GRILL-MASTER

I was looking for some tips for BBQing on my boat in 13 Ways to Ensure BBQ Success (July 2017). I have a great grill at home that will get to 700 degrees. But every time I grill on my boat, SeaQuinns, the wind is blowing 20 knots. When the wind is blowing my gas grill will take at least one hour to even get something warm. It has holes in the top with no means of dampening them. I asked the manufacturer about this issue, and they said the grill is designed to have no damper because it is gas. Has anyone solved the problem of all the heat “blowing in the wind?”

— Captain Kevin R. Quinn, Savannah, GA

Hi Captain Kevin! We don’t ever remember a time when we couldn’t grill because it was too windy, and we like to grill almost every night, rain or shine, wind or calm.

Aboard our Passport 37, Winterlude, we had a rectangular gas grill, I suspect from the same manufacturer. One of the reasons we chose the rectangle was the fact that the back end, but not the top, had openings. We didn’t mention the holes in the article because we never had an issue. While we were anchored, the grill was on the stern rail of the boat, usually downwind. If it was extremely windy, our cockpit enclosure, dodger and bimini helped to keep it sheltered. Sometimes we would also roll down the isinglass panels forward to help block the wind as well. Obviously, we made sure the grill flame couldn’t get anywhere near the canvas, isinglass or screens. Grilling in a crosswind could be more challenging, but while in a marina, the wind was usually blocked sufficiently so that it wasn’t an issue. If you happen to be cruising in a chilly climate, it could also have an impact. Cold and windy weather may cause a grill to heat more slowly. — Jan Irons