TableofContentsTitlePageDedicationAcknowledgmentsIntroductionPartI-EscapeVehicles

Chapter1-BUG-OUTMOTORVEHICLESHowDoesYourBug-OutVehicleFitintoYourOverallPlan?DisadvantagestoTravelingbyRoadKeyBug-OutMotorVehicleConsiderationsMotorVehicleModificationsandOptionalEquipmentPassengerCarsPickupTrucksSportUtilityVehicles(SUVs)CrossoverVehiclesVansandMinivans

Chapter2-BUG-OUTMOTORCYCLESDisadvantagesofMotorcyclesasBug-OutVehiclesKeyBug-OutMotorcycleConsiderationsEquipmentandModificationsDualSportMotorcyclesSomeDual-SportMotorcyclesExamplesStandardMotorcyclesCruiserMotorcyclesTouringMotorcyclesSportBikesandSportTourersTrikesandOtherThree-WheeledStreetMachines

Chapter3-BUG-OUTBOATSDisadvantagesofWatercraftasEscapeVehiclesKeyBug-OutBoatConsiderationsModificationsandAdditionalEquipmentforSettingUpaBug-OutBoatEscapePowerboatsforProtectedWatersEscapePowerboatsforOpenWatersEscapeSailboatsPersonalWatercraft(PWC)

PartII-MobileRetreats

Chapter 4 - RECREATIONAL VEHICLES& OTHERMANUFACTUREDMOBILE

RETREATSDisadvantagesofRecreationalVehiclesasMobileRetreatsTheHugeArrayofChoicesKeyPrefabMobileRetreatConsiderationsSafetyandSecurityTruckCampersPop-UporFoldingCampersCamperTrailersMotorhomes

Chapter5-DIYMOBILERETREATSDisadvantagesofDIYMobileRetreatsKeyDIYMobileRetreatConsiderationsConvertedPassengerandCargoVansConvertedBusesBoxTrucksHouseTrucksandHomebuiltTruckCampersCommercialHomebuiltTruckCamperPlans

Chapter6-LIVEABOARDBOATSLiveaboardCruisingIsNotJustfortheWealthyDisadvantagesofLiveaboardBoatsKeyConsiderationsRegardingLiveaboardBoatsLiveaboardSailboatsLiveaboardCruisingMotorYachtsLiveaboardHouseboatsandShantyBoats

PartIII-Alternative&BackupVehicles

Chapter7-OFF-ROADMOTORCYCLES,ATVS,&SNOWMOBILESBackupTransportationorAlternativeVehicle?DisadvantagesofSpecializedMachinesasBug-OutVehiclesKeyConsiderationsRegardingOff-RoadMotorcycles,ATVs,andSnowmobilesEssentialEquipment,Tools,andSparePartsforATVsandDirtBikesDirtBikesandSmallDualSportMotorcyclesATVsandSide-by-SideUTVsSnowmobiles

Chapter8-BICYCLESASBUG-OUTVEHICLESDisadvantagesofBicyclesasBug-OutVehiclesKeyConsiderationsforBicyclesasBug-OutVehiclesPreparingaBicycleasaBug-OutVehicleChoosingaBicycleTouringBicyclesMountainBikesHybridorCommuterBicyclesRecumbentBicycles

Chapter9-HUMAN-POWEREDWATERCRAFTDisadvantagesofCanoes,Kayaks,andOtherHuman-PoweredWatercraftKeyConsiderationsforUsingHuman-PoweredWatercraftCanoesSeaKayaksSit-On-Tops,Hybrids,andPiroguesRowingVessels

PartIV-FixedRetreats

Chapter 10 - SITE-BUILT NATURAL SHELTERS & LONGER-TERM PORTABLESHELTERSEssentialElementsofShelterConstructionandLocationNaturalCavesandRockSheltersPrimitiveStructures:TemporarySheltersandSemi-PermanentDwellingsMixingModernMaterialsandMethodswiththePrimitiveWallor“Cabin”TentsCanvasTeepees(orTipis)ModernYurts

Chapter11-SECUREBUG-OUTSHELTERSDisadvantagesofSecureBug-OutSheltersSecureBug-OutShelterConsiderationsTypesofSecureBug-OutSheltersLow-CostDIYCabinsandMicroHousesConvertedStructuresPrefabStructuresandKitHousesUndergroundStructuresandBunkers

BIBLIOGRAPHY&RECOMMENDEDREADINGPHOTOCREDITSINDEXOtherUlyssesPressBooksABOUTTHEAUTHORCopyrightPage

FormybrotherFrank,atruevehicleenthusiastwhohasownedandtestedjustabout

everykindofautomobile,motorcycle,boat,RV,ATV,andbicycleknowntoman.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Asalways,Iamgratefulfortheloveandsupportofmydearfiancée,Michelle,forher help and encouragement in putting all this together and keeping memotivatedthroughanotherbigproject.KeithRiegertandtherestofthestaffatUlyssesPresshaveonceagainsteeredme in the right direction to distill this information into a better book than Ienvisioned,andIamgratefulfortheircontinuedfaithinmyworkthathasledtothisseriesofsurvivaltitles.MostofwhatIknowtodayaboutmotorvehiclesbeganwithwhatIwastaughtbymy father,who insisted from the time I learned todrive that Iknowhow tomaintainandrepairmyownvehicles,andfrommytwoolderbrothers,FrankandJeff,fromwhomI’velearnedhowtochooseandrepairavarietyofcars,trucks,andmotorcycles.IalsowanttothankalongtimereaderofmyBugOutSurvivalblogandpreviousbooks,DustinTarditi,forhisadviceregardingoff-roaddrivingandoff-roadvehicles.MyexperiencewithboatinggoesbacktochildhoodyouthgrouptripsledbyDr.F.W.Trippofmyhometown.Thatexperiencewaslaterenhancedbythousandsofmiles of canoe trips with my longtime paddling partner, Ernest Herndon. I’mindebted to seakayaking legend JohnDowd for tipsandpointers thatprobablysavedmylifeonmyfirstsolokayakingvoyagetotheCaribbean,andI’mgratefultoBenandSylviaOlsenofWhisper,LawrencePitcairnofHeronI,andJosephineAdams of Celebration for teachingme how to sail cruising boats on that sametrip.FrommygoodfriendandmasterboatbuilderDavidHalladayofBoatsmith,Inc., Ihave learnedskills thathave takenmyunderstandingofyachtcarpentryandboatbuildingtoawholenewlevelandallowedmetowriteaboutthesubjectofDIYboats fromextensivepersonalexperience. Iamalso indebtedtoanotherfriend, yacht designer Reuel Parker, for his insights in boat design and thepracticalaspectsoflivingaboardandbuggingoutonavarietyofunique,shallow-draftcraft.Finally, over the years I gained an entirely different perspective on long-distancebicyclingandproperpedalingand training techniques frommycousinRickVenturini,alifelongcyclingandroadracingenthusiastwhowasoccasionallywillingtoridewithanovicelikeme.

INTRODUCTION

Mobilitycanbethekeytosurvival.Youonlyhavetowatchthecurrentnewstosee how natural disasters, outbreaks of disease, acts of random violence, andterrorismandlarger-scaleconflictsovertakethosewhoareunabletogetoutofthepathofdanger.Certainlytherearetimeswhenstayinginplaceandseekingshelter isappropriate;buttherearealsosituationswhereyourcurrent locationquicklybecomesuntenableandifyouwishtosurvive,alongwithyourfamilyandother lovedones,youhadbetterbepreparedto leave—orbugout.At themostbasiclevel,thiswillentailwalkingorrunningonfoot.Butwiththehugearrayofmachinery available today tomove us from place to place, we havemore andbettertransportationoptionsthananyofourpredecessorsinhumanhistory.Thisbooklooksathowyoucanusethoseoptionstosurviveinanemergency,aswellashowsomeofthemeansoftravelthatwetakeforgrantedineverydaylifemayquickly cease to be viable. This information will enable you to consider theoptions and make the best choices to enable you and your family to be self-sufficient when it comes to mobility. Forget about any form of publictransportation, as such systems will likely be inoperable or crowded beyondcapacity. One only has to look at the lessons from a natural disaster likeHurricaneKatrina to realize that thosewithout their ownmeans of evacuationcaneasilybecomehelplesslytrappedandatthemercyofwhatevereventsunfoldnext.Peoplehave alwaysdesired tomoveabout on landandwater,whether out ofnecessity or simply to satisfy their curiosity about other places, and have longendeavoredtodevelopnewandmoreefficientwaysofdoingso.Withourabilitytotravelathighspeeds,longdistancesmeanlittletoday,andformanythesimpleactofbeing inmotion issuchanenjoyableexperiencethat for themtheuseofvehiclesismorerecreationalinnaturethanessential.Regardlessofwhetheryoudriveacar,rideamotorcycle,pedalabicycle,oroperateaboatforpleasureorbecauseyouhavetogetsomewhere,intheeventofamajordisasterorachangeinconditionscausedbya largerbreakdownofsociety, theability togetaroundthatwealltakeforgrantedcouldsuddenlybecomemuchmorechallenging.Butunlessyouarereducedtothelastresortofwalking,chancesareanyplannedorunplanned evacuation youmight find yourself forced to undertake will involvesomesortofvehicle.Choosingtheonethatisrightforyouisthemainsubjectofthis book, which is a logical expansion of one of the key elements of bug-outplanning that I presented in Bug Out: The Complete Plan for Escaping aCatastrophicDisasterBeforeIt’sTooLate.Theheartofthatbookfocusedonthe“where-to”aspectofbuggingout,andIwroteitbecauseIperceivedahugegapinthatpartoftheequationamongalltheexcellent “how-to” survivalbooksavailableat the time.Mostdiscussionsof thespecificsofwheretogoifyouhavetobugoutwerevagueatbest,andIwantedtooffermy ideason thekindsofplaces Iwouldchoose indifferentregions if Ilivedthereandhadtofindasaferefugeinahurry.RealizingIhadspentalarge

part of my life seeking out and spending time exploring remote places andwildlandsthroughouttheLower48states,Iwantedtosharemyexperienceswithreaderswhomaynothavehadtimetodothesame.Breakingthecountrydownintoeightdistinctregions,Idiscussedtheavailableresources,potentialhazards,probableweather conditions, and other advantages anddisadvantages of each,thenpointedoutsomespecificlocationsthatwererepresentativeofeachregion.Ialsocoveredthebasicsofhowtofindyourownbug-outlocationsbyusingtoolssuchastopographicalmaps,GoogleEarth,and,ofcourse,yourownpreliminaryscouting trips. Then there was a chapter that presented an overview oftransportation options, covering such bug-out vehicles as trucks and SUVs,motorcyclesandATVs,bicycles,avarietyofboatsfromcanoestolargecruisers,andevenpackanimals.Because I hada lot of ground to coveron themain subject of thatbook—thebug-outlocations—thematerialonpreliminarypreparationssuchasthebug-outbag and bug-out vehicles had to be limited. Because there is so much moredetailed information on the subject of bug-out vehicles that I wanted to sharethenbutcouldnot,Ihavenowputtogetherthisguidetothevehicles,boats,andadditionalequipmentneededtohelpyoueffectatimelyescapeintheeventofacatastrophicdisasterormajorShit-Hitting-the-Fan(SHTF)event.Myintentionistocovernotonlytheusualoptionspeopleconsiderintheirpreparations,butalsosomealternativeideasyoumaynothaveconsideredormaybelessfamiliarwith.Beingwellpreparedtobugoutdoesn’tnecessarilymeanyoumusthavethelatestandgreatesthigh-techSUV,boat,RV,motorcycle,orbicycle.Inthisbook,Iwillpresent lower-cost options such as fixer-uppers, do-it-yourself projects, or evenbuild-it-yourselfalternatives,whereverpractical.In addition, as the title suggests, part of this book also deals with bug-outshelters: some thataremobile, allowingyourbug-outvehicleandshelter tobeone and the same, and others that are prepared in advance in a fixed locationthatyouwilluseoneofthesevehiclestoreach.Manysurvivalistsandpreppingexperts criticize anything that has to dowith bugging out, saying that leavingyour home is almost always a bad idea and that any kind of traveling after aSHTF scenario will make you a refugee, wandering aimlessly at the mercy ofthosewhowoulddoyouharm.ButinboththisbookandtheoriginalBugOut Iamtryingtoemphasizetheconceptofflexibilityandleavingyouroptionsopen.Noonecanpredictwhenandwheresuchaneventwilloccurnext.Ifyoucanstayinyourhomeorexpensiveretreatinthecountry,that’sallwellandgood.Butifyou’veputallyourpreparationtimeandmoneyintoonefixedlocation,thenallyoureggsareinonebasket,sotospeak,andifthatplacehappenstobegroundzerooftheevent,you’reoutof luck.Thefixedretreatsdescribedhereare low-costandsimpleenoughthatyoucouldhavemorethanoneindifferentlocationsif you are concerned enough tomake thatmuch effort. If your bug-out plan issolid tobeginwith,youwillhavewhatyouneed tosurvivewhetherornot youcanreachyourretreat.Havingtheretreatisjusticingonthecakethatwillmakesurvivaleasierandmorecomfortable.When considering bug-out vehicles and shelters, an important factor will be

yourstartinglocation,whichwilldictatehowfaryoumayhavetotraveltofindasaferefugeandwhetherornotyouroptionsarelimitedtooverlandtraveloralsoincludewatertravel.Anothermajorconsiderationinyourbug-outpreparationsiswhetheryouhaveonlyyourselftobeconcernedaboutorifyouwillbetravelingwithothers.Ayoungandfitindividualunburdenedwithweakercompanionscanofcourse,chooseamongmoretraveloptionsandenduremorehardshipsthanafamilywithsmallchildrenorelderlyparentsorgrandparentstotakecareof.Because bug-out vehicles and shelters can be broken down into variouscategories, I have organized this book into four distinct parts for your easyreference.ThesecategoriesareEscapeVehicles,MobileRetreats,AlternativeandBack-Up Vehicles, and Fixed Retreats. The following sections give a briefoverviewofeachcategoryandlookatwhatiscoveredinthatpartofthebook.

PartOne:EscapeVehiclesInthisfirstpartofBugOutVehiclesandShelters,I’lldiscussthetransportationoptionsthatcouldbeclassifiedas“escape”vehicles.Certainlyanyvehicleorboatdescribedinthisbookcouldbeusedtomakeyourescapeinabug-outsituation,andifyouchooseanRV,cruisingboat,bicycle,orATVasyourprimarymeansoftravel,thenitwillbeyourescapevehicle.Butforthepurposesofthissection,I’mdefiningescapevehiclesasthosevehiclesthataresuitedformakingaquickexitfromadangerzone toyourbug-out locationwhilehaving thecapacity tocarryyour bug-out bag and anything else you need to survivewhile you’re travelingandafteryougetthere.Thismeansyouwon’tbelivinginthevehicle,butratherusingitastransportation,andifovernightstaysarenecessaryalongtheway,youwillbecampingbesidethevehicleratherthaninit.Chapter One looks at “Bug-Out Motor Vehicles: Cars, Pickups, SUVs, andCrossovers,”asthesearecommonlyusedforeverydaytransportationandarethevehiclesyouaremost likelytoownalready.Anyautomobilecanworkasabug-outvehicle inapinch, thoughobviouslysomearebetter thanothers,andIwilldiscusswaystooptimizethemforthispurpose.Mostofthesevehicleswillworkas transportation for individuals, couples, or small families and can carry thebasicgearandsuppliesneededtomakeyourbug-outplanwork.Larger, highway-capable motorcycles also fit in the escape vehicle category;theycanbeusedinmuchthesamewayasfour-wheeledvehiclesandevenoffersome advantages that cars and trucks don’t. Motorcycles aren’t suitable foreveryone, but in Chapter Two, “Bug-OutMotorcycles,” there is information onoptions in the two-wheeled category and how they can also be optimized forbugging out with your basic gear if you prefer them over automobiles. Thischapterdoesnotcoversmalleroff-roadmotorcyclesthatarenotsuitedforhigh-speed,sustainedtravelontheroad,asthosearediscussedinPartThree,whichdealswithbackupandalternativevehicles.Alsointheescapevehiclecategoryareoptionsformakingaquickgetawayonthewater.Escapeboatsareanexcellenttransportationoptiontoconsiderifyoureveryday living or working location is near a navigable river, large lake, orseashore, and/or your bug-out location is reachable bywater. As I pointed outnumeroustimesintheoriginalBugOut, inmanypartsoftheU.S.,especially inthemorepopulatedeasternhalfofthecountry,sometimesthebestnearbybug-out locationscanonlybereachedbyaboatofsomesort.ChapterThree,“Bug-OutBoats:EscapeWatercraft—PowerandSail,”looksatsmallerpowerboatsandsailboatsof the typemanypeoplealreadyownanduse for recreation.Boats inthis class can carry sufficient gear for bugging out in the same way that anautomobile or motorcycle can, but are not big enough to have sleepingaccommodationsliketheself-sufficientcruisingvesselsthatwillbediscussedinChapterSix.

PartTwo:MobileRetreatsThis second part ofBug-Out Vehicles and Shelters covers vehicles that mergetransportation out of a danger zonewith a shelter or retreat that can providelong-termsupportforyouandyourfamilywhileyou’reonthemoveorafteryouget toa safer location.Onekeydifferencebetweenmobile retreatsandescapevehicles is that you can live or camp in them, rather than relying on a tent orotherextrashelter.Theabilitytosleepinsidethevehiclemeansthatitcanbesetup formore comfort aswell asmore security, and you don’t have to stop andunpackeverythingtosetupcamporrepackittogetbackonthemoveagain.Thesmallest mobile retreats have at least as much storage space as the largestescape vehicles, and the larger ones have many times more. Some can carryeverythingyouneedformonthsofself-sufficienttravelorliving.Ihavefurtherbrokenmobileretreatsdownintothreedistincttypes.InChapterFour,“RecreationalVehiclesandOtherManufacturedMobileRetreats,” I’ll lookat the suitability of various recreational vehicles (RVs) of the type that manypeople use for weekend or vacation travel and camping. These prefab mobileretreatsare commonandeasilyobtainable ina varietyof configurations, sizes,andpriceranges,bothnewandused.Theyincludepop-upcampersthatcanbetowedbehindmostanyvehicle, largercamper trailers thatarealwaysready tousebutrequirebiggertowvehicles,andmotorhomesthattravelundertheirownpowerandcaninturntowmanytypesofescapevehicles,includingautomobilesandboats.Chapter Five looks at the “DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Mobile Retreats” option. Thisincludes converting a vehicle such as awork van or old bus into a customizedsurvivalplatform.TheDIYoptionisusuallycheaperthanaprefabretreatandcanbeuniquelyyourown,setuptomeetyourspecificrequirements.Thiscategoryalsoincludesstructuresyoucanbuildfromscratch,startingwithaflat-bedtruckor pickup and converting it to a “house truck,” or startingwith a basic utilitytrailerandbuildingyourowncamperorcabinontoit.Thefinaltypeofmobileretreatisthe“LiveaboardBoat,”thesubjectofChapterSix.Manypeoplehavethemisconceptionthatalllargerboatsareluxuryyachtsobtainableonlybytheprivilegedfew,butthisisnotthecase;thischapterlooksatavarietyofvesselsthatyoucanbuycheapandfixup,orbuildfromscratchinyourbackyardusingbasictoolsforlessthanthecostofanewcarortruck.Boatsinthiscategoryincludehouseboatsandshantyboats,motorcruisers,andocean-capablesailboats.Dependingonthedesignyouchoose,suchboatscanallowyouto bug out on rivers, marshes, or swamps, along coastlines or bays, or evenacrossoceanstosafetybeyondthehorizon.

PartThree:AlternativeandBackupVehiclesThissectionisdevotedtothediscussionofalternativeandbackupvehiclesthatdonotfitintheothercategories.Mostofthesmallervehiclesinthiscategorycanbecarriedwith youona larger escapevehicle ormobile retreat,making themuseful as a backup in the event that the main vehicle fails or can’t be usedbecause of traffic jams, lack of fuel, or other problems. Other vehicles in thiscategoryaremorespecializedthanmotorvehiclesandrequireahigherlevelofphysical fitness to use, making them less useful to families with children ordisabledorelderlyadults.ChapterSeven, “Off-RoadMotorcycles,ATVs, andSnowmobiles,” covers smallmotorcyclesthatdonotfitintheescapevehiclecategoryofPartOnebecauseoftheirsizeorunsuitabilityforlong-distancetravelonroadways.Four-wheelATVsarealsodiscussed,asmanyofthesevehiclescantraversemuchrougherterrainthan any other motor vehicle and all are small and lightweight enough to becarried in the back of pickup trucks or on small trailers pulled behind othervehicles.Snowmobilesare includedhereaswell forthose living inareaswheretheyareusefulinthewintermonths.ChapterEight,“BicyclesasBug-OutVehicles,”takesathoroughlookatpedal-poweredmachinesasbug-outvehicles.IpointedoutthesuitabilityofbicyclesforthispurposeintheoriginalBugOut,butthischaptergoesintomoredetailaboutchoosing and outfitting various types of bikes for carrying your bug-out gear.There is also information on the tools and maintenance needed to keep themgoing,aswellastheridingtechniquesandfitnesspreparationsnecessaryifyouintendtocoverlongdistancesonaloadedbicycle.Thefinalcategoryofalternativevehiclesis“Human-PoweredWatercraft,”whichare covered in Chapter Nine. These vessels include canoes, sea kayaks, andvarioussmallrowingvesselsandtheycanbeavitalpartofyourbug-outplanorevenyourmainbug-out vehicle, dependingon yourparticular situation. In thischapteryouwilllearnwhatyouneedtoknowtochooseamongmanyoptionsinthis class of boats. I’ll also cover operating and outfitting such a boat for thispurpose and the skills needed touse it efficiently, so that like a bicycle, it cancarryyoulongdistancesunderyourownpower.

PartFour:FixedRetreatsThelastsectionofthisbookisnotaboutvehiclesatall,butcoversthe“shelters”mentioned in the title, dealing entirely with temporary and semi-permanentshelters that you either build ormove in advance to your pre-planned bug-outlocation of choice. In the originalBug Out, I focused primarily on the type ofevacuationpeoplethinkofwhentheyprepareabug-outbagtokeepathomeorintheirvehicle:anemergencythatrequiresleavinginahurrywithjustwhatyoucancarryonyourback.This is an importantpart ofbug-outplanning, and thebasicbug-outbaganditsequipmentshouldalwaysbereadyforyoutofallbackon in case all your more elaborate plans fail. But because bug-out planningshouldtakeplacewellinadvanceofwhenitmightbeneeded,itdoesn’thavetomeanalast-minutedashforthehillswithnothingbutabackpackexceptintheworst-casescenario.ThatiswherePartFourofthisbookcomesin:fixedretreatshelterspreparedbeforehandatyourbug-outlocationcanbestockedwithextragearandsupplies inadvance,givingyoumuchmoresecurityandcomfort thanmostpeoplecouldfindlivingoutofabackpack.ChapterTen, “Site-BuiltNaturalSheltersandLonger-TermPortableShelters,”discusses the simplest forms of fixed retreats—those that are found naturally,such as caves and rock overhangs, and those that can be built on-site fromnaturalmaterials.Suchshelterscanserveasexcellenthideoutsinaremotebug-outlocation,becausetheydon’trequireyoubringinoutsidematerials,costlittleor nothing, and can be made to blend nearly invisibly into their surroundingenvironment.Alsoincludedinthischapterareprefabprimitiveshelterssuchasteepees and old-school wall tents that you do have to carry in but are stillportableenoughtobemovedintothemostruggedterrainifyoudotheworkinadvance. They offer better long-term accommodations than ultralightbackpackingtents,particularlyincoldclimatesorinwinterinthemountains,astheycanbeheatedfrominsidewithanopenfireorwoodstove.Chapter Eleven, “Secure Bug-Out Shelters,” covers the next level up in fixedretreats.Thiskindofretreatrequiresmorepre-planningandmoreworktobuildor set up, but can offer even better living accommodations and security if youknowforsurewhereyouwillbebuggingoutandfeelconfidentthatyoucangettherewhenyouhaveto.Retreatsinthiscategoryincludeprefabshedsandothersmallbuildings;convertedshippingcontainers;small,simple-to-buildcabinsandmicro-cabins;andundergroundstructuresandtreehouses.Inmostcases,secureshelters of this category will have to be built on land that you own or havepermissiontouseforthispurpose.

Finally,Bug-OutVehiclesAreFunOne thing to keep in mind as you read through this book is that bug-outpreparations don’t have to be all about impending doom and constant fear ofcatastrophe or even TEOTWAWKI (The End of the World As We Know It).

Althoughotheraspectsofsurvivalpreparationcanbeenjoyable,tomostpeopleresearching, acquiring, and setting up various bug-out vehicles is nothing lessthanfun;thisisonereasonsurvivalforums,blogs,andrelatedwebsitesspendsomuch time discussing the subject. There’s nothingwrongwith having funwiththesevehicles.Get thevehicleyou fantasizeabout if youcanafford itand it ispractical for the purpose, and customize it to your heart’s content. If acamouflagedJeepmakesyoufeelmoreprepared,thengetoutthespraypaint.IfyoupreferacustomizedKLRoroldHarleychopperthatlookslikeitbelongsonthesetofTheRoadWarrior, thenbuild it toyourtaste.Maybeabigbattleship-graysailingtrimaranrightoutofWaterworldismoretoyourliking.Justbecausethe S has not yet HTF does not mean you can’t get a lot of enjoyment andexperience out of getting outdoors with that four-wheel-drive jeep, dual sportmotorcycle,sailboat,bicycle,orcanoe. Ifyouareusing it thiswayforweekendfun,youwillbemorefamiliarwithitwhenandifthetimecomesthatyoureallyneedit,andtheuseyougetoutofitnowwilljustifythetimeandmoneyinvestedevenifthattimenevercomes.

ImportantNote/DisclaimerI would like the reader to keep inmind that this book covers a vast range ofvehicles, boats, alternate transportation, and retreat shelter types. Itwould beimpossible inasinglevolumetogo intogreatdetailaboutspecificmodels,soIhavechosentofocusinsteadonthekeyconsiderationsforeachtypeofvehicleorshelter,includingtheadvantagesanddisadvantagesandhowyoucanincorporatethemintoyourbug-outplan.WhileIdogiveafewexamplesattheendofeachsection,it’scertainthatI’veomittedalotoffavorites,soIwanttomakeitclearthatthiswasnotdeliberate,lestsomereaderssayIoverlookedthebestchoiceortheir particular favorite. Please use this book as a set of guidelines and basicprinciplestomakeyourownchoicesthatfityourspecificneedsandenvironment.Myhopeisthattherealvalueofthisbookwillbetomakethereaderawareof

thekeyadvantagesanddisadvantagesofeach typeofbug-outvehicleandhowimportant it is to perform the necessary maintenance and/or modifications tomakesureitwillgetyoutosafety.Havingyourvehiclefailalongthewaycouldput you and your family in evenmore danger than youwould be in if you hadstayedathome.

PartI

EscapeVehicles

1

BUG-OUTMOTORVEHICLES

Cars,Pickups,SUVs,&CrossoversIn this chapter I’ll discuss the class of vehicles that is in everyday use by thelargest number of people andwill likely be the first option the averagepersonwillconsideriftheyhavetogetoutofDodgeinahurryaloneorwiththefamily.Forthepurposeofseparatingthedifferenttypesofmotorvehiclesavailableforconsideration,thischaptercoverspassengervehicleswithfourwheels(althoughsomeofthelargerpickupsinthisclasshavedualrearwheels).Vehiclesthatmeetthis definition include cars, pickup trucks, SUVs, and the newer class of“crossover”vehiclesthatblurthelinebetweencars,SUVs,andpickups.More automobile options are available today than ever before, and anyoneshopping foraneworusedvehiclewillbe facedwithamind-bogglingarrayofchoices to consider. If, like many people, you’re not in a position to purchaseanothervehicletosetupasyourbug-outvehicle,youwon’thavetoworryaboutallthesechoicesandcanfocusonoptimizingwhatyou’redrivingnow.Dependingonyourparticularsituationandyourpersonalbug-outplan,youmaynotneedaspecializedvehicleatall.Inmanycasesjustaboutanythingwilldo,aslongasit’swellmaintainedandwillbereliablewhenyouneedit.

HowDoesYourBug-OutVehicleFitintoYourOverallPlan?

Todeterminewhatyouneedinabug-outmotorvehicle,firstyouhavetoassessyourparticularsituationintermsofwhereyouliveorworkeverydayandhowfarthose locations are from safe bug-out locations that you consider viable in theeventthatyoucan’tstaywhereyouare.Willyoubestartingfromwithinalargecity, among the sprawling subdivisions of suburbia, or from a smaller city ortown?Haveyouassessedavarietyofpotentialevacuationroutestodetermineifyoureverydaycarorothervehiclecannegotiatetheminanyweatherortrafficconditions? Will reaching your chosen bug-out location require driving onunpaved surfaces or in other difficult conditions, or do you plan to switch toalternateorbackuptransportationonceyougettotheendofthepavement?Willthebackuptransportationbehoofingitwithyourbug-outbag,orwillyouneedracks to carry a bicycle, canoe, or kayak, or perhaps a trailer hitch and thecapacitytotowaboat,ATV,ormotorcycletrailer?Willyoubetravelingalone,asacouple,orasafamily?Howmuchluggagespacewillyouneedforeveryone’sgear, considering that theminimumwillbeawell-packedbug-outbag foreachperson,plusadditionalfood,water,andotherequipmentifpossible?Whenaskingyourselfsuchquestions,itdoesn’ttakelongtofigureoutwhetheryoucanmakedoinyourconvertiblesportscarorifsomethinglikeafour-wheel-drive,full-sized

SUVisinorder.

DisadvantagestoTravelingbyRoad

Before you begin thinking about buying or customizing that perfect bug-outmotor vehicle, stop first and consider the reality that in a trueSHTF scenario,particularlyinabigurbanarea,therewillbemanyrealdrawbackstoanykindoftravel on public roads. The main such drawback, of course, is that practicallyeveryoneelsewillhavethesameideaofattemptingtodriveoutbecausethat’sallthey know to do. But all you have to do iswatch the news reports of amajorhurricaneevacuationon theGulforEastCoast to see theproblems thatensuewhenamass exodus fromabig population center is attemptedby road. Therewillinevitablybetrafficjamsslowingmovementtoacrawlorcompletegridlockjustfromthesheernumberofvehicles.Ontopofthatwillbemorechaoscausedbymechanicalbreakdowns,vehiclesrunningoutoffuel,carjackings,andpossiblyeven road blocks set up by the authorities (or worse, those who would takeadvantageofthesituation).Travelbyroadofcourselimitsyoutoknown,definedrouteswhereitcouldbehard toavoid thosewhowould stoporambushyoualong theway.This sort ofconcernwouldbemorerelevant in the laterstagesof theaftermathofamajorSHTF event, but it’s something to think about. If you are going to bug out byroad,bepreparedtomakeyourescapeearly,beforethepotentialforsuchtroubledevelops.Sinceescapevehiclesare the focusof thischapter, Iwilladdress thekinds of issues you need to think about in choosing the vehicle and keeping itready at all times tomake such an escape. First, here are some key points tothinkaboutif,afterconsideringthedisadvantagesoftravelingbyroad,youstillfindamotorvehiclebestforyourparticularneeds.

KeyBug-OutMotorVehicleConsiderations

Gasolinevs.DieselGasolineisbyfarthemostcommonfuelusedbythemotorvehicles of the class discussed in this chapter. Diesel is the only viablealternative, as electric motors and other experimental technologies are notsustainable options in a bug-out scenario, at least for the kind of full-sizedvehiclesdiscussedinthischapter.One advantage of gasoline engines over diesel is that because they are socommon,morepeoplearefamiliarwiththemandtheyareeasiertorepairintheeventofabreakdown.Theyarealsocheaper topurchase initially, reducingthetotalcostof thevehicleascomparedtothesamemodelequippedwithadieselengine.Otheradvantagesofgasolineengines include lighterweight foragivenhorsepower and more horsepower than a comparable-sized diesel. Gasolineenginesalsogenerallyrunmorequietlythandiesels.A disadvantage of gasoline as a primary fuel, however, is that it is harder tostoreforlong-termuse,becauseitismorevolatileanddangerousthandieseland

mustalwaysbeproperlyventedandkept inapprovedcontainers to reduce theriskoffireoranexplosion.Gasolinealsodegradesovertimeunlessitistreatedwith conditioningadditives likeSTA-BIL to keep it fresh.And if your vehicle ispoweredbygasoline,onceyouexhaustyoursupplyanditbecomesunavailableinapost-SHTFscenario,itcannotbeimprovisedathome,unlikediesel.Dieselismostcommonlyusedinworktrucks,constructionandfarmmachinery,and larger vehicles designed for a long, hard service life. Diesel engines areexpensive and require more knowledge to maintain and repair, but tend torequire lessmaintenanceoveramuch longer lifespan than the typicalgasolineengine. Diesel engines also get better fuel mileage. Perhaps the greatestadvantageofdieselengines in theaftermathofa long-termgrid-downscenariowould be that biodiesel can be made from cooking oil and other organicbyproducts, allowing you to keep using your vehicle even if gasoline isn’tavailable.Choosingbetweengasolineanddieselboilsdowntowhatkindofscenarioyouare preparing for—long vs. short term. Formost peoplewho already drive thevehicletheywilllikelyusetobugoutifneeded,andformostbug-outsituationsthatwill probably be relatively short-term, a powerful and economical gasolineenginewillworkjustfineforanescapevehicle.Blending In There are many advantages to remaining inconspicuous andblendingintoyourenvironmentinyourbug-outvehicle.Intheurbanenvironmentand on the highway, a vehicle that obviously looks like a bug-out vehicle willattractalotofunwantedattention.Thisiswhereanordinaryfour-doorsedancanbe thebestcamouflageofall. Itwillbesoplainandnondescript that itwillbealmost invisibleamong the traffic.This isespecially true ifyouchooseamodelwith no status-symbol branding and no especially attractive styling or color. AplainbeigeToyotaCamryorgrayFordTauruscomestomind.Therearesomanysuchcarsontheroadthatnoonegivesthemasecondglance.On the other hand, if you are driving amassive four-wheel-drive SUV loadeddownwithbackup vehicles likebicycles, canoes,ATVs, or boats, everyonewhosees you will assume you are well equipped with supplies and gear. This canmakeyouatargetforthosewhoaredesperate.Youshouldtakeeveryreasonableeffort to cover or hide obvious supplies, especially those highly desirable jerrycansofextrafuel,untilyougetawayfromthecity.Onceyougetoutoftown,blendinginismoreabouttheabilitytohidetheentirevehicle.Inthebackcountry,earth-tonecolorslikegreen,brown,tan,orblackareeasiertohide.Flatpaintisevenbetter,andchromeandothershinypartsshouldbetapedorpaintedover,oryoushouldconsidercarryingcamouflagenettingofthetypeusedbythemilitarytodrapeoverthevehicleonceyouhaveitparked.Thiscanbesupplementedwithvegetationfromthesurroundingarea.One other point to consider is that if your plan involves traversing remotecountryorprimitiveroadsatnight,especially inthedesertwherelightscanbeseenatagreatdistance,youmaywanttowireinamanualinterrupterswitchsoyoucandisableyourbrakelightsinsuchsituations.Onmanynightsoutinopencountry,youcanseewellenoughtodriveslowlywithoutyourheadlights,but if

your brake lights give you away, there’s notmuch point. Some newer vehiclesalso have headlights that stay on all the time and thiswill have to be fixed aswell.Ifyourvehicledoesnotalsohaveaswitchtodisabletheinteriorcabinlightswhenthedoorsareopen,youmaywanttowireoneinorsimplyremovethebulbsof any lights that may come on at an inconvenient time and give away yourposition.TheEMPThreatMuchhasbeenwrittenonthesubjectofthevulnerabilityofmodernmotorvehiclestoapossibleEMP(electromagneticpulse)event.Whethercaused by a deliberate attack involving a nuclear burst in the atmosphere orpossibly extreme solar flare activity, a strong enough electromagnetic pulse issaid to have the potential to render most modern motor vehicles totallyinoperable.Thereasonisthatsuchvehiclesrelyoncomplexelectroniccircuitryfortheirignitionandavarietyofenginecontrols,andoncethissensitivecircuitryisdestroyeditcannotberepairedshortofcompletereplacementoftheaffectedparts.SurvivalistsconcernedabouttheEMPthreatadvocatechoosinganoldermodel,usually pre-1980, because such vehicles do not have onboard computers tocontrolignitionandothervitalfunctions.Whetheryoubaseyourbug-outvehiclechoiceonthisadvicedependsonhowrealyouconsider theEMPthreat. In thespectrumofallthepossibleSHTFscenariosthatcouldcauseyoutoneedabug-out vehicle, the likelihood of a man-made or natural electromagnetic pulsepowerfulenoughtoshutdownmodernvehiclesisrelativelyslim.Still,ifyouareconfidentinyourmechanicalabilitytomaintainanoldervehicle,itwouldn’thurtto have all your bases covered by taking the EMP threat into consideration inyourchoice.Oldvs.NewandProvenReliabilityAsidefromtheremotechanceofanEMPattackasdescribedabove,bettertechnologyandfiercecompetitionamongautomanufacturershasresultedinvehiclesthataremuchmorereliablethanthoseof30ormoreyearsago.WhilesomepeoplemayenjoyrebuildinganoldAmericantruck or utility vehicle from the 1970s or before, the fact is that such vehicleswereforeverbreakingdownevenwhentheywereintheirprimeandmosthadanaverage lifeexpectancyofwellunder100,000miles,usuallywithmanyrepairsrequiredtogeteventhatfar.AninfluxofJapanesecarsandpickupsinthe1970sand1980s that routinely ran200,000–300,000milesorevenmorechanged theway all automakers built vehicles, and thanks to that change it’s notunreasonable to expect that kind of mileage from most any modern vehicle,especiallythosebuiltin1990andlater.With20yearsworthofsuchvehiclesontheusedmarket,youdon’thavetobuynewtotakeadvantageofthisimprovedreliability,butitcertainlypaystodoyourresearch because somemodels have a better track record than others. In theusedmarket, popular and proven vehicles that have enjoyed a long productionrunarethemostdesirable,asanycommonissueswithaparticularmodelwillbewell-known,alongwiththefixesforit.Partsforsuchmodelswillalsobeeasytocomeby,whetherused,rebuiltornew.Today,it’seasytofindreliableinformationaboutspecificmodelsontheInternetandreadtheownerreportsandreviewsto

getagood ideaofwhatyou’llbegetting intowhenyoubuy.Themorepopularmodels also will have online owners groups or forums where you can findsolutionstoanycommonproblemsorhelpwithanymodificationsyoumaywanttomake.Standardvs.AutomaticTransmissionsThoughtheyhavefallenoutoffavorwithmostoftoday’sdrivers,standardtransmissionsaresimplerandlesslikelytofailthanautomatics,especiallyinoldervehicles(today’sautomatictransmissionsaremuch improved).Standardtransmissionsareeasiertorepair if theydofail,andcheaperandeasiertoreplaceifnecessary.Thetypicalvehicleequippedwitha standard will also get better fuel economy compared to the same vehicleequippedwithanautomatic.Another importantadvantage is that vehicleswithstandard transmissions canbepush-started in theevent of abatteryor starterfailure.A possible disadvantage of standard transmissions is that they require morecoordination and both feet and both hands to operate, at least when you arestartingofforshiftinggears.Thiscouldbecomeaproblemifyouareinjured,orifyou need to do other things while driving, such as the worst-case scenario ofhavingtoreturn fire todefendyourself fromtheoccupantsofothervehiclesorwould-becarjackers.Four-Wheel-Drive(4WD)andAll-Wheel-Drive(AWD) Four-wheeldriveandhigh ground clearance are essential if you plan to drive to a remote bug-outlocationthatrequirestravelingoverroughterrainorlongdistancesonunpaved,infrequently maintained roads. They may also be invaluable in an urbanevacuationscenariowheretheroadwayisblockedwithvariousobstaclesandyouneed to drive on the shoulders or across curbs, medians, or ditches. Thedisadvantages of four-wheel-drive vehicles are that they more expensive topurchase initially and will likely require more maintenance and repairs thansimpler,two-wheel-drivevehicles.Most four-wheel-drivevehiclesallowthedriver toswitch fromthe four-wheel-drive mode to two-wheel-drive for traveling on the pavement. This is thearrangementusedinmostSUVsandintrucksdesignedforsomeoff-roadability.But all-wheel-drive (AWD) systems are becoming increasingly common inpassengercarsandcar-basedcrossoverSUVs.Whereasregularfour-wheeldrivecan cause problems on dry pavement, all-wheel-drive vehicles use a centerdifferential thatallowstheaxlestoturnatdifferentspeeds.All-wheeldrivecanmake for improved handing on the road, particularly in adverse weatherconditions.Maintenance,Tools,andSparePartsAnymotorvehiclethatispartofyourbug-out plan should be mechanically sound to begin with and regularlymaintained. Allmachinery is subject to breakdown at inopportune times and ifyourbug-outvehiclefailsyouwhenyouneedit,youcouldbeinasmuchormoredangerthanifyouhadstayedput.Long periods of slow driving in stop-and-go situations such as you mightencountereveninthemostorderlyevacuationsofacityarehardonenginesandcooling systems. To prevent overheating, one of the most common causes of

failure, make sure your radiator is topped off with fresh coolant and that allradiator hoses are in good shape. Drive belts should also be inspected andreplacedwhen theyshowsignsofageordamage.Manynewervehicleshaveasingle belt that drives the alternator, air conditioning compressor, cooling fan,andwater pump. Losing this beltwill render your vehicle inoperable, so it’s agood ideatocarryaspare. (Recommendedsparepartsandthe tools tochangethem are listed in the “Bug-Out Motor Vehicle Checklist” at the end of thischapter.)

