Picnic on the Water: The Perfect Boat Food

food on table on boat in the water
Photo courtesy of Get My Boat

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

Grilling lobster on the boat with an electric built-in grill
Photo courtesy of Cook with Kenyon

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

drink station on boat with cup and bottle holders
Photo courtesy of Amazon

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.

lemonade in mason jar and tray of break and fruits on a boat
Photo courtesy of West Shore Marine

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!

What to Know About Living on a Houseboat

Photo courtesy of Home Business

For most of us, living on the lake is a dream. But have you ever considered literally living on the lake? Enter the houseboat. Broadly defined as any kind of floating home, they are typically used for recreational purposes in the U.S. and Canada. However, many people live on a houseboat full time. If you’re curious about the houseboat lifestyle, it’s important to know some basic information to determine whether it’s for you. Thomas Jepsen, architect and founder of Passion Plans, says, “If you’re looking to buy a houseboat, the questions you have to ask yourself are more complicated than the ones you need to ask yourself if you’re buying a house.” At Lake Homes Realty, we’re here to cover some common questions about living on a houseboat.

What is the Typical Cost of Living on a Houseboat?

Photo courtesy of Realty Biz News

Broadly speaking, the average houseboat costs $50,000. While this is still much less than a lake house, even in affordable lake areas, the cost can fluctuate. For example, if you’re aiming for a slightly less glamorous yacht, you’re looking at a much higher cost. However, you can expect around $50,000 for an average 600-square foot houseboat.

What are Other Financial Considerations?

Photo courtesy of No1 Living

When thinking about the cost of living on a houseboat, it’s crucial to understand the distinction between a houseboat and a floating home. While a houseboat is more akin to a pontoon with a roof, a floating home is a stationary barge tied to a dock. A houseboat has an engine while a floating home doesn’t, making a houseboat essentially the water version of an RV. The distinction is important if you’re planning on a mortgage. While you can usually get a mortgage on a floating home, it’s a bit more difficult for houseboats. You may need to prepare to pay upfront! 

However, one benefit of a houseboat compared to a traditional lake home is the lack of property taxes. Unlike a standard lake house, there are no property tax fees with a houseboat. The only expected costs (aside from possible one-time expenses such as repairs) are slip fees or dock rental fees, insurance, and sales tax. A more unpleasant expense is regular payments to have the sewage pumped!

How Should I Design My Houseboat?

Photo courtesy of INHABITAT

Interior decor is a whole different ball game when you’re living on a houseboat. First off, there’s a much smaller space to design, so every square inch counts. As such, open concept design is popular among houseboat owners. Without walls to divide each room, it’s easier to move about freely in the space — similar to a studio apartment. Illusion also plays a role. For instance, houseboat residents will often paint the walls white to make the space look larger.

As for furniture, you may need to cut down belongings, keep only the essentials, and find alternative storage strategies. After all, the houseboat lifestyle is all about connecting with nature without too many material possessions. For the stylistic component, Pinterest is a great stop for houseboat interior design inspiration! From DIY projects to organizational ideas, it’s a fantastic platform to get brainstorming.

Is the Houseboat Lifestyle for Me?

Photo courtesy of Bless This Stuff

When it comes to living on a houseboat, only you can decide if it’s right. While there are certainly advantages and disadvantages of this lifestyle, the ultra-close proximity to water may mean it’s worth it! If you’re on the fence, you can try renting a houseboat to see if it’s for you. For example, Houseboating.org is a one-stop-shop for rental opportunities across the country. Once you’ve had a houseboat vacation, make your decision from there.

Thomas Jepsen lists several factors to consider: “You have to consider that buying a houseboat is a major decision,” he says. “How long do you see yourself having the house boat? Will you live in it permanently? Are you uprooting yourself from more convenient things like utilities, among others? In any case there’s no right or wrong answer to this decision, but one that should match the house and the buyer’s lifestyle.” 

At Lake Homes Realty, we’re all about the lake lifestyle – whether it’s a home or houseboat! We hope these tips are helpful.

Mosquito Mythbusting: 5 Facts and Myths about Mosquitoes

Photo courtesy of Lake & Wetland Management

One part of the summertime lake lifestyle that’ll never change — dealing with mosquitoes. As lake lovers, we’ve all experienced the repercussions of forgetting to apply bug spray and coming home with several bites. Whether you choose a classic DEET spray or a natural lotion (as long as it’s EPA approved), there’s all different kinds of insect repellent remedies that will keep you bite-free this summer. In addition to protecting your body from bites, it’s also helpful to equip yourself with knowledge about these pesky insects. There’s a lot of myths about mosquitoes, and we’re here to clear the air. After all, the more you know, the better you’ll be prepared for the throes of mosquito season. That’s why today on the Lake Homes blog, we’re mythbusting mosquitoes.

Myth: Mosquitoes Don’t Cause Illnesses in the U.S.

Photo courtesy of Dr. Melvin Sanicas

Fact: Although not every mosquito carries diseases, infected mosquitoes can spread viruses such as Zika virus, Chikungunya virus, West Nile Virus, and malaria to humans. Although many mosquito-borne viruses aren’t a concern in the U.S., the number of mosquito infections here are on the rise. According to the CDC, West Nile virus is one of the most common mosquito-borne illnesses in the U.S. With West Nile virus, it’s typical to have no symptoms, and mosquitoes carry this disease in all areas of the U.S. with the exception of Alaska and Hawaii.

Myth: Mosquitoes are Attracted to Sweet Blood

Photo courtesy of Northwest

You may have joked after a day of getting bitten that mosquitoes must love the taste of your blood. Despite myths that those with O positive blood get bitten more, this topic needs further research. More likely, it has nothing to do with your blood, but rather your body. Specifically, they are attracted to carbon dioxide that we produce when we breathe, lactic acid that our bodies secrete when we sweat, and our body heat. So, the reason that you get bitten more while doing outdoor activities such as hiking or water skiing is because when your body is active, you’re breathing more heavily, your body temperature increases, and you produce more lactic acid. This, in turn, attracts mosquitoes. As such, it’s very important to remember bug spray when you’ll be active.

Myth: Citronella Candles are Effective

Photo courtesy of Today.com

Many people who don’t like the smell of bug spray believe that if they use citronella candles, they’ll be able to repel mosquitoes just as well as DEET. However, this is incorrect. Although citronella is a common ingredient in most bug sprays due to its strong smell which deters mosquitoes from human scents, the candle alone isn’t potent enough. Citronella candles are best used in enclosed spaces such as patios where the candle scent is more powerful. Otherwise, it’s essentially useless in mosquito prevention.

Myth: Certain Foods Will Repel or Attract Mosquitoes

Photo courtesy of Craft Beer

You may have heard rumors that eating foods like garlic will help repel mosquitoes. However, this myth about mosquitoes is untrue. One retired entomologist, Joseph M. Conlon, told CNN, “nothing that you eat affects mosquitoes all that much.” However, the only exception to this rule is with alcohol. Research studies suggest that alcohol consumption increases your likelihood in being bitten by mosquitoes. This may be because alcohol consumption increases your body temperature, which in turn attracts mosquitoes.

Myth: All Mosquitoes Bite Humans

Photo courtesy of Pest Strategies

Contrary to this myth about mosquitoes, not all mosquitoes bite humans — only female mosquitoes bite. This is because they require the nutrients in blood to produce eggs. So while the females are feeding on blood, male mosquitoes only eat plant matter. 

We hope you’ve learned something from this mythbusting session! From our lake house to yours, please remember to wear bug spray this summer.