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Yacht Charter Provisioning Guide
A well-stocked galley makes life on board easier. The trick is to buy enough for your first few days, leave room in the fridge and plan where you can pick up fresh food along the way. Here’s how to organise your shop, from the first meal on board to the essentials that are easy to forget.
1. Decide how to stock the boat
Check what your charter includes before making a shopping list. If you’ve booked full board, confirm which meals and drinks are included. If you’re catering for yourselves, you can shop near the marina or ask the charter base whether you can arrange a grocery delivery.
- Pre-order groceries if you’re arriving late or want to save time on departure day. Confirm the delivery window and where the driver should meet you.
- Shop near the marina if you prefer to choose your own ingredients. Check opening hours, especially if you arrive on a Sunday or public holiday.
- Top up along the way with fresh bread, fruit and local produce. Check which stops have shops before relying on them.
During handover, check the fridge, hob and cooking equipment before you put everything away. For the rest of the handover, see our yacht charter check-in and inventory guide.
2. Plan meals around your crew and route
Start with the number of people on board, how long you’ll be away and how many meals you expect to eat ashore. Ask everyone about allergies, dietary requirements and their budget. If you’re sailing with a skipper or other crew members, confirm how their meals are arranged.
- Breakfast: Yoghurt, oats, fruit, bread or eggs.
- Lunch: Wraps, sandwiches or salads you can prepare before setting off.
- Dinner: Pasta with tomato sauce, a chickpea salad or another simple meal that uses a single pan.
- Snacks: Fruit, crackers and cereal bars that are easy to grab underway.
Keep ingredients for one extra meal in the cupboard. Pasta, tinned tomatoes and beans will come in handy if you decide to stay another night at anchor or reach port after the shops close.
Set a shared budget for groceries and agree how you’ll split restaurant bills. Our guide to the real cost of chartering a yacht covers other expenses to include in your holiday budget.
3. Use this provisioning checklist
| Category | What to buy |
|---|---|
| Cupboard staples | Pasta, rice, oats, tinned beans, tuna, tinned tomatoes, olive oil, salt, pepper and seasonings |
| Fresh food | Bread, fruit, salad leaves, tomatoes and vegetables that keep well, such as carrots and potatoes |
| Fridge essentials | Milk, yoghurt, cheese, butter and any chilled ingredients for the first few meals |
| Drinks | Drinking water, tea, coffee, juice and soft drinks |
| Galley and cleaning supplies | Washing-up liquid, a sponge, tea towels, bin bags and reusable food containers |
Before you buy, ask the charter base what is already on board. Items such as washing-up liquid and toilet paper can be easy to overlook or buy twice.
4. Make room for drinking water and fresh food
Buy enough drinking water for the crew, taking into account the heat, activity levels and the time between stops where you can restock. Ask the charter base whether the tank water is suitable for drinking and keep a separate supply of drinking water on board.
Use the fridge for ingredients that need chilling and plan to eat the most perishable items first. Keep cupboard staples somewhere dry and put frequently used items within easy reach. On departure day, have a simple meal ready to assemble so everyone can eat while you get settled.
For ideas on what to try when you eat ashore, see our guide to Mediterranean dishes for your sailing holiday.
Planning your next yacht charter?
Our advisers can help you choose a yacht that suits your crew and clarify what’s included before you plan your shop.
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