MotorVehicleModificationsandOptionalEquipment

TowingPackagesIfyouplantopullanykindoftrailerforcarryingextragearorlargebackupvehiclessuchasboats,motorcycles,orATVs,youwillneedtomakesure your vehicle has adequate towing capacity and is equippedwith a trailerhitch that can handle the load. Even small cars can pull lightweight trailers,needingnothingmorethanahitchandasignallightconnectionkit.Somehitchesareasimpledo-it-yourselfbumper installation,oryoucan take thevehicle toashopandhaveaframe-mountedreceiverhitchinstalled.LargeSUVsandpickuptrucksareratedformuchhighertowingweightsandoftencomestandardwithaheavy-dutytowpackagethatincludesareceiverhitch,surgebrakeconnections,andabeefed-upcoolingsystemfortheengine.CargoandUtilityRacksEventhesmallesteconomycarcanbenefitfromtheaddition of cargo or utility racks on the roof. Themost versatile racks are theremovable crossbar systems such as those sold to carry canoes, kayaks, skies,bicycles, and other sports equipment. Such a rackmakes it easy to carry yourbackupbug-outvehicleaswellasadditionalgearandsuppliesorotherawkwardloads that will not fit inside the cabin space. Racks like this are available forpracticallyanystyleofcar,SUV,orpickuptruck.Makesuretheyareratedfortheweightyouintendtocarryonthem.Anotheroptionistohaveawelderfabricatecustomracksofthesortthatconstructioncontractorsfrequentlyinstallontheirpickup trucks for carrying ladders and building materials. You can also buildsturdywoodenracksforpickupsorothervehicles.NeedingcanoeracksonavanIownedatonepoint, Ibuiltsomesturdymountingblocksandcrossbarsoutofteaklumberandboltedthemdirectlytotheroof,usingmarineadhesivesealanttopreventanypossibleleaks.Carrying and Storing Additional Fuel Other than mechanical breakdown,running out of fuel will be your biggest worry when bugging out by motorvehicle.You can’t count on being able to obtain more fuel after the onset of aSHTFscenario,soyoushouldmakeitahabittoalwayskeepyourtanktoppedoffandtokeeponhandenoughjerrycansoffuelforacompleterefillforwhenyouburn through your first tank. This extra tank of fuelwill give you quite a longrange inmostmotorvehiclesandallowthereserveyouneedfor longdelays intrafficjamsandotherunforeseenevents.ClearingObstructionsandGettingUnstuck In addition to spare parts foryourvehiclethatyouneedtocarrytoensurethatyoucankeepitrunning,there

are few other items specific to bugging out by motor vehicle that you shouldcarrytoimproveyourchancesofgettingwhereyouwanttogo.IntheaftermathofaSHTFscenario,youmayfindthatyouneedtogetthroughalockedgateorabarbed-wire,chain-link,orothertypeoffence.Heavy-dutywirecutterswillworkonmany typesof fencesandapairof36-inchor largerboltcutterswilldefeatmostpadlocksandchains.Youmayalsoencounteraroadwayblockedby fallentrees or other obstructions. These may be the result of hurricanes or otherstorms,ordeliberateman-madeattempts toclose theroad.Achainsaw inyourvehiclewillallowyoutoopenupallbuttheworstofthese,butifyouchoosenotto carry one, at least take along a large handsawor axe. Likewise, a powerfulbumper-mountedwinchorahandheldcome-alongcanbeusedtoclearbroken-down vehicles and other obstructions out of the roadway. The winch or come-alongwillalsobeessentialforpullingthevehicleoutifyougetstuckinmudorothersoftconditionsoff-road.Don’tforgettoincludeashovelaswell;ifyougetstuck while traveling off-road or in snow, a good shovel can make all thedifference.Vehicle Armor If you are willing to spend the money, there are companiestoday that can transform most types of ordinary cars, pickups and SUVs intobulletproofarmoredvehicles.Thistypeofbusinesshasexpandedexponentiallyinresponsetoterroristattacks,drug-relatedviolenceandkidnappingsforransom.Materials such as Kevlar, steel, and composites can provide varying levels ofprotectionuptotheabilitytostopriflerounds,andcanbeincorporatedsothatthevehicleappearsordinary.AlthoughyoumaybeabletofabricatesomelevelofDIY armor protection for your vehicle, it won’t likely be as effective as aprofessionaljobdonebycompaniesthatspecializeinbuildingvehiclestoprotectheadsofstate,businessexecutives,diplomats,celebrities,andother individualsathighriskofattack.Onesuchcompany isTexasArmoringCorporation.Learnmoreaboutthepossibilitiesattheirwebsiteatwww.texasarmoring.com.

PassengerCars

Whilestandardpassengercarsdonotusuallyfitmostpeople’smentalimageofabug-outvehicle, theyshouldnotberuledout for thisuse,particularly if that isthekindofvehicleyouhavenowanduseeveryday.Asalreadymentioned,oneoftheadvantagesofanordinarysedan is that itdoesnot look likeastereotypicalbug-outvehicle. Insuchacar,particularly if it isacommonone inanordinarycolormanufactured in huge numbers, you can blend in and avoid drawing anyundueattention toyourself,your family,andthesurvivalgearandsuppliesyoumaybecarrying.There’salottobesaidfornotlookinglikeatargetforthievesorlooterswhomaybelesspreparedandwillingtotakeyourgearorevenyourvehicle.OtheradvantagesthatcarshaveoverSUVsandpickuptrucksincludealowerinitialpurchasepriceanda largenumberof inexpensivechoices in thesecond-handmarket. Because of the popularity of luxury SUVs and huge, fully loadedpickuptrucks,manyplain,unpretentiouscarsarenotassought-afterandcanbe

hadwithasimilarnumberofamenitiesformuchlessmoney.Mostofthemalsogetbettergasmileageaswellduetolighterweightandlowerprofilesthatofferlesswindresistance.Consideralso theon-the-roadhandlingqualitiesof carsascompared toSUVsandpickups.Mostpolicedepartmentsstillusecarsinsteadofothervehiclesfortheirpatrolcruisers,andthereasons includebetterhandling,acceleration,andtop-endspeed.Thesecharacteristicsareduetothe lowercenterofgravitythatallowsaggressivedrivingwithlessriskofflippingoverinhigh-speedmaneuvers.Acarcouldgiveyouthissameadvantageifyoufindyourselfinasituationwhereevasivedrivingtacticsarerequiredtoescapepursuers.Evenwithoutthethreatof other drivers, these same handling properties make cars safer in manysituationsontheroadinbadweather.Today there are numerous high-performance cars to choose from, many ofwhicharewolvesinsheep’sclothingthatdonotprojecttheimageofmusclecarsorsportscars,but lookmore likesedatefamilysedans.Someofthesecarscanmatch or nearly match many of the more exotic-looking sports cars that aremarketedasperformancevehicles.Disadvantagesofcarsincludethelackoffour-wheel-driveinmostofthemandthelackofsufficientgroundclearanceoradequatesuspensiontonegotiateroughterrainorotherobstaclesyoumayhave togetaround inabug-outscenario. Ifyouareplanningondrivingallormostofthewaytoaremotebug-outlocation,ratherthanswitchingtoabackupvehicleorwalkingtherestofthewayin,thenacarwillprobablynotbeyourbestchoicebecauseoftheselimitations.

SOMEPASSENGERSCAREXAMPLES

ToyotaCorolla This Japanese compact car has been in production since 1968andispopularallovertheworldforitsreliabilityanditsexcellentfueleconomy.CurrentmodelsbeginatanMSRPofaround$15,000andtheusedmarketisfullof good examples in price ranges from less than $2000 tomore than $10,000,depending on age and condition. They can be had with either standard orautomatictransmissionsandinavarietyofconfigurationsfromfour-doorsedanstothree-doorhatchbacks.FordCrownVictoriaThisAmerican-madecaristheclassicfull-sized,four-door

sedan. It is themostpopularpolicepursuitvehicle in theU.S.and isapopulartaxicabandfleetvehiclebecauseofitsruggedconstruction,V8engine,andrear-wheel-drive.Although2007wasthelastyearaconsumerversionwasavailable,excellentusedexamplesareeasytofindfromahighofover$12,000tolessthan$3,000foranearly’90smodel.Subaru Legacy Sedan All-wheel drive is standard on Subaru vehicles, andthoughmanyoftheofferingsfromthismanufacturerfitintothecrossoverorSUVcategory,theLegacysedanisanAWDpassengercarthathasagreatreputationfor reliability and has long been popular in areas with tough winter drivingconditions. For thosewhowant better performance than the standard 2.5-literengine, the Legacy is available in a turbocharged version with a five-speedmanualtransmission.TheLegacyhasbeeninproductionsince1990andrangesinpricefromunder$2,000fortheoldermodelstoabout$20,000foranewone.

PickupTrucks

Pickuptrucksareamongthemostversatileandusefulofallmotorvehicles,afactthat accounts for their current popularity across a wide spectrum of thepopulationdespitetheiroriginsasworkvehicles.Noothervehicleisbettersuitedfor carrying a variety of cargo or can be loaded and unloaded so quickly. Thismakespickups ideal for thosewhowanttocarrybackupvehiclessuchassmallmotorcycles,ATVs,bicycles, johnboats, canoes, orkayaksandother specializedgearaspartoftheirbug-outplan.Many modern pickup trucks are luxury vehicles with all the amenities ofcomparable cars and a correspondingly high price tag. But for bug-out vehiclepurposes, if you can find a truework truckwithout all the bells andwhistles,you’llhavetheadvantageofsimplicityandlowerinitialcost.Manyofthesearebuiltforheavyloadsandcomewithdualrearwheels.Base-modelpickuptruckssold aswork vehicles often comewith standard transmissions and lack all theextracarpeting, fancy instrumentation,and insomecasesevenairconditioningandstereosystems.

SIZESANDCONFIGURATIONSOFPICKUPTRUCKS

Pickup trucks are essentially defined by that most useful of features, the bedbehind the driver and passenger cabin that makes them so versatile. Somemodernpickuptruckssacrificemuchofthisvaluablebedspaceinfavorofextracabinspace,especiallythenewerfour-doorsportutilitymodels,inwhichthebedlooksmore likeanafterthought than theprimarydesign featureof thevehicle.Worktrucks,ontheotherhand,oftenhaveastandardcabinwithasinglebenchseatthatcanaccommodatethreepeopleandalongerbedinthereartoservethevehicle’sprimarypurpose.Ifyouneedmoreroomforadditionalequipmentinthecabin, such trucks can be had in the extra or super cab versions with spacebehind the front seat or seats. Even larger cabins are available in the form of

crewcabpickupsthatcancarrysixpeopleinside.Thevariouscabconfigurationsfoundinworktruckscanalsobefoundinthemoreexpensive,luxuryversionsofthesametrucksthatcomewitheveryamenity.Choosingamongall thesedifferent types of pickup truckswill require ahardlookatwhatyouneedtocarryinthebackaswellasthenumberofpassengers,ifany,thatmustfitintheforwardcabinarea.Likemostvehicles,pickuptrucksareacompromise, andhere thechoice isbetweenenclosed, lockable, andclimate-controlled passenger space and flexible, exposed cargo space in the rear. Inadditiontothepassenger/cargospacelayoutconsiderations,pickuptruckscomein a range of overall sizes from the compact mini-trucks that are the pickupequivalent of economy cars to behemoth, high-performancemuscle truckswithhuge,gas-suckingengines.Compact pickups are simply smaller versions of the basic pickup design thatfirst became popular in the United States when a flood of Japanese modelsentered the market under the Datsun, Toyota, and Isuzu names. These smalltruckswerepopularfortheirfueleconomyandlaterversionsweresoldundertheChevrolet,Ford,andDodgenames,aswellasadditionalimportedbrandssuchasMazdaandMitsubishi.Practicallyalltheearlyversionsofcompacttruckscameequipped with four-cylinder gasoline engines, and though smaller and lesspowerful than standard trucks, theywere useful inmany of the sameways asworkandutilityvehicles.Newerversionsofcompacttruckshavecreptupinsize,weight, andenginepower to thepointwhere someof themoffer feweconomyadvantages in purchase price or fuel consumption over standard full-sizedpickups.Full-sized pickups are essentially the basicwork vehicle fromwhich all theseothervariationswerederived.Whiletheyareratedfordifferentloadcapacities,full-sizedpickupsgenerallyhaveabeddesignedtoaccommodatestandardfour-foot-wideconstructionmaterialssuchasplywoodordrywalllyingflat,unlikethecompactpickupsinwhichtherearwheelwellsintrudeintothisfour-footspace.Payloadcanrangefrom1,000to6,000pounds,dependingontherating,whichisoneofthefollowing:½ton,¾ton,1ton,or1½ton.Theseratingsdonotindicatethetruecapacity,however,astheactualpayloadismuchmore.A½tonFordF-150canactuallyhaul1,400to3,000 lb.,whilea1 tonFordF-350cancarryasmuchas4,000 to5,800 lb.Formostordinaryuses,a standard½ ton full-sizedpickup is more than adequate, and this is the size that is most popular withpickupowners.

Crossover pickups are a new sort of hybrid vehicle that offer some of thefeaturesofapickupwiththecomfortandinteriorspaceofanSUV.Theyresemblecrew-cab pickups in that they have four doors, but the overall length ismuchshorter,sothatthecargobedintherearappearstobemoreofanafterthoughtthanarealfeature.Ifyoudon’tplantocarryalargebackupvehiclelikeanATVinthebed,acrossoverpickupcouldbeusefulbecausetheopencargoareaisstillmoreversatile thanthe trunkofacarorrearofanSUVfor fittingavarietyofloads. Examples of these crossover pickups include the popular ChevroletAvalancheandtheHondaRidgeline.Cargospaceinallpickuptruckscan,ofcourse,beincreasedbytowingatrailer,and for pulling really heavy loads such as large boats andRVs, full-sized four-wheel-drive pickup trucks with a heavy-duty tow package are the vehicle ofchoice.Thesetrucksaredesignedtotowbigloadsonaregularbasis,andcandosowithoutdamagetotheengineortransmission.Thebiggestintheclasswillbefittedwithdualrearwheelssothattheycancarryanincreasedtongueweightormuchlargergoosenecktrailerssuchasthoseusedtohaulcattleandhorses.Inaddition todifferences incab layout, size,andpayload,mostpickup truckscanbehadintwo-wheel-driveorfour-wheel-driveversions,andmanymodelsarealso available with either gasoline or diesel engines. The same general pointsalready made about choosing among these options for other types of vehiclesapplytopickuptrucksaswell,thoughifyou’vedecidedthatadieselvehiclewillworkbestforyoursituation,you’lllikelyhavemorechoicesamongpickuptrucks(especiallyontheusedmarketoratvehicleauctions,whereyoucanfindretiredfleetvehicles).DisadvantagesofpickuptrucksascomparedtopassengercarsandSUVsmayinclude reduced interior cabin space, as discussed above, depending on theparticular truck and its design configuration. Pickup trucks aregenerallymoreexpensive, given the same age and condition as comparable passenger cars,becauseoftheirpopularityandtheirusefulnessasworkvehicles,andintheusedmarketyoumayfindmanyworn-outandoverworkedtrucksstillcommandingasurprisinglyhighprice.Handlinginwetconditionsorathighspeedisusuallylessthanidealinpickuptrucks,mainlyduetothelightweightoftherearendwhenunloadedandtheoftenhighercenterofgravity.Whileperformancepickuptrucks

withhopped-upenginesarepopularasstreetcruisers,andmanyareasfastasorfaster than the average car, they may not be as safe to push to the limits inevasive or other aggressive driving situations because of the increased risk oflosingcontrol.

SOMEPICKUPEXAMPLES

OlderToyotaswith22-REngineIfyoucanstillfindacleanexample,thefour-cylinder Toyota pickups with the 22-R engine are among the most reliablecompact pickups ever built, with many exceeding 400,000 miles without anoverhaul. I’ve owned three of these in themid-’80s model years and put over200,000milesonthemwithfewissues.Theyareeconomicaltodriveandcanbefoundintheusedmarketfromunder$1,500forroughonestowellover$7,500forlatermodelswith4WD.FordRanger/MazdaB-SeriesTheFordandMazdaversionsofthistruckareessentiallythesamevehiclewiththesameengineandothercomponents.BiggerandheavierthanthetruecompactsliketheolderToyotasandNissans,theyarestill smaller than a full-sized truck and get decent fuel economy. They areavailable in a range of models from the basic four-cylinder with standardtransmission to the 4.0-liter V6 versions with 4WD. I currently drive a 1997MazdaB2300withthestandardtransmission.Ithas180,000milesonitandhasneverbeenintheshopinthelast90,000.Ford F-150 The Ford F-150 full-sized pickup is the most popular vehicle inAmerica, and has been almost every year for the last 30 years, even includingcarsandSUVs.Ithasachievedthisstatusthankstoitsversatilityinhandlingtheneedsofcontractorsaswellasrecreationaluserswhoneedtohaulcargoortowboatsandothertrailers,asitisjusttherightsizetogetmostjobsdonewithoutbeing overly heavy or fuel-hungry. The F-150 has been built in so manyconfigurationsthatitwouldbeimpossibletobegintolistthemhere,butyoucanbuyanyofthemfromthe1997–2003generationupthroughthepresentmodelsin production and be assured of getting a rugged pickup capable of extendedservice.NewF-150s in the upper trim levels go for $40,000 ormore,with thebasemodelstartingatabout$23,000.Youshouldbeabletofindagoodolderonestartingataround$5000.GMCSierra3500HDTheSierra3500HDisanexampleofafull-sized,heavy-dutytruckavailablewitha6.0-literV8or6.6-literturbo-dieselV8thatputsout365hp. It’s availablewithdual rearwheelsandwouldbeagoodchoice if youhavetopullaheavytrailersuchasoneofthelargerRVs,boats,orothermobileretreats discussed in the next section. Like othermanufacturers’ offerings, theSierra3500HDisavailableinseveraltrimpackagesandconfigurations.TheHDdesignationbeganwiththemodelyear2007,butearliervariationsoftheSierra3500havebeenaroundsince1990.Expecttopayover$30,000foranewSierra3500HD,andatleast$15,000forawell-used2007model.

SportUtilityVehicles(SUVs)

SUVsareprobablythefirstvehiclesthatcometomindformostpeoplewhentheterm “bug-out vehicle” comes up. Most SUVs look the part because of theirrugged,outdoorsy styling,which isusually enhancedby features likeoversizedtires and high ground clearance. Many come standard with four-wheel drive,towingpackages,heavy-dutybumpers,andcargoracks.Butvehiclesthatfallintothe SUV category range over a broad spectrum and the term can includeeverythingfromrock-crawlingcustomJeepswithrollcagestoextravagantluxuryvehiclesbearingstatus-symbolnameslikeCadillac,BMW,Mercedes,orPorsche.Theyrange insize fromthetiny2,000 lb.SuzukiSamurai to theover7,000 lb.HummerH1.ThetypicalSUVhasthepassenger-carryingspaceofacarbutisbuiltonalighttruckchassis,withmanymanufacturersadaptingthechassisfromtheirpopularlines of pickups in the same size class. The earliest SUVs of this type weredesigned for real work and were usually just as rugged as their pickup truckcounterparts. Popular with survey crews and other workers needing morepassengerspaceorinteriorstoragespacethanapickupcouldoffer,thepowerfulfour-wheel-drive vehicles of this type such as early Ford Broncos and ChevySuburbanswereoftenseenworkingfarafieldonpoorlymaintainedroads.Thesevehicles later caught onwith the general public as old-fashioned but practicalstationwagonswereabandonedinfavoroftheSUVwithitsrugged“coolfactor.”During the 1990s, SUVs became so popular with those wanting to project anoutdoorsy image thatpractically everyautomobilemanufacturerbeganofferingoneormoremodels,whethertheywereinthebusinessofbuildingworktrucksornot. Almost all of them had names with connotations of adventure: Explorer,Pathfinder,Discovery,Navigator,Yukon,Tahoe,Expedition,andonandon.Four-wheel-driveJeepSUV

As a result of this fashion trend towards SUVs, not all of them are createdequal,especiallywhenitcomestooff-roadcapability,wheremanyoftheluxurymodelsaremoreshowthango.Thosemodelsthatdohaveseriouscapabilityareoftenselectedbyoff-roadvehicleenthusiasts forcompetitionsandothereventsand are well supported with aftermarket accessories and add-ons for ownermodifications.ExamplesincludemostJeepsandmanyvehiclesthatarenolongerin production, like the Suzuki Samurai. An example of a newer SUV that hasfoundfavorwithenthusiastsisthefour-wheel-driveversionoftheNissanXterra.DisadvantagesofSUVsincludepoorfueleconomyinmostmodelsduetotheirheavy weight and excessive windage caused by their high-profile, boxy shape.Another weak point is the high center of gravity that results from the extraground clearance built into most designs. SUVs have proven to be prone torolloversbecauseofthis,particularlyathighspeedsontheroad,wheresuddenevasiveactioncanresultinlossofcontrol.Purchasepriceisanotherfactor,withmostnewSUVscostingmorethansimilarlyequippedcarsandusedmodelsoftenstillholdingagoodresalevaluedependingonthepopularityofthemodel.

SOMESUVEXAMPLES

NissanXterra(4WDversions)TheNissanXterra iswellregardedamongoff-roadenthusiastsasacapable4WDSUV. Itgivesupsomeof thebetteron-roadhandlingofthesmaller,car-basedSUVsinfavorofbetterperformancewhenthe

goinggetsrough.When itwas first introduced in2000 itwas intended tobeafunctional,compactSUV,butitwasfairlyunderpowereduntilmorerecentyears.Thecurrentmodelcomeswitha4.0-literV6andcanbehadwitheithermanualorautomatictransmission.Newpricesbeginatabout$25,000,whiletheoldestexamplescanbefoundindecentconditionforabout$5,000.GMCYukonTheGMCYukonisoneofthebiggerfull-sizedSUVs,withseatingforuptoninepassengersinthenewermodels.Weighing5,500lb.andpoweredbyabig6.2-literV8, its fueleconomy isnotgreat,but it issturdyandrugged,withaheavy-dutytowingcapacityandlotsofinteriorstoragespace.AnewYukonstartsatabout$39,000,andthecurrentgenerationgoesbackto2007.Themodelyearsfrom2000to2006arethebestusedexamplesandcanrangefromaround$6,000to$15,000.JeepWranglerTheJeepWrangleranditspredecessorshavebeenaroundsincelongbeforetheSUVcrazeofthe90sspawnedthehugevarietyofvehicleswithsomepretenseofoff-roadabilityonthemarkettoday.UnlikemostluxurySUVs,which are really best on the pavement, the Wrangler is not so great on thehighwaybutcanbequitecapableinroughgoingduetoitsshortwheelbaseandgoodgroundclearance.It’spopularwithoff-roadenthusiastsandwiththosewholike the removable doors and fabric top. Today, the Wrangler comes in manylevels of trim and different configurations and starts at around $22,000. Usedmodelsgobacktothemid-’80s,whentheWranglerreplacedtheJeepCJseries.Youcanfindadecent10-to12-year-oldspecimenforaround$5,000.HummerH1SUV

HummerH1 Though today it has been replacedby less expensive andmoreroad-friendlyderivativessuchastheH2andH3,theoriginalHummerH1wasasclosetothemilitaryHumveeasaciviliancouldget.Atmorethan7,000poundsand just a tad under 8½ feetwide, theH1 is a burden in city traffic, but verycapableoff-roadaslongasyouhavefairlyopenterraintomaneuverin.Itsmainadvantageoverlesservehiclesisits16-inchgroundclearance,wheelplacementthat allows it to traverse 22-inch obstacles, and the ability to cross up to 30inches of water. It certainly looks the part of a bug-out vehicle, but that mayactually be a disadvantage, as mentioned previously. By its final year ofproductionin2005,theHummerH1costmorethan$100,000.Todayyoucanfindausedoneforunder$50,000,insomecasesaslowas$30,000.

CrossoverVehicles

Highfuelprices inrecentyearsconvinceda lotof theownersofbigSUVsthatperhapstheydidn’tneedallthatbulk,windage,andweighttohaultheirkidstothesoccergameorthemallandthatmaybethestationwagontheirparentshadwhen they were kids was not so bad after all. Auto manufacturers offered asolutiontothisnewneedcalledthecrossover.MyfirstimpressionwhenIstartedseeing these vehicles was that they looked like updated station wagons onsteroids,withtheiraggressive,raisedstanceonoversizedwheelsandwidetires.Many are available with all-wheel drive and they do offer some of the cargocapacitybenefitsofSUVsinasmaller,moremanageablepackage.Althoughbuilton passenger car chassis, they feature SUV-like visibility all around with highseating that can, in somemodels, accommodate asmany as eight people. LikeSUVs,crossoversaredesignedtoappealtothosewhodon’twanttobeperceivedas boring, everyday family types. Crossovers do have potential as bug-outvehicles,especiallywhencomparedtoothercarswithlowgroundclearance.ThecombinationoflotsoflockableinteriorcargospacewithgoodfueleconomyandbetterhandlingthantallerSUVsmakesthemsomethingtoconsider.

SOMECROSSOVEREXAMPLES

NissanMuranoTheNissanMuranoisaclassicexampleofamidsizedcrossovermeanttoserveasanalternativetotheSUV.Morecar-likethansomecrossovers,itstilloffersahigherseatingpositionlikeanSUVandplentyofcargospace.Inproduction from 2003 until the present, the Murano can be had for around$10,000fortheoldestusedmodelsorjustunder$30,000foranewone.Honda Element Unlike the sleeker Murano, the boxy Honda Element looksmore like a mini-SUV than a car, but it is still a small vehicle, with the extraheightgivingittheillusionofbeingbigger.Itofferslargecargospaceinasmallpackagewithuniqueclamshellreardoorsandaloweringtailgatelikeapickup,and is available in an AWD configuration. 2011 is the last model year to beproduced,atanMSRPofjustunder$21,000.Usedmodelsgobackto2003and

canbefoundfromabout$7500.MazdaCX-9TheMazdaCX-9isoneofthebetter-performingcrossoversinitsclass and price range, with seating for seven passengers and plenty of cargoroom.Thecurrentmodel featuresa3.7-literV6with273hpandoptionalAWD.Thisvehiclewasjustintroducedin2007,sousedexamplesstillgofor$18,000orso,whileanewonelistsforabitover$29,000.

VansandMinivans

Many types of vehicles classified as vans, fromminivans all theway up to thelargestcargoworkvans,couldbeusedasescapevehiclesinthesamewayasthecars, pickups, and SUVs already discussed in this chapter. The reason I’m notincluding themhere is that because of their extra enclosed space (which oftenfeatures removable passenger seats), most vans can be converted to mobileretreats,whicharethesubjectofthenextsectionofthisbook.Somethoughtsonconverting vans for that purpose are presented in Chapter Five. If you areinterestedinusingavanorminivansolelyasanescapevehicle,youcanchooseone based on your requirements using the guidelines already covered here forcars, pickups and SUVs. Some of these vans are well-suited to the purpose ofescapevehiclesduetotheirinteriorvolumeforcarryingpassengersandgearandavailableAWDoption.

BUG-OUTMOTORVEHICLECHECKLISTSPAREPARTS:

SparkplugsSparkplugwiresAlternatorDrivebeltsFullychargedbatteryThermostatStarterFuelpumpFuelfilterHeadlampsTaillightsandotherbulbsFusesWiperbladesSecondsparewheelandtire(inadditiontofactory-suppliedspare)Spareignitionkey

OTHERSUPPLIES:EngineoilTransmissionfluid

PowersteeringfluidBrakefluidCoolant/antifreezeWD-40lubricantsprayElectricaltapeDucttapeNylonziptiesJBWeldmetalglueMisc.fasteners(sheet-metalscrews,nuts,bolts,etc.)BalingwireCanoftirerepair/inflator(e.g.SlimeorFix-a-Flat)

TOOLSANDADDITIONALRECOVERYEQUIPMENT:Standardjack(usuallysuppliedwithvehicle)Hi-liftjackwithlonghandle(canserveaswinch)Towstrap(20’,20,000lb.-rated,loopedends)Come-alongorbumper-mountedwinchLugwrenchTireplugkit12-voltminicompressororhandpumpAirpressuregaugeSocketset(standardormetricdependingonvehicle)Open-endandadjustablewrenchesChannel-lockpliersVise-GripsScrewdriversinseveralsizes(flatheadandPhillips)HammerPrybarSparkplugwrenchAllenwrenchsetJumpercablesVoltmeterorcircuittesterHeavy-dutywirecutters/wirestripper36-inchboltcuttersChainsaw,largetreelimbsaw,oraxeShovel

2

BUG-OUTMOTORCYCLES

Many people formulating their bug-out plans overlookmotorcycles as potentialbug-out vehicles. This is probably because, in comparison to automobiles,motorcyclesmakeuponlya tinypercentageof themotorvehicleson the road,especially in the U.S. Motorcycles are not for everyone, for obvious reasons:compared to other vehicles they offer less protection from the elements, arelimited in their ability to carry luggage or passengers, require more skill tooperateinvaryingconditions,andexposetheoperatortomoredangerofseriousinjuryordeathwhenthingsgowrong.Amongthenon-ridinggeneralpublictherepersistsanegativeperceptionofmotorcyclists,muchofitunfoundedorillogicalbutfueledbythe“outlawbiker”stereotypeoftenportrayedinmoviesandbytheanger motorists feel toward the small percentage of reckless riders on high-performancebikeswhorace throughtrafficpullingwheeliesandsplitting laneslikemaniacs.Ifyou’veneverhadapreviousinterestinridingmotorcycles,thenconsideringoneasabug-outvehiclemaynotbeforyouanditisnotmyintentinthischapterto convince you otherwise. If you are interested, though, it’s never too late tolearn. You can start by taking a motorcycle safety course and trying out areasonablysizedbike.I’vebeenridingsincemypre-teenyearsandhaveownedavariety ofmotorcycles throughoutmy life, but there have also been periods ofseveralyearswhenIdidn’tridebecauseIwasexploringotherpursuits.Likemostpeoplewhoride, Ikeepcomingbackto itbecausethemotorcyclingexperienceoffersasenseoffreedomyoucan’tgetwithanyotherland-basedmotorvehicle.Formanypeoplewhoride,motorcyclesareonlyrecreationalvehiclestobeusedinsunnyweatherwhentheconditionsareidealforanopen-airexperience.Otherrecreational motorcyclists are much more serious about riding and use theirmachines for vacation touring or a variety of adventures like backcountryexploringondualsportbikes.Asmallersegmentofthemotorcyclingcommunityuses their two-wheeled transportation foreconomicaldaily commuting towork,as most motorcycles offer excellent fuel economy compared to automobiles. Asmallernumberstillusemotorcyclesexclusivelyforalltheirtransportationneedsand do not even own “cages” (a derogatory term some riders use to refer toautomobiles).Better gear than ever before is available tomake up for the shortcomings ofmotorcycles, andwith the right combinationof bike, equipment, andnecessaryskills, there isno reasonwhyamotorcycle can’tworkas yourbug-out vehicle.Sincethischapterfallsinthe“EscapeVehicles”sectionofthisbook,thekindsofmotorcyclesdiscussedherehavetobecapableofsustainedtripsontheroadathighway speeds. Smaller off-road-onlymotorcycles are discussed in the section“Alternative Equipment and Backup Vehicles.” Still, like SUVs and four-wheel-

drive trucks, many of the street-capable machines covered here also haveremarkableabilitiesinthedirtandsomecangoplacesnofull-sizedfour-wheeledvehiclecouldventure.

DisadvantagesofMotorcyclesasBug-OutVehicles

Sincethemotorcyclesdescribedinthischapterareprimarilydesignedtotravelon roads,whetherpavedorminimallymaintainedgravel, all thedisadvantagesthat comewith travelby road ingeneral, asdiscussed in theprevious chapter,apply tomotorcyclesaswell.This includes thepossibilityofencounteringman-maderoadblocks,boththeofficialkindsetupbyauthoritieswhowishtolimitorrestrictmovementandthecriminalkindthatmaybesetupbythosewhowishtotakeadvantageofthesituation.Whileinsomecasesamotorcyclemayallowyouto go around obstacles that block larger vehicles, manned roadblocks will bemore dicey, as you will be a wide-open target on a vehicle that offers noconcealment,much lesscover.Thisdisadvantagecanalsomanifest itself inanyurban or traffic situation in a post-SHTF event, making you an easy target ofopportunitytoshootatorhitwithalargervehicle.

Youareexposedinotherwaysonamotorcycletoo,toagreaterriskofinjuryordeathinacrashaswellastotheelements.Althoughmanyriderssurvivehigh-speedcrasheswithoutinjurythankstoacombinationoftherightprotectivegearandluck,ifyouhitasolidobject(suchasanothervehicle,aguardrail,atree,orasignpost) at high speed, no gear will save you. Exposure to the cold on amotorcycle is compounded by the wind chill of riding at speed, and when thetemperature dips below freezing it can quickly lead to hypothermia unless youarewearinggoodcold-weatherridinggear.Likewise,exposure toextremeheatorprolongedheavyraincanmakeyourlifedifficult.Ineverywayyouaregoingtohavetodealwiththeelementsmoreonamotorcyclethaninanyautomobile.

Inadditiontotheincreasedriskofinjuryinacrash,thereisalsomorepotentialfor a crash to happen, since two-wheeled vehicles have a lot less rubber incontactwith theroad thanautomobiles.Lossof traction leading toacrashcanhappenfastandwithlittlewarningduetowetor icyroads, loosegravel,oilontheroad,andothersurfaceconditionsthatmightnotbeabigdealinacar,truckorSUV.Another potential disadvantage of the small size and lighter weight ofmotorcyclesisthattheyaremucheasiertostealthanautomobiles.Twoorthreestrongmencanquicklyhoistevenabigbikeintothebackofapickupanddriveoffwithit,whethertheforkislockedornot.Inapost-SHTFscenario,allvehiclesincludingmotorcycles could be at a premiumand a risk to leave anywhere forlong,unlesshiddencompletelyoutofsight.Inanurbansettingoranyplaceelsewhere you can’t conceal it, you can use a heavy chain or cable to secure amotorcycletoasolidobjectlikeatreeorlamppost,butthiswillonlydeterthosewhoarenotequippedwithboltcutters.Thebestpolicyistostaywiththebikeorkeepitoutofsight.If this long list of disadvantages hasn’t dissuaded you from thinking about amotorcycleasabug-outvehicle,therestofthischapterwillhelpyouchooseandoutfitthebikethat’sbestforyourneeds.

KeyBug-OutMotorcycleConsiderations

Ease of Concealment This is a motorcycle advantage that many peopleoverlook. As pointed out in the disadvantages above, motorcycles are easy tosteal if left unattended, but because of their much smaller size and weightcomparedtoautomobiles,concealingoneisrelativelyeasy.Ifyouneedtoleaveitsomewherealongyourrouteorwhenyougettothefarthestpointyoucanrideto, a small camouflaged tarp or some natural vegetation from the surroundingareacanmakeyourmotorcycledisappear.Oftenyoucanfindaplacetorideevenaheavystreetbikeofftheroadandintothebushesorwoodsnearby,whereyoucancampunseenbyotherstravelingbyontheroad.Eveninnormaltimes,thismethod of “stealth” camping is often used by adventurous motorcycle touristswhodon’twanttopayforacampgroundorotheraccommodations.Inanurbansetting, you can also hide and lock up yourmotorcycle inside your house, in asmallstorageshed,orinsidealargevanorboxtruck.Gettingthebiggesttouringbikes through doorways might require removing the luggage systems, but theabilitytomoveamotorcycleinsidecanbeabigadvantageinmanysituations.MaintenanceandAdjustmentsMotorcyclesgenerallyrequiremorefrequentmaintenance than automobiles. If you plan to use a motorcycle as an escapevehicle, you must know how to do the required routine maintenance andadjustments. You will greatly increase your self-sufficiency if you learn how toadjustcables,troubleshootelectricalproblems,andreplaceyourowntires(anddrive chain or belt if your bike has one). Tires wear out much faster on amotorcycle thanonacaror truck,andonebigdifferencebetweenautomobilesandmotorcyclesisthatyouwon’thavetheroomtocarryacompletesparewheel

withamountedtire—nottomentionthatthefrontandrearwheelsareinvariablydifferent.Youmusthavethetoolsandknow-howtofixyourownflattiresonthesideof the road.Tubeless tirescanoftenbeplugged if thepuncture isnot toobig.Ifyouhaveinnertubes,youwillneedapatchkitand/orsparetubes,alongwithtireironstoremovethetubeandamanualor12-voltpumptorefillitwithair. You’ll also need a means of lifting each wheel off the ground in order toremoveit.Manymotorcycleshavecenterkickstandsthatmakethiseasy;ifyoursdoesn’t, you can install one or carry one of the small jackstandsmade for thepurpose.Inapinch,youcanplacealogorbigrockundertheframetosupportitwhileyouremovethewheel.Motorcyclesalsogenerallyrequiremorefrequentoilchanges,andsomeenginedesigns require periodic valve adjustments, carburetor cleaning, and othermaintenancechoresthatmostautomobileownersdon’thavetoworryabout.Butdespite the increased frequency of maintenance, most modern street or dual-sportmotorcyclesareasdependableasanyothervehicleandcanbeexpectedtorun100,000milesormore.A fewof the importantmechanicaldifferences thatyouwill encounterwith amotorcycle are explainedbelow, aswell ashow theymightaffectmaintenanceintervalsandlong-termdurability.Single-,Twin-,orMulti-CylinderEngine?Modernmotorcycleenginescomeinavarietyofcylinderconfigurations.Manyofthedual-sportbikesdiscussedinthis chapter use the simplest design of all: the single cylinder engine, oftenreferredtoasa“thumper.”Thesebikesaredesignedtobelightweightandagilefor their off-road function and give up some overall power and engine size toachieve this. Two-cylinder engines, such as the V-twins found on virtually allcruisers, allow for more displacement and power, especially low-end torque atlowerrpm.Othertwo-cylinderconfigurationsincludeparalleltwinsandopposedtwins, such as the “boxer” engines BMW motorcycles are famous for. Multi-cylindermotorcycleenginesincludeinlinethree-andfour-cylindervariationsandflat six-cylinder engines such as the 1832cc power plant found in the HondaGoldwing.Yourchoiceofenginetypewilldependalotonthetypeofridingyouwanttodo.A650ccthumperisfineforanall-around,do-everythingkindofbike,butifyouplan on riding long hours on the highway, you will enjoy the extra power andtorque of a rumblingV-twin or the smooth, high-revving top speeds of amulti-cylinderengine.FinalDriveSystems Amotorcycle’s engine power is transferred to the rearwheel by a chain, a flexible belt, or a drive shaft similar to those used inautomobiles.Motorcyclesdesignedforruggedoff-roaduseareusuallyfittedwithchaindrives,whichhavealimitedlifebeforetheyneedtobereplacedalongwiththefrontandrearsprocketstheyrunon.Ofthethreetypesoffinaldrive,chainsalso require the most attention, such as adjustment and lubrication. But theyworkwell on bikeswith long-travel suspensions such as those typical on dual-sportmotorcycles,andtheyholdupwelltotheabuseofgrit,gravel,andwateraslongastheyarecleanedandlubricatedoften.Chainscanbereplacedonthesideoftheroadwithaminimumoftools.

Flexible toothed belts, such as those used on almost all Harley Davidsons,typically last many times longer than chains, often up to 100,000 miles. Theyrequirepracticallynomaintenanceoradjustment,butcouldbereplacedonthesideoftheroadintheeventofafailure.Theonlydownsidetomodernbeltdrivesystemsisthatifyouplantorideextensivelyoff-roadorongravelroads,thereisa chance that the belt could be damaged or broken by small rocks gettingbetweenthebeltandthepulleys.Somemotorcyclemanufacturers, such as BMW, have long used a shaft drivesystemlikethoseonautomobiles.Thesehavetheadvantageofnotrequiringthemaintenanceoradjustmentthatchainsdo,buttheyarealotheavierthaneitherchainsorbelts,andwhentheyfailtheyaremuchmoredifficultandexpensivetorepair.Ashaftdrivefailureinaremotelocationwillleaveyoustranded,butthemodern shaft drive systems used on motorcycles today are quite reliable andmanyadventurebikessuchastheBMWGSseriesusethissystem.Liquidvs.Air-CooledEnginesThesimplestmotorcycles,suchasolderBMWsand all Harley Davidsons with the exception of the V-Rod, use the flow of airacross their cylinders to keep the engine within operating temperature. Air-coolingeliminatesthecomplexityandvulnerabilitytodamageorfailureofliquid-cooledengines,whichhaveaddedcomponents suchas the radiator,hoses,andthewaterpump.Adownsidetoair-coolingisthatenginelifecanbeshortenedbythehigheroperatingtemperatures,especiallyifyourridinginvolvesalotofslowgoingorstop-and-gosituationswheretheairflowisreduced.Liquid cooling is good for negotiating off-road conditions at slower speeds ordealingwithlongdelaysorgridlockintraffic.Italsohelpsanengineendureforalonglifespan,whichiswhyitisusedexclusivelyinmodernautomobilesthatareexpectedtorun200,000milesormore.Withmotorcycleengines,thelargerthedisplacement,theharderitistocoolwithairflowalone.Thisisespeciallytrueonlargertouringmachineswithfairingsandsidepanelsthatblocktheairflow.

