tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3580987459140037495.post4012173635990264483..comments2024-03-18T10:29:20.125-08:00Comments on TriloBoat Talk: Bootstrap Economics: Reaching for Escape VelocityDave Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13241033623115158564noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3580987459140037495.post-61103825611060297442015-07-02T22:41:14.880-08:002015-07-02T22:41:14.880-08:00Hi Peter,
It's true, the times they are a'...Hi Peter,<br /><br />It's true, the times they are a'changing, and not often for the better. I most miss the small communities of water rats who once abounded and helped shelter and pass know-how on to those of us starting out.<br /><br />Down south, it's a buyer's market for boats, but, as you say, those starting out must run a gauntlet of civilization to reach the far stretches. But hook and crook take one a long way on the low roads... there are still a thousand cracks in the system.<br /><br />For beginners, I advise digesting older cruising / sailing books and getting some sailing experience up front (PDRacers, public programs, Coast Guard boat handling classes, etc.). The escape trip can be plotted in easy learning steps (beware of leaping boldly into the vasty unknown!), gaining experience and savvy as they go.<br /><br />As to not going at all, I suppose it's an option. But hard times are creeping upon us... starting today from scratch, I'd still give it a go!<br /><br />Dave Z<br /><br />PS. One challange for us AK citizens wishing to build or buy outside is that, if it takes longer than 90 days out of state, it can cost one or more PFD checks per head, right off the top. It's one of the factors that keeps us building in state.Dave Zhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13241033623115158564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3580987459140037495.post-33895773805070095732015-06-29T17:19:10.196-08:002015-06-29T17:19:10.196-08:00Progeny entire, is a stumper. That's another i...Progeny entire, is a stumper. That's another important detail.Peterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09074125801234414010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3580987459140037495.post-51650643213787535742015-06-29T17:15:20.801-08:002015-06-29T17:15:20.801-08:00This is an interesting, and in many ways, I think,...This is an interesting, and in many ways, I think, a practical response to the question of "how." There's a thing, though, about living in some of those remote places you point to as ideal. Everything is very Far Away. Specifically, that would include used Sailboats that can be had for a song. Looking around Alaska, these seem to be far less common or inexpensive than outside. So, a couple or small family would have to work out 1) how to get down there to buy the boat (travel costs, etc.) and 2) work out a way to get the boat up here to the good waters. If they are already accomplished sailors, that may be less of a problem... IF the boat they buy doesn't call for a fair amount of overhaul before making the voyage.<br /><br />I think that your main point is apt: Dedication to the goal is what matters. Still, it isn't easy. I can tell you that even as we press on, our experience with Kairos (work upon which is happily going forward) suggests that the initial hill, however one handles it, is steep. It's probably too steep for many folks "locked in" somewhere by circumstances much different than even 15 years ago, let alone the 30 years back when you and Anke broke free. I know in my own experience, many options were then much easier to pick up on than presently. A 30-year-long social program of moving wealth steadily upward is having its effects.<br /><br />That's not to say to set the intent and work upon it, though.<br /><br />And THAT'S not to say that some overhead simply cannot be avoided.Peterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09074125801234414010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3580987459140037495.post-89987210238581778442015-06-21T08:35:39.130-08:002015-06-21T08:35:39.130-08:00Hi Yuri,
That's my favorite part of it all......Hi Yuri,<br /><br />That's my favorite part of it all... Not only is life aboard inexpensive (at least along the low road), but it's SUCH a fine way to live!<br /><br />We can have our boat and float it, too. <br /><br />Dave ZDave Zhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13241033623115158564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3580987459140037495.post-71490977395879144612015-06-20T22:02:00.153-08:002015-06-20T22:02:00.153-08:00Posted on behalf of YURI VEGA:
