There is a particular kind of satisfaction in casting off for a week or two of coastal cruising. The Solent, the West Country, the Scottish islands, the Irish Sea — each has its own rhythm and challenges. But the difference between a good trip and a great one often comes down to what you have stowed in the lockers. Not just enough to survive, but enough to keep everyone fed, watered and cheerful when the wind pipes up and the nearest harbour is still six hours away.

Plan for Appetite, Not Just Calories

At sea, appetites are unpredictable. Some crew eat like horses; others go off food entirely in a chop. The trick is to carry meals that are flexible. One-pot dishes — curries, stews, pasta bakes — work well because you can scale portions and they reheat kindly. Avoid anything that demands precise timing or multiple pans. On a UK coastal passage, the cooker is often gimballed but the cook is not.

Base your stores on tinned and dry goods: tinned tomatoes, beans, chickpeas, tuna, corned beef, pasta, rice, couscous, lentils. These are heavy but reliable. Decant dry goods into resealable bags to save space and keep damp out. Fresh items that last: carrots, cabbage, onions, potatoes, apples, oranges. Soft fruit and salad leaves are a treat for the first two days only.

• Breakfast: porridge oats, UHT milk, honey, dried fruit.
• Lunch: crispbread, tinned fish, hard cheese, pickles.
• Dinner: one-pot pasta or rice with tinned veg and a sauce.
• Snacks: nuts, oatcakes, ginger biscuits (good for seasickness).

Water Is the Real Constraint

You can go without a shower for a week, but you cannot go without drinking water. On a coastal cruise, assume two litres per person per day for drinking, plus another litre for cooking and basic washing. A crew of four on a five-day passage needs at least 60 litres. That is six 10-litre jerry cans — heavy, but manageable if stowed low and lashed.

Top up at every opportunity, even if you think you have enough. Harbour taps, marina showers and friendly yacht clubs are your friends. Carry a spare funnel and a short hose. If you have a watermaker, great, but do not rely on it; they are power-hungry and can fail. A simple hand pump filter for stream water is a useful backup in remote anchorages.

For washing up, use seawater with a little eco-friendly detergent, then a freshwater rinse. For personal washing, a flannel and a bowl of warm water go a long way. Baby wipes are controversial but effective for a quick freshen-up.

Stowage and Weight Distribution

Weight low and central is the golden rule. Tinned food, water containers and heavy spares belong in bilges or under the cabin sole. Keep them in duffel bags or collapsible crates so they do not shift in a seaway. Do not overload the ends of the boat — a bow-heavy yacht slams in a chop, and a stern-heavy one drags its transom.

Use every odd corner: behind settee cushions, under the V-berth, in the cockpit lockers (for light items only). Label your lockers with a marker pen so you are not rummaging through six bags of pasta to find the coffee. A simple inventory on a clipboard saves arguments and wasted time.

• Soft luggage is easier to cram into odd shapes than rigid boxes.
• Vacuum bags for spare clothing and bedding save space.
• Hammock or lee cloths keep stores from flying when it gets rough.

Spares and Consumables That Earn Their Keep

Coastal cruising means you are rarely more than a day from a chandlery, but that day can feel very long when something breaks. Carry a sensible spares kit for your engine and systems. For a diesel engine: spare impeller, fuel filters, oil filters, engine oil, coolant, drive belt and a set of basic tools. For the rig: spare shackles, split pins, cordage, sail repair tape and a winch handle. For electrics: fuses, bulbs, insulation tape, cable ties and a multimeter.

Do not forget the galley: spare gas bottle (if you have room), matches in a waterproof container, a lighter and a spare cooker jet. A hand-operated bilge pump is essential; check it works before you leave. Personal spares: seasickness tablets, painkillers, plasters, sunscreen and a spare pair of glasses if you need them.

Consumables that vanish: toilet paper, kitchen roll, bin bags, washing-up liquid and tea bags. Buy more than you think you need. Running out of tea on a cold, wet passage is a morale disaster.

Morale: The Secret Ingredient

Food and water keep you alive; little luxuries keep you happy. A hot drink in a thermal mug, a square of chocolate at the end of a watch, a proper sit-down meal at anchor — these matter. Pack a few treats that are not part of the daily ration: a favourite biscuit, a small bottle of something special, a good book, a pack of cards.

Routine helps. Agree on watch systems, meal times and a daily radio check. Keep the cockpit tidy and the cabin dry. A damp, cluttered boat makes everything feel harder. When the weather turns, having a flask of soup ready and a dry pair of socks can transform a miserable beat into a tolerable one.

Finally, remember that coastal cruising is meant to be enjoyed. You do not need to eat like a king or carry a chandlery with you. You need enough good food, clean water and the right spares to feel confident. The rest is seamanship.