Grills

yobub

Well-Known Member
Jul 29, 2016
952
Northern Illinois
Boat Info
1998 400 Sundancer
Engines
Cat 3116's
I'm thinking about getting a propane grill for my boat, and wondering what you all use.

The Magma seems like a natural choice and the Cabo seems to fit my needs, but I'm open to options that are decent quality and less expensive.

I would prefer to mount on the stern rail or the rod holders rather than put a pedestal mount on the swim platform. How much heat do you get below the grill (on the gelcoat) and how much grease splatter do you get, assuming you cook with the lid closed most of the time?

Does anyone have an grill that they like that is less expensive than the Magma Cabo ($200)?

I've read through the threads and found comments about trouble maintaining the heat in a breeze. What kind of grill do you have and do you have this problem?
 
I have the magma and use the grillamount. It’s worked very well for us so far. The carry bag was on sale so I bought that as well. Fits everything perfectly including the fuel containers.
My only complaints is it’s bulky. We can’t leave the unit on while we’re cruising especially off shore.
In addition, we have the Bimini top(forgive me Kevin if I said that wrong) so putting in a rail mount is not practical.
 
i have the kuuma 216 elite. have had it for at least 5 years. I use the rod mount, but its a little out of level, so grease drips from the corner, just wipe it up afterward.... heat rises, s weekend, at least 2 timeso no issue with the gelcoat under it.... i did just order a replacement deflector, the last one is just starting to show some wear and cracks... $50 for that.... this is the 3rd boat i have had it on, cook on it every
 
I have the magma and use the grillamount. It’s worked very well for us so far. The carry bag was on sale so I bought that as well. Fits everything perfectly including the fuel containers.
My only complaints is it’s bulky. We can’t leave the unit on while we’re cruising especially off shore.
In addition, we have the Bimini top(forgive me Kevin if I said that wrong) so putting in a rail mount is not practical.
We use exactly the same deal and works out good. Like the mount better than the rod mount. We put ours back in the bag and keep in the engine room minus the propane.
 
IMG_4230.JPG
The Tiara has rod holders so I thought that would be a natural place for a grill. One would fit perfectly. Ended up not doing it because of the grease splatter issue and concern about heat close to fuel tank vents. 32 Tiaras have just one big tank that fills from both sides. The tank is vented just below the rod holders. On a day when the wind hits the side of the boat you can smell fuel fumes coming out of the vent on the downwind side of the boat. The idea of having an open flame near the vent dampened my enthusiasm for grilling on the boat.
 
I have a Magma... Not thrilled with it. I have the rod holder mount and it works but it's never 100% level because it will go about 25* and I have 30* rod holders. It also blows out in the wind and one side cooks super hot. I can't give it reviews yet but I plan to buy a sea b que by dickinson marine. They seem to get the best reviews from cruisers who actually use them, but they don't win the most beautiful award.
 
I rigged up a Webber Q1200 using the grill-a-Mount. I’ve mount it on the aft trunk.

Cooking wise it’s as good as any Weber gas grill, that’s to say excellent! It’s very hot. The grease drips into replaceable pans and I usually wipe up the grease and throw away. Once in a while a scrub the inside of the grill to get rid of excess grease/crud. I had it blow out once with a 37kt wind gust. The Q1200 is about $200.

The only downside to the grillamount is it buggered up my transom graphics if I don’t put a towel under the foot
 
My next question for you esteemed cooks is do you have a cutting board or prep board next to your grill. Thats what I am trying to put together.

On the back of my 340 the grill sits on the transom with the grillamount but I need a set up to place things while I am cooking.

Suggestions?
 
I have a Magma... Not thrilled with it. I have the rod holder mount and it works but it's never 100% level because it will go about 25* and I have 30* rod holders. It also blows out in the wind and one side cooks super hot. I can't give it reviews yet but I plan to buy a sea b que by dickinson marine. They seem to get the best reviews from cruisers who actually use them, but they don't win the most beautiful award.

Which Magma do you have? Your feedback is similar to what I have read, but it seems to be specific models that have this problem.
 
I wish I knew exactly. It’s just the typical rectangle one with no window. I even upgraded the regulator because I heard that would help. I don’t really hate it but it could and should work better.
 
I’ve got one of the round Magmas and I’m not impressed with it.
 
we use a nice stainless portable grill from home depot. uses a tank so i use an adapter for lp bottles, works great. have a heat resistant mat put down on swim or go to the beach and good to go. cools quick and keep in a heavy duty trash bag. not bad even with our tight quarters...

just dont let friends bring thick marinade chicken and make a big mess...LOL
 
I have posted this before. We occasionally bbq on the boat and I just put it on the swim platform.... Most of the time on a picnic table... No heat under it. Legs fold and carry like a suit case. After 2 years I just recycle and get another.

It's not effected by normal wind and most of the time it's too hot ...always turning it down. If you are not using it that often it's a great bbq

I am a huge Weber fan ... I have a monster at the house and two Q's great bbq but too bulky and heavy for the boat... The little Walmart one I leave out with no fear of anyone walking away with it... Especially if at a transient dock all weekend, I just leave it on the ground somewhere out of the way

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Heck, for $25 I could almost buy one each time I cook. I'm not trying to impress anyone, so as long at it isn't too hot underneath I can build a mount platform.
 
For $3 more I can get a 3 year warranty! I might just try this thing.

I'm sure whatever I build for the mount will cost more than the grill. Worth a shot.
 

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