What to buy and pack for a sailing trip

A sailing trip needs more than food and drinks. You need compact serving gear, coolers that stay cold, waterproof storage and enough power and lighting for a full day near the water. Pack food in portions that are easy to serve on board, and keep dietary meals separate and clearly labelled. This checklist covers the shopping and equipment that are easy to forget until you reach the harbor.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 3
Folding chairsqty 30
Tableclothsqty 3

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 35
Reusable bowlsqty 35
Reusable glassesqty 40
Reusable coffee cupsqty 35
Reusable cutleryqty 40
Serving plattersqty 8
Serving tongsqty 6

Equipment

Coolersqty 4
Ice packsqty 16
Portable speaker
Power banksqty 4
Waterproof flashlightsqty 4
Extension cord

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef's knifeqty 2
Bread knife
Thermos flasksqty 3
Ice scoop

Safety

Life jacketsqty 35
First aid kit
Waterproof document folder
Waterproof phone casesqty 10

Decorations

Buntingqty 3
Table décorqty 3

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 3
Washing-up tubsqty 2
Dish brushesqty 2
Microfiber clothsqty 8
Paper towelsqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blue - 48 bottles
- Spa Rood - 24 small bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Ice tea - 4 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Beer - 48 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Prosecco - 4 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Ice cubes - 10 kilos
- Baguettes - 10 pieces
- Wraps - 40 pieces
- Cream cheese - 1,5 kilo
- Hummus - 1.5 kilos
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Brie - 1 kilo
- Ham - 1,5 kilo
- Smoked chicken breast - 1,5 kilo
- Smoked salmon - 1 kilo
- Falafel - 1.5 kilos
- Mixed salad - 2 kilos
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Red onions - 6 pieces
- Olives - 1 kilo
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Bananas - 20 pieces
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Salted nuts - 1 kilo
- Rice crackers - 4 bags
- Mayonnaise - 1 jar
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Pesto - 4 jars
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 tin
- Pepper - 1 can
- Dish soap - 1 bottle
- Hand soap - 2 bottles
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Disinfectant wipes - 2 packs
- Paper napkins - 4 packs

Tips

Plan about 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then 1 drink per person per hour, and add extra water for warm weather. Chill everything before departure and fill the coolers with ice packs just before leaving.
Pack food in sealed, stackable containers and keep salads, snacks and main dishes separate. Use one cooler for drinks and another for food so the food cooler is not opened every few minutes.
Bring reusable plates, bowls, glasses, coffee cups and cutlery for the full group, plus 10% extra. Serving platters and serving tongs prevent people from passing open containers around on a moving boat.
Put the participant list, emergency contacts and dietary information in a waterproof document folder. Keep phones in waterproof cases and charge the power banks before travelling to the harbor.
Pack a first aid kit, life jackets, waterproof flashlights and waste bins where they are easy to reach. Add washing-up tubs, dish brushes and an extension cord only if the boat and harbor setup support them.

Frequently asked questions

What food should I bring on a sailing trip?: Choose food that can be served cold or with minimal preparation, such as bread, salads, snacks and prepared main dishes. Pack at least one meal and two snack portions per person, with dietary meals separated and labelled.
How many drinks do I need for a sailing trip?: Allow 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour and about 1 drink per person for each additional hour. Pack extra drinking water, especially for warm or sunny conditions, and keep drinks chilled in coolers with ice packs.
What equipment is easy to forget for a sailing trip?: Waterproof phone cases, power banks, a waterproof document folder and waterproof flashlights are often missed. Charge the power banks and pack the waterproof items at least one day before departure.
How much tableware should I pack for a sailing trip?: Pack one plate, bowl, glass, coffee cup and set of cutlery per person, plus about 10% extra. Bring serving platters and tongs so food can be served safely without passing large containers around the boat.

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