Hanson's Sailing Checklist

Being on an extended coastal cruise does not mean forced dieting. In fact with heightened appetite, brought about by the work of sailing, food on board can be quite satisfying. Planning in advance is a necessity since there are few places for provisioning. Important considerations are the number of crew members, the length of cruise, the weather, the availability of refrigeration, cooking equipment on board and the combined skill and willingness of the cooks.

Provisioning

The provisions provided by charter companies vary greatly. Some have a bare boat with bare cupboard. Others have the basics including salt, pepper, paper towels, etc. It is best to go to the boat and check the inventory on board before making the trip to the store for provisions. It will save a trip, costly in time and money, later.

The inventory should be checked against the provision list and the remainder can be purchased.

Food Storage

In order to preserve refrigeration capacity and ice, don't store items in the refrigerator which do not need to be kept cool. As example, eggs will keep at room temperature for up to a week by wiping them with vaseline.

Food Preparation

Food preparation on a sailboat requires planning. Cooking inside in the summer can make sleep at night unbearable. Fuel can be preserved by preparing food for several meals at one cooking. When preparing grilled hamburgers, cook the meatballs for spaghetti & meatballs.

Typical Menu for an Eight Day Cruise

This menu is predicated on arriving for check out and provisioning on Day One and being at anchor in time to prepare the dinner meal. The last meal on the boat is planned for breakfast on Day Eight. Notice that the perishables are consumed early in the cruise with the more staple goods used at the last.

Day	Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner
One	Eat Out	Eat Out	Grilled Chicken Corn on the Cobb Tossed Salad Iced Tea
Two	Cereal Cantaloupe Bananas Milk Coffee	Turkey Sandwiches Jell-O & Cool Whip Iced Tea	Hamburgers Potatoes & Onions Soft Drinks
Three	Eggs Bacon Toast Coffee	Chicken Sandwiches Chocolate Pudding Cool Whip Lemonade	Grilled Pork Chops Zucchini and Onions Pea Pods French Bread Iced Tea
Four	Cereal Milk Raisins Coffee	Ham Sandwiches Potato Chips Olives Boiled Eggs Cookies Iced Tea	Steak Baked Potatoes Green Beans Salad Russian Dressing Iced Tea
Five	Eggs Bacon Coffee	Sloppy Joes Potato Chips Soft Drinks	Spaghetti & Meatballs Slaw Iced Tea
Six	Cereal Raisins Coffee	Tuna Sandwiches Olives Boiled Eggs Tapioca Pudding	Eat Out
Seven	French Toast Grapefruit Juice Coffee Milk	Spam Sandwiches Vienna Sausage Lemonade	Vegetable Soup Hot Dogs
Eight	Cereal Canned Pineapple Milk Coffee	Eat Out	Eat Out

The information presented in this sailing checklist is that which has been collected over years of boating experience. The information presented here, including the medical information, is not intended as professional advice; rather, it is a starting point for your own thinking and organization.
Copyright © 1996, Chuck and Chris Hanson

Cruising - Meal Planning

Provisioning

Food Storage

Food Preparation

Typical Menu for an Eight Day Cruise