Too Many Spares Onboard?

Space is precious on a boat. Could you have too many spares onboard?

The Problem

I hate to run out of my favorite spices. So when I notice I’m getting low on something, I put it on my shopping list. I buy it and tuck it away in the “galley spares” locker.

Then a week or so later, I once again notice that I’m getting low on x, and put it on the list. And buy it. Then, when I go to put it away, it hits me that I bought it last week and now have two. Or three. Oops.

I do this with other things as well, but spices are probably the worst since they lose their flavor over time. And lose it more rapidly with heat and humidity, both of which we have in abundance on the boat.

So basically I’ve just wasted money by buying more spares than I need. I hate that.

Okay, I could always check the spares locker before putting something on the grocery list. But I just don’t do that as I’m in the middle of cooking a meal, and I totally forget it before going shopping.

My Easy (Analog) Solution

But I finally did figure out a way to let myself know that I already have a spare on hand. And it’s so simple that I could kick myself for not figuring it out years ago. It’s just a simple “X”

As I’m putting provisions away, if something is a spare, I simply make an “X” on the one that’s in use. Then I know that I’ve already bought a spare and don’t need to buy a new one. For black caps, I use the white liquid chalk marker (Amazon) that I use for keeping track of what’s in the refrigerator (bonus as it’s already out in the galley, which means that I use it for other colors of lids too).

Suddenly, I don’t have two (or three or six) of anything. Less space taken up and nothing going bad before we eat it — I love it!

Other Liveaboards’ Low Tech Methods

Cruiser Dawn uses a similar method to mine, but she includes some additional information. Instead of simply marking an “x” on the item in use, she numbers it. If the item in use has a 1/2 on the lid, it means it’s one of two items on the boat. When she runs out of the spices in a bottle marked 2/2, it’s time to buy another one. When she’s putting things away in the boat, she labels them the same way.

Boat owner Frances has an even simpler method to remember which item is in use. When she buys several jars of peanut butter, she turns the spares upside down so she remembers to use the one that’s already been opened.

Of course, many of us rely on our phones to stay organized, and some cruisers have their own suggestions.

Digital Ways to Avoid Too Many Spares Aboard

I’ve used a mix of labels and lists to organize stores on our cruising boats. Most cruisers do. If you rely on your phone to stay organized, what’s the easiest way to do it?

CJ keeps a list of spices aboard on the phone. When they notice they’re running low on something, they add an asterisk next to it on the list. Once they buy it from the store, it’s deleted. As long as they remember to update the list on their phone, they don’t end up with too many spares.

Patty also uses her phone for grocery lists and more. She also creates lists for clothing, hardware, Costco, marine stores, Walmart, Ikea, Dollar Store, and the drug store. She lives aboard, about twenty-five miles away from the next large town. Using her phone to stay organized means that not only does she not end up with extras she doesn’t need, she rarely forgets something during one of their provisioning runs.

Finally, Tod and Lynn swear by their favorite app, Color Note. Tod added every grocery item to a list. Everything remains crossed off except what they need to buy. Once bought, they get crossed off. This saves writing up a new list for every shopping trip. Once the list is created, you save a lot of time. And, of course, you don’t end up with too many spares.

Whatever method (or hybrid version) works for you, keep up with it. Buying too many spares just to have them go bad before you can use them is a waste of money and a waste of space.

Learn More

Want a solid plan for your provisioning? Knowing that you have the right stuff, the right amount of it, and are prepared for the unexpected? Check out our online course, Provisioning, Meal Planning, and Food Storage. It’s not just a collection of “tips and tricks” but rather a solid step-by-step system for planning, shopping, and storing food for life afloat.

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