Changing to gimbal stove

[ragman]

It didn't occur to me when I bought our R27 that the stove was not gimbaled, at least not until last night. We anchored in a less than ideal location. While we were safe, we experienced a lot of roll that made using the stove quite the challenge. My wife called out to me asking "where are the fiddle sticks", to which I replied "I don't think we have any". It was only then I realized that even fiddlesticks would not solve the problem since the stove was not gimbaled.

We like gunkholing and can tolerate some rocking and rolling, but we also like to cook.

Has anyone replaced their RV stove with a proper marine gimbaled stove? Can you share your efforts?

Thanks

 

[NorthernFocus]

Gimbal stoves aren't so good at compensating for motion. What they do well is accommodate heel. That's why you don't often see them in power boats but nearly always see them in sailboats. In my experience they can actually make things worse when the motion is in the same direction as the pivot of the gimbal. The best solution to severe rolling motion is cold food.

 

[JamesTXSD]

Cruise long enough and you will find times when food prep just isn't convenient... the microwave can head up a cold sandwich. 😉 Then celebrate the calm in the morning with a well-prepared breakfast.

Moving from sailing to powercruising (assumption based on the Ragman name 😉 ), we found the changes to be interesting. A couple years ago, I took my wife by an "over the horizon" motorsailor that I saw for sale - she looked at the size of it, the teak deck, and said, "You can do that with your next wife." :lol: Yeah, I don't see that change happening.

 

[NorthernFocus]

...even fiddlesticks would not solve the problem since the stove was not gimbaled.
...

Actually the fiddles do help a lot. They won't keep water in a pot but will at least keep the pot on top of the stove. Oversized pots, pans with lids, and a kettle to boil water and the cook can be relatively productive if not enjoying the process.

 

[ragman]

Thanks for all the replies. Yes, we have transitioned from a sail boat. So far we are very happy. We miss the stability that a nice big keel and tall mast provide. But, we no longer need to sail (motor-sail) for two days to get to some of our favorite destinations.

We will have to be more selective in our anchorages, but the shallow draft of the R27 allows us to tuck into places we never could have with a full keel sailboat. Although I have to admit it is a little disconcerting looking over the side and seeing how little water we are in.

 

[NorthernFocus]

...it is a little disconcerting looking over the side and seeing how little water we are in.

LOL. I too come from a full displacement background, both power and sail. But ironically now I'm faced with more restrictive boating moving to an R25 after 12 years of a C-Dory 22. When pulling into anchorages with the C-Dory the depth sounder is my head sticking out the window with a pair of polarized sun glasses so I can see the bottom better. If push comes to shove you just raise the foot of the motor and get out and walk 😀

Everything is relative.

 

[ragman]

...it is a little disconcerting looking over the side and seeing how little water we are in.

If push comes to shove you just raise the foot of the motor and get out and walk
.

Exactly. I've said to my wife a few times, "why bother with the dinghy, let's just walk"

 

[anjin-san]

Many cruisers find using a rice cooker or slow cooker very helpful in preparing "real" meals while underway. Check out some of the new "smart" rice cookers. They are simple to use, very flexible, and keep food warm and moist for hours.