Summertime is quickly sneaking up on us and before you know it, it will be here! As the weather outside starts to warm up, we quickly start to celebrate the beach, sun, boating, and BBQs.
Did you know that May is National Barbecue Month? If you ask us, it is pretty perfect that it lines up with summertime.
One of the best ways to kick off summer and celebrate National BBQ month is to BBQ AND boat! Check out some of our tips below on how you can throw the best BBQ and boating summer day for your friends and family.
Determine Where You Will BBQ
Okay, first things first. Before you start to plan the food and buy the charcoal, you need to first decide where you will BBQ.
Does your boat have a built-in grill and space to BBQ, or will you need to find a spot to dock?
If your boat is equipped with a grill and kitchen, then convenience is on your side for sure as you can boat and grill at the same time. However, if your boat is not equipped with a grill or kitchen, you are not out of luck. In fact, you get to find yourself an awesome place to dock and BBQ at.
If you do need to find a location to barbecue at, think about what you want it to be like. Do you want to swim at the same time? Do you want to have access to a small beach area? Do you want picnic tables, or will you eat on the deck of the boat?
Once you have determined where you will barbecue, you can start planning the big day of fun.
Get Your Boat Prepared
Getting your boat prepared is one step in the process. You want to make sure you have all the plates, cups, utensils, and other items you will need, but more importantly, you want to deck out the boat with decorations, blankets, floats, and other items that will add to the fun.
You can even choose a nice selection of tunes to play on the speakers while you have fun, eat, and enjoy your time with one another.
Pro Tip: Plastic plates, plastic utensils, and foam cups are all excellent choices for on the go as they are easy disposed of and you don’t have to worry much about clean up or dishes. If you are looking for a more durable option, make sure to choose heavy-duty plastic/paper plates or bowls.
Gather the Food and Don’t Wait to Prep It
To help simplify your barbecue and reduce your stress level, plan out the meal and think about foods that are not only easy to prepare, but foods that can be prepared ahead of time. By preparing your food ahead of time, you can spend more time enjoying the food, games, and water.
Make sure you prep all you can beforehand such as marinades, salads, and vegetables.
Here are some easy food dishes that you can make ahead of time to bring to the barbecue:
- Meat skewers (chicken, pork, beef, or any other meat you like)
- Potato or macaroni salad
- Baked beans
- Vegetables and dip
- Salsa
- Colorful pasta salad
- Spring salad mix
Want to add an additional layer of adventure and fun to your barbecue day on the water? Cook your own catch! How fun would that be?
Include Fun BBQ Games and Activities
Make your day one to remember by bringing along some fun activities to take part in, especially if you plan to dock and have your barbecue at a park or on a beach.
Some items you can bring with you include:
- Beach ball
- Floats
- Volleyball
- Frisbee
- Football
- Water toys
Get Ready to Have a Great BBQ on the Water
BBQs are not only fun, but they are also filling, and help kick off the summer the right way. The above tips can help you get prepared for your summer BBQ the right way.
