Lake season is finally here, which is always a cause for celebration. This long-awaited season splashes in on Memorial Day, peaks on the Fourth of July, and commemorates its season finale on Labor Day—with plenty of festivities in between. Of course, it’s also synonymous with picnic season and idyllic days spent on the boat with family and friends. So, if you’re gearing up for a party cruise, you’ll want to pack plenty of drinks, snacks—and even food for cooking onboard—for you and your guests to enjoy. From delicious grilled meats, fish, and seafood, to lavish charcuterie boards and veggie trays, we’ve got you covered for a fantastic floating picnic. Check out our ideas for the perfect boat food and tips for packing the essentials.
Sizzle On the Water
There’s nothing like hot food fresh from the grill. So, if your boat comes equipped with a built-in grill or even an attached marine grill, fire it up for an onboard barbecue. Depending on your grilling skills and the guests you’re entertaining, you can cook almost anything on the water. From simple hot dogs, brats, and hamburgers to fresh fish and seafood, there’s no limit to your menu options. Even side dishes like corn on the cob wrapped in foil and other grilling veggies make the perfect complement to your entrée. For simple all-in-one meals, prepare kabobs ahead of time and take them aboard to grill. You can skewer almost anything, including shrimp, steak, chicken, bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, potatoes, mushrooms, and fruits.
Here are some other tips and essentials for grilling on your boat:
- Don’t forget grilling utensils like tongs, basting brushes, spatulas, foil baking pans, aluminum foil, skewers, and zip-lock bags or plastic containers for food storage and leftovers.
- Bring the supplies and condiments required for your meal, like buns, ketchup, mustard, relish, cheese slices, chopped onions, salt, pepper, seasonings, barbecue and cocktail sauces, and other desired toppings.
- Always take safety precautions while grilling onboard, and never leave your grill unattended while it’s running.
For more inspiring ideas designed for boat grilling, check out these delicious food suggestions at MarineMax.
Grazing & Nibbling
When it comes to appetizing on the boat, you can go as extravagant or fuss-free as you like. It all comes down to the occasion, the size of your boat, and the length of time you will spend on your boat. For example, if you’re having a soiree or a sunset cruise, you can prepare a charcuterie board fit for a gourmet. This offers everyone a smorgasbord of cured meats, cheeses, breads, fruits, nuts, veggies, dipping sauces, and whatever else you’d like to add. Plus, it makes an appealing visual display on the table as guests mingle about the boat.
If you want to keep things casual and low-maintenance, prepare a veggie platter with dipping sauces like hummus, vegetable dips, and cheese spreads. In addition, cheese and cracker trays, fresh fruit platters, pre-packaged shrimp cocktail, pigs in a blanket, and hot wings make crowd-pleasing boat food. Plus, you can never go wrong with tortilla chips, salsa, and guacamole for an easy yet satisfying appetizer.
For more ideas, check out these healthy boating snacks and appetizers.
Sandwiches & Snacks
Pre-made sandwiches, wraps, and snacks make ideal boat food that’s super-easy to transport. So, if you’re bringing the kids, this is your go-to boat food. You can wrap the sandwiches individually to prevent them from falling apart and even package them separately with a bag of chips and a wrapped cookie or granola bar for a kid-friendly sack lunch. In addition, cold-cut sandwiches, turkey or chicken wraps, or even store-bought deli sandwiches make effortless boat food. Be sure to pack condiments like mayo, mustard, and pickles separately to avoid soggy sandwiches. For snacks, pre-packaged flavored popcorn, crackers, granola, and chips travel lightly and are easy to carry onboard. Also, if you’re bringing along loose trail mix instead of granola bars, put it in a zip-lock bag and throw it in the cooler to prevent it from getting sticky in the heat.
Sweet Summer
To keep your crew happy all day, don’t forget to bring along some sweet treats. However, desserts can sometimes be messy and melty, so pack sweets that stand up in the summer sun. If you’re out in the heat, leave the chocolate bars and bananas behind. But if you have the proper refrigeration/freezer onboard, bring along the popsicles, ice cream bars, and other frozen treats to keep everyone cool. Also, fresh fruit kabobs, grapes, watermelon, orange slices, dried fruits, packaged cookies, and biscotti are great options for traveling. Plus, cold fruits are very hydrating, which is something to consider, especially when boating with children.
For more summer dessert ideas, check out these recipes at Taste of Home.
On-The-Water Essentials
Cold beverages, fruit juices, bottled water, and plenty of ice are absolute essentials while out on the boat. Staying hydrated is critical to your health and well-being and can make or break a successful day out on the water. Also, be sure to include options for the kids, like sodas, sugar-free beverages, juice drinks, and lots of water—sparkling or still. Plus, if you don’t have refrigeration on your boat, pack a sturdy and reliable cooler that will keep drinks ice cold for hours. For added convenience, drink stations with cup and bottle holders make it easier to steady drinks and prevent spills during your boat cruise.
Before you push away from the dock or boat launch, make sure you’ve packed all the necessities to enhance your picnic on the water. Bring plastic cups, ice, plates, napkins, cutlery, and eating utensils if your boat isn’t already fully stocked. Plus, you’ll also want to have any necessary grilling tools and cleaning supplies on board during your boat cruise. Also, don’t forget garbage bags that can accommodate all the trash generated throughout the day. It’s always better to be prepared rather than discover you forgot something after you’re miles from the shore. Having everything you need is part of the equation for a relaxing and carefree boat day. For more essentials to keep on board, click here.
Cheers to another glorious summer season on the lake—and on the boat. Bon voyage!
