In my spare time, I am writing a science fiction novel. Mostly I write it for recreation, so I have no idea if it will ever be finished or published. But maybe some of you can help me with some ideas? One of the sub-plots revolves around two couples on a custom-designed boat. The boat was designed to provide everything that the two couples would need for one year at sea, without any contact with anyone else. I know very little about boats, so here are some questions:

What type of boat? How big? How should it be equipped (to survive)? What skills should the crew of four have? How can their skills/supplies compliment one another? How can this boat/crew defend itself against those that might want to board her/take her supplies without looking out of place?

I prefer to place more emphasis on the science, and less on the fiction.

Ideas, links, opinions are all welcome. BTW, the boat is financed by a very wealthy and eccentric man (think of Howard Hughes as a survivalist), but he is not on the boat. So, money is no object.

Thanks for your help.

A famed explorer- solo sailor defeated a boarding party of pirate- natives by pouring TACKS on his deck and retiring below. The recent assault on a liner was repelled by a sonic device. You will want a saltwater desalinization unit, solar panels for power, auxillary sailpower and a hull design capable of withstanding just about everything. I had the honour of being coxswain on the last SAR of the classic, 36' double ender MLB with heavy bronze keel. Design a double ender. Think Viking dragonship with the sonic devise in it's snarling mouth. If you must have firearms, ignore Tommy Lee Jones and his Glock fetish. Get a Martini action line throwing/Harpoon rifle as used in JAWS and air cannons as used by the RN in WW2 convoy duty. I scared a pot runner into surrender putting a bronze linethrowing wieght into his flying bridge. People will read all this arcane stuff and not believe it. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Oh, please dress your characters in real nautical gear. Think 20,000 leagues under the sea instead of Bannana Republic. If they cross the equator or dateline don't forget a modern ceremony complete with Bob Marley and a religous experience with Saint Elmo's fire.

The Spy Who Loved Me - 007 movie great sub and underwater stuff...

clive cussler novels...

Let's see...
Type of boat, definitely a motorsailer (sailing cruiser with a good sized diesel inboard motor), minimum of 40 ft, otherwise they'll drive each other crazy. Large center cockpit with all rigging led to the cockpit. Full navigation station including GPS, long and short range radar, shortwave and VHF radios, along with personal handhelds for all the crew, Web access would be nice, but it's expensive to begin with, and also by the minute (you said money was no objuct). Electric desalinator backed up by hand pumped model. Fully stocked galley, to include separate refrigerator and freezer, double sink, range, oven, and microwave. Two plumbed heads, to include shower, marine toilet, and sink, with backup porta potty. Fore and aft sleeping berths with extra pull out accomodations in the main saloon. Various provisions, to include canned and dry goods, fresh fruit and vegetables (to begin with), and the fridge and freezer full of meat. After the fresh food runs out, you'll want fishing gear to catch fresh seafood... besides traditional fishing gear (poles, reels, hooks,etc.), you should have a couple of fish spears, cast nets, gill nets, and snorkeling/scuba gear. In the Captain's quarters, there should be an arms locker, to include sidearms for all, at least two pump shotguns, at least one semi-auto rifle, and a high caliber bolt action rifle with a scope, and don't forget the night-vision on all the long arms, most piracy occurs at night. There should be a tender/dinghy that will comfortably hold all persons on board, and at least one backup 6 man life raft on board, preferably two. The vessel should be equipped with fore and aft thrusters, and all automatic ground tackle (the anchors). ALL the crew should be competant in the rigging and piloting of the boat. At least two of them should have navigational skills, and the other two should be willing/trying to learn. All crew should be familiar with all tools on board, including the arms. It would help if at least two of the crew were bi/multi-lingual... assuming English is their first language, Spanish, French, Portuguese would be the most use, unless your boat's in the Pacific, then you're outside my realm of knowledge, but I'd guess Spanish and French would be pretty handy there too. Somebody should know which fish are safe to eat, and when... yes, the time of year makes a difference. There should be an armed watch (unless local laws expressly forbid it, in which case, move on) unless the boat's in a secure area, highly populated by other cruising boats (pirates hate witnesses). Oh, and as an afterthought, all around sonar would be good for avoiding reefs, whales, and wayward shipping containers. I didn't realise that this would run on so long, but you're asking about my retirement plans, though I haven't found a super rich benefactor yet. Got any suggestions??? <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
If I can give you any more suggestions, feel free to ask.

Troy

I really like your suggestion on boat design Chris, could a prior Coastie critique my post on the subject???

Troy

I'd consider all that electronic junk backups to a fine Weems and Plath Sextant, chronometer and a good set of charts along with Bowditch's Practical Navigator. After a year who knows what could happen to our technological umbellical cord. I'd include a small hydroponic garden or just some soil baskets for fresh vegetables. Spend some time at sea or in reduced light and all you want is something GREEN and FRESH. The souls needs nourishing too. I'd add some classical, jazz and The Beach Boys Greatest Hits and the classics of literature. I was helmsman on a cutter in a miserable storm. Most of the crew were sick in their bunks except the old man, the senior chief machinists mate and yours truly. The chief comes to the bridge to find the skipper and me singing The Ballad of the Sloop John B. and joined in on the chorus "this is the worst trip, I've ever been on." Common cultural bonds help on a long voyage too.

Great stuff. Please keep it coming.

A small hydroponic garden? Wouldn't that splash out with the movement of a boat? I assume a soil basket could hang, thereby swinging harmlessly with the movement of the ship?

And yes, low-tech backups will be required, as most of the high-tech stuff goes away in the main story line. Those that do not know the way things used to work will have major problems.

Of course you need all the best safety equipment both on ship and personal EDK , you never know when you will be knocked into the water or capsized. A (fictional) year at sea and you will probably see some weather!

With a crew of four you want this craft to be sailed singlehandedly if needed. People sleep and you can't always just drop anchor.

Here is a link you may find interesting BoatDesignNet
they have detailed discussions(read as "out of my league") on hull design , fuel consumption for various designs, etc.

A year without contact, means either a sailboat, nuclear power, or a pre-positioned fuel&supply Island.

In addition to the solar panels that Chris mentioned, I would add solar thermal panels for hot water. And if you do a search on Air-X wind generators , those are also being used on boats to generate electricity.

I assume you've packed some nice dehydrated foods, besides the mainstay bars. You will probably want to fish , will it be hook and line or a net/trap of some sort?

You might want to consider a composting head, as I recall the chemical ones needed pumping more frequently than yearly.
CompostingToiletWorld

The gardener in me says you need a mini-greenhouse just for the cherry tomatoes and chives! 8^)

For just "coolness factor" here you go..(from the boatdesign.net gallery)


Sorry for rambling
Lee

Hydroponics are often in a medium like perlite, not just water
GrowingMedium

MotherEarthNews
note the use of fish emulsion, and seaweed as fertilizer.

and yes it could be gimbaled to keep it upright!

Does the crew know it will be "at sea" for a year when they depart?

You mentioned that all the electronics fail, is this an EMP / EOTWAWKI type scenario ?

If money was no object then perhaps you have had some custom air guns made by Mr Barnes.
GLBarnes
these are not your typical pop guns!


Lee

Lee123, thanks for all of the info. The links are great! No EMP, but (without giving all of the plot away), it would not take much to disrupt our technology. If half of America did not come to work for a week, life here would be very bad. Imagine the panic at the local market? Think about the hype from the local news, fueling the panic. So, with all of this happening on land, it would be nice to be in the middle of the Pacific Ocean....