Whether as an aromatic wake-up call at breakfast, to perk you up during the dogwatch, or simply to enjoy a relaxing afternoon at anchor – coffee is an essential part of life on any motor yacht. In many cases, this hot, brown drink is so popular that it has replaced the traditional ‘mooring tipple’. Instead of spirits, a fresh cup of coffee is served once the yacht has moored.
But before this delicious pick-me-up can be poured into your cup, it first needs to be made. Without a reliable shore power connection, the filter machines you’re used to at home, or the one-button coffee from a fully automatic machine, a pod or capsule machine, are out of the question for the time being. But that doesn’t mean you have to compromise on enjoyment. On the contrary, the necessary ingredients and hot water are, after all, available at sea and at the jetty too.
Don’t make it too hot: the ideal water temperature
The hotter the water, the more compounds – and therefore flavour – the coffee releases into the water. However, not all of these compounds are desirable, as the beans also contain tannins. Too much of this, and the coffee on board turns into a bitter brew and causes heartburn.
Roughly speaking: if the water is too cold, you’ll end up with a weak brew; if the coffee is poured over whilst it’s too hot, it will continue to roast and become bitter. The ideal temperature is around 94 degrees. In everyday life, however, you don’t need a thermometer when making coffee on board. It’s enough if the water has stopped bubbling before you pour it over the coffee.
Whichever brewing method you use, if the flavour isn’t quite right, it usually helps to vary the amount of powder or the water temperature slightly. Furthermore, the choice of beans, growing region, roast and grind size offer plenty of scope for experimentation.
Tip: If you’d like your coffee on board just like the sailors of old, add a small pinch of salt to it. As they used to wash up with seawater alone, salt was found in virtually every dish and drink.
More articles on galleys:
The different ways of preparing Coffee on board:
From instant to filterless: quick coffee on board
The quickest way to make coffee on board is to use instant coffee: simply add a spoonful of the freeze-dried powder to a cup, pour hot water over it and stir. This produces a warm, brown liquid, though its taste is rather questionable.
If in doubt, you’re no worse off if you simply pour hot water over some ground coffee in a cup and wait a moment before drinking, until the grounds have settled. This is similar to the ‘cooked coffee’ popular in Sweden, where the coarsely ground coffee is briefly boiled in a kettle; once it has settled, the result is a perfectly drinkable brew. However, due to the prolonged contact between the water and the coffee, the result is usually very strong and becomes slightly bitter, not to mention the inevitable bits of coffee grounds.
Petromax Percolator
It looks like a true outdoor classic – and it is: the Petromax percolator. It’s available in various sizes with a capacity ranging from 1.3 to 4.2 litres for slightly larger groups. Both the enamelled and stainless steel models can withstand all types of fire and heat: it works on a barbecue grill, in the hot embers of a campfire, on a hotplate or ceramic hob – and, of course, on gas or spirit stoves. The Petromax percolator can also handle dried tea leaves, which is why it is equally suitable for making both coffee and tea. Depending on the size and material: The Enamel model from 47.89 euros, that Stainless steel model from 66.49 euros.
From the bag into the cup
Growers' Cup
The coffee on board turns out completely crumb-free and, what’s more, very aromatic when using the bagged coffee called ‘Growers Cup’ from Coffebrewer in Denmark. Tear open the top of the bag, pour in 0.5 litres of hot water and seal it again. After five to eight minutes, it’s ready to serve straight from the pouch. The contents of one pouch are enough for about three cups. The preparation is almost foolproof and the resulting coffee tastes surprisingly good. The pouch is reusable. Prices start at 5.12 euros per variety. Honduras* up to 7.07 euros per variety Colombia. The Holder for the bags* Available from 25.10 euros.
Filter coffee on board
Here in Germany, classic, hand-brewed filter coffee is currently enjoying a renaissance. It couldn’t be simpler: place the filter on the pot, insert the paper filter and rinse it out, measure out the coffee grounds and slowly pour hot water over them.
But the devil is in the detail. What works perfectly well on the kitchen worktop at home turns out to be a wobbly contraption in the galley, even whilst still in harbour. All too often, the process of brewing coffee on board comes to an abrupt end when the vessel capsizes. It’s astonishing just how many nooks and crannies the spilled, hot coffee grounds manage to find their way into.
