Life on the sea is full of waves, tacks, and unforgettable adventures. Outfitting your sailboat with versatile space-saving items is key to making boatlife smooth. When you live in a small space subjected to rolly anchorages, making life easier through organisation, shatter-proof utensils and planning is a lifesaver. Sailboat Ikea hacks have become our little secret weapon to enjoy our boatlife.

We've learned a ton about boatlife from sailing our sailboat ForTuna in the last 4 years. From how to efficiently store cooking utensils to when to buy at the marine chandelier and when to opt for Ikea or Target. If you ever entered a marine shop, you will have faced the insane prices attached to everyday items. While we accept it for some marine utensils as they are subjected to sun, water and salt, we learned that Ikea and Target hold many items just perfect to face sailboat conditions.

Here are our best Ikea and Target hacks for your sailboat or boat life.

1 - Suction cups

Our number one sailboat Ikea hack is suction cups. Don't want to make holes in your beautiful boat interior but need more storage space? Suction cups have become our secret weapon for adding little or big storage pockets around the boat. Suctions cups are also a great way to add a pop of colour here and there.

2 - Cushioned anti-slip mats

Our number two sailboat Ikea hack is cushioned anti-slip mats. Nothing is worse than being on a night sail and having your sleep disturbed by clattering noises in your cabinets. We lined ours with cushioned anti-slip maps to reduce noise and safely store our pots and pans. It's also a great way to easily include colours or patterns in your interior without touching the boat's structure. 

3 - Magnetic racks

Our number three sailboat Ikea hack is magnetic racks. Knives, spices or anything that fits the mould can be stored. Magnets are great for sailboats because they will keep your things from falling around whenever you are heeling.

4 - Anti-slip rug tape

Our number four sailboat Ikea hack is anti-slip rug tape. A rug adds a conformable feeling to your saloon but can cause slipping risks on a boat. Choose bathroom rugs with an anti-slip face, or add a rug tape to your woven rugs to make your boat homier.

5 - Soft high baskets

Our number five sailboat Ikea hack is anti-slip soft high baskets. Baskets are a straightforward way to expand or organise your storage space on board. We love to use them on shelves and create extra storage pockets on our sailboat, both in our cabin and our saloon.

6 - Foam Mattress

Our number six sailboat Ikea hack is foam mattresses. No Ikea does not make custom size mattresses for sailboats, but their Foam Mattress is easily cut with an (IKEA) knive. You just need to resew the mattress cover and you’re all set.

Overall our favourite sailboat Ikea hacks are foam mattresses, soft high baskets, anti-slip carpet tape, magnetic racks, cushioned anti-slip mats and suction cups. We hope these ideas show you how IKEA and Target can help you make your sailboat homey and functional.