Vacuum Sealer on Your Boat - Yes or No?

04/07/25 • 6 min

The answer to whether you should have a vacuum sealer on you boat is complicated. But hopefully I can give you a few ideas of what to think about before you decide for yourself.

Summary

Over the years, many readers asked me about vacuum sealers for boats. I had one aboard two different cruising boats. And although I liked mine, I still consider them a luxury item.

Here's what you should know if you're thinking of buying one.

Vacuum sealers preserve food better than zipper bags. They remove more air, their bags are tougher, and they won't open unexpectedly if you seal the bags properly. If you're a weekend or part-time cruiser and use it at home, it's great for preparing meals or snacks in advance.

Full-time cruisers are more likely to use them at a big provisioning stop. And, if you catch more fish than you can eat right away, a vacuum sealer is a great way to ensure the fillets last and retain a good texture.

But not all vacuum sealers work consistently. And that can drive you nuts on a boat. Especially if you're used to having one and can't replace it when it fails.

A quality home-rated vacuum sealer costs around $150 and bags are upwards of 15 cents a piece. Small commercial units work better but are double the price.

Finally, they do take some power (although for a short time). I used mine the most often in a marina, hooked up to shore power. If you're planning on using it away from the dock, make sure your inverter is large enough for the unit you buy.

My final comment is that vacuum sealers are great on a boat if you get a good one. But they're still a luxury. And if money is tight, they might not rise to the top of your list.

If you want a vacuum sealer for your boat, listen to the full podcast or read Do You Need a Vacuum Sealer on Your Boat on The Boat Galley website to learn the 5 factors you need to consider first.

Links:

Inverters 101 - https://theboatgalley.com/inverters-101/

Subscribe to the Boat Galley Newsletter! - https://theboatgalley.com/newsletter-signup-2

Today’s episode of The Boat Galley Podcast is sponsored by MantusMarine.com, maker of the Mantus anchor, now available in models with and without a roll bar. Proven to set reliably in the most challenging bottoms, the Mantus anchor digs like no other, making anchoring safer and boating more enjoyable. Mantus Marine brings to market practical, durable and affordable marine products, including: anchoring gear, scuba diving accessories, and rechargeable waterproof headlamp for hands-free lighting and solar charging Navigation light. Visit MantusMarine.com and see for yourself!

Click to see all podcast sponsors, past and present. - https://bit.ly/3idXto7

Music: “Slow Down” by Yvette Craig

The answer to whether you should have a vacuum sealer on you boat is complicated. But hopefully I can give you a few ideas of what to think about before you decide for yourself.

Summary

Over the years, many readers asked me about vacuum sealers for boats. I had one aboard two different cruising boats. And although I liked mine, I still consider them a luxury item.

Here's what you should know if you're thinking of buying one.

But not all vacuum sealers work consistently. And that can drive you nuts on a boat. Especially if you're used to having one and can't replace it when it fails.

A quality home-rated vacuum sealer costs around $150 and bags are upwards of 15 cents a piece. Small commercial units work better but are double the price.

My final comment is that vacuum sealers are great on a boat if you get a good one. But they're still a luxury. And if money is tight, they might not rise to the top of your list.

If you want a vacuum sealer for your boat, listen to the full podcast or read Do You Need a Vacuum Sealer on Your Boat on The Boat Galley website to learn the 5 factors you need to consider first.

Links:

Inverters 101 - https://theboatgalley.com/inverters-101/

Subscribe to the Boat Galley Newsletter! - https://theboatgalley.com/newsletter-signup-2

Click to see all podcast sponsors, past and present. - https://bit.ly/3idXto7

Music: “Slow Down” by Yvette Craig

Previous Episode

Provisioning for a Long Passage in Unfamiliar Places

Provisioning for a long passage is only one thing you have to do before setting out for distant shores. It's even more difficult when you're doing it in somewhere that's new to you. Here's how we managed the task on a 4-day timeline.

Summary

We thought we had plenty of time to leisurely provision our boat before leaving for French Polynesia. We could focus on other boat tasks in the meantime. But receiving a visa ahead of time meant we had to get moving.

So, how do you provision for a long passage on a short timeline? And especially when it's in a place you're unfamiliar with?

Although this wasn't a new activity, the short time meant efficiency trumped budget. We did not have time to travel all over the city to buy beans for ten cents less a can.

What helped me stay organized? Making a list focused on our needs for the passage and what would be expensive at our destination. Using the Internet to decide where to shop--would they have what we needed to be worth the trip? Keeping in mind how much we could carry at a time. And finally, buying fresh items last.

I can't say I wasn't frazzled. But I got the job done. And in the time available.

Links (Amazon links are affiliate links, meaning that The Boat Galley Podcast earns from qualifying purchases; some other links may be affiliate links):

Provisioning Course - https://products.theboatgalley.com/products/provisioning-meal-planning-and-food-storage

The Boat Galley Website - https://theboatgalley.com

Nica email - [email protected]

Carolyn email - [email protected]

Subscribe to the Boat Galley Newsletter! - https://theboatgalley.com/newsletter-signup-2

Click to see all podcast sponsors, past and present. - https://bit.ly/3idXto7

Music: “Slow Down” by Yvette Craig

Next Episode

Pacific Passage Highlights

Distilling a 4200-mile Pacific passage into memorable sound bites isn’t easy. But certain experiences definitely stand out. Here are some favorite moments from our 33 days at sea.

Summary

Sitting in a rolling anchorage is a great time to review Pacific passage highlights. After 32 days at sea and 8 hours heaving to so we could anchor during daylight there are so many epic experiences to reflect on.

On our passage, I wrote daily emails. Follow the link below for access to all of them. They include observations of conditions and the moon and stars. But here, I'm just focusing on the highlights.

One major highlight was crossing the Equator. Why should crossing an imaginary line feel so momentous? I don't know. But talking to other cruisers, I know we're not alone.

We also saw an epic pod of commuting dolphins. I say commuting because they didn't play in the bow but kept moving. Other wildlife included a visiting bird, determined to be a swallowtail gull.

Near the equator, the moon rises as the sun is setting. So we could see the sun going down over our bow as the moon rose over our transom.

Before the seas became rough, we caught a large mahi-mahi that kept us fed for two days.

While not a highlight, the chafe of our main halyard added some excitement to the passage. Using the topping lift to carry the main was a temporary fix until we used it as a messenger line to secure a replacement halyard.

Other highlights included ticking off milestones--our first 1000 miles and crossing the equator. I enjoyed watching our self-steering unit (we called it Larry) do its work.

Of course, even routines are momentous underway, including our traditional Sunday pancake breakfast. With 30 knots of wind, it was exciting. But it was a good reminder of how we're adjusting our ideas about acceptable conditions.

We completed our passage of over 3000 miles at 5.5 knots on average, faster than many cruisers on boats longer than our 28-foot Calypso.

In the end, we were generally comfortable, ate well, and got enough rest. I hope to see you in an anchorage. Look for Calypso. And check out the links to find pictures and more details of our passage.

Subscribe to the Boat Galley Newsletter! - https://theboatgalley.com/newsletter-signup-2

Links:

The Boat Galley Cruising Guides - https://products.theboatgalley.com/collections/quick-reference-guides

Daily Emails - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Ffv_dDmAQiqo013OHaZPhUpQJbkQx5b3?usp=sharing

More Details & Photos - https://www.fit2sail.com/countdown-to-cruising/2025/4/11/highlights-from-a-pacific-passage

Nica email - [email protected]

Carolyn email - [email protected]

Click to see all podcast sponsors, past and present. - https://bit.ly/3idXto7

Music: “Slow Down” by Yvette Craig