Lagoon Catamaran Storage Planning Tips: The Galley & Saloon

This blog discusses planning where to store items in your Lagoon Catamaran’s galley and saloon.

By initially taking time to think about which items you use most frequently and which items can be stored further away, everyday use of the meticulously designed living zone becomes effortless, providing maximum enjoyment and ease of living for all onboard.  We all know the benefits of a happy chef – or a team of happy chefs!

After years of sailing the Caribbean and provisioning Lagoon Catamarans for charters, deliveries and recreational sailing, Jenny has plenty of experience and recommendations on preparing your voyage and hopes that these tips and tricks are helpful to fellow sailors.

Jenny spent most of her time on a Lagoon 560 and Lagoon 42, but the information below can easily be adapted to your Lagoon model – it’s all about what works for you!

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Whether preparing for your first voyage or reorganising items already onboard, start by having a good look through your Lagoon Catamaran and finding which storage areas will be useful for different items.

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In the galley, think about the upper cabinets, bench cupboards and drawers, and underfloor storage under seat storage compartments in the saloon.  You might also choose to utilise an area or two in the bilges if preparing for an extensive voyage.  Take the time to plan where you would like things to go.  If you are organised, you will find an impressive amount of storage onboard which has been placed practically and thoughtfully.

Although upper cabinetry in the galley is perfect for storing light everyday items such as polypropylene ‘glassware’ on non-slip mats, unused compartments can be utilised with high-sided trays or baskets containing everyday essentials, such as oils, condiments, spices, tea and coffee, breakfast items and regularly used dry goods such as rice, pasta and flour.

The under-seat compartments around the saloon provide an incredible amount of storage space.  Collapsible fabric storage cubes are wonderful for segmenting smaller items as they can easily fit through the compartment lid and can be wiped clean when needed.  To help you remember where to look for things, categorise each storage compartment, for example:

Baking Compartment: Include all dry baking ingredients, bakeware and party decorations.  The convenience of removing only one section of cushions to bake a cake keeps things easy, fun and enjoyable.

Tinned Items: Use a permanent marker to label the top of each tin for easy finding.  Set tins on top of an old tea towel or some non-slip matting to prevent them from moving around while underway and from possibly leaving rings of rust beneath them over time.

Other Dry Goods: Such as rice, pasta, quinoa

Snacks, Tea & Coffee: Biscuits, crackers, nuts, tea and coffee… anything you might like to snack on with friends and family or on a long sail.  You can choose the location to be convenient – or not so convenient 😉

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Pack items next to each other rather than stacking vertically, so there is no room for movement when your Lagoon Catamaran is underway.  Even if you are planning on sailing in sheltered waters, it is nice to know that each time you access your storage, everything will be in its place.

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Packaging: Let’s talk about the most dreaded subject – unwelcome insects!

The most common way for unwelcome insects (in particular cockroaches) to hitch a ride onboard is through cardboard packaging.  A good practice is always removing all cardboard boxes, and packaging from any supplies brought onboard.  Use a permanent marker to label items and include the expiry date.  Large zip-lock bags – or any other reusable airtight container – provide an excellent barrier by keeping oxygen out to maintain freshness and containing any surprise weevils!

Insects generally won’t be seen at first but can appear in your provisions after a few months.  By separating items and containing them, a lot of time (and food) can be saved in the future.

Depending on your Lagoon Model, you might find floor storage in the Saloon.  These are large floor panels with a hinge on one side and gas lift struts to hold the lid open while in use.  They provide excellent additional storage, and if hidden beneath a non-slip decorative rug, they can provide secret storage too!

The base of these compartments is waterproof, providing excellent storage for things that could potentially spill.  On the Lagoon 560 and 620 these lockers were excellent for storing wine on charter and could accommodate up to 10 cases!

They provide a large, flat area that could be useful for anything from Navigational charts (in a water-resistant sleeve in case of a spillage on the floor) to spare platters (with a tea towel in between to reduce any vibration) and much more.

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By utilising these areas, the main drawers and cupboards in the galley are left available for tableware, such as plates, bowls, serving platters and cooking items.  Try to store dishwasher-safe items near the dishwasher and heavy items such as pots and pans in an easily accessible lower drawer or shelf near the stove.

By minimising the distance you need to move things, you will begin to experience an excellent flow as you move around your beautifully designed galley.

I hope you find this blog useful and are inspired to organise and plan your galley and saloon thoughtfully!

You might decide to move things a few times in the beginning, but once everything finds its place – a personal decision – living on your meticulously designed yacht will become natural and seamless.  It’s an incredible feeling, perhaps one that can not quite be described.

Cheers and Happy Sailing!

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