Provisioning for a 14 hour race and the day before.

[zz4gta]

Crew of 4 including myself. This is what I have so far;

Food:
Cold cut subs
chips n' snacks
pop tarts
cookies
fruit
granola bars
crackers
ginger candy

drinks:
sodas
water
beer

I'm pretty limited due to the fact I'll have no stove or refrigeration. So only coolers to keep food and drinks in. So soups and other things that need to be heated are out. I'll aslo be sailing up to annapolis from St. Mary's the day before, so I'll have to feed probably a crew of 2 on the way up.

I guess I'm trying to have food for 4 people for 3 full days of hard work. Can this be done w/o the crew complaining? No stove or frig?

[merlin2375]

granola bars are easy to have around, power bars for energy, maybe some gatorade.

Oh also fruit...apples, oranges, etc.
Cold pasta/pasta salad?

[NOLAsailing]

Bring some Ritz crackers or something salty. They can be handy if one of the crew starts feeling green. Some (real) ginger ale on board can help that also.

The big thing is to be sure to have plenty of drinks. Nothing will sap a crew faster than being thirsty.

[pfatyol]

I have always offset not having hot food with hot drinks on races. A couple of thermos filled with Coffee / hot Broth or soup goes along way in warming people up in the chill of the morning / evening. For after the race, I usually fire up the grill - hot dogs - Hamburgers - steak tips. Generally my crews have know quick finger foods for race (down wind legs) more after the sails are put away.

[zz4gta]

Great idea about the pasta salad. Thermos is also a keeper.
Where can I get "real" ginger ale? I was going to try and find the crystallized ginger to hand out. I wanted to stay away from anything that would make the crew drowsy. Drugs are OK if drowsy isn't one of the side effects.

[chucklesR]

ZZ,
They have tuna (and other meats) in a bag now, seasoned, precooked and ready for meals. That's high engery, hi protein yummy and it stores flat and small. Canned meats like spam and vienna susages are also good, sardines and such if you have the taste. Just because you are 'camping' doesn't mean you have to eat like a camper.

A huge bag of mixed greens (salad) and dressing wouldn't hurt either and would keep for days on board.

Keep in mind you'll be able to refill - but you need enough water on board for 2 days or so - 10 gallons would not be too much in reserve.

As to cooking - a small camp stove with a 2lb bulb of propane takes almost no space and is worth it. Velco the bulb to a stanchion if you worry about it leaking (it can't if not connected to the stove). Cook in the cockpit and you have hot food, easily enough.

If you need a place to crash in Annapolis call or PM

[sailhagg]

You should be able to find the ginger ale in a local health food store.

[rheaton]

You might want to think about looking into getting a small butane stove. These are in expensive and can be found at asian markets amoung other places. This would allow you to prepare foods, tea, and coffee. We have one and love it. Best of luck to you.

[zz4gta]

Thanks sailhagg.

Chuck, the only problem with 10 gal of water is that its ~70 lbs. However, I do love the vienna sausages. I have until Aug. for the race, so I may be able to pick up a camper stove/grill.

I'll more than likely take the guys out for dinner one night as well.

[sailingdog]

A few things to bring as supplies that double as anti-seasickness aids...

Ginger Ale and Ginger snap cookies. Both really help and aren't bad as drinks and cookies on their own.

I'd second the idea of hot tea, coffee or soups. They can really make a difference during a cold, wet watch. Be careful though, caffiene and alcohol both can dehydrate you quite a bit, so keep the fluids up. Alcohol shouldn't be used during the race IMHO, since it may impair the crew in the case of an emergency.

BTW, a lot of natural food stores will have ginger candy, which also works for seasickness.