Eliminate the unnecessary, compress, reorganize, redistribute: when planning a trip, there’s always a need to reduce bulk—and sometimes weight as well. Think about packing your carry-on for a flight, playing Tetris to fit everything into the trunk of your car, the necessary sacrifices to keep your hiking backpack from getting too heavy, and yes, of course, the endless efforts to optimize storage space on a boat. Anyone planning a cruise knows all too well how important it is to reduce weight and bulk on board: because available space is far from infinite, to keep the boat tidy, to avoid compromising comfort, and because as the weight increases, so does fuel consumption.

Below, we’ll look at some tips for optimizing storage on a boat.

Organize cargo stowage strategically and safely

Among the berths at our marina in Genoa, we see boaters every day using a wide variety of strategies and techniques to organize their stowage efficiently. One thing is certain: it all starts with good planning ahead of time, which sometimes involves rethinking the storage spaces themselves. By doing so, you can make use of previously unused spaces, and you can also improve safety on board, knowing that clutter on a boat can cause damage, injuries, or even accidents.

Here are a few tips:

• Rope holders and lashing straps: Space optimization begins on deck, with the placement of rope holders and straps to secure any cargo—such as the tender and the liferaft—ensuring that everything is held firmly in place.
• Sturdy, labeled containers: For both tools and spare parts, it’s a good idea to use special containers — typically snap-lock boxes— preferably with transparent lids so you can see inside without having to open them. It’s also worth—if you have a large number of boxes—using clear labels and arranging the containers thoughtfully: Boxes stacked on top of one another make it difficult to access those on the bottom, whereas boxes lined up vertically are easy to “grab.”
• Dividers and more dividers: in drawers, cabinets, and storage compartments. Installing custom dividers helps keep things organized and, as a result, makes the best use of available space.
• Hanging nets and storage pockets: A great way to optimize storage on a boat and free up new space is to install hanging nets in the cabin as well as fabric or mesh storage pockets on the vertical walls.

Optimizing Storage on Your Boat: Leave Unnecessary Items Ashore

There are many things that simply cannot be eliminated: we’re obviously thinking of the devices needed for navigation, but also of mandatory safety equipment. That said, to optimize storage on the boat, it’s important to leave behind anything you’re unlikely to use—especially based on past experience. For example, some people always bring their SUP on board, even though they practically never use it; just like the sailor who hasn’t used the genoa in years but still carries it along. Unnecessary cushions, pots and pans that have never been used, rusty tools: during your next stop at your home port, it’s certainly worth reviewing all the items on board and identifying those that have no reason to be there.

Reducing the size of the galley

It’s impossible to discuss the steps needed to optimize storage on a boat without focusing on the galley—from the cabinets to the refrigerator. In fact, especially when setting out on a cruise , people tend to bring far too much food on board , risking chaos on the boat. Keeping in mind that the best ports always have stores where you can stock up on provisions, the advice is always to create a customized meal plan for the trip so you bring only what you need on board.

That said, a great habit for reducing clutter in the galley is to get rid of packaging right away ( making a note of the expiration dates elsewhere if necessary) and use the waste collection services at your home marina, which also helps you avoid having to deal with extra trash during the crossing. Whenever possible, it’s best to transfer food—such as pasta, rice, flour, vegetables, and so on— into airtight plastic containers, so you can stack everything neatly and protect the food from moisture and insects.

Whenorganizing the refrigerator, it’s best to prioritize vacuum-sealed foods whenever possible, always keeping in mind the optimal space utilization to ensure this appliance functions at its best—it should never be half-empty, but neither should it be overly full. Finally, it’s worth remembering that canned goods, if there’s no room in the cabinets, can even be stored in a clean, dry bilge: this also helps optimize weight distribution!