Paper, spreadsheet or app? How to plan boat provisioning
There's no single right way — it depends on the trip. Here is what each approach does well, including ours.
| Paper list | Spreadsheet | General meal-planning app | Galley Wizard | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plans every meal for the trip | By hand | By hand | Yes | Yes |
| Quantities scaled to the crew | By hand | With formulas you build | Usually | Yes, per appetite + spare days |
| Diets & allergies per person | By hand | By hand | Often | Yes, with own plates |
| One shopping list per port | By hand | Possible | Rarely | Yes, in supermarket order |
| Knows the boat (fridge, freezer, dry stores) | No | No | No | Yes |
| Eat-first order for perishables | Your memory | Possible | No | Yes |
| Rough-weather & make-ahead meals | Your memory | No | No | Yes |
| Works offline at sea | Yes | Yes (on a laptop) | Varies | Yes |
| Crew can see the menu | Pinned up | If shared | Varies | Link, no sign-up |
| Cost | Free | Free | Varies | Free up to 7 days; €15 per trip or €39 a year |
General meal-planning apps vary — check the one you use. “By hand” means possible, with your own work.
When each is enough
Paper: a weekend or a day sail, a crew you know. Spreadsheet: you enjoy building it, and have the time. A general meal-planning app: at anchor near shops. Galley Wizard: passages, crossings and charters with mixed diets — where the menu, the shopping per port and the stowage all have to fit the boat.
Try the free provisioning calculator to see the numbers for your trip.