Fuelling Offshore Adventure: On Track Meals & the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria

When your hundreds of nautical miles offshore, the wind roaring and waves surging, the last thing you want to worry about is whether you’ve got a decent meal lined up. Offshore racing is about endurance, focus, and resilience, and the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria (ORCV) knows just how much the right fuel matters when the pressure is on.

That’s where On Track Meals comes in.

Offshore Racing: More Than Just Sailing

The ORCV has long championed the spirit of bluewater adventure, running some of Australia’s most iconic offshore races, from the Melbourne to Devonport to the mighty Melbourne to Hobart. Competitors in these events face more than just rival yachts; they face the unpredictable power of Bass Strait, the ever-changing Southern Ocean, and the sheer fatigue that sets in after hours or days at sea.

Food on board isn’t just about calories. It’s about morale, keeping the crew sharp, and ensuring every sailor can dig deep when conditions get tough. The right meal can be the difference between fading on watch or pushing through to trim that sail one more time.

Why Offshore Racers Choose On Track Meals

Photo provided by On Track Meals

On Track Meals were born out of years spent leading expeditions through the jungles of Papua New Guinea. Out there, in hot, humid, and unforgiving terrain, we learned first-hand what it means to rely on food that fuels performance without slowing you down. Meals had to be lightweight, nourishing, and easy to eat even when conditions and stomachs weren’t ideal.

That same philosophy carries into our meals today, perfect for offshore sailors who need nutrition that keeps them sharp without leaving them sluggish, and meals that are palatable even when the sea state is working against you.

Here’s why they’ve become a staple for many sailors:

• Ready in Minutes – Just slip the pouch into hot water or use the flameless heater bag. No waiting around for meals to rehydrate, no juggling pots in the galley.
• Lightweight and Packable – Space is always at a premium on racing yachts. Pouches fit neatly into crew bags and dry lockers.
• Built for Endurance – With a three-year shelf life and high-quality ingredients, they’re designed for extended adventures.
• Variety That Matters – From Slow Cooked Steak & Mash to Coconut Ginger Chicken, meals keep crews satisfied without meal fatigue.

And let’s be honest: after a wet, cold night watch in 25 knots, sitting down to a warm serve of Bolognese instead of a soggy sandwich makes a world of difference.

Straight from the Cockpit: Feedback from the Melbourne–Osaka

One Melbourne–Osaka competitor summed up the value of On Track Meals perfectly:

“On Track Meals significantly reduced the workload during provisioning. Knowing that a large portion of the meals was already sorted meant we could focus our energy on other planning tasks. It simplified the shopping, packing, and storage process, and gave us confidence that we’d have reliable, nutritious meals ready to go.”

When asked about resource use on board, they added:

“While On Track Meals were comparable to other pre-packed hot meals in terms of cooking time and resource use, the simplicity of heating them helped reduce prep and clean-up time. This was especially helpful in conserving water used for washing up after meals. Heat bags were great when we had no gas on board. Flat packaging also made storing waste easy.”

And in terms of flavour and sustenance over a long passage:

“The portion sizes were spot-on and the meals held up well over the duration of the passage. Flavour-wise, the bolognese, chicken curry, and slow-cooked steak were standouts. 

Real-world feedback like this proves that when conditions get tough, On Track Meals delivers not just in convenience, but in taste, nutrition, and practicality.

Supporting Offshore Racing: Sponsoring the Wescoaster

This year, we’re proud to sponsor the Wescoaster, the Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race. Known for its challenging conditions and stunning but unforgiving route down Tasmania’s rugged west coast, the Wescoaster is a true test of seamanship, preparation, and endurance.

It’s exactly the kind of event where reliable, nourishing meals can make a difference. By supporting the race, we’re backing the sailors who push themselves to the limit and making sure they’ve got the fuel to match their ambition.

By Erin Wyatt, Co-founder of On Track Meals