Chapter 1: Boat Specifications

First principles first. Food, water, and shelter. Find a boat. A sailboat. What kind? Well, that is a question requiring serious analytical thought. The specifications naturally fall into many categories.

Absolutely essential. Advantageous. Nice to have. Wanted but indefensible and non-essential beyond merely desired.

Probably other major categories and certainly subcategorizing in each realm. The list will hopefully organize as it develops.

Absolutely essential requirements.

Floats obviously is a priority. How much water should it float in? Shallow draft would be advantageous, but is it absolutely essential? That depends on proposed use and expected locations. A nomadic lifestyle has already been decided and a given. More mobility is better for a nomad. Trailer-able provides greater mobility and faster transport that having to sail everywhere. It also includes the ability to use landlocked waters not reachable by sailing to those locations. Eventually, after society collapses, sailing will be the only alternative remaining, but it isn’t a limitation in the beginning. No need to deprive myself of the benefits of commerce until it actually fails. Trailer-able is essential then, and shallow draft is inclusive in that decision. Ability to load and launch at boat ramps in shallow water is not merely nice, it’s necessary. Trailer-able is top of the list.

Load carrying capacity? How much gear do I need to carry around with me? Some bulky or heavy and occasionally, seldom used items can be cached onshore. So, what is absolutely essential to have on board? Always? Food and water. Weapons of defense and for hunting. Bedding and clothing. Medicines and medical equipment. Tools, spare parts, and means of repairing the boat if it becomes damaged. Also, pumps, fire fighting equipment, and lifesaving equipment in case of sinking or destruction by fire. Some source of electrical power, at least for lights, phone and computer. Those electronics aren’t essential? Try going a week without them! Solar panels, wind generators, batteries or other power storage devices. That can also be a generator and liquid fuel. Or a steam generator using solid fuel or other heat sources. Heat from the sun, geothermal, or even nuclear, though the later is extremely cost prohibitive.

Conundrum.

Shallow draft and trailer-able but with a large load bearing capacity is a conflict of design. Don’t forget the craft needs to be sail powered, which eliminates using a large raft or barge. What is the possible solution?