The first rule of provisioning is that you can only buy what the store sells. It’s one of the first lessons you learn about staying flexible while cruising. After all, plans change as the weather changes. Or an old friend shows up in the anchorage.
And, I quickly learned, provisioning lists become mere suggestions, whether I’m looking for food, cleaning supplies, or boat parts.
How many times has Dave asked me, “why’d you buy that?” or “how come you didn’t get ___?”
The answer is always the same: I can only buy what the store has.
Sure, I may be able to try a few different stores, but at some point it becomes clear: I’m not going to find what we really wanted. We’re going to have to make do with what we do find.
And with that comes creativity.
Honestly, it’s one of the things that I really enjoy about cruising. Figuring out how to make things work with what you have.
It why The Boat Galley Cookbook lists substitutions in almost every recipe – and has a whole chapter that is just substitutions.
And I’ve posted many of our other work-arounds both in articles on the website (such as this one on what we did when we broke the fan for the composting toilet and couldn’t find a spare – it’s about halfway down the article) and on Instagram and Facebook.
Admittedly, I’m not always happy right when I can’t find what we “need” but it does give me a really good feeling when we figure out a workaround. It doesn’t matter if it’s dinner or a broken dinghy davits.
At the same time, I know that this same scenario is incredibly frustrating for new cruisers. And it’s one of the things that leads to people throwing in the towel. If you truly hate the idea of “making something from nothing” cruising may not be for you. But if you find it frustrating simply because it’s not something you’ve done much of, give yourself time. And permission to not be perfect, to have some failures.
Keep going; ask others for ideas or help. You’ll be amazed at what you CAN do!
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.
Simplify meal prep on board with proven strategies for provisioning, maximizing fridge space, and cooking delicious meals aboard your boat.
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