Living on boats in the future...I

Kentucky Fried Panda · Post by **Kentucky Fried Panda** » 22 Jan 2010, 19:08

Thanks Tangata, excellent post and some top links for me to bookmark.

Learning to sail is one of those things I have to do, so I'll probably do a RYA course soon as I can.

Tangata · Post by **Tangata** » 23 Jan 2010, 08:28

Haggis, if you're starting from scratch - do an RYA dinghy course first (I didn't and regret it now, it'll make you a much better sailor) then either do 'Competent Crew', or if you've read a couple of books and are familiar with names for the various ropes and bits of the boat, go straight on to Day Skipper.

I think you're spot on with your earlier points re catamarans. The living space is amazing compared to a monohull. And of course you can put your cup of tea / beer whatever down and it's still there two minutes later

stumuzz · Post by **stumuzz** » 23 Jan 2010, 10:57

Tangata wrote: I'm not sure where you get the 3 mile rule from?? I'm pretty certain most of the old sea-dogs who are my neighbours have never done any RYA sailing certs and they all go further than 3 miles from shore! I do have a Day Skipper certificate - it involves a 5 day course costing about £400, but I did this for my own peace of mind, in the UK certification is entirely voluntary.

Morning shipmate

The 3 mile rule applies to passage plans http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passage_planning which are mandated by IMO. IMO are enforced by the coastguard in the UK.

It sounds you are are enjoying your boating but I’m not convinced that a living can be made on a sailing yacht/catamaran in a post PO scenario. Although I,m more than willing to embrace new ideas. Anytime at sea is wholly dependent on land based preps. Heating and cooking will generally be bottled gas, food will be shore obtained, fish will become so monotonous if you do not have garlic, butter,wine, olive oil.

There are two scenarios that most on this forum are planning for; fast crash or slow crash.

In a fast crash the yacht moored many miles away will be nicked, raided for scrap (wood metal food) A decision will need to be made where you are going to protect your family and stuff, your home or your boat. In a fast crash will transport still be effective? The things that will be so useful in a fast crash will not fit on a small yacht. If the shore infrastructure is not functioning then sailing will not be practicable. There are hundreds of other reasons why a small yacht will not be much use in a fast crash, but you get the gist.

In a slow crash scenario, transport, food and fuel will get relatively much more expensive. In addition incomes will be harder to come by or just will not go as far. The ability to produce or trade in fuel, food or transport will be a distinct advantage. Having a smallish dayboat and using the power of tides, the boat will be able to drift out 6-10 miles fishing and potting all the way and the tides will bring you back to where you started. The catch will be easily traded for the little luxuries of life.

However, I’m always open to new ideas when it comes to the water, I live half a mile away!

The RYA courses are a bit of a rip off. I have done level 1 and 2 powerboat £50. Day skipper £50 and yachtmaster £50. The day skipper and yachtmaster was taught at the local RNLI/coastguard station by an instructor who has grandfather rights to issue certificates. Apparently the newer instructors have to re qualify at determinate periods, but the old boys can issue the certs until they depart this mortal coil. However, the local old boy does not like the empire grabbing RYA and usurps most of their courses by charging a fraction of what they recommend!

stumuzz · Post by **stumuzz** » 23 Jan 2010, 11:01

Haggis wrote:Thanks Tangata, excellent post and some top links for me to bookmark.

Learning to sail is one of those things I have to do, so I'll probably do a RYA course soon as I can.

Do a bit of local intelligence before you pay for a RYA course. The over the winter courses are better and cheaper than the residential courses, plus your local instructor will probably let you crew a yacht for free. The amount of experience they have is amazing and they are only too happy to pass it on.

Tangata · Post by **Tangata** » 23 Jan 2010, 12:39

stumuzz wrote: There are two scenarios that most on this forum are planning for; fast crash or slow crash.

Me too! And I'm trying to cover both possibilities. In a slow crash scenario (or indeed if I was to be made redundant next week) I would rent out my London house and live on the boat. There is a real sence of community at my moorings and in the local village and as you say, if I had to I could get by fishing.

In a Fast crash situation, I'd want to get the hell out of London asap. Mrs Tangata has detailed instructions of how to get to the boat if I'm not around, by car, bicycle or on foot in necessary - she thinks I'm bonkers, but is happy to humour me

If there were bread riots in the streets of Essex, I'd prefer to take my chances anchored somewhere quiet for a while. If things went really Mad Max, well I think I'd sooner take my chances at sea. Mrs T is from rural Spain, and we'd set sail for there. Her parents grew up under Franco as subsistence farmers and they'd be just fine, assuming of course they'd not been overun by hungry refugees from the cities. Interestingly her Dad doesn't think I'm bonkers...

stumuzz · Post by **stumuzz** » 23 Jan 2010, 15:52

Tangata wrote: Mrs T is from rural Spain, and we'd set sail for there. Her parents grew up under Franco as subsistence farmers.

Thats cheating!!

It may be a good idea to go to Spain every winter anyway for the cheaper heating. All in all a very good plan B.

Tangata · Post by **Tangata** » 23 Jan 2010, 16:24

Spain for the Winter, thats not a bad idea

Grizzly Mouse · Post by **Grizzly Mouse** » 24 Jan 2010, 12:32

Watch out for Pirates!

DominicJ · Post by **DominicJ** » 24 Jan 2010, 15:48

A common rule of thumb currently is that you should expect to pay 10% of the purchase price in maintenance, each year.
Although that probably applies to expensive fibreglass yachts over wooden boats.

Historicaly, ships were very rare, be they deep sea long distance transports or fishing vessels.
Knowing how to sail and net fish might be a useful skill, but it might not.
I personally wouldn't sink my capital into a beaten up sail boat and a fishing rod.

Kentucky Fried Panda · Post by **Kentucky Fried Panda** » 24 Jan 2010, 19:43

Having a boat doesn't mean you'll have to fish. You could be a trader, sail over to France and trade some surplus British goods for some desirable French surplus. In the event of a crash people will still want to move around. The coast line will probably be much safer than the roads and byways of the country's interior.

Pirates? Home cast one ounce lead slugs below the water line deter most

Eternal Sunshine · Post by **Eternal Sunshine** » 27 Jan 2010, 23:55

Maybe it would be an idea to go all biblical and take a few animals on board. A couple of chickens for eggs, a couple of goats for milk....