Tips for storing provisions on board a yacht

What course, captain?

Regardless of where and for how long you are going, you need to understand the importance of proper food storage on board. Even if a long passage is not expected, then buying provisions in some remote marina can cost a pretty penny. 

Usually coastal shops (especially near tourist places) can raise prices decently. Therefore, an excellent option would be to prudently stock up before going to sea. 

All provisions can be conditionally divided into long-term and perishable products. It is clear that “long-term storage” has its reservations, but more on that later. Remember that you can’t rely on canned and semi-finished products alone - conditional instant noodles can be a one-time snack, but a balanced diet should be the basis of the diet.

Long shelf life products

Long-term storage products usually mean a variety of pasta or cereals, preservation, sugar, salt. The main problem of storage of such products is temperature and humidity. 

If we are talking about pasta and cereals, then they should be stored in containers or in reliable packages. It is unlikely that a rat will decide to feast on your food, but there are no guarantees at the expense of insects. Some yachtsmen additionally sift the cereals before going to sea in order to get rid of the larvae, which can safely wait for the right temperature. The same goes for pasta. However, the other part of the yachting community does not bother and simply buys more expensive varieties of cereals and pasta in shops and supermarkets.  

Often on board you can find frozen dough with flour. With flour, the same story as with cereals - if the flour was bought at the market, then it is better to sift it before a cruise or crossing. The dough is usually stored in the freezer. The manufacturer writes the expiration date on the packaging, so it all depends on your attentiveness.

Plant seeds with nuts can also be included in the same category. Sunflower and pumpkin seeds are suitable as a snack or snack, and nuts are high in calories and contain amino acids important for the body. Almonds, cashews, and walnuts are great options. They can be consumed both as an independent snack and added to food. Different types of nuts and seeds can be stored in a dark and cool place from one month to six months or more.

Vegetables

Vegetables can also be stored for a relatively long time if the variety allows. In the hold, it is unlikely that it will be possible to create conditions for a cellar for a long time, but potatoes can be stored in a marketable form for quite a long time. Onions are in the same category but may have a shorter shelf life. Many simply keep potatoes or onions in the refrigerator.

If, in addition to potatoes and onions, there are fresh vegetables on board, then you should not delay eating them. In the best case, you will just take up useful space in the refrigerator. Alternatively, use frozen vegetables like green peas or corn. 

Perishable products

This includes a huge list of products - dairy products, eggs, most vegetables and fruits, mushrooms, ripe bananas. A refrigerator should be used to store perishable food.

In addition, you should also pay increased attention to the expiration date and freshness of these products. Poisoning yourself with stale milk or mushrooms during a cruise is clearly not what you expect from a sailing holiday. An alternative to milk can be powder mixtures that can be stored for a long time.

Perishable foods contain many useful vitamins and minerals, so they should not be neglected. What is the main disease of long-distance sailors of past centuries? That's right, scurvy. This serious disease is caused by a lack of vitamin C. It was the lack of fresh fruits and vegetables in the diet that led to health problems. Modern technologies help to store vegetables and fruits in different forms - for example, canned - for a long time. And although canned food loses some of its useful properties, it is still vegetables and fruits. 

Freezing will help prolong, for example, the storage of cheese. The main rule when freezing cheese is that the higher the fat content, the easier it will be to defrost. Brie and Camembert will survive freezing well, but cheddar or feta will crumble a lot. However, it does not hurt to add them to a salad or pizza. Another option is to preserve the feta in olive oil. 

Preservation and canned food

A dark, cool place - and your preservation will be stored for months. If you buy, and do not do it yourself, then it’s even easier, because the manufacturer will indicate not only the expiration date, but also the shelf life.

Preservation can really be a great option for any occasion, but the main thing is not to get carried away and not transfer the team exclusively to grandmother's cucumbers and tomatoes.   

Storage principle

Probably more important than the rules for storing products is only the principle of their consumption. Do not forget that you are on a full-fledged vessel with limited usable headroom. Even if you are going on a long journey, you should not fill the hold to capacity with potatoes and canned food. 

Remember that all perishable foods should be eaten before the expiration date. Otherwise, you will simply throw them away at the nearest marina. Large amounts of food should also not be cooked on board for future use. Monotonous food can quickly become boring and suffer the fate of other spoiled food. 

If you are going on a cruise for a week or two, and you have at least several marinas with adjacent towns at your disposal, then you can take with you a minimum of fresh vegetables with a supply for a few days and replenish it at the nearest marina. Although the prices there may be higher, you will get fresh vegetables or dairy products. 

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25.05.2023