Provisioning Planner — Never Run Out at Sea

Why Provisions Are the Real Lifeline

When most people think about preparing a boat for a voyage, they picture sails, charts, and engines. But ask any experienced cruiser what really matters, and they will tell you it is food, water, and fuel. These are the lifelines of a sailboat.

Miscalculating them can turn an adventure into a stressful ordeal. Run short of water halfway across the ocean, and the consequences are serious. Carry too much, and you weigh the boat down, making her sluggish and inefficient. The balance is delicate, and it is one that cannot be left to guesswork.

According to sailing experts, every crew member needs about 1.5 gallons of drinking water per day. That doesn’t include the water used for cooking or cleaning. Without a proper plan, sailors often find themselves rationing halfway through a voyage or overstocking, filling lockers with provisions that will never be eaten.

How the Provisioning Planner Works

Our Provisioning Planner worksheet takes the uncertainty out of this essential task. Instead of relying on instinct or rough estimates, you enter your crew size and trip length. The planner automatically calculates the amount of drinking water, cooking and cleaning water, food requirements in either calories or kilograms, and the fuel you’ll need for different durations at sea.

The beauty of this system is its flexibility. You can adjust daily consumption values to match your crew’s actual needs. A short weekend cruise requires very different provisions from a thirty-day Pacific crossing, but the principles are the same. The planner gives you a clear picture of what you need and allows you to experiment with different scenarios before you ever step aboard.

By providing numbers instead of hunches, it reduces the chances of shortages and prevents waste. And once you’ve used it a few times, it becomes second nature — a tool you’ll wonder how you ever lived without.

Why Planning Provisions Matters

The importance of provisioning goes far beyond comfort. Proper planning ensures hydration, nutrition, and morale — all of which are critical to safety. Dehydration impairs judgment, fatigue sets in faster, and small conflicts on board can escalate when people are hungry or uncomfortable.

Running out of water mid-ocean is not an inconvenience; it is a crisis that could force an emergency diversion. Overloading, on the other hand, slows your boat and can even compromise stability. A provisioning plan prevents both extremes. It gives you the confidence that your crew will be healthy, alert, and ready for whatever challenges the sea brings.

There is also a psychological element. Crews who know their needs are accounted for worry less and enjoy the voyage more. The security of knowing that every meal, every drink, and every fuel calculation has been thought through removes one of the greatest sources of stress at sea.

Lifestyle Choices Shape the Numbers

Every sailor provisions differently. Some crews thrive on simple meals of rice, beans, and fresh fish, while others want variety and comfort foods. Some rely heavily on cooking aboard, while others plan for dining ashore whenever possible.

The Provisioning Planner is neutral. It doesn’t tell you what to bring; it gives you the framework to calculate whatever you choose. If your crew eats 3,000 calories a day, it will adjust accordingly. If you want to account for daily wine or a preference for fresh produce, it gives you the space to plan for that too.

This flexibility ensures the worksheet works for minimalist sailors and luxury cruisers alike. The important part is not what you stock — it is knowing how much you need and when you will need it.

Seabound Life Connection

The Provisioning Planner is just one piece of the puzzle. To master the art of provisioning, you need both numbers and strategy. That is where Seabound Life books provide the depth.

• Sailing Skills Bootcamp walks beginners through the basics of meal prep and provisioning checklists, showing how to plan simple, reliable meals for short and medium voyages.

• The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to World Sailing explores long-distance logistics, teaching you how to stock for months at sea, plan for emergency reserves, and resupply efficiently in foreign ports.

Together, they transform provisioning from a guessing game into a professional skill. The worksheet is your calculator. The books are your classroom.

Download Your Free Provisioning Planner

Ready to stock your boat with confidence?

👉 Download the free Provisioning Planner here

👉 Explore Seabound Life Books to learn the full strategies behind provisioning, seamanship, and long-distance voyaging.