Question re: prep w/ Boats, harbor & TSHF
 

I'm currently on the west coast, and if a sudden "boom" type event - (non-tsunami) like power grid failure, emp bomb, etc - were to happen, how viable do you all think it would be to lay low on a friend's houseboat/sailboat??? i.e. just set sail and cruise around the local bays for an indefinite amount of time. that or have a destination in mind, and sail there.

this is a 'bug-out' scenario - like for when the roads might be too packed to even consider.

what kind of law enforcement presence might there be in the harbors, bays, etc?

And by the way, yes, I'm clueless when it comes to seafaring, thank you very much. So I imagine that besides the drinking water already stored, you'd want a raincatcher/filter and something to turn saltwater into drinking water (is there such a thing?... sorry - i've done the office/urban thing for way too long) Anything in particular anyone can recommend?

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Re: Question re: prep w/ Boats, harbor & TSHF
 

I don't know jack about boating either......but I CAN tell you the time to 'work out the bugs' in a plan IS NOT after you need to put the plan in place.

Because that isn't a plan, it's a daydream.

THIS is exactly what I've preached for years now to these folks that buy a little hunk of ground and maybe a shack on it and think they are gonna run for their "bugout" place if the SHTF.

99% of 'em are gonna starve to death or end up shot by a local when they finally come off their bugout place in desperation.

You plan to bugout somewhere, you better make the move today, and hope you have enough time before whatever you were thinking was going to make you bug goes down to learn how your new place works.....or doesn't work.

But hey.....there's a good chance I don't know jack about this either......ahahahahahaaaaa

Re: Question re: prep w/ Boats, harbor & TSHF
 

Heh, I know a lot about boats and living on them.

Law enforcement presence on any given body of water is in porportion to the size of the human settlement on the shores of that body of water and the political disposition of the community that supports the law enforcement goon squad. The Coast Guard can board your vessel pretty much whenever they want. Avoidance is the key here, the ocean is a big and full of lots of places to run to. Stay out from under foot and chances are you won't be hasseled. I can go back into the 10,000 Islands and never be seen again if I so desire. There is probably something similar where you are if you look.

It is a breeze to extract fresh water out of salt water, desalinators work and can produce large ammounts of water relatively quickly but I prefer distilling seawater because it is very simple and sustainable in the field. Saltwater itself is perfectly fine for most cleaning tasks and were rust is a concern you can often use saltwater to remove the bulk of the grunge and then use a smaller ammount of fresh to wash off the salt. Wind, solar and water power generation all work great on boats. As long as your batteries are good its easy to have electricity.

Most of the troglodytes can barely swim, fewer still have the means or seamanship to go the places a good sailor can so you score big points for avoidance. There are such things as pirates in real life though so it isn't without danger. The viability of such an endeavor is entirely relative to the quality of your setup, your abilities and what you're willing to put up with. I have no trouble living out of 'glades skiff for months on end, but I am willing to make do with a lot less than most people. As Andy said, this is something you want to have sorted out long before you ever have to do it under pressure.

Re: Question re: prep w/ Boats, harbor & TSHF
 

Howdy all - This is great info. Thank you very much.

:thumbs up I really do feel like I need to hear this over and over again so I can get it through my thick skull.

What's funny is, part of me just really really simply wants to get back to nature -- an urge which is INDEPENDENT of any TSHF scenario. City life has some sort of momentum on me that is just now beginning to slow down -- er, I'm no physicist but maybe you know what I mean. On second thought, I'd bet money that you know what I mean!

Cheers.....

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Re: Question re: prep w/ Boats, harbor & TSHF
 

Or a really cool movie....

:D

Re: Question re: prep w/ Boats, harbor & TSHF
 

If your going boating get a crew.

I imagine you could take pirate trips to the land every so often for your supplies.

Re: Question re: prep w/ Boats, harbor & TSHF
 

how far is the coast guard's jurisdiction? 6 miles?

Re: Question re: prep w/ Boats, harbor & TSHF
 

territorial waters are 12 miles. But if they want something you have and are at 15 they will come and get you.

Go, prove that you are not an elephant.