Most marinas have a supermarket nearby, so you can do your shopping on the day you board. Buy enough for the first few days, plenty of water, and food that is easy to prepare in a small galley.
If you run out during the trip, you can stock up again in the next marina or town. Shops on remote islands and in the marinas themselves tend to be expensive, so buy the basics before you head somewhere remote.
Checklist: basics to have on board
- Cleaning
- dish soap
- paper towels
- trash bags (or reuse your shopping bags)
- sponge
- hand soap and hand sanitizer
- Condiments and spices
- olive oil
- balsamic vinegar
- ketchup
- salt and pepper
- garlic
- any other spices you like to cook with
- Drinks
- tea
- coffee and milk (there is almost always a coffee machine or a simple coffee maker on board)
- water
- beer, spirits and mixers
- ice (nobody wants a warm gin and tonic after dropping anchor)
- Snacks
- crackers
- peanut butter
- chips
- nuts
- pretzels
- Barbecue (not every boat has a grill)
- matches and a lighter
- charcoal and lighter fluid, or propane
- aluminum foil
- Other
- toilet paper
- insect repellent
- plastic wrap
- clothespins (wooden ones, please: clothespins go overboard fast, and the sea has enough plastic already)
Hired a skipper or crew? You provision for them too: Do I need to provision the skipper/crew? Food left over at the end: What can I do with my leftover provisions after check-out?
