provisioning yacht

Provisioning for a Boat Trip – Your Checklist!

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Provisioning for a boat trip is often looked at as a harrowing task for both new sailors and veterans of the sailing world. Provisioning doesn’t have to be a dreaded or consuming chore! The first thing I do is determine where we are planning to sail.

Depending on your destination, you may need more or less provisions to make your trip safe and comfortable. Certain areas can be a wasteland for provisions, but most destinations are terrific resources for you to restock as needed.

I also suggest researching your destination to discover what is available, the costs, and how much you want to pack onto the boat at the beginning of your trip.

Keep in mind that provisions take up a considerable amount of space, so stockpiling 6 months worth of supplies when you could easily replenish needed items as you go, may not make a lot of sense.

What are the Essentials to  Bring on Board

As a basic rule of thumb, I like to bring what I consider the basic essentials for a sailing trip. Ideally, you will include these provisions before any other items that are merely for comfort or convenience. Always try to bring these provisions onboard:

• Bottled Water
• Coffee and Tea (and coffee filters)
• Matches and Lighters
• Oil for cooking (olive, vegetable, corn, peanut, whatever you deem necessary)
• Seasonings (salt, pepper, various spices)
• Cleaning Supplies (all-purpose cleaners, dish soap, hand soap)
• Toilet Paper
• Hand Towels

 Provisioning List

Writing out a list of provisions is always fun for me, but some people find it difficult to decide what they should and should not bring. When you head out to stock up on provisions, bring a list to help guide your purchases.

It is especially helpful if you are trying to stick to a specific budget. Bear in mind, fresh foods are fine to have onboard, but they will need to be eaten first or they will spoil. Plan to eat the non-perishables later in the trip.

• Fresh Foods
• Dairy (Cheese, Butter, Milk, and Yogurt)
• Fruit (Apples, Oranges, Pears, Bananas, etc.)
• Green Beans (also string beans and wax beans)
• Dried and Canned Provisions
• Meat and Fish (Anchovies, Sardines, Tuna, Chicken, potted meats)
• Condiments (Mustard, Ketchup, Mayonnaise)
• Fruit Juices

Ice is vital when sailing on boats. You will plow through bags of ice every few days, but most ports will have ice available for purchase.

Provisioning Tips

With experience comes knowledge, but I still pick up new and helpful tips frequently. A great way to save space for food storage is to invest in a vacuum sealer to minimize the amount of space bags take up. A pressure cooker is a fantastic way to prepare meals, but you need to take the time to learn how to use it properly.

I also suggest keeping Power Bars on hand and a supply of candy to satisfy your sweet tooth. Wherever you stop, pick up a few basic items, even if you’re not running low yet, if the item is something that is used frequently and will need to be replaced regularly.

Provisioning comes down to planning and anticipating your needs and the needs of your guests. Having everything you need when you need it is part of the luxury of a vacation, even if it takes a bit of work before you get out on the water!

  Want to Know More Provisioning Tips? 

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Do you have some tips for provisioning? Would you like to share them by leaving a comment below, I’ll love to know about it!

Daniella has been passionate about travel, the sea, and nature for many years. As a child, she frequently traveled throughout the Mediterranean and continued with her journeys throughout her adult life.

Her experiences have created the desire within her to share her love for traveling with other passionate and adventurers who want to discover beautiful horizons and new cultures.

7 thoughts on “Provisioning for a Boat Trip – Your Checklist!”

This checklist was very helpful! It was very similar to my camping checklist. I usually have a box of non-perishable items in my little camper at all times. I generally restock after every trip. I think I will start doing the same for the boat. I usually have a first aid kit as well, sometimes an extra one, just in case. My mother has always said, if you forget it you will need it every time.

Yes, I agree with you, it is very similar to any checklist:) Usually, every well-maintained boat possesses a first aid kit, so for this, you can be tranquil:)

Thank you for the comment and wish you to sail soon!

Great site i now feel, when it comes to the food and beverage to bring, prepared to sail the seven seas! however you put coffee and coffee beans on the essentials list when that is certainly not an essential for me. Also you put a link explaining what Provisioning is, you might want to consider adding a text definition on the page somewhere. Great job! keep it up!

Just surfing the net and came across your site. Nice site. I am actually planning a little boat trip with my family. defo need to show the Mrs this page and take heed of the advice given Probably end up printing this out make sure we don’t miss out on the provisions, so much we did nt think about! Our Trip will be Thailand, Starting Phucket, going along Koh Phi Phi, similan islands, then on to Penang (Malaysia) from there Samutra and other islands of Indonesia then back up the gulf of Thailand. Any specific advice for that trip appreciated. Will be our first boat trip.

How nice, these places are a real paradise! I am sure will enjoy, especially by boat!

If it’s your first trip, then I suppose you will charter a crewed yacht, which offers all the comfort, you won’t have to worry about the provisioning. However, there are a lot of great sailing tips on my website, you should take a look:) The southeast-Asia page will interest you as well!

Thank you for the comment and I wish you a wonderful sailing trip!

Please don’t hesitate when you’ll get back to share your sailing experience, I’ll be more than happy to hear from you!

Thank you so much Daniella – I will definitely be flagging your website as I am really strongly considering hiring a charter next year. I have read a lot of your articles now and am convinced it is definitely something I would like to try. You make so many good points about being able to replenish as you go and doing research about the location in regards to how accessible certain resources would be. I want to have enough room for all my bikinis and shoes etc. 😉

Nice to see again on my website:)

I am glad you like my articles and hope to see you soon on board!

Thank you for the comment and wish you a great day!

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Top 5 Tips When Provisioning a Yacht

Learn all about everything you need for a great yacht charter.

Here’s the ultimate guide to provisioning a yacht for your charter

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You have booked your flights and yacht charter and you are counting down the days until you set off – it’s time to start thinking about provisioning your yacht and getting things organised onboard.

Provisioning a yacht can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! With this handy guide, we have broken down the steps to take to provisioning a yacht with everything you need and avoid that overwhelming feeling.

There are two ways to provision a yacht for your charter – order everything to your boat ahead of time or head to the supermarket upon arrival.

• 1. Provisioning a yacht
• 2. Provisioning for your first few days
• 3. Provisioning with a skipper or hostess
• 4. Our recommended suppliers
• 5. Recommended provisions and the ultimate shopping list

1) What does provisioing a yacht include?

Provisioning a yacht includes ensuring that your boat has enough supplies for your charter.

Enough water, food and provisions for all of your guests to have a great trip.

Provisioning a yacht includes thinking about the following things (depending on your level of organisation):

• How long is the trip?
• What do your guests like/dislike, or if anyone has any allergies?
• Understand who would/will be cooking or preparing the food – will one person take the lead or will guests take it in turns, or will you have a hostess?
• Whether or not you want to create a meal plan?
• How much food/freezer space will you have?
• Create a meal and food inventory and where you can store things
• Look up some recipes/think/discuss what your meal plan wants to include

2) Provisions for your first few days

Whether you create a meal plan or not before your trip, we recommend provisioning a yacht for the first few days and restocking as you go.

Yachts do not have unlimited storage onboard, so if you have a large group, there may not be enough space to store food for your week or two-week-long trip. When you arrive at the base, it is recommended to visit a supermarket and purchase groceries for a few days at a time and revisit in another port on day two or three of your trip.

We recommend going to the supermarket with a list (even if you are provisioning for a few days) to ensure you purchase everything you need and don’t over-purchase and run out of space on board (especially in the freezer and fridge).

3) Provisioning with a skipper or hostess

If you have booked a yacht charter with the addition of a skipper or hostess, you will need to think about provisioning a yacht a little differently.

With a hostess for your trip, they will help you create a shopping list, or they can complete a provisioning/preference list in advance and pay for it through APA.

If you don’t have a hostess but have a skipper onboard, you will need to remember to purchase enough food for them and include them in your guest numbers.

4) Our recommended suppliers

On many yacht charters, you can purchase a provisioning package before your trip (depending on availability, charter provider and location). These packs are designed to give you the essentials for your yacht charter, so you don’t have to go to the supermarket on your first day.

These packages can include food and drink packages containing essential cooking supplies, breakfast for your first morning and snack items to get you through until you visit a supermarket.

