Storing food onboard while boat in storage

[nknowland]

We are going to store our boat on the hard in Florida for 5 months over hurricane season (so think HOT and HUMID).

What dry/canned food can I leave on the boat? I'm worried about canned goods getting rust and packaged goods not holding up to the heat and humidity.

-Coffee
-Canned vegetables
-Flour and sugar in containers
-Sealed jars of jam and peanut butter
-Instant oatmeal (in small pkgs)
-Unopened powdered drink mixes (lemonade, hot chocolate)
-Noodles and dried beans

I'm prepared to remove it all but want to know if that's really necessary.

THANKS!

[MarkJ]

Leave it all on board.

You only have a certain number of heart beats, why waste then dragging food hither and thither?

[rowingdude]

The only think I would be concerned about are the jars of jam since they were opened. Everything else should have a very acceptable shelf-life and I don't see anything other than jam that requires to be kept cool-ish after having been opened.

[Vasco]

We leave lots aboard. As long as it's sealed it should be ok. We dump all the spices and get new stuff every year as it all loses its flavour.

[MsActiveCaptain]

We keep anything that's sealed up onboard but I do move it into the engine room thinking it will be kept cooler if it's below the water line.

[JanetGroene]

I'd leave only cans and jars. Packaged foods attract bugs and animals. Sometimes real damage can be done to the boat by rats, raccoons and squirrels that are determined to get in. There is also the nutrition factor. Foods slowly lose their value with time and heat. Could you give it to a food bank and take a tax deduction?

[knottygurl]

if you have power put in fan to ventilate interior
if not look at some solar vents, this will keep down humidity.
everything can be left onboard that has not been opened, flour and the like should be brought home and used , it looses flavour sitting to long.
just keep the storage hatches open so air can move easy and it should be all good

[Tempest245]

It's Florida, it's Summer...it's hot! It's 5 months... Take all your food off the boat..

Food, whether it's in cans or not can't be treated like that and have any expectation of quality after 5 months in 90 degree temperatures...

What's the total value? I'd donate it to a homeless shelter if you don't want to transport it.

[osirissail]

Although sealed cans and jars will probably survive the lay-up period, other items in packaging may probably be broken into by various insects.
- - A boat "on the hard" is a waiting feast for all the ground insects, ants, roaches, etc. that live in the dirt and grass your boat is sitting upon. The migrate up the keel blocks and even the jackstands and enter the boat through vents and other forgotten holes in the boat.
- - Normally, I try to spray the keel blocks and jackstands and even the boat's keel with long lasting insect killer to slow the little buggers down. They also love to walk up any hold-down ropes or straps.

[spostamento nobile]

Cans kept dry will keep, jars too. Any cans, jars, or containers not made of glass and/or metal (spice containers with plastic lids) need to go. Do a proper wipe down afterwards as well and you'll be fine.

[Curmudgeon]

You can leave everything in cans or sealed containers except the olive oil, which will separate and be unusable. I'd suggest using plenty of those dehumidifier bags.

[osirissail]

I copied some other experience cruisers and lined the bottom (floor) of food storage lockers with "Dri-Dek" panels cut to fit. This elevates the cans, etc. about a quarter inch (6mm) and allows air to circulate and also avoids the cans sitting in any moisture/water. With long term storage, rusted out bottoms of the cans is a potential problem.