Provisioning & Spares: How Much Do You Really Need for a Solo Atlantic Crossing?

When you sail across the Atlantic alone, you don’t have the luxury of crew to help with cooking, repairs, or heavy lifting. Everything has to be planned so you can manage it by yourself. Provisioning and spares are often what first-time solo sailors worry about most. Do you carry too much? Too little? What happens if your autopilot breaks?

This guide breaks down what to bring, how much to stock, and how to make provisioning manageable for a solo crossing.

Food and Water: The Basics

Water

Water is your most important supply. Solo sailors should plan 4–5 liters per day for drinking, cooking, and basic hygiene.

• Crossing length: 18–25 days from the Canaries to the Caribbean.
• Minimum stock: 120 liters for 25 days. Add a 20–30% safety margin, bringing you to about 150 liters.
• Backup: Manual water containers even if you carry a watermaker. Desalination systems can fail.

Food

Provision for at least 30 days, even if you expect 20. Weather or gear problems can slow you down.

• Staples: Rice, pasta, couscous, oats, flour, sugar.
• Proteins: Tinned tuna, chicken, beans, lentils, vacuum-packed sausages.
• Fats: Peanut butter, olive oil, butter (tinned or ghee for long shelf life).
• Snacks: Nuts, dried fruit, granola bars, chocolate. These keep morale up.
• Fresh food: Apples, carrots, cabbage, onions last well. Bananas and citrus for the first week.
• Emergency food: Freeze-dried meals or ration packs in case cooking becomes impossible.

Cooking

• Single-burner stove or gimballed cooker
• Pre-cooked one-pot meals in freezer or jars (if possible before departure)
• Thermos flasks to keep hot drinks and soups ready

Power and Fuel

Even solo sailors need enough fuel for charging, motoring, and emergencies.

• Diesel: Calculate engine burn rate. Many carry 100–200 liters extra in jerry cans.
• Cooking gas: Two cylinders minimum. One in use, one backup.
• Power generation: Solar panels, wind generator, or hydro generator reduce reliance on the engine.

Spares You Can’t Ignore

When you’re alone, if something breaks, only you can fix it. Carry spares for all critical systems.

Autopilot & Steering

• Spare autopilot drive unit or wind vane
• Autopilot repair kit (belts, relays)
• Emergency tiller

Engine

• Fuel filters (lots)
• Oil filters and spare oil
• Fan belts
• Impellers and water pump kit
• Starter motor and alternator if possible

Rig & Sails

• Spare halyards and sheets
• Blocks and shackles
• Sail repair tape, needles, heavy thread, palm
• Spare battens
• Storm jib or trysail

Electrical

• Spare fuses, bulbs, wiring
• Multimeter
• Handheld GPS and VHF
• Extra power banks

Plumbing

• Bilge pump kit and spares
• Hose clamps of all sizes
• Flexible hose lengths

Medical Supplies

Solo sailors must be their own doctor.

• Prescription meds for at least twice the passage length
• Seasickness tablets and patches
• Painkillers, antibiotics (if prescribed)
• Sutures, bandages, antiseptics
• Dental emergency kit (temporary fillings)

Take a medical course for sailors before departure so you know how to use the kit.

Storage and Organization

• Store food in small, accessible portions. You won’t want to open a 10kg bag of rice in rough seas.
• Use vacuum-sealed bags for spares to prevent rust.
• Label containers by week (Week 1, Week 2) to spread supplies evenly.
• Keep emergency rations in a separate waterproof grab bag.

Lessons from Experienced Solo Sailors

• Over-provisioning is common. Keep it simple — if it takes too much effort to cook, you won’t eat it.
• Redundancy is king. Two autopilots are better than one, but one autopilot and one wind vane is best.
• Watermakers are great but never rely on them alone. Always carry manual backups.
• Pack comfort foods. Morale can dip badly when you’re alone.

Read: Provisioning mistakes are common for first-timers – start with the right prep.

Why St. Kitts Is a Smart Place to Restock

Even with perfect planning, you’ll want to re-provision after the crossing. Port Zante Marina in St. Kitts makes this easy:

• Supermarkets and fresh markets within walking distance of the docks
• Fuel delivery and water at the slips
• Local trades for engine, rig, and electrical repairs
• Medical facilities nearby in Basseterre
• Safe marina berths where you can unload, organize, and rest before continuing north or south

Key Takeaways

• Plan 4–5 liters of water per day, with a 30% safety margin.
• Provision 20–30% more food than your expected passage length.
• Carry spares for autopilot, engine, rigging, and plumbing.
• Organize food and spares in small, labeled containers.
• Train in first aid and carry a full offshore medical kit.
• Plan a smart landfall – Port Zante Marina in St. Kitts gives you services to recover and resupply after your crossing.

Up next: Spares are only part of the equation – safety and emergency planning matter just as much.

Re-provisioning after landfall is easy in Basseterre. Learn more about Port Zante’s marina services.