Alternatively, numerous online grocery stores will deliver your groceries to your yacht. All you have to do is pre-book and pay online, and they will deliver to your boat at a pre-arranged time (think Tescos delivery).

If you are taking a yacht charter in Croatia, we recommend using Jam Yacht Supply .

5) Recommended provisions and the ultimate shopping list

We recommend purchasing the following items at the beginning of your trip:

• Enough water for your trip duration or the first few days (allow for 1.5L per person per day, plus water for cooking)
• Plenty of snacks such as crisps, sweets, biscuits, fruit, cakes, nuts and packaged products that don’t need to be cooked or refrigerated
• Drinks both alcoholic and non-alcoholic
• Provisions such as toilet rolls, washing up liquid, anti-bac spray, bin bags, shampoo, matches etc
• Concentrate more on breakfast and lunch as you may choose to eat dinner in a restaurant
• Pick up fresh produce such as bread and fruits
• Breakfast – fruits, cereal, milk/yoghurt
• Lunch – salads, pasta, cured meats etc

Have you ever been on a yacht charter? In the box below, let us know your comments, tips or suggestions about provisioning a yacht.

Give us a call or send us an email., we’re here to help., +44 8000988118, +1 8443351306, +30 8008481290, +61 730678907.

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Yacht Provisioning: How to Set Sail Without Worries About Food

Introduction: the art of yacht provisioning.

Provisioning your yacht for a sailing adventure is an essential aspect of planning. It’s not just about the quantity of food but also the quality and variety that can enhance your experience on the sea. This comprehensive guide will provide you with all the information you need to provision your yacht efficiently and effectively.

Understanding Yacht Provisioning

Yacht provisioning is the process of planning, purchasing, and organizing food and supplies for your time aboard. It involves considering the duration of your trip, the preferences and dietary needs of everyone on board, and storage capabilities of the yacht.

Planning Your Provisioning Strategy

Assessing needs and preferences.

Start by assessing the dietary needs and preferences of your crew. This includes considering any allergies, dietary restrictions, and personal likes and dislikes.

Duration and Destination Considerations

The duration of your trip and your sailing destination will significantly influence what and how much you need to bring. Longer trips require more supplies, and certain destinations may offer opportunities to replenish your stocks.

Yacht Provisioning How To Set Sail Without Worries About Food 2

Essential Provisioning Tips

Making a comprehensive list.

Create a detailed list of items you need, categorizing them into food, beverages, and other essentials. This will serve as your guide when shopping and packing.

Balancing Nutrition and Convenience

Aim for a balance between nutritious meals and convenient options. Include a mix of fresh produce, non-perishable items, and easy-to-prepare foods.

Storage and Preservation

Consider the storage facilities available on your yacht. Plan your provisions based on refrigeration space, dry storage, and the shelf life of different food items.

Mastering the Art of Food Provisioning on a Yacht

Navigating the intricacies of food provisioning is crucial for a seamless and enjoyable yacht experience. This section focuses on selecting the right types of food for your journey and organizing them efficiently.

Selecting the Right Food for Your Yacht Trip

When choosing food for your yacht trip, consider the ease of preparation, nutritional value, and variety. Incorporate a mix of fresh, frozen, and canned items to ensure a well-rounded diet.

Fresh Produce for Health and Variety

Fresh fruits and vegetables are essential for a healthy diet. Opt for a variety of colors and types, keeping in mind their shelf life. Hardy vegetables like carrots and cucumbers tend to last longer.

Proteins: Keeping Energy Levels Up

Include a variety of protein sources such as meats, fish, beans, and lentils. Canned or vacuum-sealed proteins can be excellent space-saving options.

Yacht Provisioning How To Set Sail Without Worries About Food 3

Carbohydrates for Sustained Energy

Carbohydrates are crucial for energy. Consider space-efficient and easy-to-cook options like pasta, rice, and bread.

Efficient Food Storage and Organization

Proper storage and organization are key to ensuring your food lasts longer and remains fresh.

Utilizing Refrigeration Wisely

Use your yacht’s refrigeration for perishable items, organizing them in a way that allows easy access and efficient use of space.

Dry Storage Strategies

For dry storage, use airtight containers to prevent moisture and pests. Label and date items for easy identification and rotation.

Staying Hydrated: Water and Beverages

Ensure you have an adequate supply of drinking water. Additionally, bring a variety of beverages to cater to different preferences, including coffee, tea, and soft drinks.

Finalizing Your Yacht Provisioning: Ensuring a Smooth Sailing Experience

In this last section, we focus on the final steps of yacht provisioning, ensuring that you have everything you need for a smooth and enjoyable journey. These practical tips and answers to common questions will help you set sail without any worries.

Conducting a Final Inventory Check

Before you embark, conduct a thorough inventory check. This ensures that you have a balanced supply of food and beverages, catering to everyone’s needs and preferences.

Meal Planning for Efficiency and Variety

Plan your meals ahead of time, considering the length of your trip and the preferences of your crew. Utilize versatile ingredients that can be used in multiple dishes to save space and reduce waste.

Efficient Use of Space and Resources

On a yacht, kitchen space is often limited. Plan meals that are simple to prepare and don’t require a lot of utensils or cooking space. One-pot meals, salads, and grilled dishes can be both delicious and practical.

Yacht Provisioning How To Set Sail Without Worries About Food 4

Managing Leftovers and Minimizing Waste

Be mindful of food waste. Store leftovers properly for future meals and plan a waste management strategy that is eco-friendly and adheres to maritime regulations.

Addressing Common Yacht Provisioning Questions

What to bring for yacht dining.

Focus on a mix of fresh, canned, and dry goods. Easy-to-prepare meals and snacks that don’t require extensive cooking are ideal. For inspiration and a comprehensive list, visit What to Take on Your Yacht Holiday .

Provisions for Extended Sailing Trips

For longer trips, prioritize non-perishable items and consider the storage capacity of your yacht. Vacuum-sealed meats, canned vegetables, and long-lasting fruits like apples are great choices.

Recommended Food for a Sailing Trip

Opt for light and nutritious meals that are easy to digest. Fresh fruits, salads, sandwiches, and grilled meats or fish are excellent choices. For more ideas, check out the FAQ on yacht charters .

Yacht Provisioning How To Set Sail Without Worries About Food 5

Understanding Yacht Provisioning Dynamics

Provisioning a yacht involves planning meals, buying supplies, and organizing storage. It’s about balancing variety, nutrition, and the practicalities of cooking at sea. For insights into yacht provisioning, explore Authentic Italian Food which can be a great addition to your menu.

Conclusion: Bon Voyage with Perfect Provisioning

With your yacht now perfectly provisioned, you’re all set for an unforgettable sailing experience. Proper planning and thoughtful provisioning are the keys to enjoying your luxury yacht vacation to the fullest, leaving you free to enjoy the sea, the sun, and good company.

About the Author: Europe Yachts Charter

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Provisioning Guide

Tips & tricks for stocking your boat with all of the essentials for a stress-free holiday.

What's a charter vacation without some seriously good eats? Find out how to stock your fridge and freezer pre-charter.

In the islands where Pain Killers reign, make sure your wet bar is stocked with these provisioning items.

Stock your boat with these toys for extra entertainment and adventure while on charter.

Charter Provisioning

Provisioning is one of the most important steps to Bareboat charter planning. The fine art of figuring out what you need ahead of time and making arrangements for it to arrive at the boat before you leave the dock.  Most charterers realize that they will need to provision with food ,  water , ice and beverages , but there are other things to consider too. Don’ forget the water toys , snorkel and/or scuba gear , fishing equipment and upgraded amenities such as a rib in lieu of the dinghy which is provided. You know, all the things that would make your charter vacation that much more enjoyable! 

Please note that prices and availability of food and beverage items often change from the time you have placed an order to the time that the order is actually processed.  The provisioning companies do the best they can but may substitute or leave off items that are not available without charging you for those items.

It’s often a good idea to go over your provisioning list once you arrive to make sure that you don’t need a quick last minute trip back to the grocery or beverage store.  It’s also best to place your order at least 1 to 2 weeks prior to your charter and make sure to arrange for a delivery date and location.  Also be sure to let our staff know when your provisions are due to arrive.  That way we can be sure your perishables are properly stored.

