What to bring for a barbecue boat tour

A barbecue boat tour needs more than meat, bread and drinks. You are taking a complete outdoor kitchen and serving setup onto a moving boat, so forgotten basics quickly become a problem. Use the guest list and dietary requirements to calculate food, then pack the barbecue, gas, coolers, tableware and cleaning kit together. Chill drinks before departure, label diet-specific dishes and check that everything fits on board before you leave.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Folding tablesqty 4
Folding chairsqty 40
Buffet tableqty 2
Tableclothsqty 6

Tableware

Platesqty 50
Dessert platesqty 50
Glassesqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 45
Cutlery setsqty 50
Serving spoonsqty 8

Equipment

Gas barbecueqty 2
Gas cylindersqty 2
Coolersqty 5
Wireless speaker
Extension cordsqty 2
Power stripsqty 2

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 3
Barbecue tongsqty 4
Barbecue brushesqty 2
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 3
Cold thermometersqty 2

Cleaning

Dishpanqty 2
Dish brushesqty 3
Reusable cleaning clothsqty 12
Bucketsqty 2
Waste binsqty 4

Lighting

LED string lightsqty 3
Rechargeable table lampsqty 6

Decorations

Table décorqty 6
Menusqty 6
Name badgesqty 45

Safety

First aid kit
Heat-resistant glovesqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Beef burgers - 40 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 40 pieces
- Pork satay - 40 pieces
- Fresh sausage - 3 kg
- Salmon fillet - 2 kg
- Vegetarian burgers - 12 pieces
- Vegetarian skewers - 12 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 48 pieces
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Garlic bread - 6 pieces
- Herb butter - 6 tubs
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kg
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Red onions - 2 kg
- Corn cobs - 40 pieces
- Zucchini - 8 pieces
- Mushrooms - 2 kg
- Potato salad - 4 kg
- Pasta salad - 4 kg
- Fruit salad - 4 kg
- Apples - 20 pieces
- Grapes - 3 kg
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Satay sauce - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Ice tea - 4 bottles
- Sparkling water - 8 bottles
- Still water - 12 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 24 cans
- Pilsner - 72 cans
- Rosé - 8 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 1 kg
- Honey - 1 jar
- Ice cubes - 15 kg
- Paper napkins - 100 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 3 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Garbage bags - 30 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls

Tips

Plan around 300–400 g of food per adult, including meat, vegetarian options, salads, bread and dessert. Add at least one clearly separated vegetarian main portion for every vegetarian guest.
Buy two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person per hour. Chill them in the coolers before loading rather than relying on limited boat refrigeration.
Pack one plate, dessert plate, glass, cup and cutlery set per guest, plus 10% extra. Serving spoons are easy to overlook, especially when salads, sauces and dessert are served separately.
Check the gas barbecue and gas cylinders at least one day before departure. Bring barbecue tongs, brushes, cutting boards, a chef’s knife and a cold thermometer so cooking does not depend on improvised tools.
Pack waste bins, buckets, a dishpan, dish brushes and reusable cleaning cloths before the food goes on board. Keep a separate bag for dirty crockery and check the boat’s power supply before bringing extension cords or lighting.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a barbecue boat tour?: Allow 300–400 g of total food per adult, including meat or vegetarian alternatives, salads, bread and dessert. For a three-hour tour, plan enough food for the meal plus a small buffer of about 10%.
How many drinks should I buy for a barbecue boat trip?: Buy two to three drinks per person for the first hour and one additional drink per person for each following hour. Add extra water in warm weather and keep all drinks chilled before boarding.
How many plates and glasses do I need on a barbecue boat?: Pack one dinner plate, dessert plate, glass, cup and cutlery set per guest, plus 10% spare items. For 20 guests, that means 22 of each item where practical.
When should I check the barbecue boat shopping list?: Check the full list at least 24 hours before departure, including gas, coolers, tableware and cleaning supplies. Recheck chilled food, drinks and dietary labels on the day of the tour.

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