What to take on a sailing holiday

A sailing holiday needs more than food and drinks. You also need compact galley equipment, reusable tableware, coolers, charging options and safety essentials that can handle wet conditions. This checklist covers the supplies for cooking, serving, cleaning and staying prepared on board. Shop for fresh produce close to departure, chill drinks before loading, and keep emergency and navigation equipment easy to reach rather than buried in luggage.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Foldable camping chairsqty 8
Foldable camping table

Tableware

Reusable drinking glassesqty 12
Reusable mugsqty 10
Reusable platesqty 12
Reusable cutleryqty 12

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 2
Chef's knifeqty 2
Frying pan
Cooking potqty 2
Kettle
Corkscrew
Can opener

Equipment

Coolersqty 2
Rechargeable flashlightsqty 4
Waterproof phone casesqty 8
Power banksqty 3
VHF radio
Navigation tablet
Waterproof route mapsqty 2

Safety

Life jacketsqty 10
First aid kit
Emergency blanketqty 2
Emergency signals

Cleaning

Dishwashing tub
Dish brushqty 2
Tea towelsqty 6
Microfiber clothsqty 6
Hand brush and dustpan

Catering

Groceries
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Pistolets - 24 pieces
- Tortilla wraps - 24 pieces
- Oatmeal - 1 kilo
- Muesli - 1 kilo
- Cornflakes - 750 grams
- Butter - 500 grams
- Hummus - 4 tubs
- Young cheese - 1,5 kilo
- Cooked ham - 1 kilo
- Smoked chicken breast - 800 grams
- Eggs - 30 pieces
- Yogurt - 4 liters
- Milk - 6 liters
- Potatoes - 4 kilo
- Rice - 2 kilos
- Pasta - 2 kilo
- Pasta sauce - 4 jars
- Diced tomatoes - 6 cans
- Chickpeas - 4 cans
- Tuna - 6 cans
- Cocktail sausages - 4 cans
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Bell peppers - 10 pieces
- Onions - 2 kilos
- Carrots - 1.5 kilo
- Lettuce - 4 heads
- Apples - 3 kilos
- Bananas - 2 bunches
- Grapes - 2 kilos
- Oranges - 2 kilo
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Salted peanuts - 2 bags
- Crackers - 4 packs
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Mayonnaise - 1 jar
- Peanut butter - 1 jar
- Jam - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 tin
- Pepper - 1 can
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Garlic - 3 bulbs
- Stock cubes - 1 pack
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 6 bottles
- Still mineral water - 12 bottles
- Fruit juice - 6 cartons
- Ice cubes - 6 bags
- Chocolate bars - 16 pieces
- Marshmallows - 2 bags
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 1 bottle
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Hand soap - 2 bottles

Tips

Plan groceries around the number of people and sailing days, then add a small buffer for weather delays. Buy fresh produce as late as possible so it lasts longer on board.
Pack at least one reusable drinking glass, mug, plate and set of cutlery per person, plus a few extras for breakage or items waiting to be washed.
Charge power banks, the navigation tablet and rechargeable flashlights before departure. Keep waterproof phone cases and route maps accessible during every sailing leg.
Check the galley before shopping: a cooking pot, frying pan, kettle, chef’s knife, cutting boards, corkscrew and can opener are easy to overlook when the boat already has basic equipment.
Keep life jackets, the first aid kit, emergency blanket and emergency signals in a clearly known location. Store cleaning supplies separately from food and label coolers so drinks and groceries are easy to find.

Frequently asked questions

What food should I buy for a sailing holiday?: Choose groceries that keep well, are easy to prepare in one pot or pan, and do not need much refrigeration. Plan each meal for the full crew and sailing period, then add enough food for one extra day in case weather delays your route.
How many drinks should I bring for a sailing holiday?: For the first hour, allow 2 to 3 drinks per person, then plan the remaining supply by sailing time and crew preferences. Bring extra drinking water for every person and keep chilled drinks in coolers before loading them on board.
What kitchen equipment do I need on a sailing boat?: Check that you have a cooking pot, frying pan, kettle, chef’s knife, cutting boards, corkscrew and can opener. Pack reusable plates, mugs, glasses and cutlery for each person, plus a few spare pieces.
When should I do the shopping for a sailing holiday?: Buy packaged groceries and drinks 1 to 2 days before departure, then purchase fresh produce on the day before or morning of departure. Chill drinks before bringing provisions on board and check the final shopping list before leaving the harbor.

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