Send food deliveries to: Virgin Charter Yachts,  G  Dock, Nanny Cay, Tortola VG1110,  British Virgin Islands

For those of you wishing to do your own provisioning, Virgin Motor Yachts will be more than happy to arrange a taxi for you on the day of arrival to take you to one of the nearby stores in Road Town.

This might be a good time to mention the amenities that come with your bareboat charter; from there you can skip to the other provisioning sections for help with all of your provisioning needs.

VCY boats come stocked with:

Bed linens, blankets, pillows, bath towels, beach towels, hand towels, washcloths, dish towels

Blender, toaster, hot water kettle, coffee maker, microwave, propane stove and oven, refrigerator, freezer

Plates, cups, wine glasses, silverware, cutlery, mixing bowls, kitchen utensils, Tupperware, wine opener, can opener, placemats

Small bottle of dish soap, hand soap (in all heads), dish scrubber, dust pan and brush, matches, travel toiletries per head (shampoo, conditioner, body wash & soap), toilet paper (1 roll per head), roll paper towels, cleaning spray, clothespins, garbage bag (per trashcan)

Dock lines, fenders, large cooler, dinghy with 15hp outboard, boat hook, deck brush and bucket, emergency flares, emergency tiller, fire extinguishers, first aid kit, flashlight, life preservers, life ring, toolkit

Anchorage Guide, binoculars, charts, compass, cruising guide, depth gauge, parallel rulers and dividers, boat phone, and VHF radio

You’ll notice there is no hairdryer listed.  You are welcome to bring yours but plan on only using it while onshore at marinas. You’ll learn during your briefing that boat electronics can’t handle the load of a hairdryer and trust us….you’ll end up with more trouble than it’s worth if you try!

Food Provisioning

The easiest way to stock your bareboat yacht with food is to order all your provisions before you arrive, and have them delivered right to your yacht. Riteway (the largest grocery store on Tortola), Bobby’s Supermarket or the Small Seed BVI allow you to see their entire inventory online with add-to-cart ordering for all your provisions. There is another large grocery store, One Mart, and you can contact them to assist with a list of items you would like to order.  Once you’re done just select your delivery time and specify the delivery marina. They will deliver the food right to your charter yacht or powercat, and even store your perishable goods for you if they arrive with your provisions before you‘re there.

We recommend meeting with your entire charter group over lunch/dinner before your trip, talking through the meals you plan to make, quantities and each persons’ preferences. While you are talking, one person can have the Riteway ,   Bobby’s Supermarket or One Mart website open on their computer and can be adding items to your cart as you talk. The website will save your cart so you can continue adding items you may have forgotten until you place your final order.

For a wide range of Organic and Gluten-free products, Riteway has the best selection. There is another specialty company on island, Grape Expectations , and they focus on specialty items, gluten-free as well as other high-end offerings.  Many of the crewed yachts depend on Grape Expectations for the unique items their guests require. 

If you are looking for the freshest produce, we recommend Good Moon Farms .  They are a small farming operation on Tortola and they can deliver a fresh crop basket with whatever is fresh on the farm, or you can select on their website the exact produce, herbs, flowers etc. you would like to have delivered. 

If you are looking for a pre-set provision list or would like to order more specialty items, Joan at Small Seed BVI is a great option.   She can hand-select items for you or you can choose from her pre-set packages stocked with the most popular provisions for charter. 

Planning Meals on Charter

One of the most common questions we’re asked is, “what do we do about food on a bareboat charter?”— good question! Some guests choose to make all meals on board their yacht and others never even turn on the stove, choosing instead to eat ashore for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Cooking in vs. eating out is entirely a personal preference while on your charter; our recommendation is a combination of both. We suggest planning to make breakfast and/or lunch on your charter boat. For breakfast, many guests just provision with cereal, fruit, yogurt or even eggs, bacon, and toast — all of which are very easy to prepare in the galley of your powercat. For lunch, most charter groups simply make sandwiches or just end up snacking throughout the day.

Then there’s dinner — the pièce de résistance. We suggest planning to eat dinner ashore at one of the amazing island restaurants of the BVI.

We recommend noting all the details about your charter in your order notes and then following up with them by phone to confirm delivery plans. If you forget to provision something–no worries, there is a small Riteway at Nanny Cay across the courtyard from Virgin Charter Yachts.

Beverage Provisioning

Drinking water.

The desalinated town water on board the boat is safe to drink BUT it may not be as palatable as you are used to at home. There are many varieties of water available here on the island from Highland Spring to Perrier as well as many good local spring waters sold in gallon jugs in the Supermarkets.

Beer, Wine and Spirits Provisioning

For more of an extensive selection of specialty beverages, we recommend Tico or Caribbean Cellars who also will deliver to your charter boat.  Each company tends to have ‘exclusive’ selling rights to particular brands, so if there is a certain beer or wine you ‘must have’ be sure to check with each company.

Rib & Water Toy Provisioning

Scuba & snorkel provisioning.

The BVI is home to some of the most wonderful and exciting dive locations in the world from the diversity of ‘The Indians’ to the highly accessible wreck dives including HMS Rhone. For dive instruction, courses or even just equipment hire, we highly recommend Blue Water Divers – not only are they the best dive company in the BVI, they have a dive center right next to us in Nanny Cay, making loading your dive equipment simple!  Some of our guests prefer scuba diving tours.  Blue Water Divers would be happy to rendezvous with you at your boat.  Their diving tours include the boat, instructor or guide, equipment and refreshments.

And for those that prefer to just snorkel?  Blue Water Divers can provide you and your guests with snorkel gear as well.  Make sure to have each guest stop in before you leave the dock to be fitted for snorkel gear for your charter vacation.

Rib & Water Toy Provisioning

For those of you wishing to upgrade to a larger, faster dingy during your charter, please speak to  Island Time as they offer rentals of larger RIBs for your charter. Island Time are located right in Nanny Cay so it is very easy to coordinate the pick-up of your RIB. Please keep in mind, if you rent a larger RIB you will need to tow it behind your powercat; the hydraulic swim platforms and davits are only designed to hold the size/weight of the 12′ dinghy that is included with your charter. 

If you are seeking water toys, Island Surf and Sail  are the guys to contact.  They have everything needed for those who want to spend the day kayaking around the bay or perhaps try stand-up paddle boarding. They can also help you with other watersports activities including windsurfing or if you want to ‘hang ten’ on a surfboard, they have those too! If you have guests that might struggle to get back into the dingy from the water after snorkeling, they have dingy ladders and other snorkel aids as well!  They also provide FREE DELIVERY.

If you would like to rent the newest in electric water toys, www.bviefoils.com   rent E-foil boards and Seabob underwater scooters!  They also offer E-foil lessons as well as ‘Seabob Safaris’ where your group can see the reef up close and personal! 

Why not enhance your charter vacation with water toy fun?! 

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In the August 2024 issue of Yachting World magazine: News Few finish a tempestuous Round The Island Race European rules are eased for cruising to France and Greece Olympic sailing…

• Yachting World
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How to provision a yacht for a long passage

• May 22, 2023

Long term liveaboard Catherine Lawson talks about how to provision a yacht for a long passage and passes on some of her top tips

Provisioning a yacht for a long period away from conventional shops, with limited cold store space, dry goods stowage and galley facilities, can be daunting. In a beautifully illustrated new book, The Hunter & The Gatherer, long-time liveaboards Catherine Lawson and David Bristow explain how they provision, shop, forage and cook while cruising tropical and remote waters.

The couple have been cruising for more than two decades, and are currently exploring Indonesia and south-east Asia on their 40ft catamaran Wild One with their daughter, Maya, seeking out remote anchorages as much as possible. That desire to be far away has shaped their food mentality, which Catherine explains is for, “ocean-loving foodies striving for better health, greater self-sufficiency and a tiny footprint on the sea.”

Here, Catherine shares her advice on how to provision your yacht before departure.