EquipmentandModifications

RidingGearforSafetyandComfortBecauseyouwillbemuchmoreexposedtotheelementsandthedangerofimpactwiththeroad,othervehicles,andflyingobjects, motorcycle riding requires special gear if you want to be reasonablycomfortableandsafe.Moststateshavelawsrequiringmotorcycleriderstowearahelmet,atminimum.Full-facehelmetsarebestintheeventofacrashandalsooffermorecomfortincoldorrainbykeepingyourentireheadandfacecovered.Modern flip-up ormodular full-faced helmets offer this comfort and protectionwiththeoptionofraisingthechinbarandshieldifyouneedtotalktosomeonewhilestopped. Ifyouwearanopenhelmetwithouta faceshield,youshouldatleastwearimpact-resistanceridingglassesorgoggles,asyoureyeswillexposedtoallsortsofdangersfromflyinginsectstorocksandotherroaddebris.Safety gear shouldn’t stop at the head, but should also include protectivegloves,boots,pants,andajacket.ThebestofthesearereinforcedwithleatherorKevlarandnotonlyprotectyoufromabrasionifyougoslidingdowntheroad,but

also incorporate armor in critical areas like the knees and elbows for impactresistance.Inaddition,mostwelldesignedridinggearwillkeepyouwarminthecoldanddryintherainthroughasystemofremovableinnerorouterlayers.Andwithtoday’smeshgeardesignedforsummerriding,youcanrideincomfortableprotectivegearinthehottestweatherwithoutoverheating.Forextremecold-weatherriding,thereisalsotheoptionofelectricallyheatedclothingsuchasveststhatcanbewornunderyourprotectiveridinggearandarepoweredbybeingplugged into thebike’s12-voltelectrical system.Somebikesarealsoequippedwithheatedhandlebargripsandseats,orthesecanbeaddedasanaftermarketaccessory.LuggageSystems:CarryingYourBug-OutGearonaMotorcycleTomakeamotorcyclework as a bug-out vehicle, youwill need away to securely carryyourgearandsupplieswithoutcompromisingyoursafetywhileriding.Thisrulesoutwearingabackpackonyourperson,whichraisesyourcenterofgravityandistiringaswell.Instead,themotorcycleshouldcarryalltheweightandbulkwithasystemofluggageracksandhardorsoftpanniers.Luggagesystemsvarywidely,dependingon the typeofbike,butmany sophisticatedand reliableoptionsareavailableduetothepopularityofmotorcycletouring.Adventuretouristsondual-sportmotorcyclesoftencarryeverythingtheyneedforextendedcampingwhiletraveling in remote terrain, enjoying a style of travel that comes close tosimulatingabug-outscenarioontwowheels.Panniersorsaddlebagsthatfitlowovereachsideoftherearwheelarethebestplace to start loading up amotorcycle, because they keep theweight low andbalanced. Your heaviest items can be carried in these, while bulkier butlightweight itemsliketarps,sleepingbags,andextraclothingcanbepackedindufflebagsordrybagsandstrappedacrosstherearoftheseatoronaluggagerack.Pannierscanbeoftherigid,hard-shellvarietyormadeoffabricsimilartobackpacksandothersoftluggage.(Color-matchinghardpanniersoftencomeasstandardequipmentondedicatedtouringbikes.)Adventureridersondualsportmachines tend to favor utilitarian aluminum hard cases or other waterprooflockable cases, such as Pelican cases ormilitary surplus ammo cans bolted toracksoneachsideof the rearwheel.Thosewhoride inmoreextremeoff-roadconditionsoftenprefersoftpanniers,asthehardcasescanbreakalegoranklein certain kinds of spills. Cruiser motorcycles usually look better with leathersaddlebagsthatmatchthelow-slunglinesofthebike.Cruiser-stylemotorcycles also frequently have an upright sissy bar/passengerbackrestthatcanholdpurpose-madeT-bagsorsimplyserveasasupporttolashonalargeduffleorbackpack.Anadvantageofthetallsissybaristhatyoucouldsimplylashonyourstandardbug-outbackpackandquicklyremoveitforhikingwhenyoureachtheendoftheroad.Butanyofthemotorcyclesdiscussedinthischapter can carry more than you would be able to carry in a simple bug-outbackpack if you were traveling on foot. How much more depends on theparticularbikeandyourowncreativitywhenloadingit.MotorcycleTrailersandSidecarsAnotherwaytoincreasetheload-carryingabilityandgeneralutilityofamotorcycle is topulla trailerbehind thebikeor

attachasidecar to it.Originallymeant tocarryapassengerbutalsouseful forstowinggear,sidecarsaremostlyanoveltyitemthesedays,butyoucanstillbuythemformanytypesofmotorcyclesorbuildyourown.Asidecarwilltransformyourbikeintoathree-wheeler,andhandlingwillbedifferentthanaconventionalmotorcycle.Some motorcycle tourists, especially couples who ride two-up for extendedtrips,liketopulltheirgearbehindthemintrailers.Thiscouldbeanoptionworthconsideringifyouarebuggingoutwithyourpartneronasinglemotorcycle,asthepassengerwilltakeupmuchofthespacethatwouldnormallybeavailablefortyingdownextragear.Somemotorcycle trailersare strictly cargocarriers,butthere are also pop-up camper trailers available that would cross over into themobileretreatcategorydiscussedinthenextsection.SoloorTwo-UpUnlessyouareplanningtouseatrailerorsidecarasdiscussedabove,youwillprobablywanttohavetwomotorcyclesifyouarebuggingoutasacouple.Thiswill allowyou to carrymuchmoregearwithoutbeing crowdedoroverloaded.Ifyouwereinclinedtobugoutonmotorcyclesasafamily,twoadultsonseparatebikescouldalsocarryachildeach,thoughthisisnotanidealsetup.Butrealistically,mostpeopleconsideringbuggingoutbymotorcyclewillprobablybe single individuals who will be riding solo and traveling light. It is in thisapplicationthatmotorcyclesreallycomeintotheirownasbug-outvehicles.

DualSportMotorcycles

When I was growing up in a small town inMississippi in the ’70s, practicallyeveryboyinmyneighborhoodhadasmallmotorcycleinthe75to250ccrange.Thesemotorcycleswereinvariablywhatwecalled“on-road/off-road”motorcyclesatthetime,andwereusuallyHondas,Suzukis,Kawasakis,orYamahas.The“on-road”aspectmeantthattheywerestreetlegal,completewithturnsignals,lights,brakes, and mirrors, so we could ride them to school or zip up and downneighborhoodstreets.The“off-road”aspectmeantthattheycameequippedwithknobby tiresand tall, long-travel suspension,andwere lightweightenough thatwecouldridethemontrailsandloggingroadsinthewoodsandclimbhillsandjump homemade ramps in our attempts to imitate our motorcycle hero of thetime,EvelKnievel.Back then,most adults rode big street bikes such asHarleys andGoldwings,andIwouldn’thavepredictedthattheon-road/off-roadconceptwouldcontinuetogrowanddevelopintoacategoryofmotorcyclesknownas“dualsport”bikes.Buttoday such machines are available in a range of sizes from a wide variety ofmanufacturers.Dualsportmotorcyclescanofferthebestofbothworlds,bridgingthe gap between long-distance highway touring machines and rugged off-road“enduros” thatcaneatuproughterrain.Adualsportmotorcycle is the Jeepofthetwo-wheeledworldandthepopularityofthistypeofmotorcyclecontinuestogrowasmoreandmoreseriousadventurersgooutandshowtherestofuswhatispossiblewiththistypeofbike.Dualsportadventureridersfavorlong-distancejourneysinsomeoftheleastdevelopedpartsoftheplanet,andmanyridenorth

throughAlaskatotheArcticOcean,souththroughthemostruggedpartsoftheAndesMountains,throughtheheartofAfrica,acrossSiberia,intotheAustralianOutback,andonandon.Becausetheyareusedinsuchremoteareas,dual-sportbikescomeequippedwithlargerfueltanksthanmostmotorcyclestheirsize,andthismakesthemwell-suitedtobeingusedasbug-outvehicles.However,dualsportmotorcyclesalsohavesomedisadvantagescomparedtotheothertypesdiscussedinthischapter.Likeanyotherpieceofgearwiththe“dual-purpose” or “multipurpose” label, dual-sport motorcycles are all aboutcompromise.Thesemotorcycleshavethecapabilityforbothhighwayridingandoff-roadriding,butbecausetheymustbeabletodobothadequately,theydonotexcelateither.Allbutthesmallestdual-sportbikesaremuchheavierthanrealdirt bikes (which are covered in Chapter Seven in the “Additional Equipment”partof thisbook),so theyare limitedwhen itcomestonegotiating trulyroughterrainorsingle-tracktrails.Theheavierweightmeansthatyouhavetobemorecarefulclimbingsteepslopesorgettingintosituationswhereyoumighthavetomanhandlethebikeorpickitupafterafall.Becausetheyarealsodesignedfortheroad,dual-sportbikestendtohavemorebreakablepartsthantruedirtbikes,includingfairingsandotherplasticbodyparts,windshields,mirrors,turnsignals,and headlights. Most serious dual-sport riders install various crash bars andother guards to protect these vulnerable parts so they can survivemost of theminorfallsandcrashesthatareinevitableinoff-roadriding.Lookingatdual-sportbikes in comparison tomotorcyclesbuilt strictly for theroad,wecanseetheothersideofthecompromisethatisnecessaryindesigningthesemachines.Becauseoftheneedformoregroundclearancefornegotiatingoff-roadobstaclesandthelonger-travelsuspensionsetupthatistypicalonthesebikestoenabletravelonroughterrainatspeed,dual-sportmotorcyclessitmuchhigherandhaveahigher center of gravity than streetbikes.Because theyaretaller theyalsopresentmuchmore surfacearea to thewind, and somecanbeparticularlytreacherousinstrongcrosswindswithallofthatsurfaceareaactinglikeasail.Becauseofthisheightandwindage,somedual-sportbikesproducealotofbuffetingtotheriderathighspeeds,particularlywhentravelingamongbigsemirigsthatcreateturbulentair.Thiseffectismorenoticeableonthebikesofthistypethatareonthelighterendoftheweightspectrum.Aslongasyoukeepthesecompromisesinmind,youcanprobablychooseadualsportmotorcyclethatwilldothejobforyourparticu-larpurposeandlocation.Ifmostofyourexpectedrouteinvolvestravelongoodsurfaces,suchaspavementor well-maintained gravel, the bigger, heavier dual-sport bikes in the 800 to1200cc range like the BMW or KTM twins will probably serve you just fine.However,ifyourbug-outlocationisclosertohome,andreachingitnecessitatestravelingroughdirt roads, trails,orevengoingcross-country,asmaller, lighterdual sport bike with a 650cc or smaller engine like the Suzuki DR 650 willprobablyworkbest.BMWR100GSdual-sportmotorcycle

The inexpensive Kawasaki KLR 650 is perhaps the quintessential dual-sportmotorcycle, in production since 1989 and performance-tested by adventurousjourneysallovertheworld.Icurrentlyownoneofthesecond-generation(2008topresent)modelsofthisbikeandfindittobeagreatfitformostoftheridingIdo,whichinvolveshighwayridingtogettoremotenationalforestlandswhereIuseittoexploreloggingandfireroadsoffthebeatenpath.ItdoesallthiswhileeasilycarryingeverythingIneedtocampforseveraldaysor longer.Withasix-gallonfueltankandafueleconomyofaround50mpginmostridingconditions,ithasuptoa300-milerange.TheKLR650iswidelyavailableintheusedmotorcyclemarket,oftenequippedwithaftermarketadd-onsthatmakeitevenmoresuitableasabug-outvehicle.

SomeDual-SportMotorcyclesExamples

KawasakiKLR650Forthereasonsmentionedabove,theKawasakiKLR650isoneofthebestall-arounddualsportmotorcyclesoutthere.It issimpletoworkon and has great aftermarket support, aswell as active enthusiast groups andonline forums to answer any questions you may have. KLRs are reliable andpeopletendtoridethemtotheendsoftheEarth,usuallywithfewproblems.Onereason theKLR is so popular is that it’s cheap.Althougha currentmodelmayhave an MSRP of around $6,000, dealers often sell them at considerablediscounts—sometimes under $5,000with a fullwarranty.Used examples of thefirst-generationmodels canbe found forwellunder$2,000 for roughonesandaround $3500 for a bike fully equipped for adventure. The second-generationmodel can be found used for as little as $3,000, though well outfitted onesgenerallygoformorethan$4,000.Informationonthenewmodelisavailableatwww.kawasaki.com.BMW1150GSBMWhaslongbeenaleaderinthedualsport/adventurebikemarket,and theirGS line includesbikeswithenginesizes from650 to1200cc.ThebiggerBMWslikethe1150GSareparticularlygoodatdoinghigh-mileagedaysathighspeedswithaheavyload.Andinadditiontothishighwaycapability,they are quite able off-road, as long as you take the extra weight into

considerationanddon’tgetintosituationsyoucan’tgetoutof.Thisbikehasbeenmade popular by the publicity it has received frommany long trips, includingaround-the-worldadventures,andhasagoodreputationforreliability.The1150GSiswidelyavailableontheusedmarketsinceitwasinproductionfrom1999to2005(ithassincebeenreplacedbythe1200GS).Youcanfindagoodexampleofthe 1150 GS for anywhere between about $6,500 and $11,000, depending onconditionandoptionalequipment.MoreaboutBMW’sGSseriescanbefoundatwww.bmwmotorcycles.com.First generation (left) and second generation Kawasaki KLR 650 motorcyclesloadedfortouring

KTM990AdventureAlloftheKTMdualsportbikesarecapableperformers,andtheyaremoresuitedtoadvancedridersthanlower-poweredbasicbikesliketheKLR. The latest “Dakar” version of theKTM990Adventure boasts 115 hpcompared to the 35 hp of the KLR. It has a six-speed transmission and a fuelcapacityof5.2gallons.LikethebiggerBMWs,theKTM990isnotinexpensive.MSRPisaround$15,000.TheKTMwebsiteiswww.ktm.com.

StandardMotorcycles

Standardmotorcyclesarethestreetbikesmostsimilartodual-sportbikes,inthattheyarebasic,do-it-allmachineswithanuprightseatingpositionandlittleintheway of accessories, at least as delivered from the factory. For everydaytransportationandutility, standardsaregreatbikes.Theyare seeneverywhereonthestreetsofless-developednations,wheremanypeopleridemotorcyclesastheir only means of transportation. Good examples of classic standardmotorcyclesarethevenerableTriumphBonneville,whichhasbeeninproductionfrom 1959 to the present in various forms, and the earlier Harley DavidsonSportster,whichdebuted in1957andwasmoreofastandardthanacruiser in

theearlyyears.WhenJapanesemotorcycleswerefirstintroducedintotheUnitedStates in the late1960sand1970s, themajorityof themwerestandards in thesmalltomediumsizes,suchastheHondaCBseriesandtheKawasakiKZseries.Standardmotorcyclesarestillofferedtodaybymostmanufacturers,thoughtheymay look more aggressive and some are larger and more powerful than theirpredecessors.HarleyDavidsonSportstercustomizedfordual-sportriding

Because they don’t have fairings, windshields, plastic body panels, and otherunnecessary cosmetic niceties, standard motorcycles are easy to work on andmaintain. Everything is right there in the open—just a frame, an engine, twowheels,agastank,andasimpleseat.Partoftheappealofthestandardisthisclassic,stripped-downappearanceandlackofdistinctivestylingcommontootherclassesofmotorcycles.Thestandardridingpositionisasnaturalaspossible.Thehandlebarsareplacedsothatyoudon’thavetoreachfarforward,withtheshouldersinalineabovethehips.Feetarenaturallybelowyouonfootpegsthatkeeptheminapositionforthebestcontrolwhileallowingyoutostandifnecessarytoabsorbtheshockofhitting something in the road. Because of these ergonomics and themoderatedisplacement and power, most standards are ideal motorcycles for beginningriderstolearnon.Andforthemoreexperienced,thecleanslateofanakedbikeisanidealplatformonwhichtobuildacustombikeforaspecificpurpose.

SOMESTANDARDMOTORCYCLESEXAMPLES

TriumphBonnevilleT100TheclassicTriumphBonnevilleisstillavailableinitsmodern interpretation as a naked standardwith an 856cc parallel-twin engine.Thoughthestylingisrightoutofthe’60s,themodernBonnevilleisfuel-injectedand features today’smuch-improvedbrakesandsuspension.ThecurrentmodelhasanMSRPof$8,800.UsedmodelsoftheT100versionwithmostlythesamespecificationsgobackto2007andcanbefoundforas lowas$5,000.Thenew

BonnevilleisfeaturedonTriumph’swebsiteatwww.triumph.co.uk.HarleyDavidsonXR1200TheXR1200isoneofthelatestofmanyvariationsof the Sportster, and this one is closer to a basic standard motorcycle thananything else offered by this American manufacturer. The seating position isupright, foot pegs and controls are in themid-position, and exhaust pipes arehigh and upswept, unlike the low-slung Harley cruisers. Like the rest of theSportster lineup, the XR 1200 is powered by the extremely reliable V-twinEvolution engine with its loads of low-end torque. Introduced into the U.S. in2009, the currentmodel has anMSRPof $11,800.AllHarleyshold their valuewell,butusedXR1200scanbefoundforunder$10,000.MoreinformationonthenewXR1200canbefoundatwww.harley-davidson.com.Honda CB 750 The Honda CB 750 was one of the best of the JapanesestandardmotorcyclesthatswepttheU.S.marketbackwhenitwasintroducedinthe late 1960s. At that time,with its four-cylinder engine, it was considered a“superbike” and out-performed many motorcycles with larger displacementengines.Theclassicversionofthismodelwasmanufactureduntil1982whenitwas replaced by the CB 750Nighthawk version, which is also a standard, butwithmoremodernstyling.It’shardtosayforsurewhatyouwouldexpecttopayforagoodolderCB750. Iowneda1979model in themid-’90sandsold it foraround$1,500.Cleanexamplesoftheseareconsideredcollectiblesnowandmaybe much pricier. The Nighthawk versions are more common and with somesearchingyoucanprobablypickupagoodonefor$1,500to$2,000.

CruiserMotorcycles

ThisisthetypeofmotorcyclethatismostpopularintheUnitedStates.Cruisermotorcycles have become an icon of American culture,withmany styling cuesandaccoutrementsderivedfromthehorseback-ridingcowboysoffrontierlegend.Cruiserriderstendtofavor leatherandchromeandmostcustomizetheirbikeswithadd-onaccessories.Thisstyleofmotorcycleisdefinedbytherelaxedridingposition,oftenleaningbackagainstabackrestwiththefeetextendedonforward-control foot pegs or highway pegs. The more extreme examples, especially“choppers,” feature tallhandlebarscalled “apehangers”and/or raked-out frontendsthatextendthewheelbasesomuchthattheylosealotofmaneuverabilityatlowspeeds.Becauseoftheridingpositionandergonomicsofcruisermotorcycles,theyarenot designed for top-end performance or knee-dragging, high-speed cornering.Instead,theyarebestatwhattheirnameimplies:cruising.Thismeanstheycancomfortablyeatuplongdistancesatregularhighwayspeeds.Whensetupwithsaddlebags and other luggage, or perhaps a tall sissy bar for lashing on abackpack,acruisercancarrywhatyouneedinabug-outsituationifyourroutewillbeonpavementorwell-maintainedgravel.Disadvantages of cruiser-style motorcycles as bug-out vehicles include thetypicallylowgroundclearancethatismoreaboutstreetstylingthanpracticality,andalltheaddedchromeblingfoundonmostofthemthatwillbehardtohidein

thewoodsandmayattractthievesinthecity.Thebiggeronesarealsoheavyandtoolongtomaneuverinanykindofrealoff-roadriding,andoftenhaveminimalsuspension systems that will jar your spine on bumpy terrain. Despite all thiscruisersareeverywhereandmostareeasytoworkonandkeepgoing.

HARLEYDAVIDSONMOTORCYCLES

Despite thepremiumprice theycommandbothnewandused, inmostpartsofthecountryyouwillseemoreHarleyDavidsonmotorcyclesontheroadthananyother make. Harleys offer a few advantages worth considering when you’relooking at motorcycles as bug-out vehicles. For one, because Harleys of alldescriptionsareeverywhere,partsareeasilyobtainedeven in small townsandruralareas,unlikemoreexoticbrandslikeBMW,Triumph,orKTM.Onecommoncriticism of Harleys is that they use primitive technology from an earlier era,which is partly true, but this can also be an advantage because the simpledesignscanbeworkedonwithoutspecializedknowledgeortools.Manypartscanbefabricatedinahomeshopandbecauseofthis,yourarelyseeHarleyDavidsonmotorcyclesofanyvintageretiredtothejunkyard.Theycanberebuiltoverandoverandforthisreasoncouldbethebestchoiceintheaftermathofaseriouslylong-term grid-down event. Thanks to their basic electrical systems, they arealreadypracticallyEMP-proof,andifyouarereallyconcernedaboutthatyoucangetanolderHarleywithakick-starter.Duringthe1970swhenthecompanywastakenoverbyAMF,HarleyDavidsonproductsbegan toget abad reputationasunreliable, oil-leakingmachinesandtheirpopularitydeclined.PartofthisdeclinewasalsoduetothehugeinfluxofJapanesemotorcyclesintotheU.S.market,andtheselessexpensiveforeignbikeswerereadilyacceptedastheyprovedtheirreliability.ButHarleyDavidsonmadeabigcomebackinthemid-’80sandredesignedtheirpowerplantstomakethemmore reliable than everwhile still retaining the simplicity of theV-twin designtheywerefamousfor.Theseenginesaretunedforlow-endtorque,whichmeansyoudon’thave to shift asoften toaccelerateorkeep them in thepowerband.Andofcourse theyarealso famous for theirdistinctivesound.Therearemanyimitators, but if you are going to ride a V-twin cruiser, then Harley Davidsonmight as well be the first place you look. You can find used ones in greatcondition anywhere, oftenwith lowmileage, asmany owners spendmore timepolishingthechromeandshowingthemoffthanactuallyriding.OneHarleyDavidsonmodelthatisoftenoverlookedbytheridersofthebiggermodelsbuthaspotentialasabug-outmotorcycleistheubiquitousSportster.TheSportsterhasbeenincontinuousproductionsinceitsintroductionin1957,andisstillofferedtodayinavarietyofconfigurationswitheitheran833ccor1200ccV-twinEvolutionengine.Sportsterswiththisengine,whichwasintroducedin1986,areamongthemostbulletproofmotorcyclesyoucanbuyandareeasytoworkonandcheaptopurchaseandmaintain.Irecentlypicked-upan11-year-oldXL1200CustomSportster for less than thepriceofmostusedKLR650s. It runs likeanewmachineandhashadzeroissues.AlthoughnotaslightweightasmyKLR,at

540 lb., the Sportster is still small and nimble enough to be taken off-road tosome extent and many owners have converted them to rugged adventuremachineswithknobbytiresandtallersuspensions.WiththesemodificationstheSportstercanbetransformedintoapowerfuldualsportmachinethatgetsgreatfueleconomyandhasloadsoflow-endtorque.

SOMECRUISER-STYLEMOTORCYCLESEXAMPLES

HarleyDavidsonSportsterTheSportsterblursthelinebetweenacruiserandastandard,butmostoftherecentXLmodelsotherthanthepreviouslydescribedXR1200aresetupinacruisingconfigurationwithforwardcontrolsandalow-slungseatandareusuallydeckedoutinchromeandglossypaint.Theyarealsoavailablein“blacked-out”versionssuchasthe883IronandtheNightster.Mostof theSportsterscanbehadwitheitheran883ccora1200ccengine.The883getsupto60mpgonthehighway,andthe1200averagescloseto50mpg.Theyrange inprice froma lowofabout$3,000on theusedmarket toover$11,000new, depending on the size andmodel.Unless you are a competentmechanic,avoid the pre-1986 Ironhead versions of the Sportster. Read more about themodern Sportster and all current Harley Davidson models at www.harley-davidson.com.Harley Davidson Dyna The Harley Davidson Dyna family includes a widerange of models that use the Harley “big twin” engine but are still relativelylightweightandnimblecomparedtothecompany’sheaviercruisers.SomeoftheDynamodelslookjustlikeaslightlylargerSportsterandarewidelyconsideredtobethebest-handlingandbest-performingHarleysofall.Withtheirbiggerframesandlargerengines,theyarebettersuitedforcarryingheavyloads,two-upriding,or long-distance days. They aremore expensive than the Sportsters, both newandused,butyoucansometimesfindagoodexamplefromthe1990sforunder$6,500,andlatermodelsforwellunder$10,000.

TouringMotorcycles

If covering long distances quickly and comfortably is important to you, then atouringmotorcyclemaybeyourbestchoice.Touringmotorcycles(alsosometimesreferredtoas“dressers”or“baggers”)aretypicallylargemotorcycleswithlotsoffactory luggagespacebuilt in,usually in the formofhard, lockablesaddlebagsmounted on the rear as well as an additional trunk or top box behind thepassengerseat.Thesemotorcyclesaredesignedforlong-distancetravelandareheavyforstabilitywithalongerwheelbaseforstretched-out,all-daycomfortforthe driver and passenger. Most touring motorcycles built today have largedisplacementenginesdesignedforrunningathighspeedsforhourafterhourontheinterstate.Theyarealsofittedwithhigher-capacitygastankstoextendtheirrange between fuel stops on long trips. Touring bikes offer the best protectionfrom the elements of any type of motorcycle, with large front fairings and

windshieldsusuallyfittedasstandardequipment.Othercomfortfeaturesincludeheated grips and seats and accessory outlets for plugging in heated clothing.Most bikes in this class are equipped with stereo systems built into the dashbehind the fairing, as well as other instrumentation not found on more basicmachines. The seating position is usually upright as on a standardmotorcycle,although some of the bikes in the sport touring category have a somewhatforward-leaningposition.Atouringmotorcycleconvertedtoa“trike”configuration

Theheavyweightofa touringmotorcycle,whichmakes itsocomfortableandstableonthehighway,canbeadisadvantageifyouhavetogetitoveroraroundobstaclesortransportitinapickuportrailer.Sometouringmotorcyclesweighasmuchas850to900pounds,makingthemunsuitableforgoingoff-roadexceptonwell-maintainedgravelorsmooth,widepaths. Ifabike thatheavy fallsoverorgets stuck in mud or sand, it will be difficult or impossible for the rider toextricate italone.Workingonbigtouringmotorcycles ismuchmoredifficultaswell, partlybecauseof theweight andbulkandpartlybecauseof all theextrapartslikefairings,bodysidepanels,andothercoversandpartsthathavetoberemoved first to access the engine, battery, and other essential components.Fixingflatsorchangingtireswillbeharderandmostcomponentsandpartswillbemoreexpensive.Becausetheyareusedforwhattheyaredesignedfor,mostusedtouringbikessoldatlowpriceswillhavehighmileageonthemcomparedtoothertypesofmotorcyclesthatareriddenmorecasually.Ifyouarebuyingnew,expecttopayasmuchforawell-equippedtouringbikeasyouwouldpayforanaveragenewcar.

TOURINGMOTORCYCLESEXAMPLE

Honda Goldwing The Honda Goldwing is the quintessential big touringmotorcycle and has been continually refined and upgraded since the GL 1100Interstate version was introduced in 1980. The latest version is the GL 1800,

whichhasan1832ccfuel-injectedengine.Late-modelGoldwingsareloadedwithtechnology,includingantilockbrakes,optionalairbag,in-dashGPS,seatandgripheaters,andmanyotheramenitiesnotfoundonmostmotorcycles.TheGoldwingwasnotproduced in2011,butanewmodelhasbeen introducedfor2012.The2010modelhadanMSRPof$28,000,whileusedexamples canbemuchmorereasonable, starting at about $3,500 for a model from the 1980s. MoreinformationisavailableatHonda’swebsiteatpowersports.honda.com.

SportBikesandSportTourers

Sport bikes (often referred to as “crotch rockets”) excel at what they weredesignedfor:flat-outperformance.Noothermotorcyclecancompetewiththesestreet-legal derivatives of pure racingmachineswhen it comes to acceleration,topspeed,and,inmostcases,handling.Ifspeedwereyouronlyconsiderationingetting out ofDodge, a sport bikewould be ideal, as they are the fastest landvehicles an ordinary person can afford to own. Some are capable of exceeding200 miles per hour in their stock form. But speed isn’t everything, and thesemotorcycles call for a forward-leaning riding position that is not conducive tolonghoursinthesaddleanddon’toffermuchprovisionforcarryinganythingbuttherider.Sporttouringmotorcycles,ontheotherhand,offermuchoftheperformanceofpuresportbikeswithpracticaladvantagesthatincludestreamlinedhardluggageandbetterall-aroundcomfort.Thistypeofmotorcycleisoftenusedforextremelong-distanceridingathighspeeds,suchasthefamousIronButtRallyinwhichriders check in at all four corners of the United States, riding well over athousandmilesperday,dayafterday.Asporttouringmotorcyclecouldworkasanescapevehicleifyourroutewillbeongoodroadsandyouplantocoveralotofground.Some,suchas theKawasakiConcours,canbe loadeddowntocarryabout asmuchgear asmost of the othermotorcycles in this chapter andhaveproventhemselvesreliableoverlongproductionruns.

SPORTTOUREREXAMPLE

Kawasaki ZG 1000 Concours The Kawasaki Concours is a 1,000cc sporttouring motorcycle with a huge (7.5 gallon) fuel tank that is capable of long-distance,high-speedtouringwitha fullcomplementofgear.TheZG1000(firstgeneration)Concourswasinproductionfrom1986to2006,andhassincebeenreplacedbytheZG1400.TheoriginalConcourshasalwaysbeenaninexpensivetouringmachinecomparedtoitscompetitors,buthaslongbeenpopularbecauseof its proven reliability and ease of maintenance. Good used examples can befound foras lowas$2,000 foranolderone,and$4,000willbuyaniceone ingoodcondition.Don’tbeafraidofhighmileageonthesebikes,astheyaremeanttogothedistanceandwillholduptoit.YoucangetallthespecificationsforthenewZG1400atwww.kawasaki.com.

TrikesandOtherThree-WheeledStreetMachines

Trikes(withtwowheelsintheback)andnewerthree-wheeledmachineswithtwowheels in the front, like the Can-Am Spyder, are technically consideredmotorcycles andare legally registered as such.Kits to convert popular touringmotorcycles like someof theHarleys and theHondaGoldwing to rear-wheeledtrikesareavailabletothosewhojustwantsomethingdifferentorperhapshaveadisability that prohibits them from safely handling a two-wheeler. The Can-AmSpyder is beingmarketedas a sporty alternative to a small car for commutersandotherswhomightnotconsideratraditionalmotorcycle.Anyofthese three-wheeledvehiclescanbesetupwithluggagesystemsandcanserveasabug-outvehicleinmuchthesamewayasamotorcycle,thoughtheywilllosesomeoftheportabilityandconcealmentadvantagesofmotorcyclesdue to theirextrawidthandbulk.

BUG-OUTMOTORCYCLECHECKLISTMOTORCYCLE-SPECIFICGEARANDCLOTHING:

MotorcyclehelmetFaceshieldorprotectiveeyewearRidingjacketRidingpantsRaingear(ifnotincorporatedintoridingjacketandpants)RidingglovesRidingbootsFoamearplugs(tocutwindnoise)Electricvestand/orotheritemsifinwinterorcoldclimateBalaclavatowearunderhelmetincold

SPAREPARTS:Sparkplug(s)FusesBulbsforlightsandsignals1quartmotoroilChainlube(ifchaindrive)Innertubes(ifusingtubetires)Tireplugkit(ifusingtubelesstires)Canoftirerepair/inflator(e.g.SlimeorFix-A-Flat)

TOOLSANDADDITIONALEQUIPMENT:Factory-suppliedtoolkit(ifany)Airpressuregauge12-voltminicompressororhandpumpTirespoonsSmalljackorcompactjackstand(ifbikehasnocenterkickstand)

Ratchetdrive6”extensionforratchetdriveSocketwrenchestofitallboltsizes,metricorstandard,onbikeSparkplugwrenchSetofcombinationwrenchesorcrescentwrenchScrewdriverwithinterchangeablebitsAllenwrenches(metricorstandarddependingonbike)TorxwrenchesorTorxbitsforscrewdriver(especiallyonHarleys)ViseGripsNeedle-nosepliersChainandpadlockorbrakedisclockBungeenetBungeecordsSpareignitionkeySparekeystopanniersandotherlocksCoverortarpforconcealmentandrainprotectionofbikeandgear

3

BUG-OUTBOATS

EscapeWatercraft—PowerandSailManytypesofboats, fromthesimplestcanoestoocean-crossingsailingyachts,can be used as bug-out vehicles. Canoes, kayaks, and other human-poweredwatercraft are examined in depth in Chapter Nine, while those boats that arelarge enough to serve as self-contained liveaboard vessels are the subject ofChapter Six. In keeping with the escape vehicle concept as covered in theprevioustwochaptersonmotorvehiclesandmotorcycles,I’mclassifyingescapewatercraftasthoseboatsthatcanofferaquickexitfromadangerzonetoasafebug-outlocation.Theseboatswillcarryyourbug-outgearandavaryingamountof extra supplies, depending on the particular boat, butwill not offer full-timeshelter along theway, as larger vessels can. Youwill be living out of the boat,rather than in it, so boats in this category do not have cabins or other livingaccommodations, but they do vary widely in carrying capacity and types ofpropulsion. Some, like motorcycles, are only able to carry one or two people,whileotherscouldserveasescapevehiclesforasmallfamily.Mostoftheboatsdiscussedherearethekindsofrecreationalboatspeopleownforsuchpurposesasfishing,waterskiing,daysailing,orjustgettingoutonthewaterforthesakeofbeingthere.Asescapevehicles,boatscanofferyoumanyadvantagesifyouhappentoliveorwork along the shores of navigable water. It’s important to remember that aspopularasrecreationalboatingis,thevastmajorityofanygivenpopulationstillwillnotownorhaveaccesstoaboatofanykind.Thismeansthatmostpeoplewillremainshoreboundandbeforcedtodealwithcrowdsandtrafficonlandinabug-out scenario,while those fewwhodohaveaboatcanavoidmanyof theseproblemsbytakingtothewaterwaysoropencoast.Oneofthebestargumentsforbuggingoutbywateristhatwaterwayscantakeyou to places that simply cannot be reached by any other means, particularlyislands,inaccessibleswampsandmarshes,andotherareasthathavenoroadsoreven trails leading to them. In Bug Out: The Complete Plan for Escaping aCatastrophic Disaster Before It’s Too Late, my guidebook to potential bug-outlocations in the U.S., a substantial number of the best uninhabited areas Irecommend are accessible only by boat. This is especially true in those areaswithoutmountains or other large tracts of rugged landwhere road-building isdifficult.Despite theheavypopulations inmany such areas, rivers run throughthemnearlyunnoticed.Manycoastalmarshesandbarrierislandsareunknowntoarearesidentswhodon’thavetheirownboats.Finally, another major advantage to bugging out by boat, especially in asituation thatmight require remainingaway frompopulationcenters fora longterm,isthatyourboatwillgiveyouaccesstoadditionalnaturalresources.Many

peopleplanningtobugoutmayoverlookthis,butbecauseyouaretravelingonthewater andwill be beside it evenwhen you are stopped along theway, youhaveconstantaccesstoasupplyoffishandotheraquaticormarinelifethatcansupplementyourfoodsupply.Livingoffthebountyoftheseaorevenariverorlakewillbeeasierformostpeoplethanland-basedhuntingandgathering.Ifyouaregoingtobugoutbyboat,itiscertainlyworthwhiletotakethegearnecessarytoharvestthisresource.Dependingonwhetheryouaretravelinginfreshorsaltwater, consider the many options and include what will work best for yourlocation.Suchgear includes rod and reel (trolling and casting), artificial lures,drop hooks, hand lines and hooks, cast nets, crab nets, spearfishing gear,bowfishinggear,craborlobstertraps,andseineorgillnets.Ifyouareskilledinthe use of such equipment your small bug-out escape boat can allow you toremainindependentinaremotelocationforanindefiniteperiodoftime.

DisadvantagesofWatercraftasEscapeVehicles

Obviously,inordertoincorporateaboatintoyourbug-outplan,youwillneedtobenearnavigablewatertobeginwith,orbesureyoucangettoyourboatandgettheboattoyourstartingpointinaSHTFscenario.Ifyouliveonornearthebanksofariver,theshoresofasizeable lakethat is inturnconnectedtootherwaterways,ortheseashore,youare inthebestpositiontotakeadvantageofaboatasyourescapevehicle.If,ontheotherhand,youhavetotrailertheboattoreachalaunchingpoint,orhavetodrivetoamarinaorstorageyardwhereyoukeep the boat, you will still have to take all the considerations discussed inChapter One into account. Pulling a large trailer behind a motor vehicle inevacuationtrafficwilladdalotofstresstoanalreadystressfulsituation.Otherdisadvantagesofbuggingoutbyboatincludethefactthatonceyouarecommittedtoaboattherewillbemanyplacesthatyoucannotgosimplybecausethere is no water route there. Youwill be confined to river courses and otherwaterwayswherethereisdeepenoughwatertocarrythedraftofthevesselyouchoose. If the route you need to take is upstream, extra horsepower will beneeded. Ifasailingvessel isyourchoice,yourrouteplanningwillneed to takeintoaccounttheprevailingwindpatternsaswellascurrents,andyoumaynotbeable to travelatall inconfinedwaterswhere there is littlewindornoroomtotack. Because of this, bugging out bywater requires even better planning andmoreknowledgeofnavigationthanmostmeansofbuggingoutoverland.

Confinement to waterways, especially restricted inland routes like rivers andcanals,alsoexposesyoutosomeofthesamerisksinvolvedintravelbyroadwithregard to thosewhomightwish to take advantage of the situation.Rivers andotherwaterrouteshavebeenfavoriteambushsitessincehumansfirsttooktothewaterindugoutcanoes,andinapost-SHTFscenarioitisfeasiblethatyoucouldbevulnerabletosuchanattackinsomeareas.Butbecausecitiesandroadswilloffer easier access to many more targets, it’s more likely that you can passunnoticed alongmostwaterways, especially if you travel at night in potentiallydangerousareas.Thesomewhatsteeplearningcurvenecessaryfortravelingbywatercanalsobea disadvantage if you have no prior knowledge of boating. In addition tonavigation skills, using watercraft effectively also requires knowledge of andpractical experience in other aspects of seamanship, including boat handling,safety and emergency procedures, weather awareness, and maintenance andrepair. Even in normal circumstances—never mind a post-SHTF scenario—boatingcanputyou insituationswheretotalself-sufficiency isrequired,asyoumaynotbeable togetoutsidehelp.Recreationalboatersget in troubleall thetimebecausetheyarenotawareofthisneedforself-sufficiency.Peoplewhoareinterested in prepping and survival will find that boating offers a real-worldopportunitytotesttheirskillsandutilizethesamekindofgearandsuppliesthattheymayhaveinstoreforanemergency.Ifyouhavethenavigation,seamanship,andemergency-managementskillsrequired forboating,youwill likelybemuchbetterpreparedtodealwithproblemsthanmostofthepopulation,whetheryouarebuggingoutonlandorwater.

