Ship and Equipment for Extended Survival

[sgunes]

Originally Posted by Capt Phil

When the whole shebang goes down the drain, it will matter not where you are as long as you have your loved ones around. One of the great doomsday movies ever made was 'On The Beach' back in the sixties. The times were more civilized having had a couple of World Wars still in the memories of many. They managed to sort out things peacefully awaiting the end down under. Today, with most folks living in large cities, those values seem to have disappeared in the US, at least. People living under survival conditions presently will probably survive somehow but many of us used to the creature comforts of today won't be able to cope and will try and take from those who have. Conditions won't be much better afloat, I fear, but good luck! Capt Phil

I remember reading the book in high school. I liked it.
I think the reality will be more like New Orleans than Australia/New Zealand.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Hillbillylad

I think there is a difference between being safety conscious and being paranoid.
I believe, in the event of an Armageddon scenario, the people that will survive will be those that can manage on very little and are resourceful. Those with a boat load of goodies will be prime targets and how many of those goodies will be serviceable come the time you need them?
I totally understand the need to get out of this rat race and the constant loss of freedoms, but I see it as a means to enjoying life in the now, stress free, rather than hiding from the desperate hordes tomorrow.
When I eventually get my own boat and reach more tropical climes, I will ensure I have booze and a hammock and the world can do what the hell it likes cos I surely wont give a stuff.

Now THATS what I call a Cruiser...
ISLAND TIME..............

[sgunes]

Originally Posted by SvenG

It seems like this thread is drifting pretty far from cruising.

Maybe we should concentrate more on the vessel itself and how to use it ?

-Sven

I agree. I have not seen a single comment regarding the actual sailing cat of choice, pros and cons regarding size, model, reliability ...

For 2 adults it seems that the 38-50 footers would be a good compromise between maneuverability, space and cost.

My goal is not to flush out Somali pirates but to see as many of the islands featured in the "501 Must-Visit Islands" by BountyBooks. The guns and safety gear are secondary to the actual sailing and enjoyment.

[boatman61]

Ok.... Tiki 38 to 40+.... why... simplicity of maintainance, repair and equipping...
More than I can say for a flash 'Plastic Fantastic'....
Everything is low tech and accessable... beams fix simply... mast low stress... sails easy to knock up... what more dya want..
Try doing the same with an FP etc...

[sgunes]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Ok.... Tiki 38 to 40+.... why... simplicity of maintainance, repair and equipping...
More than I can say for a flash 'Plastic Fantastic'....
Everything is low tech and accessable... beams fix simply... mast low stress... sails easy to knock up... what more dya want..
Try doing the same with an FP etc...

That's a suggestion to follow the KISS principle.

I was thinking more about a Gemini 105MC on the small side and the 44-45 footers from Antares, Lagoon and Fountaine-Pajot on the larger side.

[boatman61]

Well you did say extended survival...
rope, canvas and wood is easily available world wide...
specialist epoxies etc are much less so... as for mast failures...
a Tiki's enevelope mainsail will fit a simple pole no sweat... can you say the same for a FP

Or did you mean comfortable retirement...

[goboatingnow]

wow, checking diary , is it 1st April already!

Dave

[boatman61]

Good one.... Subtle..

[sgunes]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Well you did say extended survival...
rope, canvas and wood is easily available world wide...
specialist epoxies etc are much less so... as for mast failures...
a Tiki's enevelope mainsail will fit a simple pole no sweat... can you say the same for a FP

Or did you mean comfortable retirement...

How about both: comfortable and reliable with plenty of redundant systems for extended sustainability?
To use an automobile analogy: there are more options out there than a Yugo versus a bicycle.

[mjwarner]

I think that in a tits-up situation, a barterable set of skills would be the most valuable possession one could carry' An island with needs that you can meet, or problems you can resolve will be more apt to let you land and obtain fresh supplies. Just MHO.

[osirissail]

I get the feeling that the OP is either trolling for another doomsday thread or awfully naive about cruising. There is an extended thread on CF about using a sailboat to survive a "collapse" of western civilization that discussed all of that subject and more. Short of an "extinction event" - e.g. what took out the dinosaurs - using a cruising boat to "escape" is neither practical or viable unless you are a "frontiersman" type person trained to live off the land and seas. Hollywood's version of armageddan is neither realistic or plausible but makes a great movie theme for people who have not traveled the real world.
- - But more to the point, there are more "good" places to cruise to than there are bad places. You can use up a lifetime visiting them and you do not need an arsenal to get there. Simple common sense security practices while sailing/anchoring/mooring will greatly reduce any "bad experiences" just like living in a "good neighborhood" and having locks on your doors does on land.
- - So I suggest trashing all those "end of the world" concerns and concentrate on finding a suitable boat to live comfortably while exploring the nice places of the world. Thousands of cruising couples and singles are all ready currently doing exactly that with great success and enjoyment.
- - There are, of course, quite a few cruisers who think living on a cruising boat is akin to living in the "garden of Eden" and simple security precautions should not be necessary. They are probably on the opposite pole from those that think they need overwhelming firepower. Reality is that most of cruising fits neatly halfway in between the two poles.
- - Catamarans make wonderful traveling homes for somebody who is not restricted by having to do the "minimalist budget" thing that is described in another good CF thread. There are numerous discussions about what this brand cat offers versus that brand cat but most of all you need to visit boatshows and see for yourself what brand is attractive to you and your shipmate(s). Then within the parameters of cats that are "live-able" to your tastes you can research the ones with the best performance and reliability records.

[kenny chaos]

STOP IT! YOU GUYS ARE KILLING ME!

This makes the joke thread look like a funeral.

"Let's stay on topic and discuss the boat."

REALLY?

AHAHAhahahahahahahahah
AAAHHHAHAhahahahahaha

Here's my advice;
Make sure every third round is a tracer.
AHAHAHAhahahahahaha

God I love you guys.

[sgunes]

Could you please point me to the thread on CF regarding surviving the "Collapse" [I have great respect for Jared Diamond].

I checked the tagcloud and could not find it.

Thanks.

[hummingway]

This thread seems to be making a course for the rocks, and is therefore closed.