Galley stores

We stock our boat with all the things we like to eat in bulk quantities that will sustain us for three months or more at a time. We stop and shop wherever we can, replenishing fresh, market-bought produce and trading with locals whenever those friendly exchanges present themselves. We also enjoy our daily attempts to catch, spear and forage for seafood. There is immense freedom in living this way, and I rarely feel bound to the shore. Every sailor’s pantry looks different to the next, but here’s an overview of the items we strive to carry on board:

Carbohydrates and grains

Whole grains and processed grain-based foods form the backbone of any sailor’s stores. Mine includes pasta, rice (basmati, brown and sushi), quinoa, rice noodles, tortilla chips, couscous and long-life flatbreads for quick-cook pizzas and lunchtime wraps. I carry rice paper sheets (for fresh rolls), crackers, frozen pastry and plenty of flour for baking sourdough bread, which I turn into croutons and breadcrumbs too. We basically store a little bit of everything and restock with whatever is locally available in the towns we sail into. As many grain-based foods generate an excess of plastic waste, especially the convenient ones, when we can, we buy from bulk supply stores and markets that allow you to refill your own bags and containers.

Washing fruit and vegetables before stowing can help to increase their lifespan. Photo: James Mitchell/WCC

Vegetarian proteins

We don’t eat ‘meat with feet’ but catch fish whenever we can. If the fish aren’t biting we cook up vegetarian proteins instead. These include dried red and brown lentils (for pasta sauces and sprouting), tinned chickpeas (for speedy hummus), and tinned and dried kidney beans for Mexican chillies.

There are always eggs, tempeh and tofu on board (for Asian-style satays and curries), plus TVP (textured vegetable protein) and falafel mix. Although many sailors adore theirs, I don’t own a pressure cooker, so I favour smaller legumes that are quick to soften. Nutritious and cheap, red lentils are my favourite for their smooth, nutty flavour. It’s not essential to soak them before cooking, but it does make them more nutritious. They are a rich source of iron, zinc, and B-group vitamins. Soaking and sprouting dried chickpeas and kidney beans makes them more nutritious, lessens their cooking times and makes them much easier to digest.

Nuts and seeds

Before long stints at sea, I stock the boat with plenty of nuts and seeds, choosing whatever’s available and affordable. My stash might include protein-packed chia seeds (for baking and breakfasts) and sunflower, sesame and pepita seeds for snacking, sprouting and adding flavour to sourdough loaves. Almonds, cashews, and walnuts add crunch to salads and stir-fries, baked slices and cakes.

Net hammocks store fruit and vegetables on passage without bruising. Photo: James Mitchell/WCC

Milk and yoghurt

When supermarkets are within easy reach, we drink all kinds of fresh milk and its alternatives, and keep a backup of UHT milk on board. But because David and I lived aboard for 10 years before we got around to installing a fridge, we have a serious powdered milk habit.

We know the weird taste is not everyone’s cup of tea, but we are fairly well immune to it now. When reconstituting milk powder, always add it to water first, stirring it well before pouring it into your mug of tea. If you use lots of milk, make up a batch in a jug or sealed container and keep it in the fridge. The usual milk powder-to-water ratio is 1:4, but I make it a little creamier by simply using less water (1:3 works well for creamy coffees). Pour half of the water in, add a cup of milk powder, stir or shake well, then top it with water and stir it again.

When we left Australia to sail to Eastern Indonesia recently, our freezer was chock-full of three things we knew we’d never find along our route: frozen berries, butter and cheese.

I’ve been freezing cheese for decades and now know this: the higher the fat content, the better it survives the thawing process. That means that brie, and Camembert all perform well. Cheddar and feta can be crumbly when defrosted, but your home-baked pizzas will still taste amazing. Instead of freezing feta, try preserving it in jars of olive oil.

Fresh herbs can be grown in a micro-garden onboard, and preserved by solar or oven-drying. Photo: David Bristow

My cupboards always contain essential flavourings such as soy sauce, kecap manis (sweet soy sauce), fish sauce, tamarind, miso paste and whole-egg mayonnaise. I keep vinegars (balsamic, apple cider, rice wine), mustard and wasabi, and a huge range of dried spices and herbs.

Fruit and Veg

The challenge of storing food so that it stays fresh for as long as possible comes down to some careful post-shopping day prep. Taking the time to wash, dry and store your supplies with care contributes to less waste and saves you money too.

Into my freezer goes the produce with the shortest lifespan, lightly processed to make life easier later in the trip: sautéed spinach, roast tomatoes for blitzing into passata, and excess ripe fruit to blend into breakfast smoothies.

I rinse, dry and wrap soft greens like lettuce and spinach in paper towel and seal them in snap-lock bags in the fridge. Carrots, cucumbers and aubergines keep well stored this way too, and I can rinse and reuse the snap-lock bags. In very cool climes, you can keep cos and iceberg lettuce out of the fridge, wrapped in a damp tea towel with the outer leaves intact to retain moisture. Put them somewhere cool and check on them daily, removing only the leaves you need and rewrapping them with any wrinkled outer leaves and a damp tea towel. Cabbage likes a cool spot, too, wrapped in newspaper or placed inside a cotton bag (or old pillow case).

Local markets and stalls are an opportunity to stock up on fresh produce and experiment with new ingredients. Photo: David Bristow

Mushrooms go into paper bags and into the crisper. Hardier fruits and vegetables – potatoes, pumpkins, oranges, sweet potatoes, onions, shallots and garlic – can last for months in a cool, dark cupboard. However, tomatoes, avocados, papayas, stone fruit, melons and pears continue to ripen once picked, so I try to buy them green and firm. The bulk of these go into a cupboard, stored in a single layer to avoid bruising. When we are ready to eat them, I’ll shift a handful to the galley benchtop.

Big bunches of green bananas hang outside on a rope to be snapped off when they ripen yellow. When you have lots of fresh veggies on board, it’s crucial to keep an eye on everything and be prepared to cook up and eat whatever’s ready to go or starting to look a bit tired.

The family supplement their stores by fishing. Photo: David Bristow

In my early sailing years, when I didn’t even have a fridge on board, we used to dehydrate lots of fruit and veg. Solanaceous (or nightshade) vegetables dehydrate really well – tomatoes, aubergines and peppers – along with mushrooms, courgettes, mangoes, apples and bananas. Just slice everything thinly and uniformly, drying your trays in the sun first if you want to decrease your overall power usage.

On Wild One, we process lots of coconut meat. The firm, drier meat of orange and brown coconuts is grated or shaved (using a vegetable peeler), placed on trays and dried in the sun. Some is bagged and frozen to bake with, and some gets a low, slow toasting in the pan, seasoned afterwards with a pinch of salt or powdered vegetable stock for snacking. We also scoop the flesh out of green coconuts when we’ve finished drinking the water, and freeze this softer, gelatinous flesh to add to smoothies.

Tinned foods are freedom foods because they feed us when we are far off the beaten track. My stash includes slots of emergency veggies: tomatoes, corn, mushrooms, and beetroot (’cos I’m an Aussie, and beets belong in burgers!).

Pickles and preserves

My father-in-law once gifted me a jar of homemade pickled green tomatoes, and I’ve been inspired to follow his lead ever since. I make pickles and preserves whenever I find fresh, seasonal produce that’s impossibly cheap and ready to go: chilli peach jam (can be made with mangoes and strawberries too), pickled beetroot, and crunchy, vinegary spiced pickled vegetables using cucumbers, carrots and red onion that you can munch on long after the fresh food has been eaten. We set out with a decent supply of Kalamata olives and crunchy jalapeños, and Dave makes a heavenly Coconut Sambal which ramps up the flavour of any seafood, soup, rice or noodle dish it touches.

Dried fruit

Because we prefer to make our own biscuits, slices and cakes, an assortment of dried fruits is essential. I like to keep stocks of dates, sultanas, cranberries, apricots, and sometimes dried mango and pineapple. There is always ginger and home-dried coconut in our galley too.

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The Art of Provisioning for Yacht Charters: Enhancing Your Seafaring Adventure

Embarking on a luxurious yacht charter is an experience that combines the thrill of exploration with the utmost comfort and relaxation. However, to ensure a seamless and enjoyable journey, meticulous planning is required, and provisioning is a crucial aspect that should not be overlooked. Let’s explore what it entails, why it’s necessary, and how it can elevate your nautical adventure.

What is Provisioning?

Provisioning, in the context of yacht charters, refers to the process of stocking and preparing the vessel with all the necessary supplies before setting sail. It encompasses everything from food and beverages to personal items, and any other essentials required for a comfortable journey. The goal of provisioning is to create an environment that caters to your specific needs, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable voyage.