KeyBug-OutBoatConsiderations

Access toNavigableWater Bugging out by boat is an obvious choice if youhappentobeluckyenoughtohaveawaterfronthomeontheshoresofnavigablewater.Ifthisisthecase,steppingaboardyourboatandleavingtheareacouldbeassimpleasdrivingthefamilycaroutofthegarageisformostpeople,especiallyif your property has a dock and the boat is kept in thewater or suspended indavits,readyforinstantlaunch.Even if you do not have direct access to water from your home, reachingnavigable water with your boat may be easier than trying to leave a city byconventional routes overland. Driving to thewater with a boat in tow or evenwalkingtogettowhereyourboatisstoredonthewaterfrontcouldbefasterthandealing with an evacuation traffic jam. This is especially true if you live in acoastalareaandwouldhavetocrosslongbridgesoverabayorsoundtotravelinland.Whileeveryoneelseisheadingawayfromthewater,youcouldbemakingyour way to your boat with little resistance and preparing to make a quietgetawayafloat.Ifyouliveinaninlandarea,knowtheroutestothenearestboatramp on a navigable river or lake andmake sure your vehicle and trailer arereadytomakethetrip.Traileringvs.StorageataMarinaIf,likethemajorityofboaters,youdonotlive on thewaterfront, youwill generally have two choices regardingwhere tokeepyourboat:onatraileratyourhomeorstoredatamarinaorotherstoragefacility.Thereareadvantagesanddisadvantagestoeachapproach.If you keep your boat at home on a trailer, it’s easier to stay on top ofmaintenanceissuesanditwillbeeasiertopackitwithyourgearandsuppliesifyouknowyouaregoingtohavetouseittobugout.Ifyouneedtodoyourownmodificationsandotherworkontheboat,it’seasiertofindasparehourortwoathomethantodrivesomewherewithallyourtoolstodothejob.You’llalsobeabletokeepaneyeonyourboatandwillknowforsurethat it isavailableandready to go, without having to wonder if it has been stolen, vandalized, ordamaged by a storm while out of sight at a marina. Unless you live in aneighborhood that prohibits things like boats on trailers, keeping your boat athomeisalsofree,whereasmonthlymarinaratescanberatherexpensive.Thedownsidesof traileringyourboat fromhomeincludetheextra lengthandweightof the trailerbehindyourvehicle,whichwillbea liability inevacuationtraffic, and the extra time it will take to get underway once you arrive at thelaunchramp.Aboatkeptatamarinacanbereadytogoalmostatamoment’snotice,particularlyif it iskeptinthewaterinaslip.Butmostboatsinthesizerangediscussedhere arenot usually kept in thewaterby recreational boatersbecauseoftheextracostofawetslipandtheneedforanti-foulingbottompaintto preventmarine growth. If you can keep your boat on your own trailer in asecurelotatthemarina,thatcouldbethebestoption,allowingyoutohookittoyourvehicleandbackitdowntherampwhenyougetthere.Avoidthenewtrendofdry-storagefacilitieswhereyourboat isforkliftedontohighracksalongwithmanyotherboatsuntilyourequesta launching. Inapost-SHTFscenario, there

willlikelybenoonetheretodothisforyouandtheforkliftsorothermachinerymaynotbeworkingoravailable.Motorvs.SailMotorboatsfaroutnumbersailingcraftinalmostallareastoday,thoughrecreationalsailingisahugeindustryandmanyvarietiesofsailboatsarestillbeingbuiltandusedpracticallyeverywherethereisenoughopenwaterandwind.Therequirement forwindwilldeterminewhetherasailingcraftcould fitintoyourbug-outplansornot.Inmostcases,sailingwillonlybepracticalifyouare inacoastalareaorperhapsalong theshoresof someof the largest inlandlakes. The advantages of sailboats of course include independence from a fuelsupplyandtheabilitytotravelindefinitely,aslongasthereiswind.Whilemostare slow compared to powerboats, they can still cover a lot of distance in thecourseofadayorseveraldays.Sailboatsarealsosilent,thoughtheycanhardlybe called low profile because the mast and sails will be visible from a longdistanceindaylighthours.Consideralsothateventhoughsailboatsareprimarilydesignedforsailing,manyinthesizesthatmakegoodescapewatercraftarealsofittedwithanauxiliaryoutboardengine.Thisallowstravelthroughcalmsandinwindlessrestrictedwaterwayssuchascanalsandrivers.SeaPearl21camp-cruisingsail/rowboatwithconvertibletentcabin

If your primary bug-out route will include long-distance travel on rivers, amotorboatofsometypeisyourbestoption.Becauseoftheimmensepopularityofbothfreshwaterandsaltwaterfishing,therearemotorboatdesignsoptimizedforjustaboutanysizebodyofwateryoucaretoexplore,fromshallowstreamstotheopencoast.Motorboatdisadvantagesincludeafiniterangethatdependsontheamount of fuel you are carrying and the possibility of mechanical breakdown,whichwouldleavemanymotorboatdesignsthataretoobigorheavytopaddleorroweffectivelyuselessforanykindoftravel.Monohull vs. Multihull Within the category of sailboats, there is still the

questionofwhattypeofhullyouwant.Conventionalsailboatswithonehullaretypicallyreferredtoas“monohulls”todifferentiatethemfromtheotherpopulartype of sailing craft called “multihulls.”Multihull sailboats include a variety ofcatamarans (two equal-sized hulls), trimarans (a larger central hull with twosmaller floatsor “amas”), andoutriggerdesigns suchas “proas” thathaveonelarge and one small hull connected together by beams.Multihull sailboats aremodernderivativesofthedoublecanoesandoutriggersthathavebeenusedforthousandsofyearsbyislandersinthePacificandIndianOceans.Theygettheirstabilitybyspreadingtheirbuoyancyacrosstwoormorehullsjoinedtogethertoformawide,raft-likeplatform.Becauseofthis,theydonotrequireheavyballasttostanduptotheirsailsinstrongwindandsotheycanbebuiltlighter,designedtoskimoverthesurfaceofthewaterratherthanplowthroughitlikeamonohull.As a result, mostmultihulls are capable of sailing atmuch faster speeds thanmonohulls.The most common multihulls seen in coastal areas are the open-beachcatamarans likeHobieCatsthathavenothingbuta fabrictrampolinestretchedbetweenthehullsforadeck.Eventhesesmallcatamaranscanworkasbug-outboatsifyoustrapyourgeardowntotheminwaterproofdrybags,buttherearemany catamarans and trimaransbetter suited to thepurpose that havebuilt-indrystoragecompartments.Agreatex-ampleofsuchabeachcruisingcatamaranwas theWharramHitia17 Ibuilta fewyearsago.With twodeepV-hulls fittedwithwatertightcompartmentsandasoliddeckinbetweenlargeenoughtopitchatentonwhenanchored,itwasanidealbug-outboatforbigbays,sounds,andbarrier islandchainssuchasthosefoundalongtheGulfandEastCoastsoftheU.S.Thepayloadwasadequatefortwopeopleandtheirgear.Largercatamaranscanworkinthesameroleforafamily.WharramTiki21beachcruisingcatamaran

TypesofMotorsIfyouchooseamotorboatinthesizerangeIamconsideringhere,itwillalmostinvariablyhaveagasoline-poweredoutboardengine.Inboatsof this size range, outboardengineshavemanyadvantagesoverother typesofengines,suchasinboards.Foronething,mostsmallboatswillnothavethespaceto install an inboard, and those that dowill typically have it crammed into aninaccessiblecompartmentwhereitisdifficulttogainaccessformaintenanceandrepairs.Outboardsalsohavetheadvantagesof lighterweightandsimplicity. Inmost cases the engine will simply be hung on the transom or on a transombracket,requiringnocomplicatedfittingssuchasshafthousingsorthrough-hullsforcoolingsystemsandothercomplexitiesofinboardengines.Most outboards today, even in the smallest sizes, are four-stroke engines,meaningyoudon’thavetopre-mixoilwiththegasolineasisnecessarywitholdertwo-stroke designs. Four-stroke engines typically run quieter than two-strokes,buttheydohavethedisadvantageofhavingalowerpower-to-weightratiothanthe older designs. Electric outboards that are sufficiently powerful for manyapplicationsarealsoavailabletoday,buttheyshouldnotevenbeconsideredforabug-out boat.Without someway to recharge the deep-cycle battery or batterybank they require, electric motors will quickly become useless. Solar or windcharging systems will not have the capacity to keep up with the amperagedemands of an outboard motor that is used for primary propulsion or evenauxiliarypropulsiononasailboat.Engine Size Another important consideration for outboard-powered

motorboats is the engine size. For recreational purposes, such as sport fishingandwater-skiing,itiscommonpracticetomounthugeoutboardmotorsthatcostfarmorethanthehullitselfandburnfarmorefuelthanyouwouldwanttowastein abug-out situation.While speed canbe anasset in some scenarios, inmostcases it would be more beneficial to have a motorboat set up for the longestpossiblerangegiventheamountoffuelitcancarry,ratherthanashorterrunattopspeeds.Iftheengineissizedsothatyoucancruiseatareasonablepaceathalf-throttle, fuel consumption will be greatly reduced, engine noise will bereduced, and the ridewill be comfortable and at a pace thatwill allow you toconcentrateonnavigationandlookingforunexpecteddangers.BoatMaintenanceandRepairItisessentialtohaveonboardthetools,parts,and materials to repair the hull and propulsion system of your bug-out boat,whetherpowerorsail.Thisisevenmorecriticalthanonland-basedvehicles,asyou may have a problem that leaves you stranded far from the possibility ofgetting any help from an outside source. Your two primary concerns whilebuggingoutinaboatwillbekeepingthewateroutofthehullandkeepingtheboatmoving.Someissues,suchasaholeinthehull,couldbelife-threateningifyouarefarfromland.Toavoidhavingtoabandonyourboatinaremotelocation,carrywhat youneed tokeep itgoingandknowhow todo so.Thebestway tolearnaboutboatmaintenanceandrepairisbydoingit.Ifyoubuyanolderboatandrefititordosomecustommodificationstomakeyourboatabetterbug-outvehicle,youwilllearnvaluableskillsthatwillhelpyoukeepitgoinglateron.If you are relying on an outboard engine for propulsion, make sure youunderstandall the commoncausesof failure inoutboardsandknowhow to fixthem.Carrysparesparkplugs, fuel lines, fuel filters,startercords,an impeller,andshearpinsoracompletepropifitisthetypethatusespressed-inbearings.Knowhowtodisassembleandcleanthecarburetorandhowtotroubleshootandfixfueldelivery,electrical,andcoolingproblems.Sailboatrigshavelotsofcomponentsthatcanfailaswell.Makesureyouhavesomefabriconhandtorepairripsinthesailsthemselves,aswellasaheavy-dutyneedleandthreadtorepairdamagedseamsandattachmentpoints in thesails.Carrysparehardwaresuchasshackles,pinsandblocks,andextralinetoreplacecritical controls such as halyards and sheets, as well as wire, terminals,turnbuckles,andothercomponentstorepairthestandingrigging.RedundancyofPropulsionSystemsAlthoughenginefailureinalandvehiclesuchasacarormotorcyclecanbeamajorproblem,thefailureofyourengineonaboatcanbeamatteroflifeordeath.Ontheocean,youcanbesweptouttoseabywindorcurrent;onariver,youcanbepulledoverdangerousrapidsor intothepathofbargesorothervessels.Asailingvesselcanlikewisebedisabledbyafailureoftherig,particularlyifthemastisbrokenandthereisnowaytojury-rigenoughsailtokeeptheboatmoving.Onanyboatyoushouldconsideralternativeorredundantpropulsionsystems.Attheminimum,anysmallboat,whetherpowerorsail,shouldhavepaddlesoroarsonboard.Oarswillbemoreefficientforanythingbiggerthanacanoe,butoarlockswillhavetobefittedinadvancetouseoarseffectively.Mostfishermen

operating outboard-powered boats in coastal waters have dual or multipleoutboardsfitted,notjustforextrapower,butincaseonefails.Anothercommonarrangementisasmall“kicker”outboardofjustafewhorsepowermountedonaretractable bracket alongside the boat’s main outboard. On sailboats, a smalloutboardmounted thiswaywill give you twomeans of propulsion and a goodsafetynet.

ModificationsandAdditionalEquipmentforSettingUpaBug-OutBoat

Assemble theExtraGearRequired Travel by boatwill require you to bringextragearthatwouldotherwisenotbeneededforbuggingout.Justasyoumustcarry spare parts to keep an automobile ormotorcycle running, you will needreplacementpartsandthetoolstochangethemonanyboat,whetherpowerorsail. You will also need good foul-weather gear to stay dry in rough waterconditions, and dry bags or boxes to protect your survival gear and supplies.You’llneedemergencygearspecifictothekindsofproblemsyoucouldfacewhileoperatingtheboat,includingfireextinguishers,abailer,abucketorbilgepump,flaresandothersignalingdevices,andpersonalflotationdevicesforeachpersononboard.Extragearrequiredsimplytooperatetheboatwillincludeanchorsandmooringlines,compassorGPS,andpaperorelectroniccharts.BlendintotheEnvironmentIfyouareplanningtobugoutbyriverorintoaninlandswamporlake,youcanchooseamongthemanytypesofsmallmotorboatsspecificallydesigned forhuntingand fishing that come from the factorywithadullgreenorevencamouflagefinish.Thisisagoodthingifyouwanttobeabletohidetheboatatthewater’sedgeorunderoverhangingbranchesandbushes,or perhaps in marsh grass. Try to avoid bright aluminum or flashy gelcoatfinishes for bugging out in these areas. If your boat is too shiny or brightlycolored, you can always paint it with flat, earth-tone colors to make it moreinconspicuous. While no camouflage will completely hide a moving boat, theabilitytohideitwhileyouareawayfromit,perhapshuntingorengagedinothersurvivalactivities, isanimportantconsideration.Ifyouaretravelingwaterwaysat night, dark, non-reflective colors could hide your movements from anyonewatchingfromadistancetoogreattohearyourenginenoise.Keepinmindthatatlowidlingspeeds,modernfour-strokeoutboardsareextremelyquietandmaynotbeheardbeyondashortdistance,particularlyifthereiswind,rain,orothernoisetodrownitout.As already mentioned, sailboats on open water can be seen from a longdistance,atleastindaylight.Therearestillthingsyoucandotohide,especiallywhenthesailsarefurledorthemastisdownwhileyouarestopped.Adullgraycolor like the kind used by military vessels is much harder to see against abackdropofwaterfromanydistance,especiallyfromtheair.Anynon-reflective,earth-tonecolorisgoodforhidingaboatpulledupontoabeachorintoamarsh.Ifyoucanpileonbranchesorotherobjectstobreakuptheoutline,mostsmall

boatspulledashorecannotberecognized forwhat theyarebyanyonecruisingpastfromadistance.CreateOrganized StorageSpace Some of the small boats in this categorycomefromthefactorywithgoodstoragecompartmentsforgearandequipment.Most can be improved on, however, and even the most basic boats can bemodifiedwithbuilt-inwaterproofstoragecompartmentsforyourgear.Ifyouareusinganaluminum johnboat or someother aluminumboat, you canbuild suchcompartmentsoutofwoodandfiberglassandboltorrivettheminplace.If thehull is fiberglass, the jobwillbeeasier,asyoucan integrate thecompartmentsdirectlyintothestructure,strengtheningthehullintheprocess.Thinkintermsofthelargercruisingboats,wherethereisaplaceforeverythingandeverythingis in its place. Having your gear and supplies well organized and secure willgreatlyreducethestressofbuggingoutwhenyouwillhaveotherthingstoworryabout.Be Prepared to Camp Afloat Although the boats in this category are notdesignedtobeself-containedcruisers,it’snotabadideatobepreparedtospendanightortwoonboardwhileonthemove.Sometimesyousimplywillnotbeabletofindasecureplacetocampashore,or,ifyouareinalargeswampormarsh,theremaybenosuitablehighground.Ifyoucanbivouaccomfortablyaboardtheboatwhileitistieduporanchoredinsuchcircumstances,thiswillreducestressandallowyoutofocusongettingwhereyou’regoing.Allthat’sreallyneededisaflat area large enough to lie down on. In many small boats, there will not beenoughroomforthisbetweenseatsandotherfixedstructures,soyoumayhavetomakefillersheetsofplywoodthatcanbefittedinplacetospanthegaps.Addatarptokeepoutrainanddewandmosquitonettingforinsectpestsandyoucanturnmostsmallboatsintoafloatingcampsite.Sailboatsareeveneasier,becauseyoucanoftenusetheboomormastaspartofthesupporttorigsuchatarp,andsomeevencomewithpurpose-madeboomtentsfromthebuilder.

EscapePowerboatsforProtectedWaters

Ifyourbug-outplanwillinvolvetravelonlyonprotectedwaters,youhavealotofflexibilityinyourchoiceofescapewatercraft.Protectedwatersforthispurposeare rivers, canals, bayous, small lakes, and bays that are not large enough orexposedtothewindenoughtogeneratebigwaves.Thistakesawayabigpartofthe worry of travel by boat. On protected waters your main concerns will benavigationandpropulsion,ratherthankeepingouttheseaandsurvivingstorms.Protectedwaterboatscanbesmaller,lighter,andcheaperthanoffshore-capableboats.When itcomestoboatdesign, therearetwotypesofstability thathavetobeconsidered when building a hull for a given purpose: initial stability andsecondary stability. Initial stability is a measure of how the boat feels in calmwater and howmuch it dips or has a tendency to capsizewhen the occupantsshift weight to one side or the other ormove to the extreme ends. Secondarystabilityistherightingforceofagoodhulldesignthatcomesintoplaywhenthe

hullisleanedwayover,virtuallyontheedgeofcapsizing,eitherbytheshiftingweightofthecreworwaveaction.Offshoreboatsneedthissecondarystabilityallthetime,asbigwaveswillcontinuouslyrolltheboatfromsidetosideandkeepitanywherebut level.But forprotected-waterboats, initialstability isoftenmoreimportantandconsequentlysuchboatscanbedesignedaswide,stableplatformsthatyoucanwalkallaroundwithlittlemovementofthehull.Examplesofthisareflat-bottomed johnboats and pontoon deck boats that often feel as stable as adock.Boatswithhighinitialstabilityarefavoredbyfishermenwhousetheminprotectedwatersbecauseit’seasytostandandcastandmovearoundontheboatwithoutworryingaboutittippingover.Becauseprotectedwaterboatsdonotneedadeep-Vsection toprovidewave-piercing ability and secondary stability, they can also be designed with muchshallower draft than open-water boats. Flat-bottomed boats like johnboats canfloatinmereinchesofwaterandcangoagroundornoseuptothebankwithoutdamage.Suchboatsexcelinshallowcreeks,swamps,andmarshareaswithlotsof submerged grass. This hull design,which spreads the load over awide, flatsurface, is also the best load carrier for a given size andwill sink less as theweight is piled in than a comparably sized V-hull boat. This is the reason thisbasicflat-bottomdesignisalsousedincommercialbargesthataredesignedformovingheavy loads through thewater.Pontoondeckboatsarealsopopularoninlandlakesandriversbecausetheyprovideawide,stableplatformfromwhichtoswim,fish,orhaveapartywithlotsofpassengersonboard.Theyaresimilartocatamaransinthattheyhaveadecksupportedbytwodistincthulls,butsincethey are designed to operate in relatively calmwater, the hulls are really justtubular“floats”orpontoonsthatdon’trequireasophisticatedhulldesign.Theyarecheaptobuildorbuycomparedtorealpowerorsailingcatamarans.Usedboatsoftheflat-bottomed,johnboattypeareavailablealmosteverywhereineitheraluminumorfiberglass,oftenforsurprisinglylowprices.Youcanfindacompleteboat,motor,andtrailerintheusedmarketforthepriceofanewhigh-end canoe or sea kayak. Sometimes you can also find olderwooden vessels orwell-builtnewerwoodenhullsbuiltbyhobbyists.Buildingyourownisrelativelyquick and simple too if you can use basic tools and follow directions.Woodenhulls,especiallyofmodernconstructionwithepoxyandfiberglasslaminatedoveramarineplywoodcore,arelighterinweightandusuallyhaveabetterstrength-to-weightratiothaneitherfiberglassoraluminum.Thisisespeciallytrueinflat-bottomeddesigns,whereothermaterialsrequirestiffenerstopreventthemfromflexingunderloads.Also,awoodenhullconstructedthiswayisquietifyoubumpintosomethingordropsomethingonit.Thisstealthaspect,whichisfavoredbyfishermenwhodon’twant to spook theirquarry, isnaturallyadvantageous inabug-outsituationwhereyoumayneedtodriftorpaddledownastreamorriverundetectedbythoseashore.

SOMEPROTECTED-WATERPOWERBOATEXAMPLES

TrackerTopper1542 This riveted aluminum johnboat is a good example of a

lightweight,low-cost,flat-bottomedskiffthatcanbecarriedonvehicleroofracksorinthebackofalargerpickupwithouttheneedforatrailer,ifdesired.Thoughthe hullweighs only 190 lb., it’s a 15-foot boatwith a 5-foot beam and a loadcapacityof775lb.TheTrackerTopper1542isratedforupto25hpandwouldbeveryefficientwithamodern four-strokeoutboard for twoor threepersonsandtheirgearbuggingoutonasmallerriverorotherprotectedwater.Thisboatlistsfor $1,000 (hull only, without engine) and the Tracker lineup includes smallermodels as well as a heavier welded-aluminum line in much larger sizes. ReadmoreabouttheTrackerTopperatwww.trackerboats.com.SunTrackerBassBuggy18Thisisapontoonbarge–typeboatinoneofthesmallersizerangesthatcouldserveasainlandwaterescapeboatwithroomforafamilyandtheirgear.At justunder20feetlongwithan8-foot-widedeck,theBass Buggy 18 is rated to carry 1,775 lb., has a 42-gallon fuel tank, and canhandleuptoa75hpoutboard.Thoughthelayoutissetupforfishingandseatinguptoeightpeople, itcouldbemodifiedtoworkasacampingplatformafloat ifthat function is needed. Total weight is just over 2,300 lb., making it easilytrailerable. This model lists for a bit over $11,000 with a smaller 20 hp four-strokeoutboard.Fullspecificationscanbefoundatwww.suntrackerboats.com.Lund2000Alaskan This is a roomy, 20-foot aluminumboat that can handleboth protected waters and somewhat more exposed waters such as big, openrivers, lakes,andbays.ItfeaturesaV-hullthatis20½feetlongwithabeamof7½feet.Thereisabuilt-in25-gallonfueltankandthehullisratedforupto125hp on the transom. Most models offered by Lund are sturdy workhorse boatsfrequently seen on the big lakes and rivers of the north woods, especially inCanadaandAlaska.This isabig,openboatwith lotsof flexiblespaceforcrewandgear.Thebasemodelthatissteeredbytheoutboardtillerweighs1,105lb.,andwithmotor and trailer iswithin the towing capacity ofmost vehicles. Thismodel listsnewfor$22,000with theminimumrecommended60hp four-strokeoutboard.OlderLundboatsofsimilarconstructioncanbehadformuchlessandare widely available on the used market. Check out the Lund website atwww.lundboats.com.

EscapePowerboatsforOpenWaters

If you arewilling to take tomore exposed bodies of openwater, your bug-outpossibilitieswillbegreatlyexpanded,especiallyifyouliveonornearthecoast.Thenumberofotherpeopleequippedtobugoutonopenwaterwillbeamuchsmallerpercentageofthosefewinthepopulationwhoownboatsatall.Butsincerecreationalsaltwaterfishingispopular intheseareas,there isawidearrayofsmall, seaworthypowerboats tochoose from.Someof thesearebest suited foruse in the choppy conditions of bays and sounds, while others can ventureoffshore where encountering bigger seas is a possibility. Expect to paysubstantially more for a seaworthy offshore powerboat than for a protected-watersboatofthesamelength,especiallyifyouarebuyingnew.Thereareseveralkeydesigndifferencesbetweenopen-waterpowerboatsand

thoseintendedforprotectedwaters.Firstamongtheseisthehullform.Thewide,flatbottomsthatmakejohnboatssousefulinshallow,smoothwaterswouldmakeforateeth-jarring,poundingrideinapowerboatdrivenhardintochoppywaves.Whatisneededforsuchconditionsisahullformthatslicesthroughthewavesatthebowandthentransitionsfurtherafttoaflattermidandsternsectiontoallowit to carryweight and get up on a plane at speed. Themost common offshorepowerboathullissomevariationoftheV-hullform,inwhichthecross-sectionofthe hull has some degree of a V-shape from the keel, or centerline, out to theedgesofthehullbottom.ThedegreeofthisViscalled“deadrise”anditvariesaccordingtheboat’sintendedpurpose.TheVisalmostalwayssteeperatthebowandshallowernearthestern,wherethehullmustcarrytheweightofasingleormultipleengines.HullswithdeeperV-sectionswillcutthroughsteepwavesmoreeasily,butwillalsorollmoreinaseawayandmakeforawetterride.ShallowerV-sectionshavesomeoftheattributesofflat-bottomedhulls,inthattheycangetuponaplanewithlesspower,buttheyarelesssuitablefortrulyroughconditions.Otheroffshorepowerboathullformsincludevariationsofmulti-chine,tri-hulled,andtunnel-hulleddesigns.Well-placedchines(essentiallyaforeandaftchangeinanglebetween sections of thehull) in apowerboathull cangreatly reduce thespraythrownoverthebowandintothecockpit,aswellasmakeforasmootherrideathighspeed.Tri-hulleddesignshavealargeVinthecenterofthehullandtwo smaller V-sections on either side. They roll less than single V-hulls whenstopped,buttheextraV-sectionsincreasethetotalwettedsurfaceatthebowandcanmakeforaroughrideatspeed.Tunnel-hulledpowerboatsreversetheshapeof the central V-hull and instead have a hollowed out centerline where thepropeller for the outboard is running in a protected location between the twosides. Tunnel hulls achievemost of the shallow draft of johnboats without thepoundingofabig,flathull,sotheydowellinshallowsoundsandbaysbutarenotdesignedforoffshoreseaconditions.A more recent development in small offshore powerboat hull design is thepower catamaran. Like sailing catamarans, power catamarans feature twodistinct but identical hulls joined together with a central platform. Since theydon’t have to stand up to the pressure of a tall sailing rig, power catamaranstypically have much closer hull spacing than sailing cats and the cockpit anddecks often appearmuch the same as any other powerboatwhen viewed fromabove. Under the deck, however, they still have the gap between two narrow,deep-V hulls like their sailing counterparts. These two separate hulls can slicethoughbigwavesathigherspeedsandwithamuchsmootherridethansingle-hulledboats.Theyareavailableinarangeofsizesforuseinallwaters,includingtheopensea.Inadditiontohullform,otherfeaturesthatimproveasmallpowerboat’sabilitytohandleroughwaterarepartialdeckstoshedwavescomingaboardandself-bailingcockpitsthatallowanywaterthatdoeswashintoquicklydrainaway.Aself-bailingcockpitdesignisessentiallyaseatingandstandingareafromwhichtheboatisoperatedthatisabovethewaterline.Thefloorofthiscockpitissealedoff fromthe lowerpartsof thehull thatarebelowthewaterline,anddrainsor

“scuppers”thatleadfromthisfloortoopeningsinthehullortransompreventtheaccumulationofwater fromwaveswashing in thatwouldotherwise swamp theboat. Inaddition to this styleof cockpit,manyoffshoreboatsalsohavebuilt-infoamflotationsufficienttosupporttheboatifitisswamped.Electricandmanualbilgepumpsshouldalsobefittedtoremovewaterthatgetsintothelowerpartsofthehull.Becauseofthepoundingtheytakepunchingthroughwavesatspeed,offshore powerboats are also built to higher standards of construction, withstifferhullsthatwon’tflexor“oil-can”(deform)underpressurefromwaves.Theyarealsogenerallyfittedwithsturdycleatsformooring,anchoring,ortowing,anddecks should be of a non-skid surface for safe movement in rough conditions.Grabrailsandotherstrongpointstohangontoshouldalsobeincorporatedintothedesign.

SOMEOPEN-WATERPOWERBOATEXAMPLES

PangaMarine18-FootSkiffThisboatandthelargerofferingsbyPangaMarinearebasedontheseaworthyskiffscommonlyusedbysaltwaterfishingguidesinLatinAmerica.Thepangadesign features shallowdraft combinedwithadeep,flaringbowtoshedwaves.The18-footskiffdrawsjustsixinches,withabeamofsix feet and an unsinkable hullwith built-in flotation. It’s extremely capable inroughwaterforanopenboatofthissizeandislightenoughforeasytrailering,andalsosmallenoughtonegotiateriversandotherconfinedwaterways.Itcanbepurchasedasabarehullforabout$8,000andoutfittedwithacenterconsoleorother configurations; set up thisway,with a50hpHondaoutboard, it lists foraround$17,500.OnlineinformationaboutthePangaMarine18-FootSkiffcanbefoundatwww.pangamarine.com.BostonWhaler190MontaukThis19-footcenter-consoleboatwithan8-footbeamisbuiltwiththedesignfeaturesthathavemadetheBostonWhalernamefamous for seaworthy small powerboats. A key feature is the unsinkable hullconstruction,whichthecompanyusedtodemonstratebysawingahullintotwohalves on the water. Center-console Boston Whalers in this size range arefrequently chosen by marine law enforcement agencies for their ruggedconstruction. The 190Montauk is just one ofmany BostonWhalers that couldservewellasbug-outpowerboat.Fullyequipped,itgoesfor$40,000,butifyoudon’thavethatkindofmoneytospendonanopenboat,usedBostonWhalersofall sizes are easy to find and all are good boats. Boston Whaler’s website iswww.bostonwhaler.com.Caracal 180 Catamaran This 18-foot power catamaran is a versatile smallpowerboatcapableofoperatingoffshoreandinavarietyofshallowareas,withahulldraftofonlynineinches.Weighing1,200lb.withabeamofeightfeet,itisastableplatformdesignedtoslicethroughroughwaterefficientlyandcanrunatthesamespeedswithlesshorsepowerthanconventionalboatsofsimilarsize.Itsrangeis120mileswithits30-gallonfueltankanduptoa140hpengineonthetransom. This boat is roughly in the $25,000 range and up, depending on theengineandotherequipment.Thecompanywebsiteiswww.twinveeboats.com.

EscapeSailboats

I’m not including separate categories for sailboats designed for protected vs.exposedwatersbecauseeventhesmallestsailboatsarebydefinitiondesignedtooperate in windy conditions, which implies somewhat open water. Therefore,most small sailboats can at least handle a chop, if not the big waves of trueoffshorewaters.Themaincriterionhereisthatthesailboatsconsideredforthisdutyaresuitableforpracticaltransportationundersailpowerandarenothigh-strungorovercomplicatedraceboatsthateasilycapsize inanunexpectedgust.Forthemostpart,thesailboatsIconsiderpracticalarethoseprovenmodelsthatarealreadypopularamongpeoplewholiketoventureoutonweekendorlongerboatcampingtrips inbigbays,alongthecoasts,oramongbarrier islands.Thisstyleofsailboattravelisoftencalled“beachcruising.”Beachcruisersdon’ttieupforthenightinmarinaslikecruisersinbiggerboatsdo.Instead,theyeithercamponthebeachorsleeponboardtheiranchoredopenboatsunderaboomtentortarpriggedupforthepurpose.Theseboatsworkwellasescapewatercraftbecausetheyarealreadywellthoughtoutwhenitcomestohow gear and supplies will be carried and kept dry and are equipped fornavigation and dealing with emergencies. Beachcruising boats are muchshallowerindraftthanmostbiggeryachts,andmanycangoalmostanywhereacanoeorkayakcouldventure,withsomebeingsmallandlightweightenoughtodraguponthebeachatnightorpullovershoalsandsandbars.Some small beachcruising boats havemade impressive ocean voyages in thehands of adventurous sailors. The 18-foot open Drascombe Lugger was sailedmostofthewayaroundtheworldbyasoloadventurernamedWebbChiles,andotheropenboatshavecrossedtheAtlanticandthePacific.Oceancrossingshavebeen done on small catamarans and trimarans as well, all of these featsdemonstrating that seaworthiness in a well-designed sailboat is not directlyproportional to size. Youwouldhave to be tough to sail that far offshore in anopen,exposedboat,butit’snicetoknowyoucoulddoitifyouhadto,andsincethebestboatsofthistypecanhandleoffshoreconditions,theyarelikelytogetyoutoadestinationclosertoshorewithease.

FEATURESTOLOOKFORINANESCAPESAILBOAT

Obviously,thefirstconsiderationinchoosingasailboatisstability.Thesailsthatpowertheboatwillalsocapsizeitifitisnotsufficientlystabletostanduptothewind.Sailboatsgettheirstabilityfromthedesignofthehull,ballastdownlowinthe hull, or in the form of a weighted keel, or from a combination of thesefeatures. Lightweight multihulls like catamarans and trimarans do not useballast,butratherrelyonthewidestanceoftheirraft-likeplatformtokeepthemupright.Mostsmallmonohullsailboatsalsorelyheavilyonthishullformstability,since heavy ballast or a fixed keel would make them much more difficult totrailer.Avoid racing-style hull forms that require you to shift theweight of thecrewouttowindwardtokeeptheboatupright.Youwanttobeabletorelaxand

focusonwhereyouaregoinginsteadofalwaysworryingaboutcapsizing.Other important features are adequate flotation and a self-bailing cockpit. Allopenboatsaremorepronetoswamping inbigseas thandeckedboatswithanenclosed cabin, but the best ones feature plenty of built-in flotation that keepsthemfromsinkingeveniftheyarefilled.Boatswithself-bailingcockpitskeepanywatercomingonboardabove thewaterlineso itcanquicklydrainout throughscuppersbefore itendangers thevessel.This flotationandself-bailingability isalso essential for recovering a capsized sailboat. Any small sailboat can beknockeddownbyastrongenoughgustofwind,andyoumustbeabletorightitandquicklygetridofanywaterinthehullinordertogetunderwayagain.Anotherfeaturetolookforinthistypeofsailboatistheabilitytogoaground.Thismeansthatthehullwillnotbedamagedifyoupullitupontothebeach,soany appendages like rudders and centerboards should be retractable for thisreason. This ability to venture into shoal areas will give you access to manyremote areas surrounded by shallow waters where bigger vessels cannot go.Mostofthebestbug-outlocationsaccessiblebywaterareinsuchplaces,wherea lack of natural harbors and deep-water channels has prevented developmentand left the area in a natural state. If you are going to bug out by small boat,theseareexactlythekindsofplacesyouwanttobeabletogo,sodon’trestrictyourselfwithadeep-keeledboat.

SOMEESCAPESAILBOATEXAMPLES

Norseboat17.5RowingandSailingCruiserThisisoneofthefewproductionsailboatsavailable todaythat ispurpose-designed for thekindofcampcruisingdescribedinthissection.Itfeaturespositiveflotation,adraftofonlynineincheswith the board up, and berths for two under a custom tent or the capacity tocarrysixpeople.Theseaworthyhulldesignisderivedfromclassic19th-centuryfishingskiffs,andthetraditionalgaffrigiseasilyhandledbyasingleperson.Itisdesignedasacapablerowingcraftaswell,eliminatingtheneedforanauxiliaryoutboard. The standardmodel sells for about $19,000.More information abouttheNorseboat17.5canbefoundatwww.norseboat.com.WayfarerDinghyIfyoucanfindone,this16-footopenboatisoneofthemostseaworthy small craft around. It has been used for extensive offshore cruisingandlongopen-watercrossings,despiteaweightofonly372lb.TheWayfarercancarry 600 lb. of people and gear and has built-in watertight storagecompartmentsforeandaft.Thisdesignhasbeenbuiltinwoodandfiberglassforover 35 years, with some 9,000 hulls produced. They sometimes appear inclassifiedlistingsforaround$4,000to$5,000ingoodcondition.Anenthusiastsgroup that supports the Wayfarer Dinghy maintains an informative website atwww.uswayfarer.org.Hobie 21 Sport Cruiser This 21-foot beach catamaran was specificallydesigned for camping aboard, unlike most of the more performance-orientedcatamarans offered by Hobie. It came with an outboard motor mount, built-incooler, and dry storage, and a custom tentwas available to convert the entire

trampoline/deck area into living quarters. This specialized Hobie model is nolonger inproductionand sold forover$14,000new,butusedexamples canbefoundforhalfthatorless,dependingoncondition.Other,moregeneral-purposemodels like theHobie18orHobieGetawaycanbe customized toworkas thistype of escape sailboat as well, and are much easier to find. The Hobie Catcompanywebsitecanbefoundatwww.hobiecat.com.

PersonalWatercraft(PWC)

Another category of conveyance on the water that somemight consider as anescape vessel is the personal watercraft, such as the Jet Ski, See-Doo, andWaveRunner.Forthemostpart,Idon’tconsidertheseasviableoptionsbecausetheyaredesignedmoreforplayingonthewaterthanrealtransportationandaretoolimitedincarryingcapacitycomparedtoconventionalboats.Someseethemas the aquatic version of amotorcycle, and inmany ways they are—providinghigh-speedfunforone,two,oronsomemodelseventhreeorfourridersbothinprotected waters and on the ocean. I do know of people who use the largervariationsofpersonalwatercrafttocarrycampinggearandgoonovernighttripstooffshorebarrierislands,soitispossible,ifyoupackwellandkeepyourgearindry bags or the built-in storage compartments some models feature, that youcouldbugoutaboardone.However, you should be aware that there have been quite a few cases ofpersonalwatercraft operators being swept out to seawhen their engine failedandtheywerecaughtinwindorcurrent.Thoughthiscanhappenwithanypowerboat without oars or sails for alternative propulsion, some personal watercraftaredesignedinsuchawaythatyoucannotevenaccesstheenginecompartmentwhileafloat,especially indeepwateror inroughseaconditions.But ifyouareknowledgeableaboutthistypeofwatercraftandhaveworkedoutasolutiontoitslimitations, Iwouldn’tsaythat it’sabsolutely impossibletouseoneforbuggingout,justthatIpersonallywouldn’tchooseoneforthispurpose.

BUG-OUTBOATCHECKLISTBOATINGSAFETYANDOTHERBOAT-SPECIFICGEAR:

PFD(personalflotationdevice)foreverypersononboardSafetyharnessandtetherforeverypersonifsailingoffshoreFlaresandotherCoastGuard–requiredsignalingdevices Fire extinguishers (two or more on vessels with electrical systemsand/orengineorstovefuel)Bailer,bucket,orbilgepumpforquicklyremovingwaterPaddleoroarsforalternativepropulsionincaseofengineorsailing-rigfailureGroundtackle(anchorsandrodes)ofadequatesizeandnumberfortheboatsize

Mooring lines, bowpainters, or other lines for securing the vessel toshoreWaterprooffoul-weatherjacketandbiboveralls

SPAREPARTS:Sparkplug(s)forengineFuellineforoutboardenginesFuelfiltersStarterropeforoutboardenginesPropandshearpinsforpropshaftWaterpumpimpellerEngineoilLower-unitgearoilLinetoreplaceessentialrunningriggingBlocks,clevispins,shackles,andothersailinghardware Wire rope, fittings, turnbuckles, etc. to repair or replace standingrigging

ESSENTIALTOOLSANDADDITIONALEQUIPMENT:Marine-gradesealant,epoxy,andotheradhesivesFiberglassorotherhull-repairmaterials(dependingonconstruction)Sandpaper(forpreppingareastobepatched)DucttapeSail-patchingmaterials(fabric,needle,andthread)Sail-repairtape(forquickemergencyrepairs)Wrenches,pliers,screwdrivers,andothermechanicaltoolstomaintainengineandriggingcomponentsHandsaw,hacksaw,handdrill,rasp,tapemeasure,andothertoolstoeffecthullrepairsGimbaledsteeringcompassQualityhand-bearingcompassChart-enabledGPSwithpreloadednauticalchartsoftheregionPaperchartsorchartbookscoveringtheregionMarinebinocularswithbearingcompassHandheldorfixed-mountVHFmarinetwo-wayradioShortwaveorSSBradioforreceivingweatherforecastsDrybagsorwaterproofboxesforcriticalgearandsuppliesRodandreel(fortrollingand/orcasting)Artificialluresandhooks,sinkersandfloatsforlivebaitDrophooks,trotline,andhandlinesCastnet,crabnet,seineorgillnetCraborlobstertraps,fishtraps,and/orminnowtrapsBowfishingrig,polespear,orspeargun

Mask,fins,andsnorkelforunderwaterhunting(ifinclearwaters)

PartII

MobileRetreats

4

RECREATIONALVEHICLES&OTHERMANUFACTUREDMOBILERETREATS

Theconceptofamobileretreatisthenextlogicaloptiontoconsiderafterlookingat escape vehicles for both land and water. Mobile retreats combine twoimportant aspects of bugging out: the vehicle that transports you, your family,andyourgear;and theshelteryouwillneed forapossibleextendedstayawayfrom your home. This part of the book covers a broad range ofmobile retreatoptions,butinthischapterIwilllookatthemostobvioustype:themanufacturedunits that are readily available as recreational vehicles. Aswith the passengervehicles, motorcycles, and recreational boats mentioned in the previous threechapters, many people will already have some type of recreational vehicle onhandthatcanbepressedintoserviceasamobileretreat.Ifyoudonotalreadyownone,giventhestaggeringarrayofchoicesonthenewandusedmarket,youcanlikelyfindoneofasizeandtypethatfitsintoyourbug-outplanandbudget.Andaswithboats,motorcycles,andothernonessentialrecreationalvehicles,youcanenjoyusingyourmobileretreatforweekendandvacationgetaways,whetheryoueverneeditforbug-outpurposesornot.Recreationalvehiclescome insizesandpriceranges to fitalmosteveryneed.Thesevehiclesareheavilypromotedaslifestyleaccessoriesandyouwillseethemparkedinbackyards,driveways,andstoragelotsalloverAmerica.Someareusedoften for weekend getaways and summer vacations, while many others sitneglectedyearafteryearandcanbepickedupusedforafractionoftheoriginalprice.Thefactthatsomanyoftheseunits justsit instorageunused,combinedwiththehugedepreciationofmostnewRVsaftertheyareafewyearsold,meansthat it’s a buyer’s market for those looking at used models. If you have theslightestinterestinacquiringsuchavehicleyouoweittoyourselftoinvestigatethepricesintheusedmarketbeforewritingoffRVsastooexpensive.RV living is a full-time lifestyle for some people, especially retirees, and themanufacturers have met the demand to produce comfortable yet manageablevehiclesdesignedtoofferthecreaturecomfortsofhometopeoplewhoarenotnecessarilythecampingoroutdoorsytype.Someofthesecomfortsareoverratedor unnecessary, as will be discussed in the sections that follow, but a self-containedRVcanmakeforawell-organizedandefficientmobilebug-outretreatthatyoucanquicklyandeasilymodifyforthetaskwithminimalextraeffortandexpense.