Westmark Permanent Filter
Handy reusable coffee filter – Size 4 – made of plastic with a stainless steel mesh for brewing ground coffee to make 8–12 cups of fresh coffee; suitable for standard coffee machines or manual coffee filters. The reusable filter is a sustainable alternative to disposable filter bags and delivers a full-bodied coffee experience thanks to its particularly fine stainless steel mesh; it is easy to insert and remove thanks to the large plastic handle, and is easy to clean. The 2-piece set* is available from 13.49 euros.
Foldable coffee filter
Filter paper #2 is placed in the collapsible silicone holder. 50 sheets are included. The foldable design saves a lot of space and makes storage a breeze. Perfect for a small pantry. Holder + 50 filters* from 10.99 euros.
Sea to Summit X-Brew Coffee Dripper (filterless)
Purists and practical types simply brew their coffee straight into a thermos flask: this keeps it hot for a long time and ensures you can enjoy a quick cup of coffee on the go. The X-Brew Coffee Dripper The Sea to Summit can be folded up small after use and therefore takes up hardly any space in the cupboard. Best of all, you don’t need to use filter bags, so you avoid creating unnecessary waste. From 21.58 euros.
French press, ideal for coffee on board
Making coffee with a French press is a much more relaxed process and carries little risk of scalding. It doesn’t matter to the coffee whether it’s made by Bodum or one of the many other manufacturers. However, the stainless-steel mesh of the plunger must seal properly; otherwise, coffee grounds will be forced back up when you press down.
This very simple and quick method is also known as the French press and is used by professionals to assess the results of the roasting process. As it does not use a filter, the method does not alter the flavour of the beans.
French press
Probably the simplest and most convenient way to make coffee on board is the French press, also known as French Press Prices for the original vary between 34 and 52 euros, depending on the size.
GSI Outdoors Java Press
Unlike Bodum’s tried-and-tested classic glass version, the GSI Outdoors Java Press Made of plastic and comes with a nylon sleeve. This not only keeps the coffee warm for longer, but also protects the jug from knocks should it roll about in the cupboard whilst you’re out and about. 40.38 euros.
Espresso instead of coffee on board
It becomes more difficult if, instead of a normal coffee, you want an espresso, a latte macchiato or a cappuccino. This is because, to achieve the characteristic flavour of these drinks, not only are dark-roasted beans required, but the hot water must also be forced through the finely ground coffee at high pressure.
Without the aid of a machine, the so-called ‘mocha’ is the closest you can get. The classic, octagonal aluminium pot – such as those made by the original manufacturer, Bialetti – works well on a boat’s hob and produces a strong, espresso-like coffee. At least, if you bear a few tricks in mind: the water should be poured in whilst it is already hot; otherwise, the coffee will stay on the hob for too long, continue to roast and become bitter. Do not press the grounds down firmly, and remove the pot from the hob immediately once the coffee is ready. However, the comparatively low pressure means it does not produce a crema.
Bialetti Moka Express
Often imitated, tried and tested for decades, and virtually indestructible even under the toughest conditions, the Bialetti Moka Express, which are available in a range of designs and sizes: made from aluminium or stainless steel, for one or twelve cups, and everything in between. Suitable for all types of hobs. The three-cup model costs around 25 euros.
Hand-made crema for coffee on board
To create the light brown head without the aid of electricity, manual pressure is required.
The Handpresso machine It looks a bit like a bicycle pump. Once you’ve pumped the pressure tank up to 16 bar, you place the ground coffee in a small portafilter and pour in hot water. You can then dispense a cup of espresso. The only drawback: to serve a larger group, you’ll need to pump frequently, as you can only make one cup at a time. 129 euros.
Wacaco Minipresso GR
It works on a similar principle to the Handpresso, except that here you first add coffee and hot water, and then use the recessed pump on the side to force the water through the coffee. Wacaco Minipresso*, 49.90 euros.
It’s the bean that makes the difference
The choice of beans, the region of origin, the roast and the grind all determine the flavour experience. No matter which brewing method you ultimately choose, it is only when freshly ground that the beans reveal their full aroma.
XEOLEO Manual Coffee Grinder
The is ideal for when you’re out and about XEOLEO Manual Coffee Grinder: It doesn’t take up much space in the cupboard and ensures you enjoy the best coffee every morning. 60 euros.
On some of our pages, we use what are known as affiliate links. These are marked with an asterisk (*). If you click on one of these affiliate links and make a purchase via that link, we receive a commission from the relevant online shop or retailer (such as Amazon). This does not affect the price you pay.