Related: Tips for First-Time Bareboat Yacht Charters Why is Provisioning Important?

Provisioning is essential for several reasons. Firstly, it ensures that you have an ample supply of fresh food and beverages throughout your trip, eliminating the need to constantly seek them out at every port of call. This allows you to fully immerse yourself in the enchanting destinations without any concerns about sourcing sustenance.

Secondly, provisioning allows you to personalize your onboard dining experience. Whether you have specific dietary requirements, culinary preferences, or desire a particular ambiance, provisioning enables you to curate a menu that caters to your tastes. From gourmet feasts to casual picnics on deck, the possibilities are endless.

How is Provisioning Done?

Provisioning for a yacht charter can be approached in several ways. One option is to take advantage of the services or recommendations provided by the charter company.

Alternatively, you may choose to handle provisioning yourself. This can involve creating a detailed shopping list based on your preferences and dietary requirements, and then visiting local markets, supermarkets, and specialty stores at your charter’s departure location. While this option allows for more flexibility and personalization, it can be time-consuming and requires careful planning to ensure all necessary items are acquired.

Leave Provisioning to the Pros with Waypoints

As you embark on a memorable yacht charter adventure, remember that proper provisioning plays a vital role in enhancing your overall experience. Whether you choose to rely on the expertise of your charter company or take matters into your own hands, ensuring that your vessel is stocked with everything you need will allow you to fully immerse yourself in the wonders of the sea. To make your provisioning journey even more effortless and enjoyable, we encourage you to book a yacht charter with Waypoints Yacht Charters. Our charter specialists will guide you through the provisioning process, providing valuable insights and ensuring that all your needs are met. So set sail with Waypoints, and let the art of provisioning elevate your seafaring adventure to new heights.

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Stock Up and Set Sail: Your Complete Yacht Provisioning List

Are you gearing up for a thrilling adventure on the high seas? Well, before you hoist those sails and set off into the sunset, it’s time to stock up your yacht with all the essential supplies.  So grab a pen and paper as we take you through our comprehensive yacht provisioning list that will make your journey smooth sailing all the way!

Introduction to Yacht Provisioning

If you’re new to yacht provisioning, or just need a refresher, this guide is for you. Yacht provisioning is the process of stocking a vessel with food, drink, and other supplies for a cruise. It’s important to plan ahead and be organised when provisioning, as it can be difficult to find stores that sell everything you need while underway.

Essential Items to Stock Up On

There are a few essential items you need to stock up on before setting sail. Here is a list of what you might need:

• Water: You will need plenty of water for drinking, cooking, and cleaning. Store at least a week’s worth of water onboard
• Food: Provision your yacht with enough food for the entire crew for several days. Non-perishable items like canned goods, dried fruits, nuts, and pasta are ideal.  Remember to also stock up on fruits and vegetables that will last a few days without refrigeration. If you’re planning on eating seafood or meat during your cruise, it’s best to buy these items just before setting sail
• Cleaning supplies: Stock up on laundry detergent, dish soap, sponges, and paper towels. You’ll also need rubbish bags and a way to dispose of rubbish and recycling properly
• First aid kit: A well-stocked first aid kit is a must onboard any vessel. Be sure to include bandages, antibiotic ointment, pain relievers, and other necessary items
• Medication: Ensure you pack enough medication to last for your entire trip
• Sun protection: You’ll need a good supply of sun cream and after sun as well as a sun hat!
• Safety equipment: Don’t forget to check all your safety equipment before setting sail and make sure you have enough items including life jackets, flares, fire extinguishers, GPS trackers and radios

Kitchen and Cooking Supplies

No matter how big or small your yacht is, the kitchen is always an important part of life onboard. After all, it’s where you prepare meals for yourself and your crew. To make sure you have everything you need for a successful cruise, stock up on the following kitchen and cooking supplies before setting sail.

• Pots and pans: You’ll need a variety of pot sizes for boiling water, cooking pasta, sautéing vegetables, etc. Consider investing in a good set of non-stick cookware to make meal prep easier
• Knives: A sharp knife is essential for any cook. Make sure you have a few different sizes on board, as well as a knife sharpener to keep them in tip-top condition
• Cutting boards: You’ll need at least two cutting boards on board – one for meat and one for everything else. Wood or plastic boards are both fine; just make sure they’re easy to clean and sanitise
• Utensils: In addition to the basics like forks, spoons, and knives, you may want to consider bringing along some specialty utensils like tongs, wooden spoons, whisks, etc., depending on your planned menu
• Storage containers: Airtight storage containers are key for keeping food fresh onboard. Stock up on a variety of sizes so you can store leftovers or prep ingredients ahead of time

Non-essential but Necessary Items

There are some items that, while not essential, are definitely necessary for a comfortable trip! These items include:

• A good stock of wine and beer. This is especially important if you plan on doing any entertaining onboard
• Coffee and tea, as well as other non-alcoholic beverages
• A selection of your favourite snacks
• Books and games for downtime onboard
• If you have space, consider a small vacuum pack system to help make your food last longer
• An insulated water bottle for each crew member will help keep everyone cool and hydrated

When it comes to yacht provisioning, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Every boat and every crew will have different needs and preferences, so make sure to stock up accordingly. With the right supplies in hand, you can set sail with confidence knowing that your crew is fully prepped for whatever adventures await them out on the open sea!

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Just Provisions provide everything to satisfy the diverse needs of guests and crew on yachts. For over a decade, we have been adapting to the changing demands of  yacht provisioning . We take pride in our bespoke service, lasting relationships and unique approach. Our spectrum of products includes both ultimate luxury and quality essentials at unrivalled value. To chefs, we bring the best ingredients on-demand. For stewards, we have the finest wines and tasty snacks. Our shared goal is to make your guests’ trip unforgettable. Let us join you on your journey.

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We are passionate about  yacht provisioning,  sourcing and supplying the best possible produce. No matter where you are, the Just Provisions catalogue includes an exquisite range of items and ingredients from suppliers we know and trust. We always keep up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in food, drink and luxury. As our offering is constantly evolving, you can ask our team anything. We are happy to share our exceptional knowledge of artisanal producers and global brands. If you don’t see the item you need on our list, it will be our pleasure to find it.

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We know that a happy crew provides the standard of service our industry demands. We help you meet this goal by sourcing the products you need: the highest quality for the fairest price. Our offering reflects the specialist demands of our industry. We bring galley crew an outstanding range of ingredients, tried and tested, true to season and to suit your location. Our meat and fish is vacuum-packed and blast frozen, clearly labelled for ease of storage and preparation. Our fruit and veg are the freshest available, improving shelf-life and taking the stress out of longer trips.

We have extensive experience in exporting food worldwide. From our hubs in Paris, London or Amsterdam we ship fresh produce, dry store and wine cellar with no limit on quantity.

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The Art of Yacht Provisioning: Elevating Your Luxury Voyage

What is Yacht Provisioning?

Yacht provisioning refers to the art of meticulously stocking a yacht with essential supplies, provisions, and gourmet delicacies before setting sail. This process ensures that the yacht is equipped with everything required for a seamless and unforgettable journey on the open waters. From fresh produce and fine wines to high-quality linens and premium toiletries, every detail is carefully considered to cater to the discerning needs of our clients.

The Importance of Good Yacht Provisioning:

Elevated Experiences:

Picture yourself cruising along azure waters, surrounded by breathtaking vistas, and being served gourmet meals on the deck under the starlit sky. With excellent yacht provisioning, this becomes a reality. Quality provisions ensure that you can savor delectable cuisines, indulge in fine wines, and enjoy the highest level of comfort throughout your voyage, transforming it into an extraordinary experience.

Personalized Preferences:

At My Yacht Management, we pride ourselves on understanding the unique preferences and dietary requirements of our clients. Our skilled provisioning team curates a personalized selection of provisions, catering to individual tastes, ensuring that every guest's preferences are met with precision and care.

Convenience and Time Savings:

When embarking on a yachting adventure, the last thing you want to worry about is shopping for supplies and provisions. With our expert yacht provisioning services, you can eliminate the stress and save valuable time. We take care of the entire provisioning process, so you can focus on making memories and enjoying your time on the yacht.

