Space is at a premium on a boat, and moisture is a constant enemy. I've tried a lot of different storage systems, trying to find storage containers that meet all of the following characteristics:
* moisture resistant
* stowable
* long production life
* see-through
* strong / durable
* inexpensive
* rustproof
* lightweight
So far, the best I've found are Cambro Camwear polycarbonate food pans. They're designed to serve and store food in restaurants. The largest size is 20 7/8 x 12 3/4 x 8 and holds 27 quarts. Smaller pans are available as a fraction of the full size (1/9, 1/6, 1/4, 1/3, 1/2) and range from 2.5" - 8" in depth.
There are a lot of accessories, including several styles of lids, backpack carriers, and refrigerated pan carriers. I've tested the translucent seal covers, which are probably adequate for most storage needs. If you need a stronger, airtight lid, there's also the (more expensive) grip lid.
These style of containers are ubiquitous in the restaurant industry, and you can often find them in cash and carry/restaurant supply stores. The food pan sizes are standardized, and Cambro is unlikely to change the design significantly for years, perhaps decades. If you're patient you can often find them used on ebay.
Full size, 8" deep container:
https://www.webstaurantstore.com/cambro-18cw135-camwear-full-size-clear-food-pan-8-deep/21418CWCL.html
Full Size Translucent Seal Cover:
https://www.webstaurantstore.com/cambro-10ppcwsc190-camwear-full-size-translucent-seal-cover/21410SCWH.html
Grip lid:
https://www.webstaurantstore.com/cambro-10cwgl135-camwear-full-size-clear-polycarbonate-griplid/21410CWGLCL.html
* moisture resistant
* stowable
* long production life
* see-through
* strong / durable
* inexpensive
* rustproof
* lightweight
So far, the best I've found are Cambro Camwear polycarbonate food pans. They're designed to serve and store food in restaurants. The largest size is 20 7/8 x 12 3/4 x 8 and holds 27 quarts. Smaller pans are available as a fraction of the full size (1/9, 1/6, 1/4, 1/3, 1/2) and range from 2.5" - 8" in depth.
There are a lot of accessories, including several styles of lids, backpack carriers, and refrigerated pan carriers. I've tested the translucent seal covers, which are probably adequate for most storage needs. If you need a stronger, airtight lid, there's also the (more expensive) grip lid.
These style of containers are ubiquitous in the restaurant industry, and you can often find them in cash and carry/restaurant supply stores. The food pan sizes are standardized, and Cambro is unlikely to change the design significantly for years, perhaps decades. If you're patient you can often find them used on ebay.
Full size, 8" deep container:
https://www.webstaurantstore.com/cambro-18cw135-camwear-full-size-clear-food-pan-8-deep/21418CWCL.html
Full Size Translucent Seal Cover:
https://www.webstaurantstore.com/cambro-10ppcwsc190-camwear-full-size-translucent-seal-cover/21410SCWH.html
Grip lid:
https://www.webstaurantstore.com/cambro-10cwgl135-camwear-full-size-clear-polycarbonate-griplid/21410CWGLCL.html