DisadvantagesofRecreationalVehiclesasMobileRetreats

Factory-builtRVs tend tobeoverpriced for thebuildquality that yougetwhen

new,unlessyouarewillingandabletopayapremiumfortheproductsofthefewtopmanufacturersorcustombuildersthatexceedtheaverageofferings.Butbeprepared for sticker shock if you are shopping new for the high-end makes.Despite these prices, cheap, lightweight construction that is designed to lookgoodwhennewbutnotnecessarilyholdupoverthe longtermis typicalof themajority of recreational vehicles, whether of the pull-behind trailer or self-containedmotorhometype.Askanyonewhohasspentanextendedtimetravelingand living in one and you will hear about the quality problems that includeeverythingfromleakywindowsandhatchesthatcauserot,rust,andotherwaterdamagetoawiderangeofsystembreakdownsthatrunthegamutfromelectricaltoplumbing,heating,andair-conditioning.Ifyouarehandywithtoolsanddon’tminddoingyourownrepairsandimprovements,youcantakeadvantageofgooddealsonusedRVswithsuchproblemsthattheoriginalownerscouldn’thandle.Butaswillbediscussedinthenextchapter,ifyouhavesuchskills,youcouldalsoput your energy into a do-it-yourself mobile retreat that you can control thequalityofthroughouttheconstructionprocess.

TheHugeArrayofChoices

If you’re new to RVs, you will most likely be bewildered by the confusingterminologyusedtodescribeallthedifferenttypesavailable.Whilemostpeopleknowthedifferencebetweenamotorhomeandatraveltrailer, therearemanysubcategorieswithinthesedifferenttypesthatyoushouldbecomefamiliarwithbeforedecidingwhichonewouldworkbestforyourneeds.Aswiththepreviouschapters on escape vehicles, I have broken this chapter down into severalsections.FirstisalistofthekeyconsiderationsthatwillinfluenceyourchoiceofamanufacturedRVandadiscussionofthemodificationsandequipmentthat ingeneral apply to all types. Following that is a description of each of themajorcategoriesofthesevehicles,alongwithhoweachcouldfitintoyourbug-outplanandthedisadvantagesofeachtypethatcouldinfluenceyourdecision.Examplesofeachtypearepresentedaswelltogiveyousomeideaofwhattolookforandthepriceyoumightexpecttopay.

KeyPrefabMobileRetreatConsiderations

Size Justaswithpickuptrucks,SUVs,boats,andmotorcycles,Iwouldstronglydiscourage buying the biggest, most elaborate, ormost expensive examples inany particular category of RVs, even if you can afford to do so. As with othercategoriesofvehicles,manyofthelargermodelsaremarketedasstatussymbolsdesignedtoappealtotheaffluentorprojectanimageofaffluenceandwillnotbeasusefulforthepurposeofabug-outvehicleasthesmaller,morebasicmodels.All but the smallest mobile retreats have some inherent disadvantages whencompared to the escape vehicles discussed in the previous section. Largervehicleswill bedifficult tomaneuver inheavy evacuation traffic and limited in

their ability to go around obstacles or travel rough roads or off-road, andwillconsumemorefuelforthesamedistancetraveled.Large,expensive-lookingRVsalso go against the concept of blending in that I covered in the discussions ofescapevehiclesandcould look likeeasyand irresistible targets to looters,whowillperceivethemasstorehousesofgoodsandequipment.Forall these reasons, I recommendbasingyoursizechoiceonyourminimumrequirements, rather thanwhatmight be nice to have. First of all, thismeansdedicated sleeping and personal storage space for each person who will beaboard, whether you are going solo or with family or friends. This is arequirementthatyoushouldnevertrytoskimpon,especiallyifyouarepreparingfor a possible long-term stay in yourmobile retreat. Beware ofmanufacturers’claims that a particular model “sleeps six” or “sleeps eight” or other suchexaggerations,because theyareusually referring to themaximumnumber thatcanbecrammedin forweekendtrips,not long-termaccommodation.Theotherminimumrequirements include spaceandequipment for self-containedcookingandwashingandenoughstoragecapacitytocarryyouressentialgear,aswellasan adequate food and water supply. With these guidelines in mind, a singlepersonandperhapsacouplecan function fine insomeof thesmallest typesofRVs, such as pop-up campers, truck campers, or conversion vans. Familieswillneedmore space,with the exact amountdependingon thenumber of childrenandtheirages,aswellasspecialneedssuchasprovisionsfordisabledorelderlyadults.TrailerorMotorhome?Thefirstandmostobviousdifferencewhenyoubeginlooking at the types of RVs available is that some are pull-behind trailersdesigned to be towed by another motor vehicle and some are self-containedmotorhomeswiththelivingquartersbuiltontothesamechassisthathousestheengine and driver’s cabin. Deciding between these two completely differentconceptsisoneofthosehardchoicessocommoninpickingoutequipmentinthatitisacompromisewithadvantagesanddisadvantageswhicheverwayyoudecidetogo.

Ifyouchooseatrailer-typeRVthatmustbetowedbehindanothervehicle,thenthatvehiclewillhavetobelargeenoughandpowerfulenoughtopullthetrailerinanyconditionsandoneverykindof terrainyouexpect to travel.Thismeansthatunlessyouchooseoneofthesmallestkindsoftrailers,likepop-upsormini-campers,your towvehiclewill likelyhave tobea full-sizedpickuporSUVthatwillgetpoorfueleconomywhetherburdenedwiththeRVordisconnectedfromit. Pulling this kind of RVwith a tow vehicle alsomeans that youwill have todisconnectand leave theRVsomewhere touse thevehicleseparately forothertasks.Also,thelivingaccommodationsoftheRVwillbeinaccessibletothedriverandpassengersofthetowvehiclewhileyou’reontheroad.Motorhomesareself-containedRVsthatarebuiltonavan,truck,orbuschassisso that thedriver’scabin iswithin theunitat the forwardend,eliminating theneed for a separate vehicle altogether. But with a larger RV, short trips anderrands are still a burden because of the overall size and difficulty ofmaneuvering in traffic, so most recreational motorhome owners tow a smallrunaboutvehiclebehindtheminmuchthewayyachtsandotherlargeboatscarryadinghyortender.Dependingonthesizeofthemotorhome,thisauxiliaryvehiclecanrangeinsizefromafull-sizedSUVorpassengercartoacompactcrossovercar or perhaps even one or more motorcycles or bicycles. Using the auxiliaryvehiclewillstill requireyouto leavethemotorhomebehind, justaswithanRVtrailer,butifyouchoseasmalleroneitwillbelesswastefuloffuelthandrivingaroundinalargertowvehicleorthebulkymotorhomeitself.Thefinalchoicebetweenthesetwotypesoftencomesdowntopersonaltastes,aswellaswhereyoumightexpecttobugouttowithyourmobileretreatandhowmuchyoumightexpecttousethetoworauxiliaryvehicleforothertasksduringyour stay. If you plan to travel far off the beaten path on rough roads and asmallerunitmeetsyoursizerequirements,thenatruckcamperona4WDpickupor light pop-up camper trailer towed behind such a pickup or 4WD SUV will

probably be the best choice, sincewith such a setup you can get yourmobileretreatintoreallyremoteareas.Ifthenumberofpeoplegoingwithyoudictatesalargerunit,itmaybeeasierandlessstressfultodriveamotorhomethantopullalarge,heavytrailerwithalltheassociatedproblemsthatentails.Off-GridFunctionalityAkeydifference inusingRVsasbugoutvehiclesvs.therecreationalusesthattheywereintendedforisthatyouwillhavetothinkintermsofbeingtotallyoffthepowergridwithoutaccesstorunningwater,pump-outstations,andotheramenities.ThetypicalRVownerplansweekendtripsandvacations around parks and developed campgrounds where electrical andplumbinghookupsprovideallthecomfortsofamodernhome.Butalthoughmostowners don’t make use of it, most RVs do have some off-grid functionality bydesign,at least forshort-termexcursions.Mostof the functionsavailablewhileplugged in canbeused in remote campsites aswell; this includes lighting andlow-power electrical devices like radios, televisions, and fans, but notmicrowaves,washersanddryers,orairconditionersunlessapowerfulgeneratorisrunning.Basicplumbingsystemsusingstorageandholdingtanksallowtheuseof water faucets and toilets, and cooking stoves using fuels like propane orbutaneallowthecookingofhotmeals.ThekeytoextendingthetimeperiodthatyourRVcanfunctionoff thegrid issimplicityofsystems.RecreationalRVingappealstomanybecausetheyliketheidea of going camping with all the comforts of home. But the more home-likecomfortsyouandyourfamilyarewillingtogiveuporcompromiseon,thebetteroff youwill bewhen it comes to powermanagement, recharging systems, andfuel,water,andwastestorage.Livingthiswaywon’tbeasroughascampingoutofabug-outbagorinaprimitivebug-outsheltersuchasthosediscussedinthelastsectionofthisbook,butitwon’tbeluxuryvacationlivingeither.Electrical Systems The popularity of modern RVs (and the self-containedcruisingboatsthatarethesubjectofChapterSix)hasledtothedevelopmentofwell-engineered 12-volt DC electrical equipment and systems that can providemost of the conveniences off the grid that you are used towith a 110-volt ACsystemathome.Theexceptionstothisarehigh-powereddevicesthatdrawalotofcurrent,likeairconditioningsystems,washersanddryers,electricstovesandovens, etc. While it is possible to power such appliances off the grid using agasoline or diesel generator, this won’t be practical for a bug-out stay of anyduration because of the fuel consumption. Aside from such power-hungryequipment,therearemanydevicessuchascomputersandrechargeableelectrictoolsthathavetheirownbuilt-inbatteriesbutaredesignedtobepluggedintoanACoutletforrecharging.Powerinvertersthatconvert12-voltDCpowerto110-volt AC work well for recharging such equipment, and can also run many ACdevicesdirectlyaslongastheyarewithinthepowerrating(measuredinwatts)oftheinverter.Most of the basic electrical equipment needed in a mobile retreat will notrequireaninvertertoconvertDCtoAC,as12-voltversionsofmanyappliancesarestandard in theRV industry.Lighting, inparticular,hasbenefited fromnewtechnologiessuchasthewidespreaduseofLED(light-emittingdiode)clustersto

replace standard incandescent bulbs. LED lighting draws a fraction of theelectricalcurrentneededtorunconventionalbulbs,allowingyoutouseinteriorlights for reading and other tasks much more freely, without worrying aboutdepletingthehousebatterybank.Thehousebattery (or ideally,abankofbatteriesconnected inparallel) is theheartofanyoff-grid12-voltDCelectricalsystem.Thesebatteriesare thedeep-cycle storage type, designed to be able to withstand many cycles of completedrainingandrechargingwithoutdamage.Storagecapacityismeasuredintermsof ampere-hours, and your daily energy budget for all the electrical devices inyour mobile retreat can be calculated from the number of amps each devicedrawswheninuseandtheestimatedamountoftimeitwillbeneededeachday.Eachofthesedeviceswillbehelpingtodepletethestoredenergyofthebatterieswheninuse,soofcourseyoumusthaveawayofreplenishingthisenergy.Forgetabout the 30- or 50-amp power connection that practically all RVs feature forplugging into at campgrounds or for charging at home between trips. Youroptionswillbelimitedtoanengine-drivenalternator,agenerator,oralternativepowersourcessuchassolarpanelsorwindgenerators.While charging from an alternator driven by the vehicle’s engine (or the towvehicleinthecaseofatrailer)canworkwhileyouareonthemove,runningtheengine to charge batteries once you are set up in a remote location is not asefficient as using a small, separate generator powered by gasoline, diesel, orpropane.Suchagenerator,whenusedforbatterychargingandnotforrunninghigh-powered devices as discussed above, can be a viable option if you areconservativeinyourpoweruse.Abetteralternativeforseriouslong-termlivingoffthegridinanRVisanarrayofsolarpanelsmountedontheroofthatcanberedirectedtothecorrectangleformaximumexposuretothesunthroughouttheday.SmallwindgeneratorssuchasthoseusedonboatscanalsobeusedonRVsonce you get where you are going, and if you are in a windy area they canproducemuchmorechargingcurrentthansolarpanels.WaterandSewerSystemsJustaswithelectricalsystems,mostRVsaresetupwithwaterandsewersystemsthatallowatleastshort-termoff-the-griduse.Thefreshwatersupplyfordrinking,cooking,andwashingneedswillobviouslybeoneof your top priorities in a bug-out scenario, and you must keep that supplyuncontaminated and accessible. When operating in the self-contained mode,waterfaucetsonRVsaresuppliedby12-voltpumpsinthewaterlinesfromthestorage tanks. You should also have amanual pump option or othermeans ofaccessing this stored water in the event of a failure of the pump or 12-voltsystem.Manualhand-orfoot-operatedwaterpumpshavetheaddedadvantageofnot wasting your valuable water supply because someone forgets to turn thefaucet off. In a bug-out situation, your RV’s built-in water tanks will not holdenoughwaterforyourneedsandshouldbesupplementedwithextra jerrycansorone-gallonjugsstowedinanyavailablespace.Aswithanymethodofbuggingout,evenwithalargemobileretreat,youwillalsoneedtothinkabouthowyouwillresupplyyourwaterwhenyourtanksaredryandhowyouwillpurifylocallyavailablesourcesforyourdrinkingneeds.

RecreationalusersofRVsdependon thebuilt-inholding tanks forgraywaterandwastetotakecareoftheirsewagedisposalneeds,pumpingoutthetanksataconvenient pump-out station when they leave developed campgrounds. Forlonger-term use, dealing with holding tanks will become more than aninconvenience,andyoumayhavetofindalternatesolutions—likeusingalatrinedugnearby—ratherthanallowingthesetankstofillup.CookingFacilitiesLargerRVscomeequippedwithkitchens (orgalleys) thatmimic thoseofmodernhomesas closelyaspossible, featuring range topswithmultipleburnersandanoven,amicrowave,arefrigeratorandfreezer,andlotsofcabinetandcounterspace.Whileallthisisnicetohave,allyoureallyneedisaspace to prepare food and a simple stovetopburner to cook on. The stovewillmost likelybeagasrangesuppliedbyoneormorerefillablepropanecylindersmounted outside the RV or in purpose-designed vented compartments. Thesestovesareefficientandyoucaneasilycarryasupplyoffuelthatwilllastseveralweeksifyouuseitonlyforcookingandnotforrunningheating,refrigeration,orhotwater systems. In goodweather, you can save stove fuel by doing at leastsomeofyourcookingoutsideovera fire.Backupcookingsolutionscan includeportable gas or propane stoves such as those used for tent camping andbackpacking.Additional Equipment and Spares As with any motor vehicle, you shouldcarrythetoolsandsparepartsyouneedtomaintainthemobilityofthevehicle,and this includes things like spare tires for RV trailers and commonly neededengine parts formotorhomes. You should also carry awide range of spares tomaintainyourelectrical,recharging,plumbing,andcookingsystems.TheactualchecklistwilldependonthecomplexityofyourparticularRV,butyoucanstartbymaking of a list of everything that is vital to the function of the unit andpurchasing spares for components that commonly need replacement. This willincludesuch thingsascircuitbreakersand fuses,battery terminalsandcables,bulbs,alternatorbelts,valves,hosesandpumpdiaphragms,propanegasfittingsandhoses,stoveburnercomponents,andsoon.Thecomplementoftoolsneededtoreplaceorrepairalltheseaddedsystemswillbemoreextensivethanasimplemotorvehicletoolkit,andwithlargerRVswillneedtoincludemostofthetoolsneeded for homemaintenance as well. 18-volt rechargeable power tools are aviableoptiononanRVwithafunctioning12-voltelectricalsystemandinverter,anda fewselect toolsof this type,particularlya reversibledrill andperhapsajigsaworsmallcircularsaw,willmakemanytaskseasier.In addition to maintaining these onboard systems, you should have theequipmentneededtosurvivecomfortablyintheeventthatnoneofthemfunction.Thiswillincludeaseparatestove(asalreadydiscussed),alternativelightinglikeflashlights and portable lanterns, a water purification system, warm sleepingbagsandalternative shelter incaseyouhave toabandon theRV,andplentyofreliablefirestarterssuchaswaterproofmatches,butanelighters,andmagnesiumfirestarters.

SafetyandSecurity

Firesafetyisanimportantconsiderationinanyenclosedstructure,evenmoresoin anRVwith a 12-volt electrical systemand cooking stove. Fire extinguishersshouldbemountedineasilyaccessibleandvisiblelocationsthroughouttheunit;a smoke detector and a carbon monoxide detector should also be installed inliving spaces. With the extra storage space available compared to a smallerescapevehicleorothermethodsofbuggingout,youcanalsofindroominyourmobileretreatforamuchmoreextensivefirstaidkitandextrafirstaidsupplies.Security isalwaysaconcernaswell,whether inamobile retreatorathome.Except for tent trailerswith their fabric and screen enclosures, just about anykindofRVwillgiveyoumoresenseofsecuritywhensleepingatnightthanyouwouldfeelsleepingoutintheopenorinatent.ThoughthedoorsonmanyRVsare flimsy and could be broken into easily, at least there are doors, and anyintrudertryingtoenteratnightwillhavetomakealotofnoise.Withthe12-voltelectricalsystemyoucanalsoinstallalarmsystemsandmotion-activatedexteriorlighting—whichisagoodidea,becauseinsulatedinsideyourvehicleyoumaynothearsomeoneapproachingtheareaaseasilyasyouwouldifyouwereinatent.Needlesstosay,youshouldhaveweaponstodefendyourselfandyourfamilyintheeventyouareattackedwhileinyourmobileretreat.Whenchoosingfirearmsforthisrole,considertheclosequartersinsideavehicleandthelikelihoodthatover-penetrationwill be an issuewithmostweapons. It’s imperative to have aplanincaseofsuchaneventsoeveryonewillknowwhattodotoavoidconfusionandgettinginthelineoffire.Handgunsareusuallyquickertogetintoactioninsuchconfinedspaces,butshotgunsarealsogoodinsituationswhereyouwon’thavetimetotakecarefulaim.

TruckCampers

Truck campers use drop-in units to convert a pickup truck bed into a self-containedcamperunit.Mostaredesignedtofitone-tonor¾-tonpickups.Theyrangefromabasicshellthatcoversthebed,witharooflineinlinewiththetruckcabin’s roof, to largeunits thataremuchwiderand taller than thevehicleandextendadditionalaccommodationspaceoverthetopofthetruck’scabin.Thoughmore compact thanotherRVs, the truck camper concepthas someadvantagesthat could make it good for many bug-out vehicle needs. Because there is notrailer involved, theoverall length isgreatlyreduced,makingthe truckcampermore maneuverable in traffic jams and on rugged, poorly maintained roads.Becauseyoucanchoosethecamperunittofityourtruckandnottheotherwayaround,youcanusethepickupthatbestsuitsyourneedsforotherpurposesandremove thecamperunitwhen it isnotneeded.Unlikemostmotorhomes,yourtruckcanhave4WDandhighgroundclearance,makingitevenmoresuitableforaccessingremotebug-outlocations.Thetypicaltruckcamperthatextendsoverthecabofthevehicleisdesignedto

sleepfourpeople,withadinettetableinthecentralareathatconvertstoabed,aswellasanoverheadsinglebunkandadoubleorqueen-sizedbedoverthecab.Likemanytraveltrailers,somealsohaveslide-outsectionstoexpandlivingspaceevenmore.Despitethenumberofpossiblebunks,twopeopleorperhapsacouplewithasmallchildwouldprobablybethemaximumnumberthatcoulduseoneoftheseunitsasamobileretreatforanextendedtimeperiod.

TRUCKCAMPEREXAMPLE

NorthstarLaredoSCThisisaroomyhard-shelltruckcamperthatis7feetwideby15feet,2incheslong(includingthecab-oversectioninwhicha60”x80”bedisfitted).Ithasstandingheadroominthemainsectionoverthebedofthepickupand in this area there is a small galley, a separate toilet, and a dinette thatconvertstoanothersinglebed.Dryweightis1,800lb.,andtheNorthstarLaredoSC has an MSRP of around $18,000. Manufacturer’s info is available atwww.northstarcampers.com.

Pop-UporFoldingCampers

Pop-upor foldingcampersare thesmallestclassof trailerRVsandarepopularfortheirlightweightandlowprofilewhenfolded,whichmakesthemsuitableforuse with a wider range of vehicles than heavy travel trailers. Some pop-upcampersaresmallenoughtotowbehindpassengercarsandothersmallvehicles,ranginginweightfromabout1,500to4,000pounds.Yet,whenunfoldedandsetup, they can offer surprisingly comfortable accommodations compared to tentcampingorothersmalloptionsliketruckcampersorcampervans.Atypicalunitwill feature comfortable seating, a table, a stove and kitchen work surfaces,toilets,andshowers.Becauseoftheirsmallsizewhenfolded,pop-upcampersmaybethebestoptionforurbanorsuburbandwellerswhowouldhavedifficultyfindingaplacetokeepalargerRVorothertypeofmobileretreat.Butbecausetheymustbefoldedtotravel,storagespaceforextragearandsupplieswillbeminimalandcampingthiswaymaynotoffermanyadvantagesovertentcampingfromanescapevehicle.Infact, pop-up campers are also called tent trailers because a large part of thestructure is flexible fabricmaterial similar to a tent that allows the unit to beexpanded.Becauseof this, theydonotofferasmuchofa feelingofsecurityassleepinginsideahard-shelledunitwithlockingdoors.

POP-UPCAMPEREXAMPLES

JaycoJaySeriesSport Jaycomanufacturesawiderangeofpop-upcampersandtraveltrailers.TheJaySeriesSportlineincludesarangeofpop-upsonthesmallendofthespectrum.TheSport10,forexample,weighsonly1,385lb.emptyandwhenfoldedfortravelmeasures13½feetlongby5feethigh.Yet,whensetupfor

camping,itexpandstoalmost20feetlongandfeaturesalargebedoneachend,a dinette, counter space for a stove, and storage cabinets in the maincompartment.TheJaySeriesSportpop-upcampersstartatanMSRPof$5,800andtheJaycowebsiteisatwww.jayco.com.4x4 Tent Trailers This company manufactures a line of pop-up tent campersspecificallydesignedtogopracticallyanywhereanoff-road4x4vehiclecantowthem. Built to handle abuse, these trailers feature heavy-duty axles rated for3,000 lb. They have a dryweight of 900 lb. and a storage capacity of over 43cubic feetandconvert toabasicshelterwitha tentonanelevatedplatforminunder 5 minutes. Options include a 12-volt electrical system, water system,propanecooktop,hi-liftjack,bikerack,andextrastorage.The4x4TentTrailerstartsat$1,495.Moreinformationisavailableatwww.overlandtrailers.com.4x4tenttrailer

CamperTrailers

ThecampertrailerortraveltrailerisperhapsthemostpopulartypeoflargeRVamongrecreationalusers,particularlyweekendandvacationuserswhodon’tliveintheirRVsfulltime.Becausetheydonotincorporateanengine,drivetrain,andall theotherpartsandcomponentsthatmakeupaself-containedvehicle, largetraveltrailersarelessexpensivethancomparablysizedmotorhomes;butbecauseoftheirlargersizeincomparisonwithpop-upcampersandtruckcampers,theycanoffermuchof thecomfortofamotorhome.Unlikepop-up trailers, theyaretowed ready to use, so things insidedonot have to bepackedor organized tomovetoanotherlocation,thoughmanytraveltrailersdofeatureslide-outlivingquarterstoexpandtheir interiorspaceaswellasroll-outawningsthatmustbeputawaybeforetowing.Standard travel trailers aredesigned tobe towedbehindapickuporSUVbymeansofareceiverhitchattachedtotheframeofthetowvehicle.“Fifthwheel”

trailersuseadifferentsystemthatinvolvesaspecialhitchmountedonthetruckbed.Becauseofthewaythefifthwheelhitchpivotsandthewaymuchofthebulkofthetraileriscarriedforwardoverthetruckbed,fifthwheelRVtrailersfeaturean extended overhead section that rides above the passenger cab of the towtruck,furtherincreasingaccommodationswithoutanincreaseinoveralllength.ToyhaulerandhorsetrailerRVsareyetanothertypeoftraveltrailerthatsplitsthe living accommodations in the trailer with auxiliary vehicle storagecompartmentsorlivestocktransportcompartments.Thistypeoftrailercouldbeof particular interest to those whose bug-out plans include utilizing additionalmeans of transport, either operating out of a base camp with the RV orproceedingonintomoreremoteorruggedterritorywithasecondaryvehicleoronhorseback.Toyhaulerscanaccommodatemostanytypeofmotorcycle,ATV,orpersonalwatercraft,andhorsetrailerscancarryoneormorehorsesaswell assaddles and other gear. The living quarters of these trailers can be as well-appointedasanyothertypeofRV.

CAMPERTRAILEREXAMPLES

Airstream Classic Limited 30 The distinctive styling and bright aluminumexteriorsofAirstream travel trailersmaynothelpyoublend in,buthidingany30-foot travel trailer is not going to be easy. Airstream trailers are notable fortheir high-quality construction, which puts them in a different class than thecheap and flimsy travel trailers offered by many manufacturers. An Airstreamtrailer can last a lifetime and many older models are popular as restorationprojects.TheClassicLimitedseriesoffersfirst-rateaccommodations.The30-footversionweighs 7,285 lb., is just under the 8½-footmaximum legalwidth limit,andhasanexteriorheightof8 feet.Aqueenbedandcabinetsoccupytherearendandadinetteandloungeareaconvertstoadditionalbunkspace.Thereisafullgalley,aprivatetoiletarea,andashower,inadditiontolotsofstoragespace.New Airstreams are not inexpensive, and the MSRP for this model is about$91,000.Butbecauseoftheirqualityconstructionandpopularity,theyholdtheirvaluewell.Youcanfindoutmoreatwww.airstream.com.Coachmen Chaparral 355RLTSMid-Profile FifthWheel This line of fifthwheel travel trailers is designed to combine good maneuverability with anaerodynamicprofileforeasierhighwaytravel.The355RLTSisthelargestintheseries and could be a good choice if you need a lot of living space and cargo-carryingcapacity.Atalmost38½feetlongandjustover12½feethigh,itoffersavoluminousaccommodationplanthatincludesaqueenbed,slide-outroomswithexpandedseatingandconvertiblebunks,andanoverheadloftareawithanotherlarge bed. Total unloadedweight is almost 10,500 lb. and there is capacity tocarryanadditional3,500 lb.Youwill needa serious truck topull a trailer likethis, and almost $50,000 to purchase a new one atMSRP. Themanufacturer’swebsiteiswww.coachmenrv.com.JaycoOctaneZXToyHaulerAtjustunder29feetoverall,thistoyhaulerRVtrailer weighs 6,500 lb. unloaded and features a cargo bay that is 11 feet, 7

inches long.A retractable7-foot-longmetal rampmakes loadingandunloadingmotorcycles, ATVs, and other backup vehicles easy. Thismodel features lots offoldawaybunkspaceandalargequeenbedovertherearlivingarea.There’sagalley, toilet, and shower as well as plenty of cabinet space. MSRP starts ataround$30,000;thewebsiteisatwww.jayco.com.

Motorhomes

The RV industry categorizes motorhomes into three distinct classes. Class Aincludesthelargestandmost luxuriousofallRVs:thosethatarebuiltonabuschassisoraspeciallydesignedchassis that resemblesabusand isofa similarsize.ClassAmotorhomesoftenapproachthemaximumlegallimitsfortheheight,width,length,andweightofanoncommercialvehicle,rangingfromabout21to40feetlong.AluxuryClassAmotorhomewillcontainafull-sizedkitchen,privatebathrooms, and every amenity known to the RV industry. While some areadvertisedasbeingable tosleep10people,RVbuildersare thesameasyachtbuilders in exaggerating these numbers,which are only suitable for occasionalweekend use. But a big Class A motorhome can certainly accommodate theaverage family in comfort.AverageMSRP in this class is$81,000,butmanyofthemcostseveralhundredthousanddollars.ClassBmotorhomesareattheotherendofthesizespectrumfromClassAandare also called camper vans because they are usually built on conventionalpassenger van frames, but with modifications like raised roofs to add extrainteriorspace.Mostarebetween16and21feetlongandaredesignedtosleepfourpeople.Theyusuallyfeatureacompactkitchenandbasicbathroomfacilities.Class B motorhomes average around $43,000, but specialized models like the4WDSportsmobiledescribedbelowcanbenearlydoublethatamount.ClassCmotorhomesarebuiltonstandardtruckframesandcanrangefrom20to 32 feet long. They canbe as luxurious asClassAmotorhomes on a smallerscale and for a lower total cost, generally averaging justunder$50,000MSRP.ThesearethemotorhomesmostpeoplethinkofwhentheythinkofvacationRVcamping, and they are well-represented by the established builders such asWinnebago.

SOMEMOTORHOMEEXAMPLESINEACHCLASS

ItascaEllipse40BDThisisanexampleofabigClassAmotorhomethatcomeswitha400hpCummins turbocharged8.9-literdieselengineandaprice tag tomatchitssizeandluxuriousaccommodations.At justover40½feet long, ithasthespacetoserveasalong-termorsemi-permanentmobilebug-outretreat.Youwouldn’tbeabletotakesuchabigvehiclefaroffthebeatenpath,butwhereveryoutakeit,therewouldberoominsideforyourfamilyandallthesuppliesandgear you need. Of course it comes with all the amenities and an 8,000-wattCummins Onan diesel generator to keep everything running. Base MSRP is

$301,245.Youcangetthefulldetailsatwww.goitasca.com.Sportsmobile4WDCamperVanThishighlycustomizedcampervanfitsintotheClassB category,but couldbe in a classof its own.Designed togoplacesordinaryClassBmotorhomeswouldnotbeabletoventure,theseruggedvehiclescould serve as a ready-madeBOV solution formanypeoplewhodonotneedalargermobileretreat.BilledbySportsmobileasthe“ultimateadventurevehicle,”this4WDvan—anexampleofwhich is featuredon thecoverof thisbook—wasdesigned to combine off-road capability and backcountry campingwith in-townmaneuverability and decent open-road fuel economy. This particular model isbased on the Ford E350 1-ton cargo van and is powered by a 6-literturbodieselV8.Ithasabeefed-upsuspensionwithroomforoversizedwheelsandtiresandacustom-builtfrontaxleandfrontswaybar.The4WDsystemfeaturesaheavy-duty transfer case andmanual shift dual-mode4WDand2WD.The4WDcamperversionofthisvanstartsat$61,000andrangesuptomorethan$70,000dependingonoptionsincluded.Findoutmoreatwww.sportsmobile.com.The4WDSportsmobileCamperVan

Winnebago Aspect 28B This streamlined Winnebago motorhome is anexampleofaClassCtypethatisbuiltonagasoline-poweredFordE450chassis.Overalllengthisjustunder30feetandheightis10½feet.Itfeaturesslide-outsforthequeenbedandaU-shapeddinettetoexpandavailablelivingspace.LikeallWinnebagomotorhomes,itsinterioriswellappointedandoverallbuildqualityisgood.MSRPfortheAspect28Bstartsat$88,255,andtheWinnebagowebsite

isatwww.winnebagoind.com.

5

DIYMOBILERETREATS

TheDIY(do-it-yourself)mobileretreatisanappealingalternativeinsettingupaself-contained bug-out vehicle because you can customize it to your particularneedsbasedonthenumberofpeopleandamountofstuffyouneedtocarry,aswellastheenvironmentinwhichyouwillbeoperating.DIYmobileretreatscanbe built onto many readily available platforms, including pickup trucks andflatbedworktrucks,aswellasopenorenclosedcargoandutilitytrailers.Manyexistingvehicleswithlotsofenclosedspacesuchasvans,buses,andcommercialboxtruckscanalsobeconvertedintocustomDIYmobileretreats.BuildingaDIYmobile retreat can be a fun and interesting project whether you need it forbuggingoutornot,andwhenyou’redoneyoucanuseitforweekendorvacationgetawaysinthesamewayyouwoulduseamanufacturedRV.As mentioned in the previous chapter, lightweight, flimsy construction is thenormratherthantheexceptioninfactory-builtRVs.Mostoftheutilitarianworkvehicleslikevans,buses,andboxtrucksthatyoumightconvertyourselfwillbebetterbuilttobeginwith,andwhenyoumodifythemtoincludelivingquarters,youradd-onscanbemoresubstantialaswell.Insteadofcheapfake-woodveneerover particleboard and other cost-cuttingmaterials thatRVmanufacturers use,youcanuserealplywoodandlumberandhaveabetterstructureatalowercost.Partsyoucan’tbuild—suchasstoves,sinks,andotherfixtures—canbepurchasedfromRV suppliers, or better yet,marine supply dealerswho sell higher-qualityfixtures built for liveaboard boats. The accommodations inside a DIY mobileretreatcanbeasspartanorasluxuriousasyoucaretomakethem.AnotheradvantageofDIYmobileretreats is that theycanbedisguised tonotlooklikewhattheyare.Thisisespeciallytrueofconvertedvans,boxtrucks,andother common vehicles that are normally used for hauling cargo. Some peoplewhopracticethealternative,low-costlifestyleoflivingintheirvehiclesputthisadvantagetogoodusebyparkinginplainsightalongstreets,instoreandotherbusinessparkinglots,orevenamongtheparkedvehiclesatapartmentcomplexesorcollegecampuses.Inabug-outsituationyoumaybeabletokeepalowprofilein such a vehicle, even while moving, because it doesn’t look unusual. Whenstopped, itmayappear toanyonepassingby tobe justaparkedorabandonedworkvehicleratherthananoccupiedandwell-stockedmobileretreat.

DisadvantagesofDIYMobileRetreats

Disadvantagesof theDIY typeofmobile retreatofcourse include the timeandeffortitwilltaketodothebuildingorconversion.Ifyouarenothandywithtoolsorwillingtolearntheskillsneededtodothiswork,hiringsomeonetohelportodoitforyoucouldcostmorethanbuyingaready-madeRV.Evenifyoucandoall

yourownwork, some typesofDIYmobile retreatscanbeexpensiveand labor-intensivetobuild,particularlyifyouarebuildingfromscratch,asinthecaseofacamper trailer or house truck built from plans. New construction of anythingalmostalwayscostsmore thanbuyingaused fixer-upper, so,beforeyoubegin,it’simportanttoassessyourneedscarefullytobesuretheDIYoptionisrightforyou.Iftheprojectistoobigyoumayloseenthusiasmfortheeffortittakesorrunoutoffundstocompleteit.Ifyouarenotwillingtotakethetimetodoqualityworkorspendthemoneyforqualitycomponentsandparts,youmightendupwithaconvertedvehiclethatisinferior to an old fixer-upper RV. A poorlymade home-builtmobile retreat canendanger the users with inadequate ventilation, faulty electrical wiring, orimproperuseofportablestovesandfuels.TherearebooksonoutfittingRVsandboats and lots of online resources for specific, detailed information on all suchsystems that go intohome-builtRVs and retreats, so if you aregoing to investtimeandmoneyinbuildingone,youshouldalsobewillinginvestthetimetodoyourresearch.

KeyDIYMobileRetreatConsiderations

Enough Space for Comfortable Sleeping You can sleep in practically anyvehicleinapinch,andonlongroadtripsIhavespentmanyanightsleepinginthe reclined driver’s seat of a sports car or sedan, curled up across the benchseatofapickup,orstretchedoutinmysleepingbagintheopenbedinback.Butfor a bug-out vehicle to be truly considered a mobile retreat, it should havedesignated bunk space available for every person who will be on board. Thismeans, at minimum, flat spaces wide enough and long enough to comfortablyaccommodate each personwithout requiring body contortions.Most vans haveenoughspaceforfull-lengthbunksbehindthedriverandfrontpassengerseatsifanyadditionalseats in therearare firstremoved.Buseshaveplentyof interiorspace but the passenger seats that come in themwill not be long enough foradultstostretchouton,andsomeorallwillhavetoberemovedsoproperbunkscan be built. If you are building bunk spaces into a converted vehicle, or astructure on a trailer or the back of a truck, consider that the minimumdimensionsrecommendedforadultsare6½feetlongby24incheswide.Thiswillgivemostpeopleenoughroomtofullystretchout,rollover,andotherwisemovearound without hitting walls or bulkheads. If possible, it is also best to havecomfortablesittingheadroomovereachbunk,sotheoccupantcangetinandoutwithouthittingashelforcabinetoverhead.Bunkscanbefittedwithcustom-madeupholsteredcushionslikethosefoundinRVsandyachts,oryoucanusecamping-stylemattresseswithsheets,blankets,orsleepingbags.Therearemanyexcellentairmattressesandself-inflatingcampingmattressesavailable today thatarecomfortableenough foreveryday, long-termuse,sobeddingdoesnothavetobeelaborateorexpensive.Built-InStorageforEverythingOrganizationandstorageareimportantpartsof setting up a small mobile retreat. Space will be at a premium in any such

structure,andhowyouutilizethatspacecanmakeahugedifferenceinthesizeoftheretreatyouneedforyourselfandyourfamilyandhowmuchyoucancarryinthewayofgearandsupplies.Toseethepossibilities,it’shelpfultolookathowsomeof themanufacturedRVsaredesignedandhow theymakeuseofhiddenspacesthatwouldsimplybewastedinahouse.Examplesincludeseatsandbunksthathave lidsyoucan lift toaccessstoragespaceunderthem,andshelvesandcabinets inplacessuchas thedeadspace incornerswherewallsmeetceilingsand other such out-of-the-way places.Yacht designers make even better use ofavailablespacewhendesigning liveaboardboats,as thestreamlinedspaceofacruisingboatleavesalot lessinteriorroomavailablecomparedtoaboxyRVofthe same length.You can find many ingenious ideas for maximizing the use ofavailableinteriorspaceinboatbuildingandboatimprovementhow-tobookslikeFerencMate’sTheFinelyFittedYacht.VentilationandOtherComfortConsiderationsAdequateventilationwillbeatopconcerninconvertingmanysmallervehiclessuchasvansandboxtruckstoDIYmobileretreats.Cargovansusuallyhavefewifanywindowsinthereararea,and even some passenger vans may have windows that do not open. Suchvehiclesaredesignedaroundairconditioning,whichwillnotbeavailablewhenyouarestoppedforthenightandisnotpracticalanywayinasituationwhereyoumust conserve your fuel. Passenger vans and buses that do have openingwindowswillnothaveinsectscreeningonthem,soinmostareasyouwillhavetoaddthis.Boxtrucksandothervehiclesdesignedonlyforhaulingcargowillnothaveanywindowsatallandsotheywillhavetobeinstalled,justasyouwillhaveto install functional ventilation in any structure you build yourself, such as ahousetruck.Residential-stylewindowssuchasthoseyoucanbuyatabuildingsupplystorecanworkforhome-builtstructures,butarefarfromideal.Mostaretoobigandtoofragileforthisuse;theglasstheyaremadewithiseasilybrokenandwhenbroken fragments into large, dangerous shards.You should look instead atwindows,hatches,andportlightsdesignedforRVsorforboats.Thebestofthesewillhavestrong lensesofcastacrylicorLexanbeddedwithwaterproofsealantinto an anodized aluminum or plastic frame. Most will also have built-in,removableinsectscreening.Smokedlensesarebetterthanclear,astheyreducetheheatinsideasmallspacebyblockingmuchofthesunlight.Theopeningtypeofwindoworportlightshouldbedesignedsothatitsealswatertightwhenclosedandcanbeopenedtovariousdegreesbetweenclosedandfullyopen.Inadditiontothesemanufacturedwindowsthatopen,youcanpurchaseormakeadditionalfixedwindowsandskylightstoletinmorelightandtoallowbettervisibility.DIYfixedwindowscanbecutfromLexanorcastacrylicandfitovertheopeningsyoucutinthestructurewithabeddingofwaterproofadhesivesealantsuchasDOW795,whichissostrongitisusedtoinstalllargewindowsinskyscraperswithoutfastenersorframes.Aswithcruisingboats,openinghatchesinstalledintotheroofofaDIYmobileretreat canbemoreeffective thanvertical sidewindowsat letting ina coolingbreezeandkeepingthe interior fresh.Suchhatchesalso let ina lotofambient

light,eventhroughsmokedlenses.Thebestsystemforagoodairflowistwoormoreoftheserooftophatchesalongwithseveralopeningportsorwindowsinthesides.Despite the effectiveness of opening windows and hatches, it’s still nearlyessential to install 12-volt electric fans in the interior of your mobile retreat,particularly in locations where they can blow over the bunk areas. If it’s hotoutside and there is no breeze, you won’t get airflow no matter how manyopeningsyouhaveandfanscanmakeallthedifferenceinmakingitpossibleforyoutosleep.12-Volt Electrical Systems and Power Management Any mobile retreatshould be set up for self-contained, off-the-grid living and have provisions foroperatingthatwayforextendedperiodsoftime.Youwillwantabasicelectricalsystem in even the simplest DIY mobile retreats, as there will be a need forlightingandcomfort-enhancingequipmentlikethe12-voltfansmentionedabove.It’s not a good idea to use the vehicle’s one and only starter battery for thispurpose, even in small vehicles such as converted vans. You need to keep thestarterbatteryseparatefromthehousebatteryorbankofhousebatteriessothatyoucandependonthestarterbatteryhavingafullchargewhenyouneedtostarttheengine.Thehousebatteriesshouldbedeep-cyclestoragebatteries,asthesearedesignedtobeabletowithstandmultiplecyclesofdrainingandrechargingwithoutdamage,unlikestarterbatteries.Ideally,youwanttobeabletorechargethehousebatterybankwithouthavingto run thevehicle’sengine,and thiswill entailusinga smallgasolineordieselgenerator,anarrayofsolarpanels,orperhapsawindgeneratorofthetypeusedon the liveaboardboatsdescribed in thenextchapter.Gasordieselgeneratorshavethedisadvantageofbeingnoisyandrequiringextrafuel,buttheyalsoaregenerallythefastestandmostreliablewaytorechargebatteries.Solarorwindpowermakesyoumoreindependentofthegridforextendedperiodsoftimeandworkswellaslongasyouareoperatinginareasexposedtoeitherbrightsunlightor a strong breeze. Redundancy of systems is a good thing here, and the bestsolutionofallistohaveallthreeavailabletobeusedasconditionsdictate.WaterandPlumbingSystemsWaterandplumbingsystems inaDIYmobileretreat can be as simple or elaborate as you care tomake them. An adequatesupplyofdrinkingwateris,ofcourse,atoppriority,andhowyoustoreandgainaccess to that water depends onwhether you are of the primitive camping orluxuryRV livingmindset, or somewhere in between. The simplest solution is asupplyofone-gallonjugsorlargerjerrycanssizedanywherefromthreetoaboutsevengallons. These canbe secured in any available location inside or outsidethe mobile retreat and used as needed, then refilled when a water source isavailable.Theadvantageofthissystemisthatitseparatesyourwaterintomorethanonecontainer,helpingtopreventcontaminationorlossoftheentiresupplyifyoushouldrefillwithsomebadwaterordamageacontainer.Jerrycanscanbealmost as convenient as water on tap if you get the type with the removablespigotinthecapandhaveacountertoporotherspacewheretheoneinusecanbesecuredwiththevalveaccessible.