Variety and Freshness:

Exceptional yacht provisioning means having access to a wide variety of high-quality, fresh, and locally-sourced products. From succulent seafood caught daily to organic fruits and vegetables, we ensure that only the finest ingredients find their way into your culinary delights.

Seamless Journey:

Imagine stepping onboard your yacht to find it fully stocked and ready to set sail. With excellent yacht provisioning, you can start your journey without any delays or hassles, setting the tone for a seamless and enjoyable voyage.

As you embark on your luxury yacht journey with My Yacht Management, remember that every detail counts. Good yacht provisioning is not just about providing the basic necessities; it's about curating an exceptional experience that caters to your individual desires. From exquisite cuisine and fine wines to comfort and convenience, our yacht provisioning services are designed to elevate your yachting adventure to new heights. Trust us to deliver the highest level of excellence, ensuring that every moment of your voyage is nothing short of extraordinary.

For an unforgettable and seamless yachting experience, visit our website at myyachtmanagement.com and explore our exceptional yacht provisioning services today. Bon voyage!

Our South Florida Yacht Management Experts Understanding the significance of proper yacht provisioning is essential, but it's equally crucial to entrust the servicing of your vessel to a team of boating experts. At Yacht Management, we invite you to reach out to our Fort Lauderdale yacht management specialists today. Our comprehensive range of yacht management services guarantees success and provides peace of mind, knowing that your investment will yield long-term value.

If you're eager to delve deeper into various yacht-related topics or explore our extensive range of services that can elevate the operations of luxury yacht charter companies, look no further. Our esteemed yacht management team in South Florida has meticulously curated a vast collection of yacht blog articles covering everything from vessels and sailing to crew members and more. These articles offer invaluable insights and expertise, enriching your understanding of yacht care and maintenance while keeping you well-informed on the latest industry developments.

As a family-owned business, our utmost priority is to maximize the value of your yacht care experience while minimizing any inconvenience to you. Explore our website to find out how we incorporate the highest standards into all of our services. We offer a full-service boatyard and marina, dockside care, superyacht management, and more. Each of our services can be tailored to your needs.

Should you have any further questions or inquiries regarding our services and how our professional team members can contribute to an exceptional boating experience, please don't hesitate to call us today . You can also get in touch by using our online contact form . Our knowledgeable team is ready to address your queries and provide the information necessary for making well-informed decisions concerning the care of your esteemed yacht.

As the premier providers of Yacht Management in South Florida, we firmly believe that investing in high-quality yacht care should yield tangible benefits and prove to be a worthwhile long-term investment. Our unwavering commitment to excellence drives us to deliver exceptional and impeccable services, ensuring that your yacht receives the utmost care and attention it deserves.

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What is Yacht Charter APA – Advance Provisioning Allowance?

July 31,2018

A quick rundown of everything you need to know about the Advance Provisioning Allowance for your next yacht charter

With all the abbreviations and acronyms, yacht charter contracts can often seem a little confusing. But a charter agreement is actually relatively simple as its main purpose is to set out your rights as a charterer.

One of the most common terms you’ll see mentioned in your contract is the APA or Advance Provisioning Allowance. Designed to simplify the charter experience, the APA ensures that your onboard expenses are covered from the start.

Read on to discover everything you need to know about this useful arrangement and just how it works.

What is advanced provisioning allowance (APA)?

Advanced provisioning allowance (APA) is the extra fee that you pay in advance to cover the cost of provisions for your charter. The APA is paid on top of the charter fee. It helps to think of the advanced provisioning allowance as like opening a petty cash account for your captain and chef, because it’s the simplest way of tracking charter expenses while you’re on board.

What does APA cover?

The APA covers all the day-to-day operating expenses for your yacht charter. Everything from your food and fuel to port and customs fees. It also covers any special requirements or requests you might have while you’re onboard. The main costs to expect are:

Food and drink

Before your charter, your broker will send you a preference sheet so you can request all your favourite food and beverages. This will then be used to calculate your APA estimation.

Fuel Charges

Your fuel costs will depend on your itinerary and whether you choose to cruise or stay at anchor. Fuel costs will also be included for any toys and tenders you use during your charter.

Harbour fees and dockage

The harbour fees and dockage costs will also depend on where and when you want to charter. For example, you can expect to pay more for a berth in Monaco during Grand Prix week.

Communications Costs

If you plan to use the Internet or the yacht’s satellite communications while you’re onboard, this will also be factored into the APA.

Delivery fee

This doesn’t always apply. But if you board or disembark the yacht outside of her usual port, you may need to pay a delivery fee.

While the yacht laundry costs are included in the charter fee, to have personal items laundered you may need to pay extra.

How is APA calculated?

You’ll receive an APA estimation from your broker before you leave for your charter. As a general rule, the APA is calculated as a percentage of the charter fee.

Expect to pay between 20-25% if you’re chartering a sailing yacht and 30-35% for a motor yacht. Note: this can be higher for day charters and depending on multiple factors.

For example, it’s worth bearing in mind that your APA may be higher if you plan to spend your time island hopping. If you’re cruising more than 4 hours a day, you will need to cover that extra fuel consumption with your APA.

Where and when do you need to pay it?

The APA is due at the same time as your final charter payment, so roughly one month before you set sail. The transfer is made directly to the yacht captain. Your broker will provide all the necessary bank details ahead of time.

Who will handle the purchasing for the charter?

The captain will oversee all the purchases made before and during your charter. He will be responsible for ensuring the crew stays within budget and will provide receipts and expense accounts upon request. All expenses will be charged at cost and at the end of your charter you’ll receive an itemised breakdown of all expenditures.

What happens if the APA doesn’t cover all expenses?

Charter cost estimation is fairly accurate, but there’s always a chance that you might decide to blow the budget while at sea. Should your outgoings exceed the initial payment, you can top up the APA in cash while you’re onboard. The captain will keep you updated throughout the trip, and if there are any outstanding costs, you’ll need to settle up before disembarking.

What if we don’t use the full APA?

If there’s any credit remaining on the APA account at the end of the charter, the captain will issue a refund. You will receive the outstanding balance in cash before you leave the yacht.

Finally, does the APA apply to all charters?

When it comes to luxury yacht charter, the APA is usually applied as standard. Simple and straightforward, the APA is the easiest way to keep track of your outgoings while at sea.

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Yacht Provisioning

Enjoy your stay to the fullest extent, jet provisioning, we prepare you for your mile-high trip, villa provisioning, we're here to help you enjoy your stay, let us do the heavy lifting, provisioning made easy.

Our team of experienced captains, engineers, chefs, and stewardesses are on standby to ensure that your parts, provisions, equipment and top of the line yacht toys are delivered in the most efficient and economical manner possible. The founder of ICW Provisions is a former Yacht Chef so we take pride in sourcing the highest quality and freshest ingredients in order to make the chefs life easier. We specialize in yacht support and deal in every facet of the yachting industry.

Our current service areas include the United States, Caribbean, Mexico and Central America.

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Top 10 tips when provisioning a yacht

• 17th May 2016
• by Pete Green

As a seasoned victualler who has organised food on-board yachts from 25 foot to 100 foot, and from cross channel to round the world voyages, here are some top tips if you are given the unenviable duty of organising food for your next sailing adventure or yacht delivery. I actually enjoy the challenge of it, but if you don’t I hope that some of the information here will help you.

1. Delegate it to someone else! Victualling is always seen as the hardest job on the boat; I enjoy it as I like to be organised and like to cook, but some find it stressful and overwhelming. Make sure that if you do the organising, don’t be left doing all the cooking too. Share everything out in the galley from food prep, to cooking, to washing up afterwards. You are a team, so all should contribute. If you have crew that are unable to cook due to general inability or incapacity, give them the easier meals of breakfast and lunch to rustle up, which should be easier than the main evening meal. Try to make everything as easy as it can be; don’t include complex recipes or weird food that just only you would like. If you can’t live without Marmite, Fray Bentos pies, chocolate digestives or HP Brown sauce, take it with you!

