When asked for their personal choice for a bug-out vehicle, many arm-chair warriors will select an armoured vehicle. While those armoured vehicles are awesome to look at, and may make great exploration vehicles, they make terrible bug-out vehicles. And you can not live in them any longer than a few days.
PROS:
They can go off-road and travel anywhere within your countries borders.
If you get to a closed border, you can ATTEMPT to crash through.
They can carry a heavy load of supplies, food and water.
CONS:
They require vast amounts of fuel. No fuel = no moving.
They are highly visible and highly suspect.
You can only travel in your own country. Especially in a SHTF scenario, it's not (legally) going across the border.
If you ever did crash a border or government roadblock, you're easy to find.
They can not replenish your water supply.
You can't provide food/hunt from them (too noisy).
There is no way to live in them (maybe they sleep 2 people, doubt there's a bathroom).
Down-wind is always fun
Sailboats
travel without fuel for unlimited range. Literally GLOBAL range!
can provide you with electricity from solar, wind, and hydro generators.
fresh water from a desalinator and/or rain catcher.
comfortable beds in private cabins (I have 4 king beds in private cabins, plus 8 bunks in two cabins).
full washrooms with hot showers (I have 4).
you can fish while sailing (or while anchored).
can travel to any country without crossing countries in between.
it's possible to arrive in a country without checking in at the border (it is illegal, and I advise against it, but possible).
nondescript. For the most part, one looks just like any other one.
the only way to attack one is from another boat. Nobody is sneaking up on you during the night.
I get where the article's coming from! Armored vehicles do look super cool and can handle rough terrain, but there are definitely some major downsides when you think about a real SHTF scenario. The fuel issue alone is a dealbreaker for me. And yeah, visibility is a huge problem—drawing all that attention in a crisis isn’t ideal.
Sailboats, though? Now that’s a game changer! I love the idea of traveling without being tied down to fuel. Unlimited range and the ability to catch fish sounds like a solid plan for self-sustainability. Plus, those cozy cabins and washrooms make it way more livable than an armored truck.
Just imagine sailing away, using solar power, and not having to worry about borders. It's like freedom on the water! 🌊 I’m all for minimalism, so a well-equipped sailboat seems like a smart bug-out option. Anyone else thinking of adding sailing to their prepper plans?
I really appreciate this breakdown! 🚤 As a prepper and sailor, I’ve always leaned toward boats for bug-out situations. The fuel independence and ability to gather fresh water from a desalinator just can’t be beat. Plus, you can fish for food while on the move—what's better than that?
I get the appeal of armored vehicles for their toughness, but they’re just so limited. Not to mention they scream “look at me!” in a crisis. The thought of being trapped in one without water or food is a nightmare.
With a sailboat, you have the freedom to navigate away from trouble and find your own resources. It’s about self-sufficiency in an uncertain world. The comfort of private cabins and the ability to travel globally make them so much more versatile.
I think the best bug-out plan is one that allows for mobility, sustainability, and a good night’s sleep!
