Made by Yachties, for the Yachting Community: The Story Behind MiddleMan and the Provisioning Pains That Inspired It
- Amy Cuninghame
- May 24
- 2 min read
If you’ve ever tried to provision a yacht in a foreign port with spotty Wi-Fi, a tight turnaround, and three different WhatsApp threads open just to confirm a crate of tomatoes… we get it. We’ve lived it. MiddleMan was born out of the chaos, confusion, and sheer why-is-this-so-hard moments that come with provisioning on the go.
MiddleMan was created by two yachties - one a chef, the other a stewardess. After provisioning across the Med, we kept seeing the same issues crop up again and again: missed orders, last-minute substitutions, no central communication, and endless back-and-forth just to get basics delivered.
More often than not, we were juggling language barriers, uncertain quality, and zero transparency - all while the clock was ticking before the next guest trip. There had to be a better way.
We weren't the only ones feeling the pressure. Provisioning is the backbone of any charter - but the process has long been stuck in the past. Yacht buyers (chefs, captains, crew) are forced to rely on emails, social media DMs, outdated spreadsheets, and suppliers they may never have worked with before.
On the other side, suppliers (many of whom are small, local businesses) struggle to manage demand, communicate with crews, and showcase what they actually offer. Miscommunication leads to missed business. And missed business leads to frustration on both sides.
MiddleMan is the app we wish we had. It’s a simple, free-to-use platform that connects yacht buyers and suppliers in real time. Whether you're provisioning for a 10-day charter in the Bodrum or restocking between guests in Rhodes, you can now:
Chat directly with suppliers
Upload provisioning lists or photos
Browse supplier ratings and reviews
Get all your order details in one place
Pay a flat €5 fee per person, per order - no hidden costs
We're not trying to replace personal relationships - we’re here to streamline them, support local suppliers, and simplify a job that’s way harder than it needs to be.
We know the panic of last-minute provisioning. The stress of wondering whether your beef tenderloins will actually show up. The pain of receiving wilted herbs five minutes before service. That’s why every feature of MiddleMan is designed with the yachting workflow in mind - fast, mobile-friendly, clear, and flexible.
We’ve tested the app ourselves in real ports, with real suppliers, on real schedules - and we’re continuously improving based on user feedback.
MiddleMan is more than an app. It’s a tool built by crew, for crew - and for the suppliers who keep us running. We’re passionate about making provisioning smoother, fairer, and more connected, no matter where your next trip takes you.
So whether you're prepping for a busy summer season or just looking to simplify your next order, we invite you to give MiddleMan a go. We’re here to take the provisioning pain out of your provisioning game - and we’re just getting started.
Download the app today, or reach out to chat - we’d love to hear your provisioning horror stories too!
