might be thinking—they need a lot of power, right? And you're not wrong. But with advancements in battery technology and more efficient inverters, induction is becoming a viable and surprisingly safe option offshore. No open flames to worry about in a rolly sea, and they heat up incredibly fast.

Combination Ovens: Space is always at a premium, so combination oven/microwave units give you the functionality of both in one footprint. Perfect for reheating, baking, or even grilling.

Watermakers: While not strictly in the galley, having a watermaker onboard dramatically changes how you use your galley. Suddenly, freshwater isn't a finite resource you need to conserve meticulously. It’s a significant investment, but for serious offshore cruisers, it's often considered essential.

Ergonomics & Safety in Heavy Seas

Cooking offshore isn't like being in your kitchen at home. When the boat's bouncing around, staying safe and being able to prepare a meal requires some serious thought.

Optimised Workflow: Think about how you move between the cooker, sink, and fridge. Can you do it with minimal steps and without having to traverse the entire galley, especially on a tack? U-shaped and L-shaped galleys are often favoured because they keep everything within easy reach.

Secure Storage: We've all experienced the chaos of a locker coming open in rough seas! Good offshore galleys have robust latches on drawers and cupboards that won't accidentally release. Non-slip surfaces inside lockers and on countertops are a must to stop things from sliding around.

Rounded Edges: Sharp corners become hazards when the boat's moving. Everything in the galley should be designed to minimise the risk of bumps and scrapes. Any fixed equipment, like the stove and sink, needs to be incredibly well-secured to the boat structure.

Essential Galley Cookware & Utensils

Beyond the big appliances, the right cookware and utensils are what truly make a galley functional. In a small space, every item must earn its place.

Space-Saving Solutions: Look for cookware designed for small spaces. Nesting pots and pans, such as those from brands like Magma, are brilliant. They stack inside each other with removable handles, so an entire set takes up no more room than the largest pan. Collapsible silicone bowls and measuring cups are also perfect for saving precious locker space.

The Right Tools: A few high-quality, multi-use tools can replace a drawer full of gadgets. A good set of rust-resistant knives (stored in a secure knife block or on a magnetic strip to prevent them flying around) and a decent cast-iron skillet are invaluable. Don't forget a pressure cooker for fast, one-pot meals that save fuel and minimise the time you're standing over a hot stove in a rolling sea.

Non-Slip Everything: This is not a luxury, it's a necessity. Invest in non-slip mats for your lockers and countertops. Get plates, bowls, and mugs that have a non-slip ring on the bottom. For a touch of security, some crews of steel boats even use mugs with magnetic bases.

Provisioning & Food Storage Strategies

Getting the galley layout right is only half the battle; knowing how to provision and store your food is the other. For a long trip, a well-thought-out plan can be the difference between a feast and a famine.

Planning for the Passage: Don't just buy a trolley-load of food. Plan your meals for the first few days, when you might still be getting your sea legs, then transition to meals that require less effort and fresh ingredients as the trip progresses. I (or more accurately, Mary) always found it helpful to pre-chop and vacuum-seal vegetables before a long passage.

Storage Techniques: Dry goods should be decanted from their original packaging and stored in airtight, labelled containers to protect them from moisture and pests. Vacuum sealing is a fantastic way to extend the life of meat, cheeses, and even fresh vegetables, and it also saves a huge amount of space in the fridge and freezer.

Beyond the Fridge: Not everything needs to be refrigerated. Onions, garlic, potatoes, and other hardy root vegetables can be stored in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated area, such as a hanging mesh bag. Hard cheeses wrapped in cheesecloth and soaked in vinegar can also last for weeks without refrigeration. We use a pair of string hammocks strung up in the forepeak.

Galley Safety & Emergency Procedures

We've all heard the horror stories of fires or serious injuries on a boat. Taking galley safety seriously is a key part of responsible seamanship.

Fire Prevention & Equipment: The most common galley fires are caused by unattended cooking, particularly with oil. Never leave a stove with a pan on it unattended. Your galley must have a fire extinguisher (a marine-rated ABC type is best) and a fire blanket. Both should be mounted in a highly visible and easily accessible location near the galley, but not so close that you can't reach them if the fire is in the immediate vicinity.

Gas Safety: If you have a propane or butane system, safety is paramount. The gas bottle should always be in a dedicated, sealed gas locker that drains overboard, as LPG is heavier than air and will sink to the lowest point of the boat. A solenoid valve should be installed to allow you to shut off the gas supply from inside the galley. Most importantly, install a marine-grade gas alarm with the sensor located low down in the bilge.

First Aid: Your onboard first-aid kit should be well-stocked with supplies for burns and scalds, as these are unfortunately a common galley injury. Know where the kit is and ensure everyone on board knows how to use it.

Summing Up

An ideal sailboat galley layout is a delicate balance of form and function. It's a space that's safe, efficient, and tailored to the unique demands of cooking at sea. From the simple elegance of a gimballed stove to the high-tech efficiency of a modern induction hob, every element should be chosen with a deep understanding of life on the water. After all, a well-thought-out galley is just one of the essential features of all good cruising sailboats that contributes to a safe and enjoyable life on the water.

This article was written by Dick McClary, RYA Yachtmaster and author of 'Offshore Sailing' published by the Royal Yachting Association ( RYA) and member of The Yachting Journalists Association (YJA).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best material for a sailboat galley worktop?

For durability and hygiene, stainless steel, composites, and solid surfaces like Corian are excellent choices. They're all easy to clean and resistant to corrosion in a marine environment.

How do you prevent a galley stove from moving?

A galley stove should always be a gimballed unit. The gimbals allow the stove to pivot, keeping it level regardless of the boat's motion. When not in use, you should lock the gimbal mechanism.

How can I save water in the galley on a sailboat?

Using a manual or foot pump for water taps can help you use only the water you need. You can also rinse dishes with seawater first if you have a saltwater pump installed.

What kind of refrigerator should I get for my cruising boat?

A highly efficient, 12V marine refrigerator with a Danfoss or Secop compressor is generally the best choice. Look for models with thick insulation to minimise power draw.

How should I secure my food in the galley while sailing?

Decant dry goods into secure, airtight containers. Use non-slip mats and fiddles on all shelves and countertops. You can also use bungee cords or netting across locker openings to keep things from flying out in rough conditions.