When we moved aboard our Fast Passage 39, Raicilla, in 2021, we knew we weren’t willing to accept a life of discomfort—at least not beyond the things we can’t control (hello, storms!). After three years—two spent in the Pacific Northwest and heading into our second summer in the tropics—our list of “must-haves” might surprise the traditional sailor.
I’m not talking about essential gear like solar panels, safety equipment or a water maker. I’m talking about the things that keep us comfortable and content while living full-time on a small sailboat.
Creature Comforts
E-Sea Rider Bean Bags
At the top of our list: medium teardrop from E-Sea Rider (approximately $140 USD each). While they might seem like an impractical luxury for a small cruising sailboat, they’ve become one of our most-used items onboard.
The Fast Passage 39 was designed with offshore performance in mind—not lounging comfort. The cockpit is compact, and there’s not much deck space suitable for relaxing at anchor. These bean bags, though, mold perfectly to the curves of our cabin top and allow us to enjoy sunsets on the bow in total comfort.
While underway, one chair provides a cushy and safe perch in the cockpit for keeping watch—the other creates a surprisingly comfortable sea berth below for resting off-watch.
Rechargeable Fans
Another game-changer for tropical living has been our USB rechargeable fans from Amazon (around $40 each). Raicilla has fixed portlights, which means fewer leaks—but also very little airflow. In the cooler climate of the Pacific Northwest, this wasn’t much of a problem. But in the tropics, it’s a different story. These clip-on fans can be positioned wherever we need them, and with up to 12 hours of battery life, they’ve become a staple for beating the heat.
Galley Tools That Work for Us
Our galley is primarily electric. It’s efficient on sunny days with good solar input or when we’re underway and charging from the engine. But it comes with its own set of challenges—especially when trying to cook without overheating the cabin in hot weather.
Magma Kettle Gas Grill
That’s where our Magma Kettle gas grill ($279.99) comes in. While many people think of their boat grill as just for burgers and steaks, ours functions as an essential part of our outdoor kitchen. With a simple cast iron skillet, it becomes an effective cooktop. We’ve even used a small Dutch oven on it to bake bread and lasagna—two things we usually avoid cooking indoors in the heat.
Electric Pressure Cooker
The other MVP in our galley is the Instant Pot electric pressure cooker (around $100). Like a traditional pressure cooker, it dramatically reduces cooking time. Due to its efficient power usage—about 40 amp hours over 45 minutes—we use it more often than either our induction or oven. Beans from dry in 35 minutes, rice in five and potatoes in 16. It’s not just for basics either—we’ve made everything from yogurt to lava cakes to ribs in it. It’s efficient, versatile and doesn’t heat up the cabin.
A “Nice-to-Have” That Became Essential
Custom Carbonation Station
When we first moved aboard, we brought along a Sodastream. It seemed like a no-brainer—plenty of cruisers carry one. But we quickly discovered that getting replacement canisters outside the U.S. and Canada was nearly impossible. Buying fizzy water wasn’t just expensive—it also created unnecessary plastic waste.
So we built our own carbonation station with parts sourced from Amazon and a tank filled at the local welding shop. It’s not something we had to have, but we’re glad we made the space for it. No more hauling bottles, no more waste—just reliable bubbles whenever we want them.
Comfort Is Personal
Every cruising sailor has different priorities. Some are happy with a minimalist approach and little more than the basics. For us, small upgrades—ones that improve comfort and reduce fatigue—have been key to making this lifestyle sustainable over the long haul.
We’ve learned that comfort doesn’t need to compromise seaworthiness. Our gear choices may not look “traditional,” but they help us stay happier, healthier and more energized, both underway and at anchor.
Full-time cruising isn’t a weekend adventure—it’s our everyday life. And if a beanbag chair or a pressure cooker helps us enjoy that life a little more? We say make the space.
