Thanks to all for the suggestions and links. I am learning, and that is half the fun of writing the book. Here are some answers to questions and comments made by others:

I liked Chris’ suggestion of a line-throwing rifle. Never would have thought of it, but I would think that it would be seen as a legitimate piece of nautical gear in any port.

No submarine stuff. Sorry. SCUBA yes!

Wildcard163 had great suggestions! It will have all of the modern toys (I mean gear), but with failsafe backups and redundant backups for critical systems. I have been studying the history of sailing, to see how it was done before modern times.

Thanks to you, I know how to make the garden work. Good for morale, and also extends the stored food.

Yes, the two couples were recruited knowing that they might have to go into “survival mode”, but their normal “cover job” is maritime research of some type. Still have not figured out what type. Any suggestions?

Books will be on board. Both reference and recreational.

Regarding music, I am thinking that one member of the crew should play an instrument of some type. What works well on a boat?

It will have to be a sailboat with motor backup. No nuclear reactor on board, but it will have two RTG’s onboard. Google RTG and you will see why (and that money is no object). I have solved the stored food problem, but never considered a resupply island. I have to think about that more….

I like the catamaran idea. Guns in port are not a problem, as they will be well concealed. Once the SHTF, they head out to the open Pacific, trying to AVOID everyone until things normalize. I will have to research the sonic self-defense device that Chris mentioned. I still think that I need something unconventional (or disguised) but effective to repel pirates. Any additional out of the box thinking?