Part of the community I served has a neighborhood where folks have their boats parked on private docks behind their homes. I got called to one of those homes on a Thanksgiving weekend during a windstorm and a widespread power outage. After dealing with the issue, we made small talk about how nice it was to have their trawler parked behind their house. We also talked about how the power outage was affecting their Thanksgiving dinner plans. They couldn't cook their meal. I asked why they just didn't go cook it on their boat. DOH! I was nearly blinded by the light bulb going off in their head.
Is our boat a bug-out boat? Our boat and home are stocked with items and supplies at minimal expense that will make life more comfortable for an extended period of time if the power and water are out.
It is surprising that many of the "prepers" and "survivalist" have not consider a sailboat as a very adequate survival tool "bug out". To be really self sustained, you have to be energy independent as well as to have the ability to make water. Solar and wind are the answers. By the way, if you are considering a typical marine water maker, think again. There are some excellent "atmospheric" water makers on the market that you can convert to solar. All you need is the space and 45% humidity, which as long as you do not intend to cruise the Sahara, is easy to have and a connection to your solar/wind power. A 10 gallons a day water maker will cost you about $850.00. Don't forget your fishing gear, a good compass and learn to use a sextant. Be friendly to the natives, bring American cigarettes as they are the best currency.
By the way, if you are considering a typical marine water maker, think again. There are some excellent "atmospheric" water makers on the market that you can convert to solar. All you need is the space and 45% humidity, which as long as you do not intend to cruise the Sahara, is easy to have and a connection to your solar/wind power. A 10 gallons a day water maker will cost you about $850.00.
Got a link to more info on that? Sounds intriguing to say the least!
I too am interested in this atmospheric water maker, if you have a link. I'm not familiar with a dehumidifier that doesn't require a ton of energy.
I would love if this were a viable option. No membranes to deal with, no high pressure pumps, no through hulls. I googled "the most energy efficient dehumidifier" and came up with this:
From the above link: "Using an unprecedented 4.9 amps of energy (or 4.16 liters per kilowatt hour), the Santa Fe Impact exceeds Energy Star standards by fifty percent."
1,000W / 13V == 77Ahrs in one kilowatt.
77Ah / 4.16 = 18.5Ah consumed to produce 1 liter of water.
Hopefully the "atmospheric generators" are more efficient than that!
Everyone once in a while every country has a little internal turmoil. I simply prefer to have the option to easily go visit another country during that time frame.
If I lived in any medium or large city, any sized city I guess, I would have the boat stocked so it could be used as a bug out boat. Everyone knows that for whatever reason if supplies were cut off for only three days there would be panic, looting, etc and it might be safest to get the hell out for awhile. Seems only prudent to have some supplies stockpiled in the house and the boat, why not cover the bases? Long term is a different story, and depending on the cause a boat may or may not make sense as they are very dependent on key parts to make things work, and they're really difficult to plant a garden on:-))
I have a pretty good garden on the bottom of my boat.
Goosneck Barnacles "Tapas Style" with Gordon Ramsay Just remember to stock the boat with sherry, cream and a scraper and you should be golden.l (Btw, notice how much cream he puts in when he says "a couple tablespoons") Yum....
As for gardening aboard, or living loooong term aboard, there was a book on the subject. "Sailing the Farm". I found it online once and might try and find it again for a link. They had some really good drawings for home made solar-stills...
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(Btw, notice how much cream he puts in when he says "a couple tablespoons") Yum....
