Paper products seem like some of the easiest things to store on a boat: they don’t break and they don’t go bad. Or do they?
Well, if they get wet, they’re of no use. And if they harbor bugs, you’re not going to be too happy, either.
So maybe just pitching them into any available locker (as I did initially . . . ) isn’t really the answer. So what is?
Provisioning Paper Goods
First, you have to get the items to the boat in good shape. If you’re just going from the car down a dock to the boat, it’s not such a big deal. But if you’re anchored out, dry bags (Amazon) are essential for transporting anything that would be harmed by water. This includes toilet paper, paper towels, napkins, and feminine hygiene supplies as well as foods like sugar and flour.
Read more about dry bags in Provisioning by Dinghy.
How to Store Paper Goods
Once aboard, the basic rule for storing paper supplies is not to put them all in one locker. If that locker develops a leak, your entire stock could be wiped out. It’s never fun to discover you have a leak, but it’s that much worse when you discover that your entire stock of toilet paper or feminine hygiene supplies has been ruined.
If possible, it’s good to store at least part of your supply in a solid plastic bin with a lid. That way, should you get water in the locker, it’s far less likely to actually get the paper wet.
And in addition to splitting things between lockers and putting part of the supply in bins, I always keep an emergency stash of various paper products sufficient for a week in either vacuum bags or double plastic bags. Okay, I’m overprotective!
The Bug Question
As I’ve researched various questions on avoiding cockroaches and other bugs, there seems to be controversy as to whether cardboard and paper actually harbor bugs or not. I err on the side of caution and put an ant trap and cockroach trap in every locker with paper supplies in it (if you can’t find these where you cruise, read Avoiding Critters on how to make your own). If you use a liquid or spray bug deterrent, be sure not to get any on the paper supplies themselves.
And one final note: paper supplies can take up a LOT of space on a boat. You can use a lot fewer paper towels if you use cloth bar rags and tear the paper towels you do use in half (lengthwise is easier). And compare the number of sheets on a roll of toilet paper to find the ones with the most (some have amazingly few sheets!). Some cruisers also recommend pressing paper goods flat and sealing them in plastic.
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Carolyn Shearlock has lived aboard full-time for 17 years, splitting her time between a Tayana 37 monohull and a Gemini 105 catamaran. She’s cruised over 14,000 miles, from Pacific Mexico and Central America to Florida and the Bahamas, gaining firsthand experience with the joys and challenges of life on the water.
Through The Boat Galley, Carolyn has helped thousands of people explore, prepare for, and enjoy life afloat. She shares her expertise as an instructor at Cruisers University, in leading boating publications, and through her bestselling book, The Boat Galley Cookbook. She is passionate about helping others embark on their liveaboard journey—making life on the water simpler, safer, and more enjoyable.
Carolyn Shearlock says
That will also help protect against any little water drips . . . not that a 30-year-old boat has any such things!
Krissy says
Smash and seal is how we do it too. First for tp or pt we remove the cardboard centers. There is no rule that toilet paper must be pretty and round! Instead of hanging it off the wall like you would traditionally, just reshape it after removing it from storage and place inside a round plastic container near the head. Pull from the center like you would do other types of “wipes”. Put the lid on when your done. (I know… I know, another lid you have to shut in the bathroom! Oh the humanity!)
The Boat Galley says
Well, . . .
Scott Kraft says
I’ve been using our vacuum sealer for toilet paper. Each roll is individually sealed and compressed to a 5’x5’x2’ block. We can easily store 12 to 15 rolls under the head sink. Always dry and bug free. One just needs to squish the roll back into a round shape before putting it on the roller.