IfyouwantamoreRV-likesetup,youcanpurchaseorbuildfixedwatertanksthatgointootherwisedeadspacewithinthemobileretreatandareplumbedtooneormoresinkswithfaucets.Plumbingshouldbeofflexibleplasticwaterhoseandthepumptogetthewaterfromthetanktothespigotcanbeeitherahand-orfoot-operatedmanualpumpora12-voltDCpumpthatisconnectedbyacircuittothehousebatteries.Ingeneral,afixedsystemlikethismakesmoresenseonboardalargemobileretreatusedbyafamily,whilethejerry-cansystemmaybeallyouneedasanindividualorcoupleinasmallervehiclelikeaconvertedvan.Ifyouhaveaccesstoenoughwater,washingandbathingcanbeaccomplishedeasilyenoughwiththeflexibleplasticbladder-typesolarshowerscommonlyusedonboats.Afive-gallonshowerbaglikethis,madeofblackmaterialtoabsorbheatrapidly,willgetashotasyoucanstanditifyouplaceitinthesunonthedashofthevehiclewhiledrivingorontheroofwhenstopped.Ifyouareinaremotearea,theeasiestwaytouseitistohangitoutside,butifyourmobileretreatislargeenoughandyouhaveafamilyonboardandneedtheprivacy,youcouldbuildinashower stall and either use the portable solar shower inside, or set up apermanently mounted black plastic tank on the roof plumbed to a gravity-fedshowerhead.Theneedforatoilet insideamobileretreatcanbeaddressedwithoneofthemanytypesofportabletoiletsthataremadeforcampersandboaters.Theseunitshaveasmallholding tankattachedbeneath theseatandbowlpart thatcanberemovedforemptying.Smellsarekeptincontrolbythesealsonthetankandasmallamountofchemicaltreatmentthatisaddedaftereachtimeitisemptied.Inaremoteareayoucouldemptythetankinalatrineornotusethetoiletinsideatall.However,havingatoiletinsidethatcanbeusedinbadweatherandwhileonthe move is convenient, if not absolutely necessary. As with other aspects ofmobileretreat living,yourneedswilldependonyourdesiredcomfort levelandwhether or not you are used to roughing it. The toilet can be permanentlyinstalledwithanelectricormanuallyflushedunitconnectedtoabuilt-inholdingtankifyouhavethespaceandenoughpeopleinyourgrouptowarranttheaddedexpenseandcomplication.OnboardCookingFacilitiesNomobile retreat can be considered truly self-containedunlessithasprovisionsforpreparingrealmealsinside.Todothis,atminimumyouwillneedasingle-burnercampstoveandenoughcounterspacetosetitupandtopreparethefoodyouintendtocook.Thesimplestsolutionistouseabackpacking-type stove,but youhave tobecareful about thedesignandtypeof fuelbecauseof the firehazardofusingsuchastove indoors.Adequateventilation is also essential when using any type of open flame burner in anenclosedspace.Avoidthekindofstovesthatusepressurizedwhitegas,asthesecanflareupandgetoutofcontrolinahurry,aswellasspillburningfueliftheyareinadvertentlyknockedover.Portablestovesthatattachtosealedcanistersofpropaneorbutaneare safer,andsomeof thesearedesigned tobeused insideRVsandboats.Alcohol isanothersafeonboardcooking fuel that isparticularlypopularonboatsbecauseofsafetyconcerns.Ontheotherhand,alcoholstovesareabitslowerthanpropanetobringwatertoaboil,andthedenaturedalcohol

usedforfuelismoreexpensive.Ifmorethanoneortwopeoplewillbeusingtheretreat,thegalleywillbecomeamoreimportantfeatureandalargerstovewithanovenmaybecalledfor.YoucanpurchasethesefromRVormarinesuppliers.Mostcookingunitsofthistypewill be fueled by propane, supplied through a hose and regulator from one ormorelargerefillabletanks.Thistypeofpropanetankshouldbemountedoutsidetheenclosedlivingquartersorinawell-ventilatedlockerbuiltontotheexteriorso that any leaks will not lead to a potentially explosive buildup of invisiblepropane.As mentioned in the previous chapter, many modern RVs have propane orelectricrefrigeration tokeepperishable foodscoldor frozen.While this iseasyforweekending or vacation camping, itwill likely not be feasible for a longer-termbug-outsituationwhereyouwillneedtoreserveanyavailablepropaneforcooking. There are small 12-volt DC coolers that serve adequately as mini-refrigeratorsandIhaveusedthemsuccessfullyonboats,butifyouuseoneforextendedperiodsoftimeyouwillneedadequatechargingcapacityfromasolararrayorawindgeneratortokeepfromdrainingthehousebatteries.Asmentionedaboveunderwatersystems,youcanbuildinasinkwithafaucetplumbed to your water tanks if you want the convenience of a conventionalkitchen-like setup for washing dishes and preparingmeals. But if simplicity ismoretoyourliking,asimpletwo-orthree-gallonbucketplacedunderthespigotofa jerrycanwillwork fine fordishwashingchoresandcanbesimplydumpedoutsidewhenyou’redone.SecurityandEscapeHatchesAnymobileretreatthatyouaregoingtostayinshould have provisions for locking the entrances from the inside while stillallowingadequateventilation.Somevehiclesdesignedtohaulcargowillhavetobemodifiedforthis,astheyaredesignedtolockfromtheoutside.Deadboltsandothersimplelatchsystemscanservethepurposeaslongastheyarestrongandsolidlymounted to sturdy doors and surrounding casings or frames. If you arebuildingfromscratch,youhavemanymoreoptionsavailable for fortifyingyourentrances.Alternative escape hatches are something else to consider andmay beworthincorporating into your design. Such hatches can be as simple as ventilationhatchesontheroofofthevehicle’s livingquarters.Aswithboats,suchhatchesshouldbeaminimumof16by16inchessquaretoallowanaverageadulttoexitthem.HiddenescapehatchescanalsobebuiltintothefloorofyourDIYmobileretreat,allowingyouandyourfamilytoexitquicklyandhopefullyunseenintheevent of some circumstance that prevents you from using one of the otherentranceways.Construction Materials and Methods for Building from Scratch If youintend to build your structure from scratch rather than converting an existingenclosed vehicle, there are several approaches you can take depending theamountoftime,money,andskillyouhave.InthesectionsonspecifictypesofDIYmobileretreatstofollow,youwillseethatthepossibilitiesrangefromthefunkyhouse truck built of ordinary building materials to the finely fitted home-built

traveltrailerortruckcamperbuiltfromdetailedplans.Whatever construction method you decide on, keep in mind that a mobileretreatisjustthat—mobile—andthatitwillbesubjectedtostressesthatordinaryfixed structures do not have to endure. These include the vibrations and hardbumpsofdrivingoverroughroadsandtheconstantnear-hurricane-forcewindsthatresultfrommovingdownthehighwayat65–70mph.Youcannotjustnailahouse-likestructuretogether,tackshinglesontheroof,andexpect ittosurvivelong. Better methods of joinery and fastening are required, but can still besimple,quick,andcheap.The fastest method of assembling such a structure out of ordinary house-framinglumberistouseanelectricdrilldriverandself-startingdeckscrewsthatare coated to prevent corrosion. These screws have long been my favoritefasteners for quick assemblies, as they havemuch greater holding power thannailsandcanberemovedeasilyifyoumakeamistakeinaligningpartsandneedtostartover.Screwsaremuchbetterthannailsforanystructurethatwillbeinmotionandarelesslikelytoworktheirwayloose.Forevenbetterrigidity,uselapjointsorplywoodgussetsandreinforceallscrewedwoodjointswithwoodglueorepoxy.Onceyouhaveaframework,theexteriorofthestructurecanbesheathedwithplywoodorexteriorsiding,orindividuallappedplanksofadurablespecieslikecedarorcypress.Ifyouuseplywooditshouldbeexteriorormarinegrade,and the outside surfaces should be well painted to seal them against waterintrusion.Theroofcanbemadeofaluminumorsteelpanelsscreweddownthewaymetalroofsareinhouseconstruction.Abetter butmore expensivebuildingmethodusingplywood is the compositemethod used to build modern wooden boats. In this type of construction, allexterior surfaces of the plywood are faired smooth and sheathed with one ormore layers of fiberglass cloth laminated over the wood with epoxy resin. Astructurebuiltthiswaywillbelightweight,rigid,andextremelydurableaslongastheouterskinisprotectedwithpaintorUV-inhibitingvarnishtopreventsundegradation. The roof and sides can be built the samewaywith no need for adifferentroofmaterial.Ifyouhavetheskillsandtoolstoweld,youcanbuildtheframeworkoutofsteeloraluminumandcoveritwithasheathingofwoodoraluminumsheetmetallikethat used by the prefab RV builders. Other possible construction materialsinclude solid fiberglass shells hand-laid in a mold and foam-cored fiberglasspanelsjoinedtogetherwithepoxyfilletsandfiberglasstapedseams.

ConvertedPassengerandCargoVans

AswithprefabRVsandliveaboardboats, it’sbettertopickthesmallestvehiclethatwillmeet your needs as amobile retreat rather than the biggest you canafford.Smallnesshasmanyadvantagesotherthancost,includingeaseofdrivingincongestedtraffic,easeofhidinginanurbanorbackcountryenvironment,andbetter fuel economy. For a single person or a couple, almost any van can beconverted into a comfortable mobile retreat. I have spent months at a time

travelingthisway,onceasacoupleinaGMCSafariminivan,whichisaboutassmallavehicleaswillworkwellfortwopeopleinthisrole.Withtherearseatsremovedandaraisedplywoodplatformforabedinthebackwithcubbyholesforstorage underneath, there was plenty of room for all our gear and supplies.Cookingwasusuallydoneoutside,whichiseasierinavanthissize,butagalleycould be built in as long as you provided adequate ventilation. A large solarshower bag kept on the dash during the day provided plenty of hot water forwashingupwhenhung from the overhanging canoe rackswhile in camp.Withthis small van,wewereable toexplore remoteForestServiceandBLMgravelroadsalloverthesouthwesternU.S.,campingfaroffthebeatenpathawayfromanyone. An advantage of this size van is that the used market is full of goodexamplesatveryreasonableprices.Vansdon’thavethecoolfactorofSUVsandnicer pickups, and consequently there is not as much demand for older ones,exceptasworkvehicles.Evenasmallmobileretreatcancarrybackupvehicleslikekayaksandbikes.

Witha full-sizedvan, it’spossible tobuildacompletelyself-containedbug-outvehiclewithsleeping,cooking,andstoragecapacityfortwopeopleandperhapsasmallchildortwo.Fifteen-passengervans,liketheircargo-carryingequivalents,havealotofemptyspaceintherearwhentheextraseatsareremoved.An interesting option for those who are interested in using vans as bug-outmobile retreats is the availability of 4WDconversions ofmanypopularmodels.Thisworkisdonebyafewshopsthatwillprofessionallyconvertthenewvanyouchooseforaround$10,000to$14,000(excludingthepriceofthevan).Youcouldthen modify the 4WD van using the same principles as any of the otherconversionsinthischaptertomeetyourmobileretreatrequirements.Ofcourse,custom-built4WDcampervans liketheSportsmobilementionedintheprevious

chaptercanbepurchasedreadytogo,butbecausethemarketissospecializedforthistypeofvehiclethepricesarehigh.

SOMEEXAMPLESOFVANSYOUMIGHTCONSIDERCONVERTING

Chevy Astro/GMC Safari The popular Astro/Safari series of vans is a goodchoiceifyouarelookingforavanonthesmallerendofthespectrumtoconverttoamobileretreat.Theyhaveagoodreliabilityrecordand,unlikemostminivanswiththeirstreamlinedexteriorsandcar-likeinteriors,theAstroorSafarivanhasa decent amount of space inside to workwith. These vanswere in productionfrom1985until2005andwereofferedinbothcargoandpassengerversionswithvaryinglevelsof trim.Beginning in1990theywereavailable inall-wheeldrive.Theareabehindthedriverandfrontpassengerseatsislargeenoughforafixedbunkwithstorageunderneath,andwithsomedesigningenuity,aportabletoiletandfoldawaygalleycouldbefittedaswell.Becauseofthelargenumbersofthesevansincirculation,youcaneasilyfindacleanexampleingoodrunningconditionforunder$5,000.Clydesdale 4WD Van Conversions Sportsman Light Truck and Offroad inKamloops, British Colombia builds rugged 4WD Ford van conversions startingwith the new van platform of your choice. TheClydesdales are not ready-builtcampersliketheSportsmobile,butcomewithmanyavailableoptionstooptimizethem for off-road use, including heavy-duty solid front axles and independentfrontsuspension.Otheroptions includedualrearwheels,dualsuspension frontor rear, skid plates, and winch kits. More information is available atwww.sportsman4x4.com.

ConvertedBuses

JustasClassARVmanufacturersuseabuschassistobuildthefinestluxuryRVs,anolderbuscanprovideaplatformwithnearlyendlesspossibilities formobileretreatconversion.Mostbusesareheavy-dutyvehicleswithstrongdieselenginesandstandardtransmissions.Ifyouhaveaneedforsuchalargebug-outvehiclebutlackthefundstopurchaseevenausedClassARVingoodcondition,aDIYbusconversionmaybe just the thing. I’veseensomeamazingaccommodationsbuilt intooldschoolbusesbought for littleornothingatauction.All it takes iscreativityandawillingnesstodothework,whichinthiscasewilllikelybecomealargeproject.Withall those rowsof seats removed, the interiorof anaverage-sizedbusoffersa lotof realestate forbuilding livingquarters, storagespaces,and even workshop space. You could even set up such a bus as a permanentdwelling fora family ifneedbe,andasamobile retreat, it couldcarryenoughsuppliestosurviveindependentlyforextendedperiodsoftime.

BUYINGAUSEDSCHOOLBUS

ManyoftheusedschoolbusesyoumightfindforsalearebuiltbytheBluebirdCorporation,whichhas been around since 1932. You can sometimes findgreatdealsonusedschoolbusessoldatauctionbyschooldistrictsthatareupgradingorsimplyhavepoliciesrequiringthemtogetridofvehiclesoveracertainageormileage.It’snotuncommontobeabletopurchasesuchabusingoodconditionwithadiesel engine foras little as$5,000 to$10,000when itmighthavecost$70,000ormorenew.The important thingwhenbuyinganolderbus touseasyourplatformforalargemobileretreatistoinspectitforbodyandframerust,asrustcanruinyourinvestment.Youshouldalsomakesurethatallthemajordrivecomponents (engine, transmission, steering,hydraulic lines,brakes,etc.)are inorder.Youcouldendupspendingalotmorethanyoupaidjustforrepairsifyouarenotsureaboutthis.Trytofindabusthatcomeswithfleetservicerecordstogetanideaofhowwellit’sbeenmaintained.

BoxTrucks

Oldercommercialbox trucksof thekindused todelivereverything fromsnackfoods to medical supplies can often be bought well used for next to nothing.Thesetrucksarebiggerthanvansandthecargoareausuallyhasamuchhigherceiling, opening up more possibilities for bunks and built-in storage. Some ofthesetrucksalsohavedieselengines,andiftheyhavebeenmaintainedaspartofacompanyfleet,canhavealongservicelife.I’veseensuchtrucksconvertedintoeverything fromRVs tomobile woodworking shops.Making one into a customBOVcouldbeafunandinterestingproject.Thebiggestdisadvantagemaybethesizeandbulkofsuchavehicle.Whilesmallerthanaconvertedbus,itwillstillbeawkwardtomaneuveronanythingotherthanagoodroad.

COMMERCIALBOXTRUCKEXAMPLE

Used U-Haul 17-Foot Ford Box Truck Rental companies like U-Haul andEnterprisesellofftheirolderinventoryatlowprices.Acommonmodelisthe17-footbox truckbuilt on theFordE350chassis,whichhasa6.8-litergasenginewith265hpandatowingcapacityof7,500 lb.Thecargocapacity is849cubicfeet,with inside dimensions of just over 14 feet long on the floor and 7½ feetwide.Acab-overextensionincreasesthetotalinsidelengthto16’,8”.Thismuchempty spaceprovidesplenty of possibility for building in accommodations. Theonlyaccesstothecargoareaisarearroll-updoor,butthiscouldbemodifiedandasidedoor,windows,andhatchescouldbeinstalledaswell.Asabasicplatform,such box trucks are cheap, with U-Haul advertising the 17-footer starting at$4,295.

HouseTrucksandHomebuiltTruckCampers

Housetrucksarenotcommonlyseentoday,butwereoncepopularinplaceslike

NorthernCalifornia,especiallyinthe’60sand’70s.Thetypicalhousetruckhasinfinitely more character than any manufactured RV and the possibilities forcreativity in building one are nearly limitless. The idea most builders have inmind is to make them look as much like miniature conventional houses aspossible, with no real resemblance to the truck campers that are the closestprefabequivalents.Instead,ahousetrucklooksmorelikeagypsycaravanthananything you would normally see at your local KOA campground. Some housetruckbuilders favorsteeprooflinesand fancycarved trimwork,whileothersgoforamorerusticandruggedcabininthewoodslook.DIYtruckcamperonaflatbedworktruck

Aboat carpenter friendofminewho lived in a largehouse truckback in the1980srecentlybuiltasmalleronethatismorelikeanoversizedtruckcampertofit on the flatbed of his Ford F350 work truck. This structure was built withsimple2x4framingandcypressplanksiding,andwithastandardwindow-unitairconditioner powered by a generator mounted outside and several bunks builtinside, itprovidedcomfortableaccommodationsforhisworkcrewenroutetoaboatbuildingjobacrossthecountry.Itwasevenremovedfromthetruckforuseasaportableofficeonthejobsite.Suchastructurecouldserveasamobilebug-outretreatenroutetoyourbug-outlocationandthenberemovedandusedasafixedretreat.If you are not into the somewhat eccentric look of the self-designed truckcamper that uses ordinaryhouse-buildingmethods, you canpurchaseplans formore conventional truck campers that use wood, aluminum, or compositeconstructiontoachieveafinalresultthatissimilartotheprefabtruckcampersyoucanbuy.Glen-LRVisonesupplierofsuchplans.

SOMERESOURCESFORINSPIRATIONTODESIGNYOUROWNHOUSETRUCK

House trucks are so far out of the mainstream that you will have to do some

searching to find much information on them. As already mentioned, most areowner-designed,sofindingbuildingplansisdifficult.Somebooksonthesubject,suchastheclassicRollYourOwnbyJodiPallidini,arelongoutofprintbutcanbefoundused.AnotherresourceisSomeTurtlesHaveNiceShellsbyRogerD.Beck.Thisbookisanencyclopediaofhousetrucksandhousebuses,withhundredsofphotos of these creations for your inspiration;more information is available atwww.housetrucks.com. Another informative website on the topic iswww.mrsharkey.com, which features lots of photos of examples and someinformativearticles.Formore ideasonhomebuilthouse trucks,asearchof theweb will turn up photos and blogs that owners have written about theirexperiences.

CommercialHomebuiltTruckCamperPlans

Glen-LRVCascadeGlen-LRVofferscompletebuildingplansforalineoftruckcampersrangingfromabout13to16feetinoveralllength.Thesedesignshaveadatedstylereminiscentofthe1960sor’70s,butarefullyfunctionalandcanbefittedwithmodernequipmentandconveniences to improve them.TheCascadehasadoublebedover thecaband9 feetof floorspace in themain livingareawithroomforadinettethatconvertstoanotherdoublebunk,aswellasagalleyandenclosedtoiletcompartment.Itweighs1,400lb.andisdesignedtofita¾-ton or larger pickup truck. Thebuildingplans andpatterns package is $54.00,andthecompanywebsiteiswww.glen-l.com/campers.

HOME-BUILTCAMPERTRAILERS

House trucks are certainly not the only type ofDIYmobile retreat that canbebuiltfromscratch.SomeambitiousbackyardbuildersaimtobuildRVsthatlookas good as or even better than the offerings of the factory builders, and plansproviders like Glen-L RV Plans support them by offering professionally drawn,detailed building instructions. This type of DIY RV builder, like the backyardboatbuilder, wants something that can be customized for their specific needsand/orbelieves theycanbuild toaqualitystandardthat ishigher thanamass-producedunit.Aswithbuildingaboat,thecostcanbestretchedoutovertime,allowingyoutopayasyougoandendupwiththeRVyouwantfreeandclearofamonthlypayment.Building one of these elaborate travel trailers will be a time-consuming andexpensiveprojectifyouaretryingtoemulatetheamenitiesandleveloffinishofaprefabmodel.Forthosewhowantaquicker,easier,andcheapersolution,thereisalsotheoptionofapproachingthiskindofbuildonatrailer inthesamewaythehousetruckbuildersdoitwithtruckbeds.Youcanstartwithpracticallyanytype of trailer, but particularly useful are the flatbed utility trailers used bycontractors to haul lumber and materials or by homeowners to haul theirlawnmowers,ATVs,andothertoysfromplacetoplace.Openutilitytrailerscan

be had in a wide range of sizes, with single- or double-axle configurationsdependingontheloadratingforwhichtheyareintended.Atrailerofthistypeisacleanslatefordesigningandbuildingpracticallyanykindofstructureyouwantforyourmobileretreat.Insteadofthetime-consumingconstructionmethodsusedto build a conventional-looking trailer, you can assemble your structure withregular house-framing lumber and plywood. It can be permanently attached tothe bed of the trailer or designed to be hoisted or winched on or off whennecessary.

EXAMPLEOFAPROFESSIONALLYDESIGNEDTRAVELTRAILERFORHOMEBUILDING

Glen-LRVPlansNiagraTheNiagramodelisoneofseveralinaseriesoftraveltrailer plans offered by Glen-L. It is designed to be covered with an exterioraluminumskinandifcarefullyconstructed,willbecomparabletothebestolderfactorytraveltrailers,asliketheotherGlen-LRVplans,thestylingdatesbacktothe1960sand’70sandlooksabitplainbymodernstandards.TheNiagrais20feetlongandjustunder8feetwidewithadryweightof3,500lb.Thisisatraveltrailer that could accommodate two adults and their supplies and possibly twochildrenaswellforshorterstays.Theplansfortheinteriorlayoutshowalargedinettethatconvertstoadoublebed,aswellasaspaciousbathroomwithtoiletandenclosedshower.Agalleyislocatedinthemiddle,oppositethedinette.ThisDIYtraveltrailerisdesignedtobeequippedandsetupinmuchthesamewayasits manufactured equivalents. The price for the plans is $60.00. More info isavailableatwww.glen-l.com/campers.

RVANDDIYMOBILERETREATCHECKLISTThespareparts,tools,andadditionalequipmentinthechecklistattheendofChapterOne(page94)shouldbecarriedonyourRVorDIYmobileretreataswithanymotorvehicle.Thechecklistthatfollowscoverssomeadditionalitemsneededforlargervehiclesandforself-containedlivinginthevehicle.Adjustitasneededforyourparticularmobileretreat.TOOLSANDSPAREPARTS:

SparewheelsandtiresfortrailersHydraulicjacksizedforthevehicleortrailerLevelingblocks,boards,andchocksMultimeterfortestingelectriccircuitsSparefuses,breakers,andelectricalwiringCrimp-onwireterminalsSolderingironandsolderElectricaltapeWirestrippers/crimptool18-voltelectricdrill/driverwithassortmentofbits

18-voltjigsawandblades18-voltcircularsawTapemeasureandcombinationsquareHandsawforcuttingwoodHacksawforcuttingmetalFiles,chisels,andassortedhammersAssortedfastenersforrepairingorrebuildingDIYstructuresRivettoolandassortedaluminumrivetsAssortedhoseclampsSpareflexiblewater/drain/sewerhoseforallfixturesSiliconesealantJ-BWeldcoldweldOtherassortedgluesFireextinguishersmountedinliving/cookingareasSpareburnersandotherstovecomponentsSparecomponentsforpropanebottleconnections

GEARANDSUPPLIESFORVEHICLECAMPING/LIVING:Sleepingbags/blankets/sheetsInflatableorcustom-fittedmattressesInsectrepellentandpest-controlsprayBattery-poweredlanternsandflashlightsBattery-poweredfansHoldingtank/portabletoiletchemicalsSewerhoseandfittings(ifusingbuilt-inholdingtank)AdequatesupplyoftissueBathroomandkitchencleaningsolutionsorspraysBuckets,moporrags,broomanddustpan,smallShop-VacSupplyofstovefuelCookwareandutensilsPlates,bowls,cups,andfoodstoragecontainersDishwashingsoapAluminumfoilZiplocplasticbagsExtrajerrycansoffreshwaterWaterpurificationfilterorchemicaltreatmentSolarshower(ifnobuilt-inshower)Bathsoap,shampoo,andothertoiletriesFirstaidkit(canbemuchlargerthanescapevehiclekit)

6

LIVEABOARDBOATS

Liveaboardboatsareamongthebestoptionsforcomfortablemobileretreatsandhave most of the advantages specific to boats that were already discussed inChapter Three. The liveaboard lifestyle is a popular alternative in manywaterfront areas and is often less expensive and less complicated than lifeashore.Largervessels,bothpowerandsail,thataredesignedascruiserstobetakenonextendedtripshaveself-containedonboardlivingquartersthatincludeprovisionsforsleeping,cooking,eating,andwastemanagement.Thosewholivefull-timeonsuchboatsgenerallyfallintotwocategories:thecruiserswhomovenorthandsouthalongthecoastoramongislandsfollowingtheseasons,andthemarinaliveaboardswhoworkregularjobsashoreandusetheirboatsasfloatingapartments,rarelytakingthemoutoftheslip.Inconsideringa largerboatasamobileretreat,youwant to firstbesurethevessel you have inmind is a real cruiser and not a “dock queen” incapable oftravelingandoperatingawayfromshorepowerandotherland-basedamenities.Andwhile the term “liveaboard” implies permanent residency afloat, this doesnot have to be the case at all.Many people who are not so committed to thelifestyle that they want to give up their shore-based homes still keep cruisingboatsdockedatamarinaorstoredinaboatyardforusewhentheycangetawaytocruise.Someoftheboatsinthiscategorymaybetoosmalltoliveaboardfull-timeanyway,unlessyouareyoungandsingleanddon’tmindputtingupwithalotofdiscomfort.Thekeyrequirementinmakingaboatamobileretreat,isthatjust liketheRVs,vans,busesandother land-basedmobileretreatsdiscussedinthe previous two chapters, the boat needs to serve as both transportation andmoveableshelter.Itshouldbeabletogetyououtofadangerzonewhilecarryingeverythingyouandyourcrewneedtoliveoffthegridforareasonableperiodoftimeafterbuggingout.

LiveaboardCruisingIsNotJustfortheWealthy

If you’re new to the idea of cruising-sized boats, you may have the mistakenimpressionthatsuchvesselsarethedomainoftheidlerich,butnotalllargeandcapable boats are gold-plated yachts.When you start investigatingwhat is outthereintheusedboatmarket,particularlyinthecurrenteconomy,itwillshockyouhowmuchboatyoucanbuyforthecostofmanyoftheotherbug-outvehiclesinthisbook.Ifyouarenotfamiliarwiththismarket,youmaybesurprisedtofindthatyoucanbuyanolder liveaboardbluewatersailingvesselcapableof takingyouandyourfamilyanywhereintheworldforthecostofanaveragenewSUVorpickup. If you’re reallyhandywith toolsandknowsomethingofboats,youcanbuyone for less. Ipersonallyboughtone suchboat for$5,000and,witha few

modificationsandimprovementsthatcostjustafewthousandmore,livedaboardand sailed it all over theGulf ofMexico for years. This is not to say you can’tspend a whole lot more money on a boat of this type. If you read theadvertisements in the yachting and sailing magazines, you would have theimpressionthatyoucouldn’tleavetheshorewithoutavesselcostingasmuchasor many times more than your house. Depending on your resources, you maywishtospendasmall fortuneonthevessel thatbestmeetsyourrequirements.But my point is that no one should discount this kind of boat because theymistakenlybelievethatitisbeyondtheirmeans.Theotheroptionforobtainingsuchavesselistobuildityourself,asmanyhavedoneorare intheprocessofdoingasyoureadthis.Therearealmost limitlessoptions for DIY backyard boatbuilding plans, many designed for first-timebuilderswith littleornoexperience. I’vebeenbuildingboatsmyself,bothasahobby and professionally, for some 15 years. I’m currently building a 26-footsailing catamaran to use for my own bug-out and adventure travel purposes.Moreaboutthatparticularvesselwillfollowinthischapter’ssectiononsailboats.Modernconstructionmethods—withadhesivesandsealantslikeepoxyresinandprotectivesheathingandstructurallaminateslikefiberglass,Kevlar,andcarbonfiber—have made DIY boatbuilding a viable means of obtaining a high-qualitycruisingvessel thatcan lastyour lifetimeandbeyond.Ifyoudon’thavea largesumofcashavailabletoplunkdownonagoodusedboat,thenbuildingathomeisawaytogettheboatandpayforitovertime.Insteadoftakingoutaloanandmakingpaymentstoabankwithinterest,youbuythematerialslittlebylittleasyouneedthemandinvestyourown“sweatequity”until,beforeyouknowit,youhavethevesselyouwant,paidforfreeandclear.TheotheradvantageoftheDIYoptionisthatyoucontrolthequalityoftheconstructionfromstarttofinish.Youwillknoweveryplank,screw,andnailthatgoesintoitandbyknowingyourboatsointimately,youwilleasilybeabletomaintainandrepairitwhennecessary.

DisadvantagesofLiveaboardBoats

Likeeveryotherkindofbug-outvehicleinthisbook,liveaboardboatscomewiththeir ownsetofdisadvantages that you shouldconsiderbeforedeciding this isthe best option for you. The size that enables them to be self-contained is aproblemin itself,asyouwon’teasilybeabletotrailersuchaboathometothesuburbstokeepitwhenyouarenotusingitortodothemaintenancethatwillbenecessary. The most capable cruising boats usually spend practically all theirusefullifeinthewatertiedtoadock,mooring,oranchor.Ifyouareoneofthosewhopreferstoliveaboardfulltime,thisisnotaproblem—astheysay,“homeiswhere the boat is,” andwhatever docking ormooring fees you are paying areprobably a lot less than rent or amortgage ashore.But if theboat is not yourresidence,youwillbepayingtokeepitsomewheremonthaftermonth,yearafteryear,whetheryouareusingitornot.Howmuchyouwillpaydependsalotontheregionyou live in,aspopularcruisingareas likeSouthernCaliforniaandsouthFloridaaremuchmoreexpensivethansomeplacelikethenorthernGulfcoastor

most inlandnavigablewaterways.Youcanavoid this expense, of course, if youare livingandcruisingaboard theboat full-timeasmanypeopledo.AnchoringoutisstillfreeinmostplacesandunderU.S.maritimelawanyvesselunderwayhas the right to anchor while navigating. It is only when you try to stay forextended periods of time in certain coastal municipalities that you run intoproblems with local authorities. In a bug-out situation, you’ll be headed forremoteareasawayfromtownsanyway.Another disadvantage of cruising boats related to their larger size is thedifficultyofhidingthem.Youcan’tdragsuchaboatuponthebeachorintothemarshgrassasyoucanasmallerone,soonceyouembarkonabug-outvoyage,youwillessentiallybetieddowntothevesselforsecurityreasons,unlessyou’rewillingtoriskleavingitunattended.Thissamedifficultyofhidingyourcruisingboat puts you at risk of a personal attack aswell, as a large boat that lootersassume is probably loaded with useful provisions could be quite an enticingtargetiftheythinktheycanoutnumberoroutgunthecrew.Althoughyouwillbeable to anchor the boat in remote locations far from the reach of land-basedthievesandrobbers,don’tdiscountthepossibilitythatsomeoftheseopportunistswill take to thewater in their ownboats looking for easyprey.Have aplan todefendyourvesselandkeepawatchwheninareaswhereyoufeelthreatened.Ifyouplanwellandknowyourareaofoperation,youwilllikelybeabletoremainoutofreachofthosewhowoulddoyouharm.Asalastresortordeliberateplan,youcanleavelandbehindentirelyandbugouttotheopenseaifyouhavechosenabluewater-capableboat.

KeyConsiderationsRegardingLiveaboardBoats

PowerorSail?JustaswiththesmallerescapewatercraftdiscussedinChapterThree,thetwoprimarypropulsionsystemsyouwillhavetodecidebetweenwhenchoosingacruisingboatasyourmobileretreatareinternalcombustionengines(usinggasolineordieselfuel)orsailstoharnessthewind.Aswithsmallerboats,thechoicebetweensailingandmotoringwilloftenbedeterminedbyyourareaofoperation and your planned bug-out destination. There aremany thousands ofmilesof inlandwaterways in theU.S. thataremoresuitable formotorcruisingthansailing,andifyouplantousetheseroutesyouwillneedanengine,evenifitisjustanauxiliaryengineonasailingvessel.The good thing about motor-powered cruising boats compared to smallrunaboutsisthattruecruisingmotoryachtsutilizedisplacement-typehullsratherthanplaninghulls.Theydon’tneedanoverpowered,fuel-guzzlingenginetopushthem at high speeds, but rather are designed to cruise at slow to moderatespeedsoverlongperiodsoftime,thebestonessippingfuelatareasonablerate.Cruisingboatsofthistypewillfeaturelargefueltanksandaredesignedtotravellong distances without resupply. The useful range can be from a few hundredmiles to two thousand or more, depending on the size and type of vessel. Adisadvantageofthisisthatwhenitistimetofillthehigh-capacitytanksofsuchavessel, you’ll feel the hurt in your pocketbook. And in a long-term post-SHTF

scenario,yourmotor-onlyvesselwillbedeadinthewaterwhenyoudoeventuallyexhaustthelargesupplyoffuelyouarecarrying.Asailingcruiser,ontheotherhand,canoperateindefinitelyinsuchascenarioand,ifitisabluewaterdesign,cantakeyouanywhereyouwanttogoalongtheopencoastoracrossthehorizontodistantlandfalls.Fewmotorcruiserscandothe kind of offshore voyaging that even modest sailboats can accomplish withease.Thisisprimarilybecauseoftherangelimitationsdeterminedbytheamountof fuel amotor vessel can carry, but there are alsodesign elements thatmakesmall sailboats more seaworthy and more comfortable in rough open-seaconditions. While you may see more motor yachts and cruisers in inlandwaterwaysandalongprotectedcoastal routes like the IntracoastalWaterway, ifyougotoremoteislandgroupsthatcanonlybereachedbycrossinglotsofopenwater, the sailboats will greatly outnumber the occasional privatemotor yachtthathasarrivedthereonitsownhull.Ifyourbug-outrouteplanningincludesanyoffshore passages, a sailboat is the logical choice. Even for coastal and inlandcruising,asailboatwithareliableauxiliaryengineoffersthebestofbothworlds.Ifyouareaskilledsailoranduse theengineonlywhenthere isnoalternative,you can make a small supply of fuel last over a long period of time. Manyrecreationalsailorscoverthousandsofmilesoveraseasonwhileburningonlyafewgallonsoffueltoentertheoccasionaltrickyharbor.Bluewater vs. Brownwater Cruising The terms “bluewater cruising” and“bluewaterboat”areoftenused todifferentiateoffshore-capablecruisingboatsfrom those designed for coastal or inshore work. To the uninitiated, thedifferenceswillprobablynotbereadilyapparent.Onecommonmisconceptionisthat larger size equals greater seaworthiness. This can be true given twodifferent-sizedboatsofequaldesignandconstruction,butisnottrueacrosstheboard.Bluewaterboatsaredesignedfromthekeeluptowithstandwhatevertheoceanthrowsatthem,withtheideainmindthattheywillbeoperatedfarfromlandwhererunningforshelterinthenearestharborisnotanoption.Coastalorinshore boats, however, do not have to meet such rigorous standards, as it isassumedtheywillnotbetakenoutingalesorotherdangerousconditions.Naturally,ifabluewaterboatisgoodenoughfortheopenocean,itwillbesafertooperatenearshoreaswell,butsometimestheaccommodationplanforsuchaboat will be more limited than in boats designed for gentler waters. Offshoreboatstendtohavesmallcabinsrelativetotheiroverallsize.Theywillhavesmalldeckopeningsforgreaterstrengthintheseweakareas.Thismeansthehatcheswillbesmaller,ventilationmaynotbeasgood,andthecompanionwaysleadingfromthedecktothecabinbelowmaynotbeasconvenienttopassinandoutof.Boatsdesignedforprotected-watercruising,ontheotherhand,canhavelarger,morespaciouscabins.Theextremeexampleofthisisthehouseboat,whichdoesnotevenlooklikeaboatatall.Houseboatsaredesignedtobefloatinghomesandtolookandfeelasmuchlikeashoresidehouseaspossible.Thetypeofcruisingthattheseinshoreboatsdobestissometimescalled“brownwatercruising.”KeepinmindthattherearevastareasofthiskindofwaterinNorthAmericaaswellaselsewhere. This term can include rivers, man-made canals, bayous, marshes,

bays,andsounds.Thebug-outoptionsavailableamongall thesewaterwaysaremany, and you could feasibly live aboard and cruise suchwaters for a lifetimewithouteverneedingtogooffshoretoexplorenewterritory.GoingInternational If youdecide thatabluewatercruisingboat is right foryou,thenyouwillhaveoptionsthatfewothersinabug-outscenariowillbeabletothinkabout.Oneoftheseistosimplysailaway,leavingtheentirecountryorcontinentbehindtoevacuatetoamorepeacefulpartoftheglobe,sinceit’shardto imagineaworldwideSHTFscenario thatwill affect themost remotecoastalandislandareasthatcouldonlybereachedbyboat.Chancesareyoucouldfindaplacetowaitoutthestormorstartoverifitgotsobadwhereyoucamefromthatreturningwasnotanoption.In normal times, international cruising is still one of the most carefree,inexpensive,anduncomplicatedways tosee theworld.Theboat that takesyouthereisyourhome,soyoudon’thavetoworryaboutaccommodationswhenyouarrive. However, paperwork and bureaucracy are facts of modern life, and toenterothercountriesaboardyourboatyouwillneeddocumentationprovingthatyou own the vessel, aswell as your passport, and, in some countries, proof ofinsurance.Buggingoutwithfirearmswillalsobeproblematic,asmanycountrieswill not allow you to bring them in or will require you to surrender them forstoragebycustomsuntilyouareready to leave.Carryingweaponson thehighseas in international waters is not a problem though, and many recreationalcruisersarewellarmedandputupwith the inconvenienceofchecking in theirfirearmsforthesecurityofhavingthemaboardwhileunderway.How Big Does It Need to Be? In most cases, a bigger boat means morecomfort,storagespace,andcarryingcapacity,butalsomoreinitialcosttobuyorbuildandmoretimeandmoneytokeepupwiththemaintenance.AswithanRV,thenumberofpeopleyouwillneedtoaccommodate isagoodstartingpoint intrying to decide how big a boat you need. Many boat brochures (like RVadvertisingblurbs)describeboataccommodationsby thenumberofpeople thevessel“willsleep.”Thisismisleadingandusuallyexaggerated,becausetheyarereferring to occasionalweekendovernight cruises, not long-term livingaboard.Whilea25-footermaysleepfiveorsixpeople,itwillnothaveadequatestoragespaceforthatmanytoliveaboardforanuncertainamountoftimeinabug-outscenario.Butasingleperson,acouple,orafamilywithoneortwosmallchildrencould do fine on some cruising vessels under 30 feet. I was able to livecomfortablyenoughonmyGrampian26sailboatwithtwootherpeopleforafewmonths, both while underway and while docked at a marina. One importantconsiderationisthateveryoneonboardshouldhavetheirownpersonalspace.Ifyouhavetomovealotofstuffeverydayjusttoclearsomebunkspaceforoneofyourcrewmembers,youneedabiggerboatwithmorededicatedbunks.Asforseaworthiness,sizedoesnothaveasmuchbearingonthisasmanythink.Manywell-designed sailboats in the20–25 foot rangehave crossedoceansandcircumnavigatedtheglobe,andnotjustaspublicitystunts.Thesmallestcruiserthatwillmeet yourneedshas a lot of advantages, especiallywhen it comes toongoingmaintenancecostsand the replacementcostsof systemssuchassails,

rigging, engines, and other components. Smaller vessels can also be moremanageableinstormsandtypicaloffshoreconditions,asthesailswillbesmallerandforcesgeneratedwillbelighter.Butasfarascomfortgoes,alargevesselwillalmostalwayshaveagentlermotionatseaandwillkeepthecrewdrierandlessexposed to the elements. If you have the experience and seamanship skills tohandle a larger vessel, it can reward you with these benefits and much morestoragecapacityforextendedvoyageswithoutresupply.Withproperplanning,a40-footsailboatcancarrysixmonths’worthofsuppliesforafamilyoffour.DraftandMastHeightAmajor limitationof some large liveaboardboats istheamountof“draft,”ordepthofthehullbelowthewaterline,whichdetermineshowmanyinchesorfeetofwatertheyneedtofloatwithoutgoingagroundonthebottom.Themajorityofsailboats,inparticular,arelimitedindraftbecauseofthedeepunderwaterballastedkeelthatisusedtocounteracttheforceofthewindinthesailsandkeepthehullupright.Atypical30-footsailboatwithafixedkeelwilldraw5feet,a40-footermaydraw6feetormore,andevena26-footermaydraw4 feet. Offshore, this is not a problem, but even 4 feet of draft severely limitswhereyoucangoinmanybays,sounds,andriversandaroundbarrierislands.DIY wood-epoxy composite 45-foot shallow-draft sailboat designed by ReuelParker

