Has anyone who lives by a big lake or on the ocean considered buggning out by boat? What are the main considerations?

TRO

Oooh. BIG topic. I'll try to add some food for thought:

1. How many people will be on the boat? This will determine size.
2. Where do you plan to go with the boat? If offshore, it needs to be seaworthy enough to handle anything the ocean's going to throw at it.
3. How long do you expect to be out there? Remember that on the ocean there's water water everywhere and not a drop to drink. You'll either have to carry your supply or have a desalinator. And you'll have to stock food for the same time period. Again, affects size.
4. What part of the ocean? North Atlantic? South Pacific? Consider weather patterns and temperatures.
5. How will the boat be powered? Sail? Diesel? Gasoline? Oars? You'd hate to run out of fuel out there in blue water.

For ocean travel you'd need tools and spare parts to be able to repair any damage that may happen. The ocean is an extremely hostile environment. If your car breaks down you can walk. If the boat breaks down ..........

Hmmm. I'm thinking more scooting up or down the coast -- avoid the traffic. We'd likely never be more than a mile offshore.

tro

Stiff offshore breeze? Fog? Illness/confusion? Many things can cause you to go off course. Your boat becomes your entire survival world, and has to have everything you need.

What is your level of boating experience? Being only a mile offshore is a fallacious concept of safety. It's like saying I'll drive 60MPH in the slow lane on the freeway and never become involved in an accident.

Check out the thread; science fiction survival boat, it's about a year or so old, but it's got a lot of good info on a self-supporting blue water cruiser... provided that you've got deep pockets <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Troy

A boat to survive in the ocean or a large lake seems to be a huge under taking just to bug out with. It has to be sea worthy and large enough to transport all you need. Its expensive. But the idea occured to me a while back, when there was a discussion about where to bug out to, have a shallow bottomed river boat. When the time comes to bug out and every one else is heading for the hills and farms, you could head for the swamps. Far fewer people would head for the swamps since they aren't as popular as say a forest for people in the camping or survival mind set. BUT, they are full of life to hunt and fish, water to filter and boil and severely lacking in marauding hordes. A much lighter, cheaper boat could be used, one which you could use to go fishing in normal times. While it wouldn't work for every situation, hurricanes for instance, I think it would make a reasonable alternative to the roads.

I would prefer to think more of Gilligan's Island, rather than just sitting on the water, a mile or so out. Let's see, I'll need a bicycle powered laptop with an encyclopedia to prepare what I need on the island, a satellite radio/transmitter and Mary Ann

No Ginger fans, eh?

mary ann would demand overtime wages for staying with you guys on damp rainy season. She would say " what the hell am I doing with a bunch of blokes in middle no where? <img src="/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />

whatever she wants

Speaking as a member of an island nation, littorial waters are a damn sight more dangerous than blue ocean. A little matter of rocks, shoals, tides, weather and lack of sea room. Every sailors nightmare - No engines, lee shore and the sea is too rough to launch boats. Also, how high above MSL is this island?

I hear ya... I sail on a river, and many's the time I've wished for more room to maneuver.

Troy

The subject was covered somewhat in this: earthquake thread

Big lakes & oceans can be very inhospitable when the weather turns. I would consider bugging out in my boat but range & storage space is very limited. It would have to be modified to accomodate the requirements of bugging out. Inland, a canoe or rowboat (at sea also - I guess- the Atlantic was crossed by rowboat!) Would be a better option if speed is not of the essence. You can travel in very little water, range is unlimited as long as you can paddle (limited/useless if injured) . . .

Hmmm, a lot to think about !

Oh I'm a Ginger Fan! I was one of the fewER who voted for her back in that thread. [color:"black"] [/color] [email]DBAGuy[/email]

If you're going to go with a boat, why not a flying boat <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

The Bahamas and Cuba come to mind.

Hey, -When Cuba ceases to be PHRASECENSOREDPOSTERSHOULDKNOWBETTER., -I'd love to go down there to see and enjoy its Great Countryside, -in any event! But I can't while it still continues as it is, -and while my govt. quite rightly has a travel ban there. Dratts!

Similarly, -it then could be a Good to Great place, -to bug out to.Via boat or aircraft. But *not* before.

And parts of the Bahamas, -are less than 50 miles from the South Florida coast. Canada and Mexico are *not* our only, immeadiately neighboring countries.

Speaking of Cuba, -I think there's a lot to be learned about Bugout Seacraft, -from the many creative Refugee Seacraft that set out, -all these many years. The Great UN-Seawothiness of many such homemade craft, -notwithstanding! And so often done by complete NON-Sailors! But there's still a lot of useful tips here, -that can still be learned!

And in addition to Wind and Weather as someone mentioned, -Don't ever forget about Currents! [color:"black"] [/color] [email]teacher[/email]