Bushcraft ?

[swbirdy64]

Whilst I appreciate no one knows what the future holds and I firmly believe even a little preparation is a good thing, there is one area of this and other forums that seems to be sadly missing.
In a SHTF situation my initial thoughts would be to stay by the coast and employ beachcraft as opposed to bushcraft.
Probably because this is my area of expertise, as in my youth the beach was my haunt and playground.
My goal is to buy an ex trawler and liveabord it having installed all the systems I need IE heating, water purification and power generation.
In this situation then I become both self sufficient and mobile giving me I think the best of both worlds.
Don't mean to rant but this never seems to be discussed as an option would like to hear your thoughts about this.
Regards Steve.

[Straight Shooter]

Welcome Steve, the main reason you do not see beachcraft or rather boatcraft is its beyond most ...you really need to know what you are doing with a boat ...any boat....knowledge of tides , sand bars , and coastline in general ....in short the skill set is much much more on the open sea, you can be just 50 mts from land ( trying to beach your boat in a force four/five) and be rendered helpless ) as i once found out, bushcraft is easy enough to learn and open to people on mass.


Boats are great ....but not for beginners you do not pick things up easy , one mistake may not be shrugged off and put down to experience...it could well be the end of you ...just one mistake.....open sea.... far different to a canal boat or lake . But if that's your plan ...i see nothing wrong in it , especially if you have the skills an experience , lack of experience and understanding of open sea ...even if you stay close to coastal lines in sight of land does not mean you will be safe, so i do not think people of this or other forums are not interested ....more like not understanding in full the lifestyle and dangers of such an existance.

[Skean Dhude]

Hello and welcome.

It may not be talked about much but there are several people here who are looking at living on boats as an option. Go searching the main site as well as this forum for more details.

[swbirdy64]

Straight shooter thanks for your input as it happens I'm quiet skilled with boats and yes it's specialised BUT so is mushroom gathering I personally wouldn't have a clue about that so I guess it's horses for courses.
That being said costal resources are freely accessible with just a little knowledge can be accessed easily but back to my initial point are often overlooked in a SHTF situation

[Straight Shooter]

In a shtf scenario Steve i would imagine a lot of the masses would find good pickings on the shoreline and some beach casting , but a dangerous endeavour if you live inland and you have bugged in , travel to and back would be fraught with sheeple who would want your pickings or catch, but if you live near by ....the same dangers would apply but you would have good local knowledge of the area that would make life easier, but i do agree a great food source to be had and not much effort required.

[Tartar Horde]

(11 April 2016, 08:33)swbirdy64 Wrote: Whilst I appreciate no one knows what the future holds and I firmly believe even a little preparation is a good thing, there is one area of this and other forums that seems to be sadly missing.
In a SHTF situation my initial thoughts would be to stay by the coast and employ beachcraft as opposed to bushcraft.
Probably because this is my area of expertise, as in my youth the beach was my haunt and playground.
My goal is to buy an ex trawler and liveabord it having installed all the systems I need IE heating, water purification and power generation.
In this situation then I become both self sufficient and mobile giving me I think the best of both worlds.
Don't mean to rant but this never seems to be discussed as an option would like to hear your thoughts about this.
Regards Steve.

I think it is a superb idea. Not many people would have the knowledge or finances to run a boat. The coastal waters can supply a good range of food, that with the right nets and pots can feed yourself or family. Having the ability to "up Anchor" is also a great benefit, especially if your local waters have a decline in Fish etc. If any trouble rears its head and weather permitting you can simply move, and still have the ability to find food.

[Lightspeed]

Good idea SWB

Sounds like you know your local area and how to operate at sea.

As an ex seasider myself, I agree that there is an abundance of food to be had from the shoreline in certain places. Having a boat makes those places more accessible.

Items that I think your plan needs to consider are supply of and access to fuel to run the boats motors, and freshwater for you.

If extended bugging out by boat, I guess that a considerable amount of spares parts and anti-fouling equipment would be needed to?

What's your take on this?

[swbirdy64]

Well it's a tough choice between suitable types of vessels for me to be honest a sailing yacht needs no fuel but can't take rougher conditions so Ho Ho hum but whichever is a base and rowing to shore in a tender is always possible but I've got to stress this was ment to be more of existing in a coastal environment rather than how you got there.
I'm new to this forum so forgive me if I'm out of line but would anyone be up to the challange of learning beachcraft I have an educational background and would be willing to share skills and techniques at a practical level.
Hope this could be of use to some of you ?
Ps I might benefit from guidance in some areas especially mushrooms !

[NorthernRaider]

Birdy in your area there is already a member called Scythe 13 who is into bushcraft and he has a few other preppers he interacts with.

[Devonian]

SWB you may find these intetesting:

http://www.thebushcraftshow.co.uk/

http://www.wildernessgathering.co.uk/

As for coastal foraging, you'll find that for those us living in coastal areas, that coastal foraging and fishing etc are very high up in our plans.......