Yacht designers have addressed this problem in many ways, includingretractable keels or centerboards, twin bilge keels that angle out instead ofstraightdown,and flat-bottomdesigns like theSharpie thatcarrymostof theirballast insiderather thanoutside thehull.Largemultihullssuchascatamaransand trimarans are also designed with shallow draft in mind. If your area ofoperation involvesshoalwatersandestuaries, itwouldpay to investigate theseoptions,asyoucangetalargeliveaboardcruiserofoneofthesetypesthatdraws

2feetorless.Personally,Iwouldneverconsideranyvesseldrawingmorethan4feet andmycatamaranunder constructiondrawsonly18 inches.Motor yachtsandhouseboatsgenerallydrawlessthanmonohullsailboatsbydesign,sofindingonetomeetyourwaterdepthrequirementswillnotbeashard.Mast height, or “air draft,” is another consideration for sailboats as bug-outvehiclesifyouplantooperateinrivers,canals,orontheIntracoastalWaterwaysystem.Fixedbridges that span suchwaterwayswill determine yourmaximummast height even in normal times. Along the Intracoastal Waterway, all suchbridgeshavetobeatleast50feethigh.ButafteraSHTFsituation,youcannotassume that opening drawbridges, which are even more numerous than highfixedbridges,willbe inoperation.Manyof theseopeningdrawbridgesare lessthan30feethigh,whichistoolowforeventhesmallest liveaboardsailboatstopassunderwiththemastup.Ifsuchwaterwaysareinyourbug-outplan,youcanmodify your vessel’s mast so that it can be easily raised and lowered whileunderwaybymeansofa“tabernacle”pivotattachmentatthebaseandaginpoleorA-frameandblockandtacklearrangementforraisingandlowering.Thisisagood setup for any bug-out sailboat because it also allows you to performmastheadmaintenanceandinspectionwithouthavingtoclimbthemast.HullConstructionWhenyoustartlookingatlargervessels,asopposedtothekinds of boats covered in Chapter Three, the most common hull constructionmaterialsyouwillfindarefiberglass,wood,andsteel.Aluminumislesscommonbecauseusingthismaterialforalargerboatistooexpensiveinmostcases.Youmight also encounter ferro-cement hulls, which were popular among amateurbuilders a few decades ago but are mostly of suspect quality and should beavoidedunlesstheconstructionwaswelldocumented.Fiberglass is the most common of these materials, especially in productionboats,asitisthemostcost-effectivematerialformanufacturersproducinglargenumbersofaparticulardesigntosellataprofit.Asaresult,newfiberglassboatscanbesoldatlowerpricesthanone-offorsemi-customvesselsofwoodorsteel.Theusedmarketisfloodedwithlow-costexamplesoffiberglasshullsdatingbackto the 1950s, when thismaterial was introduced. Fiberglass hulls require lessmaintenance than other materials, but should not be completely neglected, astheycandevelopblistersbelowthewaterlinethatcanleadtodelaminationofthelayerscomprisingthehullskin.Fiberglassisalsosusceptibletohairlinecracksindecksandcabinstructuresthatcanleadtowaterintrusionfromrainanddewintheseareas.Atminimum,afiberglassboatneedstobehauledoutofthewateronaregularbasisforabottomcleaningandafreshcoatofanti-foulingpaint.Whilefiberglass hulls can be incredibly strong and stiff, the construction quality andstrengthvaries frommanufacturer tomanufacturerandaccording to theboat’sintended purpose. Some fiberglass hulls can be easily holed or otherwisedamaged in a collision or impactwith something solid.Others are so thin thattheycanflexor“oilcan”inroughseas,causingstructuralfailurethatcanleadtodisaster.Ifyouarechoosingafiberglasshullforoffshoreuse,makesureitwasbuiltforthatpurpose.Wood is the traditional boat constructionmaterial and is still a viable choice

today despite themoremodern options available.Wooden hulls are still beingbuilt in both the traditional plank-on-frame manner and using various newmethods of laminated construction, such as cold-molding, which incorporateshigh-tech materials like epoxy resins and protective sheathings of fiberglass,Kevlar,andotherfabrics.Manywoodenhullsarealsodesignedtobebuiltfromplywoodusing various assemblymethods andmodern adhesives, andhigh-techmarineplywoodallows for someof thehighest strength-to-weight ratios of anymaterial other than expensive exotics like carbon fiber. Traditionally plankedwoodenhullsrequirethemostmaintenancetoensurethattheydonotleakorrot,but if such as boat is built properly and maintained properly throughout itsservicelife, itcaneasilyoutlasttheowner.Thebiggestdisadvantageofwoodenhulls is that well-built ones are expensive propositions if ordered from aprofessional.Well-maintainedolderexampleswillcommandahighpriceaswell,especially if they are of a classic design. An advantage, however, is thatmanywoodenboatdesignscanbehome-builtbytheamateurboatbuilder,allowingyoucustomizethemtoyourparticularneedsandmaintainqualitycontrolthroughouttheprocess.Steelisthematerialofchoiceforpracticallyallcommercialworkvesselssuchastugsandlargerfishingcraft,aswellasformilitarycraftofallsizesupthroughthelargestships.Steelpleasureboatsarenotascommon,buttheycanbefoundin theusedmarketorcanbespecial-orderedorowner-builtby thosewhohavewelding skills. There are several well-known yacht designers that offer homebuildingplansandevenpre-cutkitsforsteelvessels.Steelisoftenthematerialofchoice for adventurous sailors planning to go to remote, high-latitudedestinations such as Arctic waters where ice is a possibility and holing a hullwould be much more serious than in more populated regions. A sturdy steel-hulledvesselcouldbetheultimatebug-outboataslongasitwasmaintainedandpaintedtopreventrust.Thepotentialforrustisthebiggestdisadvantageofsteel,asitwilldestroyaneglectedhullinsideandoutinshortorder.Electrical and Charging Systems Like land-based RVs and other mobileretreats, a cruising-sized boat will have more equipment that requires 12-voltelectricitythanasmallescapevessel.Lighting,fans,andnavigationinstrumentscan all be run off a 12-volt electrical system built around deep-cycle storagebatteries. How you recharge these batteries will be determined largely by thetype of vessel youhave.Amotor yacht fittedwith an inboarddiesel can easilykeep its house batteries charged with an alternator that runs whenever theengineisinuse.Mostoutboardenginesinthesizesusedoncruisingboatsalsocome equipped with 12-volt alternators, though their output capacity will bemuchsmallerthanthealternatorstypicallyfittedoninboardengines.Onasailboat,youwillhavetolookatalternativechargingsystemssinceyourengine and its alternator will in most cases be much smaller, and you will beunder power only a small percentage of yourmoving time. There is a also theconsideration on both sail and motor cruisers of keeping the system chargedwhenyouareanchoredforextendedperiodsoftime.Youcouldruntheengineatidleforacoupleofhoursaday,butthisisawasteoffuelthatwouldcertainlynot

be viable in a bug-out situationwhere youmay not be able to obtainmore. Abetter alternative is a charging system augmented by solar panels or a windgenerator.Becauseofthepopularityofcruisingoffthegridforextendedperiodsof time,marine solar panel arrays andwind generators are highly refined andmanyboatsrunentirelyoffoneor theother,orevenacombinationof thetwo.Solar chargingworkswell onboats because out on the openwater, panels aremuchmoreexposedtothesunthroughoutthedaythantheywouldbeonmosthouses. Likewise,wind generatorsworkwell because there is almost always abreezeoutonthewater,especiallyontheocean.Athirdalternativeforsailboatsisawatergenerator,whichisatoweddevicethathasasmallpropthatspinsasitis dragged behind the boat, generating electricity from thewater inmuch thesamewayawindgeneratorworksintheair.Anotherconsiderationregardingtheelectricalsystemsonboatsissafety.Fireisobviously amore serious problem on a boat than on any other type ofmobileretreat.A fire far fromlandthatcannotbecontainedcanhaveyouabandoningship in a life raft or even swimming in your PFD within minutes. While someonboardfiresarecausedbygasoline,diesel,orcookingfuelsstoredonboard,themostcommoncause isan improperlywiredandfused12-voltelectricalsystem.All onboard wiring should be sized to carry more than the calculated loadrequiredbyeachdevice,aswirethat is toosmallcanburnthroughandstartafire.Everycircuitshouldbeprotectedbyafuseorcircuitbreakerofthecorrectsize,andallwiringshouldbe routedso that it isprotected fromsharpobjects,chafe, and other potential damage, and is organized and easy to inspect andtroubleshoot.WaterSupplyIfyourbug-outplansonlyincludefreshwatercruising,thenyourwatersupplyconsiderationswillbesimpler,asyouwillonlyhavetobeconcernedwithpurifyingthefreshwaterthatsurroundsyou.Thiscanbedoneusinganyofavarietyoffiltersorchemicalpurificationsystemsoracombinationboth.Thebestplace to collect water for converting to drinking water is from small feederstreamsorothercleanersources ifyouare travelingalongmajorriversystemsthatmayhavehighlevelsofchemicalcontaminants.Saltwater cruising, on the other hand,will requiremuch better planning andmorewaterstoragecapacitytomeettheneedsofthecrewbetweenresupplies,especiallyonlongvoyages.Mostcruisingboatshavebuilt-inwaterstoragethatincludesfreshwatertanksandaplumbingsystemtogetthewatertothegalleysink and other fixtures. But unless the boat has been designed for seriousvoyaging, the amount of storage will likely be inadequate and will have to besupplemented by owner-installed additional tanks or jerry cans stowed aboard.Theminimumrecommendationforextendedvoyagesisonehalfgallonofwaterper day per person on board, but you will be much more comfortable if youdoublethatamounttoonegallonperday.The freshwater supply onboard can also be replenished while underway oranchored by means of rainwater catchment systems and desalination systems.Raincatchmentsystemscanbeassimpleasatarporawningwithabucketunderthe lowedge,ortheycanbefittedwithflexiblehosestodraintheraindirectly

into the vessel’s storage tanks. It’s surprisinghowmuchwater you can collectfrom even a brief shower with a large surface like this. Some boats are evendesignedso thatwater from thedeckscanbedraineddirectly into the tanks—after waiting long enough to wash off any salt residue or debris, of course.Reverseosmosisdesalinationsystemscanbepurchasedfrommarinesuppliersorcustom-builtfromavailablecomponents.Thesmalleronesarehand-operatedandaremoresuitableforemergencysituationssuchasbeingstrandedinaliferaft.Foreverydayuse,a12-voltdesalinationsystemcanbelargeenoughtosupplyallyourcrew’sdrinking, cooking,andwashingneeds.But the filtersare theweaklinkandthemostexpensivepartofreverseosmosissystems.Ifyouplanonusingthismethod tomake drinkingwater over an extended period of time, youwillneedtoinvestinanadequatesupplyoffiltersaswellasothercomponentsthatneedperiodicreplacement.WasteDisposalUnlikecampingonland,whereyoucandigalatrineorsimplehole forhumanwaste,ona liveaboardboatyouwillhave tohave somesortoftoilet to use while underway. The simplest arrangement is a five-gallon plasticbucket,whichcanbefittedwithatoiletseat/lidmadeforthepurposeandisoftenusedbycrewsofracingsailboatswhodon’twanttheweightofamarineheadontheirvessel.Thisworksfineoffshore,asthebucketcanbesimplydumpedovertheside,whichislegalbeyondcertainestablisheddistancelimits.Itcouldalsobeused inshore inabug-outsituationwhereenforcingwastedisposal lawswillbethe last thingonanyone’smind,but abetter option is aportablemarine toiletwith a removable holding tank that can store at least a few day’s waste. Thisholdingtankcanlaterbeemptiedashoreinaholeoremptiedoverthesidewhenfaroffshore.Built-inmarinetoiletsshouldhaveamanualpumptotransferwastetoaholdingtankandabypassvalveleadingtoaseacockbelowthewaterlineforpumping waste overboard when offshore. Pumping out at a marina pump-outstationwilllikelynotbeanoptionpost-SHTF.OnboardCookingCookingona liveaboardboat,particularlya vessel that isunderway offshore in rough conditions, presents a set of unique problems notfoundinothermobileretreats.Thefirstconsiderationhereissafety,becausejustlikeafaultyelectricalsystem,astoveanditsfuelcanbethecauseofanonboardfire,orevenanexplosioninthecaseofmorevolatilefuelslikepropane.Propaneis themost commonlyused stove fuel aboard cruisingboatsbecauseof its lowcost,highheatoutput,andconvenience,butitisalsooneofthemostdangerousfuels if not properly stored and properly connected to the stove. Since it isheavierthanair,anyleakingpropaneinsideaboatcabincansettleinthebilgesand ignite with the slightest spark. For this reason, many marine stoves useeithernon-pressurizedalcoholorkeroseneforfuel,thoughthelatterisbecominglesscommon.The other safety consideration for cooking on amoving boat is that pots andpans and their boiling contents can be tossed around the cabin in roughconditionsiftheyarenotsecuredtothestovetoporifthestovetopitselfisnotmounted on a gimbaled system that allows it to swing with the motion. Allproperly outfitted galleys should have gimbaled stoves with pot clamps or

retainingrailsaroundtheburners.Evenonboatsusedforrivercruisingorinlandwaterways,thewakesfrompassingshipsandotherlargevesselscanrollaboatenoughtodumppotsoffthestove.SecurityandDefenseAswithanyothermobileorfixedretreat,youhavetobeprepared to defend your liveaboard boat from attackers who would take it orwhatyouhaveonboard.Firearmsareobviouslythefirstchoice,butthereisnooneweaponthatisbestforallsituations.Ideally,youwouldwantahard-hittingrifle that fires a large-caliber round that could disable an attacking boat bypenetrating the hull or engine from a distance if you knew the approachingcrew’s intentions in advance.At closer ranges, suchaswhen the attackers arealreadyalongsideoronboard,a shotgunwould likely improveyourchancesofhitting your target, particularly if there is a lot of wave action and vesselmovement. Down below in your bunk at night, a handgun offers the bestmaneuverabilityintheconfinesofthecabin.Whenusingafirearmofanykindonboardaboat,youhavetobeawareofstrayroundsorover-penetrationofroundsthatcoulddamageyourownhullorvitalsystemsorhitothermembersofyourcrew.Asmentionedbefore,ifyouaretravelinginternationally,firearmsmaynotbeanoption,dependingonwhereyouaregoing.Distressflaresfiredfroma12-gaugeflarepistolcanbeagoodalternativeatcloserange,anddummyflaresforthesepistolswitharealpistolcartridgesuchasa.357Magnumencasedinthemcanalsobepurchasedforvesseldefense.Otheralternativesthatmightpassthroughforeign customs include spearguns for underwater fishing and powerheads or“bang-sticks” for divers’ defense against sharks, which fire a rifle round orshotgunshellwhenjabbedintoatarget.Beyondtheseweapons,youcankeepamachete or other large knife close at hand. For early warnings when you areasleep, you can rig analarmondeck, keepawatchdog, ordo as the first solocircumnavigator, JoshuaSlocum,didwhenanchoredoffTierradelFuego in thedayswhenitwasstillinhabitedbywildIndians.Eachnightbeforegoingtobed,he would sprinkle large tacks all over the decks, and was once awakened byhowlsofpainfollowedbylargesplashesasbarefootintruderstriedtoboardhisboatinthedarkness.Deep-draftfamilycruisingsailboat

LiveaboardSailboats

Cruising-sized sailboats vary tremendously in design and in build quality. Themost common production models range in length from about 25 to 50 feet.Generally,youcanfindadesignwithinthisrangethatwillworkforyouwhetheryouaresingle-handingorsailingasacoupleorafamily.Thereislittlereasontobuynewunlessyoujusthaveplentyofmoneyandwanttospendit.Whennew,well-builtboatsfromreputablemanufacturersatthelargerendofthissizerangecan cost hundreds of thousands of dollars or more and rarely come from thebuilder outfitted with everything you will need to cruise or live aboard. Usedmodelswillsell fora fractionof thepriceandoftencomewellequippedbythepreviousowners.Themost common sailboats you will find for sale new or used are monohullcruisers, both those of the traditional full-keel heavy-displacement design andthosewithfinkeelsandhullsderivedfrommodernracingyachts.Monohullsareless expensive to build new than cruising-sized catamarans and trimarans, andsincetheyhavealwaysbeenmoremainstream,theyfaroutnumbermultihullsintheusedboatmarket.Inboatsofthissizerange,eachtypehasadvantagesanddisadvantages. Small monohulls under 30 feet have much more interior livingspace than similarly sized multihulls, but the multihulls have a lot more deckspace.Monohullswithaheavyexternalkeelcansurvivebeingknockeddownandrolled over by big waves, but can sink if water fills the cabin before the boatrecovers.Bigmultihullsarealmostimpossibletoturnuprightiftheycapsize,butsincetheydonotcarryballast,theyrarelysinkandcanfloatuprightorinvertedindefinitely.Monohullshaveadeeperdraftunlesstheyusearetractablekeelorcenterboard,whilemanymultihulls,eveninthelargersizes,canbesailedrightuptothebeachandeasilypushedoffiftheyrunaground.Multihullscanattainmuch higher speeds under sail than ballasted monohulls. The choice betweenthese different hull types will come down to which of these tradeoffs matters

more toyou,whichwillbe largelydeterminedbywhereyou intend to take theboatandthesizeofyourcrew.

SOMESAILBOATEXAMPLES

Grampian26I’mincludingtheGrampian26asanexampleofasmall,low-costcruisingsailboatbecause,asalreadymentioned, Iownedandsailedone forsixyearsinavarietyofconditionsanditneverletmedown.TheGrampian26isoneofmany older fiberglass family weekenders or cruisers built in the 1960s and’70s but no longer in production today.With a beam of 8.5 feet and 6 feet ofstandingheadroominthecabin,itisaroomyboatforits5,600lb.displacement,andwhilenotasheavilybuiltassomeboatsofthatera,itissturdyenoughthatatleastonehascrossedtheAtlanticOcean.SomeGrampian26scamewithinboardgas or diesel engines, butmost have an outboardmounted on a cutout in thetransom. Mine had a Honda 9.9 hp four-stroke that provided plenty of powerwhenneeded.Ibought it in1999for$5,000andsailedithomefromFloridatoMississippi with little additional work or expenditure. You can find them invarious states of repair from well under $5,000 to more than $12,000. TheGrampian 26 is a bargain for a single person or a couple. You’ll find lots ofinformationontheseboatsaswellasclassifiedlistingsofGrampianboatsforsaleattheatgrampianowners.com.Theauthor’sGrampian26sailboat,ownedfrom1999to2005

Tayana 37 Cutter The Tayana 37 is a solidly built bluewater voyaging boatsuitable for a couple or small family intent on open-water voyaging in relative

comfort and safety. Displacing 22,500 lb. with 7,340 lb. of ballast in a long,traditionalkeel,withacutawayforefoot,thedouble-endedTayana37isthekindofboatthatcanweathermostanystormencounteredoffshore.Butwithadraftof5’ 8”, its ability to enter remote places near shore is somewhat limited. TheTayana 37 is fitted with an inboard diesel auxiliary with 90 gallons of fuelcapacity in built-in tanks. Since its introduction in 1975, this bluewater sailingyachthasbeenimmenselypopularamongadventuroussailorswhoembracethevoyaging lifestyle,andexamplescanbe found inanchoragesaround theworld.Prices on the usedmarket range from $55,000 to $115,000, and the companywebsiteiswww.tayanaworld.com.WharramCatamarans If you likemultihulls and are handy enough to buildyour own, you can choose one of the excellent James Wharram–designedcatamaransfrom21toover60feetinlengthtomeettheneedsofanyreasonablysized crew. Wharram catamarans are renowned worldwide for theirseaworthiness and ease of construction. They are based on the design of theancient Polynesian double canoes and incorporate conservative sail plans withproven canoe-form hulls that feature symmetrical ends and plenty of flare toprovideliftinroughseas.AWharramTiki21catamaranstillholdstherecordforthesmallestcatamaran tocircumnavigate theglobe. Iamcurrently in the finalstages of buildingmy ownWharram Tiki 26, a catamaran big enough to crossoceans safely, yet small enough enter shallow rivers and to disassemble andtraileranywhere.Thisismyultimatebug-outsailboatforoneortwopeople,butifyouhaveafamily,oneofthelargerWharramcatswillbeabetterchoice.Youcan build an oceangoing Wharram catamaran for anywhere between about$15,000and$200,000,dependingonthesizeyouchooseandtheleveloffinishandoutfittingyoudesire.YoucanalsoletBoatsmith,Inc.,Wharram’sauthorizedU.S. builder, do the work for you. Find out more at www.wharram.com orwww.boatsmithfl.com.DIYTiki30catamarandesignedbyJamesWharram

Theauthor’sWharramTiki26catamaranunderconstruction

LiveaboardCruisingMotorYachts

As already mentioned in the comparison between power- and sailboats, mostlong-distancemotoryachtsdiffer fromsmall runabouts in that theyhaveheavydisplacementhullsandenginesdesigned to runat lowrpm,pushing thevesselalong at hull speed hour after hour, day after day with a reasonable fuel

consumptionrate.Dependingontheunderbodyshapeofthehull,hullspeedcanbeexceededwithmorepowerfulengines,butformaximumfueleconomy,theruleof thumb is that about 1.4 times the square root of waterline length equalsoptimumhullspeedinknots.Thereforea40-foottrawlertypemotoryachtwitha32-footwaterlinewouldtravelfarthestontheavailablefuelinitstanksifitdoesnotexceedabout9knots.Fuel conservationwill be aprimary concern if youuse amotor yacht for anytypeofbug-outsituation.Whilemanybigpowerboatslikesportfishingyachtsthatcomewithluxuriousinterioraccommodationshavethehulldesignandpowertoget up on a plane and run at high speed, the amount of fuel they burn ismeasuredingallonsperhourratherthanmilespergallon.Thiscouldbeokayfora quick get-out-of-Dodge escape, but cruising at amore sedate pacewill allowyoumoreoptionsoverthelongrunifyou’renotabletoobtainmorefuel.Thebestengineforthiskindofserviceistheinboarddiesel,whichisdesignedforconstantrunningandrequires littlemaintenance.Diesel issafertostoreonboardthanlargequantitiesofgasolineandcouldpossiblybesupplementedwithbiodieselinalong-termSHTFscenario.Someoldermotoryachtsyoufindontheusedmarketmayhaveinboardgasolineengines.Ifyouchooseoneofthese,thesafest route is to repower the vessel with diesel, but if you decide to run aninboard gas engine, it should be properly installed, well vented, and equippedwith safety measures such as a bilge blower to remove gas fumes from downbelowbeforeanyelectricalswitchesareturnedon.There are also small motorcruisers designed for outboard power, usuallyequippedwithoneortwofour-strokeoutboardsofanappropriatesizetopropelthe vessel at hull speed. The C-Dory discussed below is one such outboard-poweredcruiser. If a smaller vesselmeets your requirements, this typeofboathassomeadvantages,astheentireenginecanbeeasilyremovedforserviceandrepairsdonotrequireaskilleddieselmechanic.

SOMECRUISINGMOTORYACHTEXAMPLES

C-DoryTheC-Dory25isanexampleofsmallmotorcruiserpoweredbyoutboardengines rather thanan inboarddiesel.At25½ feet longwithan8½-footbeam,thiscompactcruiserfeaturesalargecockpitandfullstandingheadroominahullthatweighsunder4,000lb.andcanbetrailered.Withahulldraftof12inches,thiscouldbeagoodbrownwaterbug-outvesselfortravelingriversandestuariestooshallowfor largeryachts.Built-in fuel tankscarry100gallonsandwith therecommended twin 90 hp outboards, the C-Dory 25 can cruise at 10–12 mphwhileaveraging5mpg.MSRPforanewC-Dory25isaround$71,000,dependingonenginesandequipment.TheC-Dorylinecanbefoundatwww.c-dory.com.ParkerMarineEnterprisesCommuter 36 If you prefer to build your ownversion of an efficient shallow-draft motor cruiser that can be outfitted witheitherasmallinboarddieseloroneortwofour-strokeoutboardsinawell,ReuelParker’s Commuter 36, as well as his smaller and larger variations in theCommuter line, are well worth a look. This boat is built with the cold-molded

plywoodandepoxytechniqueanddisplaces6,000lb.withahulldraftofjust8½inches. Like Parker’s range of sailing sharpie designs, this motor yacht isdesignedspecificallyfortheshallowsandflatsofsouthFloridaandtheBahamas,withtheabilitytocrossopenwateringoodweather.Theplanssellfor$650.00on Parker’s website, www.parker-marine.com, where you can also buy severalbookshehaswrittenonthesubjectonthesubjectofboatbuildinganddesign.DieselDuck38YachtdesignerGeorgeBuehlerhasdoneforthehomemotoryachtbuilderwhatJamesWharramdidformultihullsailors:designedarangeofrugged cruising powerboats for low-cost amateur construction that havetraditionallinesandinherentseaworthinessintheirhullforms.Heoffersarangeof sizes in his Diesel Duck series, with one of themost popular being the 38-footer,acruisercapableofservingasafull-timeliveaboardhomeforacoupleora family with small children. Plans are available for either steel or woodconstruction.TheDieselDuck38displaces32,600lb.,withadraftof4’9”andabeamof12’9”.Aninboarddieselof50to80hpisenoughtopushthisvesselatareasonablecruisingspeedand700gallonsof fuelcarried in the tankscangiveyouarangeofthousandsofmilesdependingonyourspeedandwhetheryouarebuckingwindorcurrent.Plansareavailablefromthedesignerfor$2,895,whilethecosttobuildcanvarygreatlydependingonmaterials,constructionmethod,andoutfitting.Thedesigner’swebsiteiswww.georgebuehler.com.Commuter36shallow-draftmotorcruiserdesignedbyReuelParker

LiveaboardHouseboatsandShantyBoats

The final category of liveaboard boats includes both houseboats of themanufactured,recreationalvarietyandanassortmentofDIYfloatingretreatsorcamps, sometimes referred to as “shanty boats.” This category can includevirtually anything that floats and can be lived aboard. Some houseboats aredesignedandbuilt tobeusedasactualboatsandarecapableof cruising from

placetoplaceundertheirownpower,whileothersaremostlybuilttostayinoneplace, tied to a dock ormoored to a riverbank, perhaps built offsite and thentowedtothemooringlocationbyanotherboat.Nothing can beat a houseboat for sheer volume of interior accommodationsrelative to overall size. Because they are not designed with seaworthiness orefficiency of motion through the water in mind, houseboats resemble housesashoremorethantheyresembletruecruisingboats.Theyareessentiallybuiltonawide, flatdeck that is supportedbyeitherabarge-like, flat-bottomedhull,ortwo or more pontoons connected together in a raft-like structure. Houseboatstypicallyfeatureverticalcabinwallsandsquarecorners,unlikethemorecomplexcurved and rounded deckhouse structures of cruising boats. Because of thissimplicityofdesign,houseboats lendthemselvestoamateurconstructionbetterthananyother typeof liveaboardboat.Manyarenailed togetherwithordinarylumberyard building materials and fitted with standard home windows, doors,andinteriorfixtures.Trueshantyboatscanbeaneclecticmixoffunkymaterialsanddesign,includingcombinationsoffloatingplatformswitholdbuses,campertrailers, or other types of vehicles fastened to the deck to provideaccommodations.Houseboatsarepopularoninlandlakes,alongrivers,andinswampandmarshareas. If your bug-out plans do not require you to travel longdistances on thewater, a houseboat could be a viable option. A shanty boat or similar floatingretreatcanalsoserveasafixedretreatthatyoucanbugouttousingasmallerboatsuchasthosedescribedinChapterThree.

SOMEHOUSEBOATEXAMPLES

Myacht3510TheMyacht3510isatypicalproductionhouseboatthat,althoughno longerbeingmanufactured, iswidelyavailableon theusedmarket.Builtonaluminumpontoons,this35-footerhasa10-footbeamandaroomycabinwithsixberthsandanenclosedheadand shower.A typicalusedexamplewitha90hpoutboardandauxiliarygeneratorgoesforabout$45,000.Glen-LMarineMarkTwainSeriesDIYHouseboatPlansManypeoplebuildtheirownshantyboatsorrustichouseboatswithoutanysortofplans.Ifyouwantsomethingmorerefined,however,thereareanumberofrealboatdesignerswhooffer houseboat plans that allow you to build a floatingmobile retreat to rivalanything you can buy. Glen-L Marine offers a number of houseboat designs,includingtheMarkTwainseries,thatarebuiltoneasilyconstructedpontoonsforcatamaran-likestabilityandlowresistancemovingthroughthewater.Thisseriesisavailableinlengthsfrom28to40feet,dependingonthenumberofpeopleyouneed to accommodate. The above-deck structures can be built with ordinaryhouse-building materials and customized to your tastes and needs. Plans areavailableatwww.glen-l.com,withpricesrangingfrom$152to$182.

LIVEABOARDCRUISINGBOATCHECKLIST

The items included in theBoating Safety andBoat-SpecificGearChecklistshouldbetakenaboardanyvessel,largeorsmall.Theadditionalitemslistedhereaddresstheaddedrequirementsofcruisingandlivingaboardalargerboat, as well as the extra gear and supplies to you’ll need if you areventuringfaroffshore.ADDITIONAL SAFETY GEAR FOR LARGER BOATS VENTURINGOFFSHORE:

CertifiedliferaftofadequatesizeforeachcrewmemberSafetyharnessesandtethersforeachcrewmemberManoverboardpoleandhorseshoebuoywithtetherPersonalbattery-poweredstrobelightsforman-overboardlocationAbandon-shipgrabbagwithliferaftsurvivalessentials406MHzsatelliteEPIRB(emergencypositionindicatingradiobeacon)Fixed-mountVHFradiowithexternalantennaeforextendedrangeSSBradioreceiverortransceiverforweatherreportsBarometerHandbearingcompassandbackuphandheldGPSRadarreflectorEmergencywaterdesalinatorandfreshwaterstillSeaanchorand/ordrogueforslowingboatspeedinstormsOversizedmainanchorandrode,plusat least twoadditionalanchorsandrodesManualandelectricbilgepumpsEmergencyplugsforallthrough-hullfittingsFireextinguishersinallenclosedcompartmentsSmokedetectorsincabinareasCarbonmonoxidedetector

TOOLSANDSPAREPARTSFORLARGERBOATS:FuelfiltersDieselfuelbiocideSparepropandshaftpackingmaterialSparewaterimpellerEmergencysteeringtillerSparestovecomponentsElectricalwiring,connectors,fuses,etc.SolderingironandsolderElectricaltapeSparealternatorandsparebeltsRiggingwireandterminalsShackles,pins,turnbuckles,andothersailinghardwareSuitablepatchmaterialstorepairhulldamage

PartIII

Alternative&BackupVehicles

7

OFF-ROADMOTORCYCLES,ATVS,&SNOWMOBILES

The motorized vehicles discussed in this chapter fall into the backup oralternative vehicle category; they are not commonly used as everydayconveyances but instead are mostly intended for recreational or sportingactivitiesratherthanserioustransportation.Butthesearemachinespoweredbyinternalcombustionenginesthatcouldbeviablealternativesforoverlandtravelin a SHTF situation, including everything from small off-road motorcycles andATVs to snowmobiles. In this chapter I’ll present the pros and cons of eachcategoryjustasIdidwiththelargervehiclesintheprecedingchapters,aswellasoutlinethekeythingsyouneedtotakeintoconsiderationwhenchoosingandoutfittingthistypeofvehicle.

BackupTransportationorAlternativeVehicle?

Alternative vehicles offer something different from the usual choices. They aregenerally lighter, more versatile in many cases, and usually better suited forrough roads, cross-country or all-terrain travel, or, in the case of snowmobiles,winter travel. But even if you are not interested in this type ofmachine as analternativemeansoftransportation,youmaywanttothinkaboutconsideringoneof them as a backup vehicle. The concept of the backup vehicle is all aboutredundancy of equipment, which is a good idea in any aspect of survivalpreparation,asyoucan’tcountonallyourgeartoworkasitshouldatalltimes.Carryingortowingabackupvehicleisaformofinsuranceintheeventthemainvehiclebreaksdown,getsstuck,orcomestoanimpassableobstacle.Backupandalternative vehicles can also be a vital part of your plan to proceed intomoreremotecountryafteryoureachthelimitsoftravelinalargervehicle.Likewise,theycanbeexcellentintheroleofrunaboutvehiclesforpersonaltransportationifyouarebuggingoutinalarger,land-basedmobileretreatsuchasaprefabRVorDIYretreatandwanttokeep itsetup inplaceonceyoureachyourbug-outlocation.Ifthistypeofvehicleappealstoyouaseitheranalternativeorabackup,therehasneverbeenabettertimetoshopforone.Therecreationalandutilitymarketforsuchmachineshasledtothedevelopmentofmanynewandexcitingchoicesinanycategoryyoumayfindofinterest.

DisadvantagesofSpecializedMachinesasBug-OutVehicles

Obviously,oneofthemaindisadvantagesofusinganyofthemachinesdescribedin this chapter as bug-out vehicles is that most are designed for specialized

purposesandthereforelackversatilityifyouarethinkingofthemasalternativerather than backup vehicles. For example,while some of the largest ATVs canperformmany of the tasks that small pickup trucks are normally used for, thesmall pickup truck is usually a better all-around choice because it can alsooperateathighway speedsonany typeof roadwhile theATVcannot.Thebig,softtiresthatmakeATVssocapableoff-road,especially inmudanddeepsand,arealiabilityonhardpavementwheretheycanmakethemachinedangerouslyunstable inhardturnsandsuddenstops.Consideringthat thepriceofmanyoftheseATVs iswellover$10,000, itmaybewiser financially topurchaseaniceusedexampleofalmostanytypeofpickuporSUVforlessmoney.Other machines in this class have the same disadvantages when it comes toversatility.Whileasmallandlightweightbutpowerfultwo-strokedirtbikecangomany places off-road that would be too challenging for a big dual-sportmotorcycle, the dual-sport bike is able to easily travel roadways at sustainedhighwayspeedsthatwouldbehardonthedirtbikewithitssmaller-displacementengine.Otherobviousexamplesincludethefactthatwhilesnowmobilesmaybetheonlymotorvehiclethatcangetyoudeepintothebackcountryinwinter,whenthesnowmeltstheywillbeuseless.As backup rather than alternative vehicles, all of the internal-combustionmachinesinthischapterhavethedisadvantageofalsorequiringtheirownsupplyoffuel,engineoil,andspareparts,andwillneedregularmaintenancetoensurethey are reliable. Evenwith thismaintenance, like any vehiclewith an engine,they are subject to mechanical problems and breakdowns. Engine-poweredalternative vehicleswill alsobeheavierandbulkier thanbicycles, for instance,andmayrequireatrailertocarrythemdependingonwhatyouareusingforyourprimary vehicle. In light of these disadvantages, it is wise to weigh yourparticular situationandsee if itwouldnotbebetter touse someotherbackuptransportation that does not require an engine, possibly a bicycle or human-poweredboat,whichwillbediscussedinthenexttwochapters.

KeyConsiderationsRegardingOff-RoadMotorcycles,ATVs,andSnowmobiles

Two-Strokevs.Four-StrokeEnginesWhen lookingatdifferenttypesofsmalloff-roadvehicles,youmaybeconfusedbysomeof the terminology,suchas thedifferentenginetypes.Whenitcomestoengines,onedifferenceyouwillsee isthatsomeofthesemachinesusetwo-strokeenginesandothersusefour-strokes.Thebiggertheengineandthenewerthemodel,themorelikelyitwillbeafour-stroke.Butmany small dirt bikes andATVs still use two-stroke engines,whichrequiremoremaintenance than four-strokesbut alsoproducemorepower in alighter-weightpackage.Thedifferenceisthatinatwo-strokeenginethecylinderfiresevery time thepistonmovesupanddownonce,while ina four-stroke thepistonhastomoveupanddowntwicetomakepower.Thismeansthatthetwo-strokecandelivermorepowerwiththesame-sizedcylinder,whichtranslatesin

the realworld tomore power per pound. Themain reason two stroke enginesrequiremoremaintenance is that theyrunhottersince they firesomuchmorefrequently, meaning that if they are run hard, you will have to do a top-endrebuildmuchsoonerthanyouwouldonacomparablefour-stroke.Buttheupsideof thismore frequent rebuild interval is that theseenginesaresuper simple toworkon.Unlikeafour-strokeengine,wheretheoilispoureddirectlyintothecrankcasethroughanoilfillopening,mosttwo-strokeenginesrequireyoutomanuallypre-mixthegasolinewithtwo-strokeengineoilthatlubricatestheenginewhenitisrunning. This can be a minor hassle, as the mixing ratios must be measuredexactly according to the owner’smanual of yourmachine. If youdon’t get thisright,performancecansuffer,butifyouusethesmallpre-measuredcontainersoftwo-strokeoilthatareavailablemostanywhereengineoilissold,itisnotmuchmorecomplicatedthanpumpinggasolinedirectlyintoafueltank.Four-strokeengineshavecleaneremissionsandbetterfueleconomythantwo-strokes,whichoftenputoutalotofsmokyexhaust,especiallyifthepre-mixedoiland gas ratio is not just right. Many types of two-stroke engines have beenbanned from certain national parks because of this, and new governmentregulationsareleaningheavilyonthemanufacturersofthesekindsofmachinesto abandon the two-stroke engine in favor of the cleaner-burning four-strokedesign.One example of this is in the outboard boatmotor industry,which hasnow switched almost completely to four-stroke technology, producing enginesthat get almost double the fuel economy of older two-strokes of the samehorsepower.Water Crossings on ATVs andOff-RoadMotorcycles Most ATVs and dirtbikesarequite capableof crossingmudholes andpuddles, small streams, andeven big, shallow rivers. Recreational riders of these machines enjoy thechallenge of water crossings and like to test the limits of their vehiclesdeliberately.Butinabug-outsituationwhereyouaredependingonyourridetogetyouwhereyou’regoing,you’llwanttobemorecarefulwithitandmakesureyoudon’tgetwaterintheengine,orthatifyoudo,youknowhowtogetitoutbeforeattemptingtorestart it.Theexhaustpipes,carburetors,andairboxesofthesemachinesarelocatedashighaspossiblesothattheycanbetakenacrosswaterwithinreason,butyoumustknowwheretheairintakewaterlineisandbesureyoudon’tgetintoasituationwhereitbecomessubmerged.Watercannotbecompressedbythepistonofanengineandthepressurewillbuildupuntilitfindssomewheretogo,destroyingtheengine.It’swellworthtakingthetimetowadeacross any water obstacle first before attempting to ride through it if you areunsureofthedepthorbottomcomposition.Watercangetinnotonlyifyoumisjudgethedepthofacrossingorfallthroughthiniceinthewinter,butalsoifyougotoofastandsplashitintotheairbox.Itonlytakesalittletodothedamage,soyoumustknowhowtogetitout.Followthesestepstomakesureyougetallthewaterout:1.Drainthefueltank,fuellines,andoil.2. Remove and clean the carburetor, take the spark plug(s) out of the

cylinders,andturnthemotorovertoforcethewaterinsidetocomeout.3.Addsomeoilandturnitoveragainwiththeplug(s)stilloutifwatercanstillbeseeninit,draintheoil.Repeatuntilnowaterisvisibleintheoil.4.Refilltheoil,reinstalltheplug(s),addfuel,andstartitifyoucan.Ifitdoesstart,runitafewminutes,thenshutitoffanddraintheoilandchangethefilteronemore time.Run itagainand ifnomilkycolor shows in theoil toindicatewater,it’sgoodtogo.