2. Be organised. Plan your menu and make a detailed list (or if you are like me, lots of lists!) but keep it as simple as you can, so everyone can make meals not just you. Don’t just go to the supermarket and buy what you fancy, especially if you are hungry! Your bill will be huge and you will end up with food that doesn’t match and you will certainly forget something! It’s very important on a longer voyage to make way for creativity – have a basic menu but also make sure that there are items that can be used to mix things up a little. Don’t create a 7 day repeated menu, as the last thing you want to do is always remember Fridays as Spag Bol day! An 8 day one works well, or if you are super organised a fortnightly one. Maybe plan a surprise meal every now and then, with ingredients you have kept apart from the rest of the general food, and don’t forget birthdays on-board – a time to get creative! Remember, the weather plays a very important part in the environment when it comes to cooking on a yacht so simple is always best. Always over estimate what food is required by 10%, just in case the weather stops you cooking some meals along the way. You can then always revert to tins in a one pot meal if you have to. Laminate a stores list and/or menu, and also a hot drinks list so all the important information is shared. If you are on a long voyage, don’t forget to draw a stowage plan so you know where all the provisions are kept that can’t fit into the galley area. There’s nothing more frustrating than knowing you have extra mars bars or loo roll but for the life of you, you can’t remember where you put them!

The hardest job I had victualling a yacht was during a round the world race. We had a 9-week leg from Rio de Janeiro to Hobart, Tasmania with 14 crew. Although we had some products shipped out from the UK (mainly dehydrated meat meals) everything else had to be sourced on site, which was a unique challenge especially not speaking Portuguese! It was in the high 30’s, and without refrigeration on-board, all fresh food had to be delivered on the day before departure. When it arrived most of it had already past its best and ended up been given to the yacht club workers or thrown away. Our tinned stores ended up being very random, and what we thought was tinned butter for a really nice treat ended up being condensed milk syrup, and don’t get me started on the cheese in a round tin – how do you open it?! Kept us occupied for days! So the moral of the story is, however organised you are sometimes you just have to go with the flow!!

3. People are always hungrier at sea. Fact. After a long watch, and especially if it is cold, crew will eat like horses – it’s got to do with all that fresh air and extra activity. Remember that for the first couple of days’ people may not be feeling at their best so don’t plan heavy meals or strong curries early on, as sensitive stomachs may complain! If starting your voyage from the UK, try to pre-cook a few meals if you can and bring them with you. Good idea for this are Lasagne and Pies (travels well as are solid) or something tasty such as Chicken sweet and sour. Once settled into the voyage, make sure the meals include plenty of carbohydrates for energy (Pasta, rice, potatoes) and plenty of volume to keep those tummies full.

4. Check what facilities are on-board the boat before any food planning. On your own yacht or one you sail regularly, you know what is available in the galley, but when on a delivery check with the owner first if you can. Most yachts have just a basic oven with a 2 ring gas hob. Remember on a new yacht delivery, the oven is not normally used just the 2 ring hob so one- pot dishes are a must. Great meals for this are corned beef hash, mined beef and onions with potatoes and vegetables, biryani’s (curry and rice cooked together), pasta pesto. Also check there is cutlery, crockery and mugs – you may have to bring your own.

5. Check what your fellow crew mates eat (and what they don’t!). It’s pointless spending time and effort preparing a detailed menu plan and shopping list for crew that are all meat eaters, and find when they turn up they are vegetarians or have a restricted diet such as gluten free. Remember British supermarkets nowadays have really good ranges for Gluten intolerants, but you may find it hard when abroad. Ask the crew member to let you know what they like to eat and suggest they bring with them anything you suspect may be difficult to source on the trip. Share the responsibility.

6. Make sure you have plenty of snacks. This is very important – don’t just buy chocolate! Snacks are a brilliant morale booster especially in the middle of the night when energy and motivation is low. Also good for those feeling queasy for the first few days if they aren’t able to keep much down. Ginger biscuits, cereal bars (no chocolate), ready salted crisps, boiled sweets and crackers are all good for seasickness. For the rest of the team, fruit cake, fruit and nut mix, flapjacks, brownies all go down well. If you have a fridge, the boys also tend to like savoury snacks such as mini pork pies or mini-pasties. These can be eaten straight from the packet without having to re-heat; you don’t want to be rummaging in the galley and using the oven during a night watch when others are sleeping. Get your family or friends to bake something for you before you leave such as brownies, flapjacks, ginger cake etc – it gets them involved and they feel a part of it. After racing around the world, we still had fruit cake in the last few days after 9 months at sea – it really did the trick in the lumpy Western approaches! Don’t forget an apple a day keeps the doctor away and your gums healthy. A good variety of fruit is advisable. Ribena is a good source of vitamin C when you run out of fruit. It’s also good as a hot drink at night too. Always make sure there is texture to some food – a lot of boat food tends to be soft and mushy so mix it up a little and add ingredients that have a bite to them.

7. Don’t forget the tea bags. It’s got to be Yorkshire tea! (I’m biased). Take them with you if you are travelling to a foreign port as the tea is never as good abroad. Lipton’s just doesn’t hit the mark! Instant coffee you can get in most places as well as ground coffee but if you go ground coffee, don’t swill the grains down the sink as you are liable to block the hose and put a brown stain down the hull – also don’t forget the coffee pot!

8. Storage is at a premium. For a longer trip don’t buy too much fresh food as keeping it fresh will become a challenge if it doesn’t fit in the fridge. Hard root vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, onions, hard cabbage, parsnips all keep well in a dry locker somewhere as do hard apples such as Granny Smith’s and Braeburn’s. Soft fruits such as oranges, bananas, pineapple, mango etc will not last long in the heat, so buy sparingly and eat first. Eggs can be kept out of the fridge – it is a myth that coating eggs with varnish or Vaseline to seal them makes them last longer.It has been proven that letting the eggs breath naturally actually prolongs their life. If you want to check if they are still fresh, put in a jug of water. If they sink they are fresh, if they rise, throw them away. Tins are always a great staple and can be used along with fresh to make some super meals. They also store well in bilges if necessary, but don’t forget to write in marker pen on the top of them what they are just in case the label comes off. If this happens, then you play tin roulette, always great fun! Don’t wash fresh fruit and vegetables before storing (unless they are very dirty) as it will reduce their lifespan – wash before you eat (salt water is fine). Top tip – don’t store pasta or rice (or your teabags) in the bilges if in their original packaging as it won’t be waterproof.

9. Drink lots of water. Don’t forget to make sure there is enough water and more for the duration of your trip. Take some bottled water if you can, and don’t rely on water tanks if you only have 1, just in case it gets contaminated. Flush out water tanks if you know the yacht has been standing for a while and definitely if it has been ashore for the winter or sat idle in a hot country. Remember that tea and coffee are diuretics and drinking lots can actually make you more dehydrated. If you want an alternative hot drink, try hot Ribena, hot chocolate or a cup a soup.

10. Don’t forget the loo roll! You would be amazed how many crews visit the local supermarket before a trip to buy food and forget the more important things in life such as loo roll, washing up liquid, matches, anti-bac spray and bin-bags! There are some things you just can’t substitute- for example don’t use kitchen roll or baby wipes as a replacement for loo roll as you will find yourself in the skipper’s bad books. There is no alternative for washing up liquid, although it is good if you forget your shampoo, and great for cleaning the deck after filling up with diesel en-route! Bin bags are a must; all rubbish must be cleaned and bagged and not thrown into the sea. Without bin bags, things will start to get very smelly, very quickly! Don’t buy the cheapest, as you will end up having to double bag everything. Don’t wrap anything of value up in bin bags to keep dry just in case it gets mistaken for rubbish and gets thrown away.

We hope that these top 10 tips will help you prepare for your first or next cruising trip – remember, victualling is not rocket science, and there are no set rules to follow. So long as you are organised but flexible, you will be fine!

Halcyon Yachts Ltd is a dedicated international yacht delivery specialist with highly experienced and qualified crew. For more information or to see details of their recent deliveries please visit http://halcyonyachts.com/

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I lived ‘below deck’ on a luxury yacht — here’s what you need to know.

Tahiti, St. Thomas and the French Riviera — I’ve yachted in all of these exotic locales, albeit from the comfort of my couch. And, millions of Americans are in the same boat.

In 2013, “Below Deck,” introduced the masses to the most glamorous mode of traveling: yachting. Since then, it’s become a Bravo mainstay with Season 9 of “Below Deck Mediterranean’’ premiering in June.

But how real is the reality show? I spent five nights on a yacht in Croatia to find out.

