Provisioning recommendations I came across at lunch today.

We have learned to only take what you use. Extra stuff just takes up
space for things that you really need. I start by buying a ton of paper
towels and toilet paper. Almost everything comes out of our big hanging
locker and it becomes the paper product locker. We also purchase cases
of already cooked canned meats from a company called Werling and Sons in
Ohio. There are a number of other companies that folks use; we just have
always used Werling. The delivery is prompt, the product is good and the
cost is reasonable. I ordered 4 cases for our last cruise and had a lot
left over so only got 3 this time. We rarely are unable to find food. We
also take canned vegetables and fruit, enough to last about 6 weeks. If
we get to a place we really like, we don't want to have to leave for
lack of provisions. We stock our small Adler Barbour freezer with as
much frozen meat as we can. Take ground beef, etc. out of its original
packaging and place in freezer bags to maximize space, which allows you
to fit more in. Sea Trek also gets stocked with cereal, snacks, sodas,
and whatever other items you really like and are afraid you won't be
able to find outside of the country. Always eliminate extra cardboard
and packaging and try to store as much as you can in zipper storage bags
or airtight containers. You may want to try inserting a bay leave into
each baggie of food to deter bugs. (They tell me that bugs don't like
bay leaves, but who knows.)
Because we like particular hygiene products, I buy enough of those to
last us for the duration - razors, deodorant, shampoo, toothpaste and
those sorts of things. I also purchase enough vitamins, cotton swabs and
balls, stomach remedies and the like to last the entire length of our
trip. This action was spurned on by the cost of Pepto Bismol in the
Bahamas!! I also don't want to have to look for sensitive toothpaste in
a 3rd world country. We keep a storage list of where everything, and I
mean everything, is on the boat. If we forget where we put something, we
simply look it up in the computer or on the hard copy that we print out.
After you bury things deep in your bilge, you will be glad you took the
time to take inventory.

http://sea-trek.blogspot.com/2008/01/prepeartions-for-cruising.html

From Cliff Barcliff

Think about lots of healthy (and not so healthy) snacks. It is suprising how many calories one needs just sitting there! For the passages: Think: pre-packaged peanut-butter or cheese crackers (easy to store, individuall wrapped), lots of pre-packaged cookies (same reasons as above), various candies, trail mix, snack size potato chips, hot oatmeal, hot chocolate. Your ideas on pre-cooekd foods is a good one. Lots of flavor with little/no prep. Keep spare bottled water in case of problems with water tanks. We had a large bottle of gluecose tablets( from your local drugstore...the kind diabetics carry). Good for when you tummy isn't well but you need energy.

Along that last line....This may sound a little gross, but, one way to keep yourself strong, alert, and non-seasick is to keep regular bowel movements. With everyone on odd-shifts and out or your normal environment and routine, eating well and regular bowel movements will help prevent sea sickness. We found the cheap no-frills brand of sea-sick 8-hour tablets worked for us (but use what works for you). Take them early and often, even if you think you don't need them. Many suggest starting any medication several hours before heading out to give your body time to adjust. I have used the 4-hour chewables when on an off-shore passage. Easy to swallow. Easy to manage dosage since they were small. It talking with other cruisers about sea-sick medicines, we all found that we "hear" things, especially late at night. Regular boat and water sounds get mistaken for someone talking. Really! I think it has something to do with the medication messing with your inner-ear fluids.

MREs Meals ready to eat

I don't know why we didn't have more of these onboard all along.

http://www.mredepot.com/servlet/StoreFront

Shelf life of 10 years, and minimal prep. I have to think that the provisioning plan will include sonething like this.

Also, there is a provisioning site cn the cruising and sailing forum: http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f91/

Provisioning Team

This site is for discussion of provisioning for the offshore trip and beyond. Dana has volunteered to take lead, and Barbara Sidor and Leann Emery have volunteered to contribute.