"Prime brain ...Posted on behalf of YURI VEGA:<br /><br />"Prime brain fodder for the younger set who are waking from societal indoctrination to be wage-debt slaves. And good to point them at the Comet Camper and Volkscruiser sites for some nuts and bolts. Seems we're finally approaching a true collapse terminus to the bailing wire fix the powers that were have been foisting on us since the 2008 near meltdown ( a mathematical certainty as to “what” but very close now to “when”) and I wonder if there is time to pull off any kind of involved build-from-scratch boat project.<br /><br />Last months trip to Florida I saw quite a few fixer uppers that are, indeed, available and some for just a few thousand bucks. As the economy gets worse we'll probably see current boat prices plummet even further. Even Florida still has some backwaters one could pull off a floating renovation (Fatty Goodlanders wonderful book “ How to inexpensively and safely buy, outfit, and sail a small vessel around the world” details ways he pulled this stunt off a few times in his youth).<br /><br />Cutting costs radically by living aboard has worked for us in three different liveaboards (so far!!). And, yes, with more free time than a lot of working folks will ever hope to garner in their short lives. To say little for the just plain old pleasant way to live. Or being systems independent.<br /><br />Here's to the hope the younger generations might really harken to this excellent post. It would be nice to see something like this go viral instead of the latest news of King Obama's shredded morality and other such braindead ridiculousness. Lots of room out on the wide global waters for more sea gypsy tribe members."Dave Zhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13241033623115158564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3580987459140037495.post-8584125154487179002015-06-18T23:27:40.073-08:002015-06-18T23:27:40.073-08:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07353025442461579724noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3580987459140037495.post-59933313293991815562015-06-18T09:21:52.838-08:002015-06-18T09:21:52.838-08:00Hi Brad,
Thanks for the tip... I'm hooked at...Hi Brad, <br /><br />Thanks for the tip... I'm hooked at first glance!<br /><br />Dave ZDave Zhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13241033623115158564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3580987459140037495.post-33071315771600559032015-06-17T19:43:38.362-08:002015-06-17T19:43:38.362-08:00There is some lateral thinking and ideas on this w...There is some lateral thinking and ideas on this website to help get the financials sorted out.<br />http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/<br />Bradhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18353845667585163588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3580987459140037495.post-42152043270777852122015-06-17T09:28:16.198-08:002015-06-17T09:28:16.198-08:00Here's an engaging article on spending conscio...Here's an engaging article on spending consciously toward building a 'nest egg' prior to making a lifestyle transition:<br /><br />http://www.cometcamper.com/blog/bespin-tiny-houseDave Zhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13241033623115158564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3580987459140037495.post-42221349310383296852015-06-17T09:23:18.594-08:002015-06-17T09:23:18.594-08:00Hi Sixbears,
Ooo. Proximity to progeny is stumper...Hi Sixbears,<br /><br />Ooo. Proximity to progeny is stumper!<br /><br />I suppose one could make a sort of Waterworld (like Disneyword rather than the apocalyptic kind... hmm... editing out the cheap shot, here); I mean to say the kind of fun-for-all that attracts the tykes to come to YOU?<br /><br />Glad to hear that you've got the pleasure of both worlds in hand and within your means! And I very much like your fallback position. <br /><br />May you never be FORCED to use it!<br /><br />Dave ZDave Zhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13241033623115158564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3580987459140037495.post-91945670390801175642015-06-16T16:41:28.457-08:002015-06-16T16:41:28.457-08:00So here I am, stuck in the middle of both worlds. ...So here I am, stuck in the middle of both worlds. Part of the year we live the boat life and part of the year we are in a house. What a huge drain of energy, time and money. One day I'm fixing a wiring problem on the boat, the next I'm spending the afternoon under the kitchen sink playing plumber. <br /><br />Why the divided life? Kids and grandkids. Little kids grow too fast. That's why my lovely wife has a 6 months limit for us to be away from them. Phone calls and Skype only carry you so far. <br /><br />So here's my evil (clever?) plan. All the stuff for my water life is paid for. Land life is the part with payments. Should our income situation fall apart, it would be easy to jingle mail the house keys to the bank and move onto the boat. No, it's not the perfect boat, but it's good enough to get us out there. <br /><br />Don't get me wrong. My land life is pretty good. We'll do both as long as it makes sense. Our house is one of those off the grid places with solar, a well, wood heat, and all that so day to day expenses are reasonable. It's the sudden expenses like a new well pump that bust the budget. <br /><br />Anyway. Looking forward to your boat launch. All the best!Sixbearshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15572224383041421400noreply@blogger.com