A tip on tipping

My suitcase wasn’t bursting with Benjamins. An agency at your final destination provides cash for the crew’s tip money. While you’re expected to tip $30,000 for a two-night cruise on “Below Deck,” in real life you only have to tip 10% to 15% of your charter fee. That’s about $10,000 for a two-night cruise on a 180-foot charter yacht like Mustique (from $250,000 a week), which stars in the new season.

According to Zvonimir Androi, president of the yacht charter company Via Croatia, more often than not, the tip comes from what’s left over after provisioning.

So, shun the Dom Pérignon and skip the beluga caviar, and you’ll have money to spare.

What’s up, dock?

In real life, “Below Deck’s” favorite commercial-break cliff-hanger isn’t nearly as dramatic. Docking in our yacht, Via Croatia’s five-cabin, 100-foot Adriatic Escape (from $52,800 a week), was breezy.

I asked the crew if they hated setting up the slide — a tortuous, Herculean task if you believe what you see on TV.

“It’s not that bad,” a twentysomething Croatian deckhand, as cute as his on-screen counterparts, told me. “That said, we’re definitely not sad if you don’t ask for it.”

Play it cool

Despite being served meat on more than one occasion, my vegetarian co-guests on board weren’t divas when it came to cuisine — a major source of chef-related stress on the show.

Tantrums aren’t the norm Barbie Pascual, the “Below Deck” stewardess famous for putting up with former “RHONY” star Jill Zarin’s demands for the perfect Diet Coke in the “Real Housewives of Grenada” episode, tells me. “Guests know they are being filmed so their reactions are more extreme than they’d be if the cameras weren’t around,” she says.

Pascual’s biggest tip for first-time yachters? Don’t go skinny dipping, like they do on the show, after dark.

“People forget about currents, sharks, etc.,” she says. “Jumping in the water should always be with the captain’s consent!”

Our humorless Croatian yacht captain was a far cry from “Below Deck Mediterranean’s” affable Captain Sandy Yawn. I think we only saw him twice over the course of four days, and he definitely didn’t join us for dinner.

That was fine by us because the stews and deckhands were always handy with anything we needed — including at chat.

Asking for it

“No” is a word you’ll never hear on a yacht, unless there is a safety issue, Pascual says.

While we didn’t ask our crew to do a striptease or decorate for ‘70s night (two recurring requests on the show), out-there demands aren’t out of the question, as long as you’re willing to pay for it.

For example, Via Croatia is currently retrofitting one of its multimillion-dollar superyachts for an upcoming charter booked by a multigenerational Jewish family from Florida.

“In addition to paying the charter fee, the client is literally buying everything new: pots, pans, silverware, etc.” said Androi. “They’re even spending $30,000 on a new tender for the elderly mother-in-law.”

Now, I’m no reality show producer, but a picky primary trying to keep his wife, her elderly mom and their kosher kids happy at sea has the makings of an Emmy Award-winning episode.

Yachting on a budget

Charters are cheapest at the beginning and end of a destination’s season. Via Croatia’s yuppiest yacht, the 160-foot, 12-cabin Agape Rose , fetches $200,000 a week in July and August. But it’s just $164,000 a week in April and October. Divide that by 24 of your closest friends and family and it’s just $6,800 a person.

If that’s still too much, consider booking a yacht club suite on one of MSC Cruises ’ Mediterranean voyages.

Sure, you’ll be on a cruise liner, but for $1,659 a person you’ll be treated to seven nights of private butler service with a private pool and restaurant that the pleb passengers don’t even know exists.

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Inside the Maldives’ first superyacht marina, the newest playground of the super rich

Y ou’d be forgiven for assuming the Maldives, a country that is 99 per cent water and a playground for the uber wealthy, comfortably caters for the yachting elite. The archipelago’s 172 luxury resorts, many of which are built on private islands, offer every conceivable amenity, from sublime underwater spas to incongruous snow rooms. Yet a purpose-built superyacht marina is a glaring omission from the list, an anomaly that Atoll Estates is looking to change. 

The UAE-based company has revealed plans for a five-star development set within 500 hectares of a natural lagoon in the South Malé Atoll. Located just 21 miles from Malé International airport (which completes a large expansion in 2025 to cater for the estimated 4.3 million travellers passing through each year), Zamani Islands will comprise three individual resorts spread across eight islands. Designed in partnership with Dubai-based architects Killa Design, it promises to host the island chain’s first dedicated superyacht marina. 

“By providing state-of-the-art facilities for superyachts , the marina will attract more high-net-worth individuals and yachting enthusiasts to the region,” says Amit Majumder, co-founder and managing partner of Atoll Estates, who believes the influx will boost local tourism. “The increased yachting traffic will foster the development of related services and infrastructure, further establishing the Maldives as a premier yachting destination on the global stage.”

The initial phase of the development, set to open in 2026, will include the first of three distinct resorts made up of a collection of private residences, each with a private pier for yacht tenders. Lifelong berthing at the marina (once complete) will also be included. The second “multi-experiential” resort is aimed at families and couples with a private island beach club for over 21s, while the third “lifestyle” resort will have a total of 300 keys, a yacht and sailing club and the largest events and entertainment venue in the country. 

Spanning a whopping 60,000 square metres, Zamani Islands marina’s full-service facilities are pitched to include crew amenities, provisioning, maintenance and access to a yacht club. Of the 120 yacht berths, 60 will be dedicated to superyachts upwards of 30m in length, with a single dockside mooring of up to 200m. Other resort amenities include the first medical spa in the country (though Soneva’s two wellness complexes may have pipped them to the post), personal butler service, and 28 food and beverage venues, including an underwater restaurant. 

It’s no secret that the Maldives’ wide-open waters, vibrant coral reefs and diving hot spots make it a yachting haven. Around 70 to 100 large motor and sailing yachts arrive in Maldivian waters each year (per 2021-2023 Maldivian Coast Guard cruising permit applications). The country’s strategic location in the Indian Ocean also makes it a convenient stopover for yachts travelling between the Middle East, southeast Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. According to tracking data compiled by Bloomberg, the Maldives saw more visiting yachts than Hong Kong and Singapore combined in 2023, slightly outpacing Thailand. So why has there not been a superyacht marina in the pipeline before now?

“For the past 20 years, the Maldives’ private resort tourism model has proven highly profitable and pretty low risk,” says Splinter Fangman, a yacht and berth broker at Edmiston. “With a superyacht marina, it’s still a gamble whether the yachts will actually use it.”

For vessels upwards of 70m that can sustain themselves at anchor for weeks at a time, the Maldives’ current lack of infrastructure isn’t an issue. Yachts like 134m Serene and 97m Faith are self-sufficient floating resorts equipped with their own high-end amenities, even the aforementioned snow room. Provisioning and fuel bunkering is done ship to ship using a large barge that caters for private island resorts. Though the opportunity to dock at a marina to use shore power, turn off systems and generators, and allow the crew to go ashore is appealing, it’s not a requisite, says Fangman, especially for owners who prize privacy above all else. 

For smaller yachts that depend on the services of a marina, making the crossing to the Indian Ocean can be challenging. That said, the Maldives is well placed to capture substantial traffic in the burgeoning Asia-Pacific yachts, while vessels based in the Middle East regard it as an attractive alternative to the crowded anchorages of the Caribbean. 

“A marina in the Maldives will pull through huge numbers of yachts from the Red Sea and Persian Gulf,” says Donovan Chong, an independent marina entrepreneur. He cites the 146m Lürssen-built Opera, owned by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the deputy prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, which typically berths in Dubai, as a frequent visitor to the Maldivian archipelago. 

Demand for a marina that caters to the super rich is now a strategic focus for the Maldives, adds Chong, who notes there are several additional imminent marina projects in the pipeline. “The Maldivian government has made it a top priority to explore new tourism verticals beyond hotels and resorts and to establish the Maldives as the ‘eastern terminus’ of the yachting world.”

He believes a dedicated marina will unlock the untapped potential of the Maldives as a charter (yacht rental) hot spot, and that future resorts need to be built around the marina, rather than treating it as an amenity. Majumder agrees. “Zamani Islands is more than just a residence; it is a lifestyle — one that seamlessly blends the opulence of land and sea, providing a haven for those who appreciate the finer things in life.” In other words, build it and the yachts will come.

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