ATVAccessories:Racks,Winches,andTrailersMosttypesofATVs,whethertheyareopenfour-wheelerquadsorside-by-sideUTVs,canbemademoreusefulwith factory-installed or owner-added accessories. Cargo racks are practicallyessentialandcanbefittedfrontandrearonmostquadsandontheroofoflarge,partially enclosed UTVs. These racks give you a large platform to lash onbackpacksandothergearwhenyouarebuggingout,and laterafteryoureachyourdestination,canbeused tohaul firewood,watercontainers, largeanimalssuchasdeerafterahunt,oranythingelseyouneedtomove.Ifthisrackspaceisnotenough,youcangreatly increaseanATV’s load-carryingabilitybytowingatrailerbehindit.Ruggedoff-roadcargotrailersareavailableinmanysizesandinsingle or tandemaxle configurations toworkwith just about anyATVyoumayhave.Someofthesehavehugecargocapacitiesandevenfeaturedumpbodiestomakeunloadingeasy.DependingonthetowingcapacityoftheATVorUTV,youcanmovealotofstuffatonetimewiththistypeoftrailer,doingpracticallythework of a pickup truck, as some of these trailers have a load rating of severalthousandpounds.Anotheressentialaccessoryyoushouldconsider installing ifyourATVdoesn’talready have one is an electric winch. A winch canmake all the difference ingettingoutofdifficultsituations,suchasbeingstuckindeepmud.ATVandUTV12-voltDCwinchesareavailableinarangeofcapacities,fromaround1,500lb.to 4,500 lb. ormore. In addition to an electricwinch, you should also carry amanual come-along as a back-up, and, if traveling with more than one ATV, atowingstrap.Safe Riding Techniques and Safety Gear for ATVs and Dirt BikesRecreational and competition dirt bike riders know that spills are much morelikely in the kind of riding they do—includingwheelies, jumps, fast slides, andothermaneuvers—than on street bikes, so they dress accordingly in protectivegearsuchasheavyboots,shinandkneeguards,chestprotectors,andsoon.Thatkindofgearwon’tbepracticalinabug-outsituation,though,andifyouareusingadirtbikeforthispurpose,youmustridemuchmoreconservativelyandtrytoavoidcrashingatallcost.There issimply toomuchpotential forseriousbodilyinjury, which could be disastrous in a SHTF scenario where medical attentionmay not be available. There is also toomuch risk of disabling damage to yourbikeorthegearyouhavestrappedtoittoattemptunnecessarystunts.Instead,thinkofyourdirtbikeasameansoftransportationratherthanafuntoyandrideitaccordingly.AquadATVwithfrontandrearluggageracks

RidinganATV,especiallytheopenquadtype,canbeasdangerousasridingamotorcycle.Becauseitismuchlargerandheavier,thereisalsothepotentialforit to flip over on you on steep climbs or descents or in high-speed cornering.ManypeopleareseriouslyinjuredorkilledthiswaywhileridingATVs.Whetheryouarebuggingoutoff-roadontwowheelsorfourormore,youshouldwearahelmet,eyeprotection,gloves,boots,andlongsleevesandpants,notonlyincaseofaspill,buttoprotectyourbodywhenbashingalongthroughovergrownbrushandbriarsandunderoverhanginglimbs.

EssentialEquipment,Tools,andSparePartsforATVsandDirtBikes

Aswithanyother typeofmotor vehicleused forbuggingout, youwill have tocarry what you need to be self-sufficient when it comes to maintenance andcommonrepairs.MostmotorcyclesandATVscomewithamanufacturer’stoolkitthatwillgetyouthroughmanyjobs,butyoushouldsupplementthiswithafewqualitywrenches,aratchetandsocketstofitthehardwareonyourmachine,andany other tools that may be lacking in the supplied kit. A tire repair kit (fortubelesstires)orsparetubesandapatchkit(fortubetires)areessential,asisa12-voltmini-compressorandpressuregauge.It’salsoagoodideatocarryacanortwoofSlimeorFix-A-Flatforaquickfixtogetyougoingwhenthereisn’ttimetodoaproperrepair.Asmentionedaboveinrelationtowatercrossings,youwillhavetodrainyouroilandchangethefilterifyouinadvertentlyfloodyourengine,so if there is a chance of this happening, carry spare filters and enough oil torefillitafterdraining.Otheressentialsincludeducttapeandelectricaltape,zipties,andextrafuelstrappedtotheracksinjerrycansifyouneedalongerrange.Snowmobile Equipment and Survival Gear Even more than ATVs or dirtbikes,snowmobilesarealotlikesmall,openpowerboats,inthattheycanquickly

whiskyoumanymilesfromsafetydeepintoahostileenvironmentandthenfail,leaving you stranded with no easy means of getting out or getting help.Recreationalusersof thesemachines frequently findthemselves in life-or-deathsurvival scenarios because they ride off deep into a winterwildernesswithoutadequategear,supplies,orknowledgeandgetstuckiniceorsnoworstrandedbymechanicalfailure.Obviously,ifit’scoldenoughfortheretobeadequatesnowcovertooperatesuchamachine,nighttimetemperaturesaregoingtoplummettohypothermia-inducinglevelsandfindingfoodorwalkingfarwillbedifficult,ifnotimpossible.Ofcourse,itgoeswithoutsayingthatifyoursurvivalplanincludesbuggingouton a snowmobile, youwill be better prepared than the averageweekend rider,andyourbug-outgearwillalreadyincludeeverythingyouwouldneedinawintersurvivalsituationorforanextendedwildernessstayintheenvironmentyouaretraveling through. But in your planning you should allow for all contingencies,includingwhatyouwilldo ifyouhavetoabandonthemachinecompletely.Thismeans having a backup means of travel, which in this case will be eithersnowshoesorcross-countryskisandabackpacktocarryyouressentialgear.Carrywhatyouneedforbasicrepairs,includingthetoolkitthatcomeswiththemachineandanyextra tools tomakecommonrepairs.Spares should includeabelt,sparkplugs,andanignitionkey,alongwithducttape,wire,andextranuts,bolts, andother fasteners.Youshouldalsocarryamanual come-alongand towropeandafoldingshoveltoaidinfreeingastuckmachine.Keepaclosewatchonyourfuelsupply,ofcourse,andcarryasmuchextrafuelasyouwillneedtogettoyourdestinationwithplentyofreserve.SafeSnowmobileTravelAside fromthepossibilityofgettingstrandedalongthewayfarfromyourstartingpointorbug-outretreat,travelbysnowmobilehasother inherent dangers that you should be aware of and take precautions toavoid.Thesedangers includeobstacleshidden in thesnow, thin iceoverwater,andthepossibilityofgettingcaughtinanavalanche.Mostofthesehazardscanbe avoided by simply slowing down and increasing your awareness,which is agoodideawithanymodeofbug-outtransportation.Highspeedwillreduceyourability to recognize threats and the amount of time youhave to react to them.Slowdownandstoptoscout if indoubtabouta frozenwatercrossingorotherobstacle. Avoid avalanches by staying off long, open, and steep slopes; try totravelintimberedareasandalongridgeswherethesnowtendstobeanchored.Aboveall,dressproperly for thecold, taking intoconsideration theextrawind-chillfactoryou’llbesubjectedtoatspeed.Asnowmobilesuitorotheroutershellthatiswind-andwaterproofoverheat-retentiveandmoisture-wickinglayerswillhelppreventhypothermia.

DirtBikesandSmallDualSportMotorcycles

Mostofthemotorcyclesinthiscategoryhaveasingle-cylindertwo-orfour-strokeengine of under 500cc and in some cases under 250cc. One of the mainadvantagesthatsmalldirtbikesandsmalldual-sportshavecomparedto larger,

morehighway-capablemotorcyclesistheirlightweightandhighpower-to-weightratio.Mostweigh less than 300 lb.,whichmakes themmuch lighter than full-sizeddual-sportbikes.Thisiswhatmakesthiskindofbikefuntorideandhasledtothepopularityofsportssuchasmotocrossracing,anditisalsothekeyreasonsuch bikes can ride far off the pavement into terrain no othermotorcycle canhandle.Dirtbikescanclimbupseemingly impossibleslopesandpowerup toawheelietoclearobstaclessuchasfallenlogsiftheriderisskilled.Ifthebikeisdropped,aswillfrequentlyhappeninthiskindofriding,itwillbeeasytopickup.Itwill also be easier to pull out of deepmud or sand or otherwisemanhandlearoundimpassableobstacles.Ifyouwant lightweightbutnotapuredirtbike,smalldual-sportmotorcycleswith 125 to 250cc engines arewidely available as beginner bikes or for riderswhoarenottallenoughforfull-sized650ccorlargerbikesinthisclass.Despitethe fact that few people do extensive highway riding on small dual-sportmotorcycles in the U.S.—mainly because of the high-speed traffic and longdistances between cities typical here—in other countries motorcycles under250ccare commonlyused for everyday transportationandwork.Most of thesebikeshaveplentyofpowerforcityandbackroadriding;itisonlyinhightop-endspeedandtheabilitytocruiseat70mphforhoursonendthattheyarelacking.In a bug-out situation, that may not be important at all, and the small bike’sabilitytojumpcurbs,crossditchesandsidewalks,andgocross-countrymaybemoreimportant,asthefreewaysleadingoutofyourcitymaybegridlockedinanevacuation.You can certainly rig up a system of racks and panniers for practically anymotorcycle with some ingenuity, and many people have done long-distanceadventuretouringonsmalldual-sportsliketheKawasakiKLR250andtheSuzukiDR200.Ifyoucantravel long-distanceonabicycle,aswillbediscussedinthenextchapter,thenitstandstoreasonthatyoucandosoonanysizemotorcycle,moped,orscooter; it’sall justamatterofadjustingyourexpectationsof speedanddistance traveledperday. Ifyouare lookingatdirtbikesrather thandual-sport models in this size range, keep in mind that even though they are nottechnically street-legal motorcycles, “Enduro” dirt bikes come with headlights,brake and tail lights, and street-legalmufflers, while “MX” bikes do not.MostEnduros have four-stroke engines while manyMX bikes still use lighter, morepowerfultwo-strokes.

ENDURODIRTBIKEEXAMPLE

KTM 450 EXC Six Days Edition This powerful KTM Enduro is designed forcross-countryracing in thegrueling InternationalSixDaysEndurocompetition,butcouldservewellasanoff-roadbug-outbikethatcouldgetyouintoroughercountry thanmostmotorcycles. It features a 449.3cc, four-stroke, liquid-cooledengineandsix-speedtransmission,andbothanelectricstarterandakick-starter.Atadryweightofjust251lb.,ithasanincrediblepower-to-weightratioand,likemost KTM models, is designed for performance. The fuel tank, at just 2.51

gallons,willlimityourrange;butifyou’reusingitasabackupvehicleonceyougettotheendofthepavement,theplacesitcouldtakeyoumightbesoremoteyou wouldn’t need to travel farther than this limited range. MSRP is around$7,800,andmoreinformationisavailablefromKTMatwww.ktm.com.

SMALLDUAL-SPORTEXAMPLE

KawasakiKLR250/KLX250TheKawasakiKLR250isalighter-weight,smallerversion of the venerable KLR 650 dual-sport motorcycle described in ChapterThree.Likethebigger650ccversion,theKLR250isstreet-legal,butwithafullyfueled weight of just 314 lb., it is more agile off-road and easier to load andunloadfromatruckifusedasabackupvehicle.Italsohasakick-starterinsteadof theelectric starterof the650.The fueleconomy,atabout65mpg, isbetterthanthelarger650,butthetankissmallerat2.9gallons.Itcruisesthehighwayjustfineat55mphorperhapsabitfaster.TheKLR250wasinproductionfrom1984 to2005, thenwasreplacedby theKLX250S,which is still inproduction.TheKLX features better suspension and ground clearance than the olderKLR,but has a smaller fuel tank, making it more dirt-oriented than dual-purpose.MSRP for a new KLX 250S is approximately $5,000. Used examples of eithermodelcanbefoundforwellunder$3,000andyoumightfindagood-runningKLR250for$1,500orevenless.

ATVsandSide-by-SideUTVs

TheATVindustryhasexplodedinthelasttwodecadesorsoandnewmodelsandnewtypesofthesevehiclesarebeingintroducedsofastandwithsomuchnewterminology that the uninitiated buyer will likely be totally baffled by all theavailableofferings.Theearliestexamplesofthesemachineswerethree-wheelermodelswithballoontiresthatweremarketedmainlyasfunalternativestosmallmotorcyclesbutproved tobequitedangerous toridebecause they tend to rollover easily, particularly in high-speed turning maneuvers. Open four-wheelermodelssoonreplacedthesethree-wheelers,withtheearliestversionsstillhavingquitesmallenginesuntilusersstartedfiguringoutthattheyhadthepotentialtodo a lot besides just recreational mud riding. As hunters started using four-wheelers (or “quads”) to ride to their deer stands and to carry out their gameaftersuccessfulhunts, the industrybeganoffering largerversionswithadd-onslikerackstotiedownadeercarcassandmountstocarryarifleorshotguninascabbardorhardcase.QuadATVsbegantobeofferedwith4WDandpowerfulelectricwinches,allowingthemtogopracticallyanywhereoff-road.Asthesevehiclesgotbiggerandpeoplefiguredoutstillmorewaystousethem,anotherclassofevenlargerATVscalled“side-by-sides”wasdeveloped,allowingcomfortablebenchseatingorside-by-sidebucketseats insteadofamotorcycle-likeseatthathastobestraddledbythedriverandpassenger.Unlikeopenquads,these machines are built on a golf cart–like chassis complete with a roof and

integrated roll cage. Some of these side-by-sides are almost as big as smallpickup trucks and come in four- and six-wheel configurations. Somemanufacturerssimplycall theirproducts“side-by-sides”andsomeusetheterm“UTV”(UtilityTerrainVehicle,orjustUtilityVehicle),butconfusingly,UTVisalsoused to describe some of the more utilitarian heavy-duty open quad four-wheelers. Other terms used for some of these vehicles are RUV (RecreationalUtilityVehicle)andMUV(Multi-UseVehicle).UTVsarequitecapableofseriousworkandformanytaskscantaketheplaceofa pickup, a tractor, or even a horse or mule. They are becoming increasinglycommon on farms and ranches everywhere, as well as in certain types offieldworksuchasconstruction,landsurveying,lawenforcement,andemergencyservices.Theseside-by-sideUTVsaremuchbiggerandheavierthanquadATVsandaretypicallyfittedwithenginesuptoabout800ccindisplacement.AUTVisusually equipped to pull trailers and is outfittedwith a large cargo bed in therear; some can even function as mini-dump trucks. With their semi-encloseddriverandpassengercompartments,andevenamenitiessuchasheatersinsomemodels,UTVsridemuchmorelikearealvehiclethanafour-wheeledversionofamotorcycle,especiallyininclementweather.Oneof thedrawbacksof these larger side-by-sideUTVs is thatmanyof themlack theperformance of the smaller openquadsbecause of a poorer power-to-weightratio.OftenusingthesameenginesanddrivetrainsasthesmallerATVs,they lack the get-up-and-go of the lighter machines, and the taller and widerchassislimitstheirabilitytogointoreallyruggedterrainorcrossobstaclesandmakes getting one unstuck a bigger deal than it would be with a small quad.Transporting a large UTV as a backup vehicle will also bemore difficult thanmostsmallfour-wheelers,whichcaneasilyfitinevenasmallpickupbed.LargeUTVsandthebiggerquadsarealsosurprisinglyexpensivewhenpurchasednew,as seen in the examples below. You can, however, find great deals in the usedmarket,especiallyeachyearattheendofhuntingseasonwhenmanyownersarestartingtothinkaboutfishingboatsforthecomingspring.

FOUR-WHEELERORQUADEXAMPLE

SuzukiKingQuad750AXi This is a big quadATVwith a fuel-injected, liquid-cooled 722cc engine that is bigger than those ofmost larger side-by-sides andstrongenoughtopoweroverobstaclesandreachtopspeedsofupto70mph.Itfeatures a differential lock system for 4WD traction and handlebar-mountedpushbuttoncontrolsforswitchingbetween2WDand4WDmodes.Frontandrearcargoracksarestandardandfuelcapacityis4.6gallons.Thismachinehasa12-volt electrical system powered by an 18-amp generator to run the powerfulhalogenheadlights,plustailandbrakelightsandahandlebar-mountedauxiliarylight.Weighinginat655lb.andrightat4feetwideby7feetlong,theKingQuad750AXiisbigforthistypeofATV,butstillmuchmorecompactthanmostside-by-sides and for a machine this powerful and capable. It’s also quite a bit lessexpensive,witha2011modelcarryinganMSRPof$8,199forthebasemodelor

$9,049with added power steering. Thewebsite for all Suzukimotorcycles andATVsiswww.suzukicycles.com.AhelmetandprotectiveclothingareagoodideaonanyATV.

SIDE-BY-SIDEUTVEXAMPLE

ArcticCatProwlerHDX700Thispowerfulside-by-sideUTVisdesignedtobeabletocarrythreepassengersplusa1,000lb.payloadintherearcargobed.Thishugereardumpbedcanbetransformedtoaflatbedforevenmoreversatilitybytaking off the removable side panels. If that’s not enough, there is storage foranother25lb.underthehoodandatrailer-towingcapacityof1,500lb.The“700”initsnamecomesfromthe695ccfour-stroke,liquid-cooled,fuel-injectedengine.TheHDX700drivetrainoffers2WD,4WD,andelectricdifferentiallocking.Likemost UTVs in this class that are popular with hunters, it is available in anoptionalcamouflagecolorschemethatwillaidyouinkeepingithiddeninabug-outscenario.Still,it’sabigmachinetohideortransportasabackupvehicle,atalmost11feetlongand5feetwideandweighinginat1,336lb.,notcountingthegasolineneededtofillitslarge(8.2gallon)tank.SuggestedMSRPinAdvantageTimber Camouflage is $13,799. More information from the manufacturer isavailableatwww.arcticcat.com.

Snowmobiles

Snowmobilesareamongthemostspecializedtypesofbug-outvehiclesbecausetheyareusefulonlyincertainregionsandeventhereonlyinthecolderseasons.Buggingoutintoawinterwildernessindeepsnowcoverisaseriousundertakingthatshouldonlybeconsideredbythosewithexperienceinsuchanenvironment.Most likely, ifyouaretraveling insuchconditions, itwillbetoreachabug-out

retreat shelter suchasa remotecabin thatyouhaveprepared inadvancewithstocked supplies and additional equipment. A snowmobile can be an excellentchoiceofvehicleinsuchascenario,gettingyoutheremuchfasterthanhikinginwith snowshoesor skiing cross-countrywithabackpack.Snowmobiles are alsoeasier formost people to keep andmaintain than othermeans of snow travel,suchusingasateamofdogstopullasled.LikeATVsandUTVs, therearemanydifferent typesof snowmobilesdesignedfor specific purposes from work and utility to touring, sport and racing, andmountain riding. In looking at snowmobiles for bug-out transportation, you’llprobablyfindatouringorutilitymodeltobebestsuitedforserioustravelwhereload-carrying capability is a concern. Touring snowmobiles come in one-personandtwo-upseatingconfigurationsjust likemotorcycles,andusuallyhavelargerwindshields,aswellassidemirrors.Theyaredesignedtocoverlongdistancesincomfort,withalongertracklengthtocushiontherideandaddstability.Electricstartandareversegeararestandard,whichisnotthecasewithsomeentry-levelsnowmobiles.

Snowmobilesdesignedforworkarelonger,heavier,andwiderthanrecreationalmodels.TheseareseriousvehiclesthatcancarryalotofequipmentandalsotowsledsinthesamewayATVscantowtrailersifmorecapacityisneeded.

UTILITYSNOWMOBILEEXAMPLE

Polaris Widetrak LX In production since 1999, this classic Polaris utilitysnowmobile isa solidexampleofabasicworksled thathasa large rearcargoareaalongwithseatingforoneortwopersons,dependingonhowtheadjustablebackrest on the long seat is set. It utilizes a 488cc, liquid-cooled, two-strokeengine, which is less common today when most of these machines are four-strokes.Thisparticularenginehasprovenextremelyreliableovertheyearsandproduces ample power for themachine’s intended purpose. The large-capacityfueltankholds11gallons.ThePolarisWidetrakLXis43½incheswideby10½feet long, weighs 613 lb., and runs on a 20-inch wide, high-flotation track. In

additiontotherearcargorack,thereisawidestorageareaundertheseat,anditcanpullasledifmorespaceisneeded.MSRPforthismodelstartsat$8,799.Youcanfindoutmoreatwww.polarisindustries.com.

DIRTBIKE,ATV,ANDSNOWMOBILECHECKLISTSAFETYGEARFORRIDING:

HelmetGlovesEyeprotectionLongpantsLongsleevesorjacketBootsRain/wind-protectiveoutershellInnerlayersforwarmthincoldweather

DIRTBIKEANDATVTOOLSANDSPAREPARTS:Manufacturer-suppliedtoolkitAdditionalwrenches,sockets,ratchetdrive,etc.,foryourmachineAirpressuregauge12-voltinflatorand/orhandpumpTireandtuberepairkitSparetubesifusingtube-typetiresSlimeorFix-A-FlattirerepairChangeofoilandsparefilter(incaseofsubmersion)Sparesparkplug(s)SparefuelfilterSparebelt(ifmachinehasone)Chainlube(dirtbikes)MultitoolTowstrap,come-along,and/or12-voltwinchDucttapeElectricaltapeCabletiesWire

SNOWMOBILE-SPECIFICTOOLSANDSPARES:FoldingsaworaxeFoldingshovelTowstraporropeCome-alongPrybarSparebeltSparesparkplugsManufacturer’toolkit

SparenutsandboltsspecifictomachineDucttapeBalingwire

8

BICYCLESASBUG-OUTVEHICLES

Bicycles could be the ultimate land-based vehicles in the event of a long-termgrid-down scenario where fuel for motorized machines would be difficult orimpossibletoobtain.Bicyclesarethemostefficientmeansoflandtransportationever devised in terms of the energy input required to make them go.Modernlightweight bicycles with multiple gears allow long-distance human-poweredtravelatapacethatcancovera lotofmilesover thecourseofa fewhoursordays.Thosewhoenjoyridingbicyclesforrecreation,fitness,orcompetitionarewell familiar with the appeal of riding and the many benefits it offers. If youchooseagood-qualitybicycleanddoenoughridinginadvancetogetyourselfinshape, thedistanceyoucantravelgivenenoughtime isunlimited.Withno fueltankstofillotherthantherider’sstomach,whichwillhavetobefilledwhetherthey’reridingornot,bicyclesofferatypeofflexibilitythatnoothervehiclecanmatch.Thosewhodon’t ride orhaven’t beenonabicycle since childhoodmaytendtodismissthemasseriousbug-outtransportationandindoingsooverlookwhatcouldbethebestoptioninsomesituations.Because there is no internal combustion engine involved, bicycles are simple,dependablemachinesthatrequirelittlemaintenanceorongoingexpensetokeepthem in working order. The lack of an engine means that they are quiet inoperation,whichcouldbeasurvivaladvantageinabug-outsituation,especiallyif you travel past danger zones at night, when you can pass by camps andoccupiedresidencesunheardandunseen.As longas thebike is ingood repairwithnobearingnoises,squeaks,orrattles,itwillbevirtuallysilentfromevenashort distance away. Riding on smooth trails or paths in the backcountry, youwon’tspooknearbygameoralertotherpeopleintheareatoyourpresence.Lowinitialandongoingcostisanotheradvantagetousingbicyclesasbug-outtransportation. Although high-end models of certain types of bicycles can beshockinglyexpensive,comparedtoanyotherkindofvehicle,theaveragebicycleisabout thecheapest transportationavailableother thanwalking.Sincequalitybicycleswillstandalotmoreusethanmostownerseverputthemto,itisoftenpossibletoobtainatop-of-the-linemachinewithplentyofusefullifeleftinitontheusedmarket.Bicyclesarealsogreatsecondaryorauxiliarybug-outvehiclesbecausetheyareso lightweight, relatively compact, and can easily be disassembled to evensmallerpackagesifnecessary.Abicyclecanbestoredjustaboutanywhereand,unlike even small ATVs and smallmotorcycles, can be carried inside or on theroof racks of the smallest cars or aboardmany types of boats. For liveaboardboaters in particular, they are a great addition to have on board, as they canprovide land transportation thatyouwouldnototherwisehavewhenyou reachdistantshores.

DisadvantagesofBicyclesasBug-OutVehicles

Oneof thedisadvantagesofabicycle,ofcourse, is thatyouhave topedal it tomakeitgo.Ifyouareinpoorphysicalconditionorhaveaninjurythatmakesthisdifficult, thencovering longdistancesbybicyclemaynotbe feasible, andeventhemostathleticpersonissubjecttofatigueandtheeffectsofexposuretoheat,humidity,orextremecold.Buildingenduranceforridingsothatyoucanmakethemost of a bicycle as a bug-out vehicle is discussed in the “key considerations”sectionofthischapter.

Another disadvantage of the bicycle is thatwhile it is incredibly efficient andfastcomparedtowalking,itisslowcomparedtoanytypeofmotorvehicle,andpeople accustomed to high-speed travelwill have to adjust to a traveling pacethatmay average somewhere around 10 to 18mph, again depending on riderconditioning,weightof the loadcarried,andtheterrain. Ifyouhavetotravelafewhundredmilestogettoyourbug-outlocation,yourtripwillbemeasuredindays instead of hours. This pacemeans that youwill have to be able to carryadequatefoodandwaterforyourjourneyandbepreparedtocampalongthewaywhenyouneedrest.Another disadvantage of bicycles is the variety of dangers involved in riding,which includeeverything from the riskofbeinghitby largermotorvehicles tovulnerability to an attackbecause of your limited top speed.Thesedangers, ofcourse,varybytheparticularsituation.Ridingontheedgeofroadsusedbyhigh-speedmotorvehiclesisdangerousatanytime,butinthekindofbug-outscenariowhere bicycles would likely be needed, motor vehicles might be inoperablebecauseofashortageoffuelordamagetoelectricalcomponentsafteranEMP-typeevent. Inothersituations,suchasmassevacuationsafteradisaster, theremaybesomuchvehicletrafficthatitisgridlockedormovingatacrawl,allowing

abicyclisttomovefaster.Thekindof situationwhereabicyclistmightbe in themostdanger is on theopen road, where it will be impossible to outrun aggressors inmotor vehiclesbentonattack.Insuchasituation,thoseinvehiclescouldtakeoutacyclistwiththrown objects or even the vehicle itself. Even in normal times cyclists aresometimes the victims of road rage, and the everyday commuting cyclist whoridesincitytrafficknowsthatthekeytosurvivalonabikeisconstantvigilanceandtheabilitytoreactquicklyandtakeevasiveaction.Intheheaviertrafficofamassevacuation,driversmaynotbeasmuchofathreatasgangsofattackersonfoot who could cut off a bicyclist trying to slip between all the cars. The bestdefenseistostayawareandlookaheadforpotentialescaperoutes.Thisriskofthiskindofattackcanbereducedsomewhatbytravelingingroupsifpossibleoravoidingwell-usedroads.

KeyConsiderationsforBicyclesasBug-OutVehicles

BicyclesCanOperateOnRoadsorOff-RoadAnybicyclecanberiddenbothon roads and off-road,with themore ruggedmountain bikes able to go placespracticallynootherwheeledvehiclecango ifpedaledbya strong rider. In thecity, they offer many advantages over cars in their ability to weave throughtraffic,splitting lanesandsqueezingthroughgridlockedtrafficbecauseof theirnarrowwidth.Likedual-purposemotorcycles,manybicyclescaneasilynegotiateroadshouldersandsidewalks, jumpcurbs,crossmedians,andthreadtheirwaythrough alleys and other places four-wheeled vehicles cannot go. Off thepavement, bicycles with suitable tires can handle gravel roads, dirt or rockytrails, and some sand and mud. In some places, such as deserts, they can beriddencross-countrywherethereisnotrail.BicyclesCanBeCarriedoverObstaclesIndiscussingthekindofterrainthatoff-roadbicycleslikemountainbikescannegotiate,itshouldberememberedthattherereallyarenolimitationstowherealightweightbicyclecango,becausetherider can simply pick it up and carry it over or around impassable obstacles.These can include fallen logs; steepbluffs, ditches or ravines; creeks, swamps,deep mud or sand; or man-made obstacles like fences, barricades, or rubble.Manysuchobstacleswillrequireonlyashortcarryofthebicyclebeforeitcanberiddenagain.Whileabikewithloadedpanniersandothergearstrappedonmaybeaburdentocarryforanydistance,itwillstillbemucheasiertocarrythananytypeofmotorizedvehicle,even thesmallestdirtbikes.Thegearcanalwaysberemovedandcarriedinaseparatetripifnecessary,justasyouwouldportagealoaded canoe between lakes. You can also walk beside the loaded bicycle andpushitthroughdeepsandormud,oruphillstoosteeptoride.

Training, Fitness, and Technique for Long-Distance Bicycling Theimportanceoffitnesscannotbeoverestimatedifyouintendtocoveranydistanceon a bicycle at a reasonable pace, particularly if you will be carrying a fullcomplement of bug-out gear and supplies. Even those who are in great shapefrom running or other workout routines will find it necessary to spend sometrainingtimeonabikeiftheyarenotaccustomedtothestrainsitputsonspecificmuscles,aswellasthepainitcancausetocontactpointswherethebodymeetsthemachine,specificallythehands,feet,andrearend.I’veenjoyedtaking longridessincewellbeforeIstarteddriving,andbecauseI’vebeenridingonandoffmostofmylife,itdoesn’ttaketoolongformetogetback in shape for it after periods of not riding.Even so, the first two or threeridesafteralongbreakintrainingcanbepainfulandhardtocomplete.Everyoneis different in regards to their fitness level, but I find that if I do twoor threeridesaweekof20to30miles,afteraboutamonth’stimeI’mcomfortablybacktowhereIcanaverage50-to80-miledaysonatouringbike.Seriousbiketouristsandcompetitivecyclistscaneasilydo100milesperdayormore,eveninhillsormountains. Italldependsonyour levelofcommitmentandhowmuchtimeyouhavetotrain.Youdon’thavetorideeverydaytomaintainabaselevelofridingfitness, but themoremiles you put in perweek, the better. If you’ve spent allyoursparetimeonthecouchandexpecttobugoutonabikeloadedwith40to60lb.ofgear,youwillcertainlyfindittobeanunpleasantexperience,tosaytheleast.Windandhillsareabicyclerider’stwoworstenemieswhenitcomestomakingprogress. Even if you haven’t ridden since childhood, you probably rememberhaving to stand up on the pedals or get off and push to get up a steep hill.Modernbicyclesaredesignedtoovercomethedifficultiesofridinguphillwithawiderangeof lowgearing thatallowsyou tokeepyourseatwhilepedaling,aswellaslightweightconstruction.You’llfeeleveryextrapoundwhilestrugglingupalonggrade,andconsideringtheweightofgearyou’llhavetocarryinaddition

to the bike, it pays to buy a bicycle that is lightweight to begin with. Twoadditionalthingsthatcanhelpyouleveloutthehillsinyourpath—aproperspintechnique and a means of securing your feet to the pedals, will be discussedbelow.Strongheadwindscanbeasbrutalassteephills,especiallyoutonopenroadsifyouhavetobattlethemallday.Thisiswhymostroadandtouringbicycleshavedrop-stylehandlebars thatallowyou toget yourheadandshoulders loweranddecreasethefrontalareathatthewindcanpushagainst.Whilebeginningridersmayperceiveanupright ridingposition tobemore comfortable, ridinguprightwill be exhausting in strong headwinds. Carrying luggage will increase yourwindageaswellasyourweight,soit’simportanttochoosestreamlinedbagsandothergearinsteadofhaphazardlytyingstuffonsothatitsticksouteverywhere.Ridingtechniqueisjustasimportantasfitnesstomaintainingagoodpacehourafterhour.Onebasicprinciplemanynewridersandreturningadultridersdon’tunderstand is that of developing a spin rather than pushing the pedals slowly.Thismeans thatwhenyou’re ridingamulti-speedbike,youshouldalwaysshiftgearstomatchtheterrainsothatyouarenotmashinghardagainstahighgeartoturnthepedals,butratherspinningthecranksatafastRPM,or“cadence,”sothatyourlegmusclesarenotoverstrained.Alllong-distancecyclistsputalotofeffortintodevelopingthisabilitytospinthecranksatahighcadence.Atfirstitwillseemawkward,butwithpracticeitwillbecomesecondnatureandyouwillfind long ridesmore pleasant. The advantage that fit recreational cyclists andproslikeLanceArmstronghave,ofcourse,isthattheycanmaintainthatcadenceinmuchhighergears,andmaybeabletomaintainaveragespeedsaround28to30mphcomparedtospeedsinthemid-tohighteensthatmostordinaryridersmightaverage.Butevenifyoucanonlymanage10mphwithaheavyload,that’sstill 80miles of travel in eight hours of the day, allowing plenty of extra timebetweendaylightanddarkforreststops.Toe Clips and Clipless Pedals A key difference equipment-wise betweenriding a bicycle casually around the block and setting out on a journey of ahundredmilesormoreishavingsomemeansofsecuringyourfeettothepedalsfor a more efficient pedal stroke. This allows you to use some of your energypullingupwithonefootwhilepushingdownwiththeothertospinthecranks.Italso prevents your feet from slipping off the pedals when sprinting or hillclimbing and can help prevent a crash. Competitive cyclists and tourists alikehavelongunderstoodtheadvantagesofthis,andtodayyouroptionsincludetheoldertoeclipsandstrapsaswellashigh-techcliplesspedalsthatrequirespecialshoes.Toeclipsuseametalorplasticpartialenclosurethatisboltedtothepedal,goesaroundthefrontpartofyourfoot,andistightenedbyadjustablestrapsthatyoucanreachwhileriding.Toeclipscanworkwithmostanytypeofpedalthatyoucouldusewithoutthem,andallowyoutorideinmosttypesofshoesorevenhikingboots.Thisisanadvantageinabug-outsituationbecauseyoucanstillusethepedalswithorwithoutthetoeclipsandstraps.Toeclipsarealittleawkwardtoadjustandtakesomegettingusedto,but theefficiencygainsmake itworththeefforttoatleasttrythem.

Toeclipshavelostfavorwithseriouscyclistssincetheintroductionofcliplesspedalsandshoes.Thissystemeliminatestheclipsandstrapsandinsteadinvolvesa special pedal andmatching insert in the sole of the shoe that lock togethersecurely and cannot come lose except by a deliberate twist of the foot. Theclipless system eliminates much of the hassle of toe clips and straps whilecreating a very secure connection to the pedals, but the downside is that theshoesarenotdesignedforwalking,andboththeshoesandpedalsareexpensive.Ifyouusethissystemyou’llhavetocarryadditionalshoesorbootsforwalking,and if the lockingmechanism fails or the shoes are lost, the small pedals arepracticallyuselesswithordinaryshoes.Quality Components and Proper Fit No matter which type of bicycle youchoose, it is important to find one of quality construction. You won’t find thisamong the rows of cheap knockoffs from China at the big chain departmentstores,most of whichwill be styled to look like name-brand bikes, butwill beheavyandfittedwithinferiorcomponentsthatwilllikelyfailwithanyserioususe.Theplacetoshopfornewbicyclesis inarealbicycleshop,whereyouwillfindtheofferingsofestablishedmanufacturersandaknowledgeablestaffthatknowshow to assemble and adjust them properly. Bike shop bikes will have better-quality frames, all-aluminumwheels, and precision components like derailleursandshifters.Youdon’thavetobuythetop-of-the-linemodels,butaswitheveryotherpieceofequipment fromfirearms to tentsandbackpacks,youmostlygetwhatyoupayforandqualitygearisworththeinvestment.Bikeshopsalsostockavarietyofaccessoriesfortheirbikesandwillhaveaninventoryofsparepartsso that any components you want swapped on your new bike can be installedbeforeyoutakedeliveryofit.Perhapsthebiggestadvantageofbuyingabicyclefromabikeshopisthatthesalespeoplewhoworkintheseshopsareusuallyridersandwillknowhowtofindthebikeinthestorethatbestfitsyourbodydimensionsandalsohowtofine-tuneevery adjustment to optimize this fit. Proper fit is essential to optimizing thepotential of the rider and the bike, and includes parameters like frame size,handlebar stem length, crankset length, seat height, and so on. An improperlyfittedbikewillcauseunduefatigueonlongridesandpossibleinjurytojointsand

muscles,whileonethatisperfectlyadjustedwillbeajoytorideallday.

PreparingaBicycleasaBug-OutVehicle

Touseabicycleeffectivelyasabug-outvehicle,youwillneedawaytocarryallyourgearandsuppliesonthebike.Fortunatelyitisrelativelysimpletopurchaseasystemofracks,panniers,andotherbagslikehandlebarbagstodistributetheloadaroundthebicycleframe,orchoosefromavarietyoftrailersdesignedtobetowedbehindyouwithallyourgearloadedonthem.Theseluggagesystemsarehighly refined and widely available to suit every type of bicycle and terrain,thanks to the popularity of bicycle touring both on and off pavement. Eithercarryingmethod is far superior to trying to ride a bicyclewith your gear in abackpack,whichputstoomuchstrainonyourbodyandcompromisesyoursafetywhenridingbyraisingyourcenterofgravitytoohigh.Luggage Racks and Panniers Racks and panniers are the most commonarrangement used by bicycle tourists and have the advantage of keepingeverythinginacompactpackagewithouttheextrawheelsandlengthofatrailer.Touring panniers are designed to ride low and keep the weight of your gearcenteredneartheaxlesoneithersideofthefrontandrearwheels.Tocarrythepanniersproperly,youwillneedbothfrontandrearracksmountedonthebike.Manytypesofbicyclescomewithrearracksoratleastthethreadedeyeletsontheframetoattachthemto,butotherthanpurpose-designedtouringbikes,fewhave front rack eyelets on the forks. This is something to keep in mind whenchoosing a bicycle, but there are clamp systems and otherways tomount theracksyouneed ifyourbicycledoesnothaveeyelets.Toholdupunderaheavyload,especiallyforlong-distancetravel inroughterrain,theseracksneedtobesecurelymountedandwellmade.Thebestonesaremadeofaluminumforlightweight but with tubingmade of a high-quality alloy and sufficiently thick thatmetal fatigueisnotan issue.Expecttopay$50to$100ormoreforeachrack,frontandrear.Bicycle panniers are purpose-made packs designed to fit precisely onto theracks andwill haveprovisions for securely fastening them to the racks so thattheydonotshiftorbounceoffwhenyouhitbumpsorpotholesathighspeed.Theattachment method varies among manufacturers, but usually involves spring-loadedhooksorhooksandpivotingclampsthatlockthebagsinplace.Theshapeofthepanniersisimportant,firstforminimumwindresistance,andinthecaseoftherearbags,toavoidinterferingwiththepedalstroke.Rearbagshaveaslopingcutaway section in the lower-forward quadrant to clear the rider’s heel on thepedalstroke.Qualitypanniersaremadefromavarietyofmaterials,includingtheCordurafabriccommonlyusedforbackpacksandthePVC-coatednylonfabricofthetypeusedforkayakingandwhitewaterdrybags.Eithertypewillwork,butifyourpanniersarenotwaterproof,everything inside themneeds tobesealed inZiplocsorsomeothertypeofplasticbag.Keepinmindthatnomatterhowbigyour panniers are, if you are carrying a full complement of bug-out gear andsupplies, not everything is going to fit inside the bags. Bulky but lightweight

items like sleeping bags and rolled-up air mattresses can be strapped downacross the rear rack or atop of the front racks without adversely affectinghandling.Bicycle Trailers Bicycle trailers offer an alternative means of carrying yourgearandcanhavemanyadvantagesover racksandpannierswhen itcomes tousingbicyclesasbug-outvehicles.Forone,abicycletrailerisdesignedtocarryallyourstuffinonecargoarea,eitherametal-framedrackoraframewithfabricbottom and sides. This means that you can quickly throw in your bug-outbackpack and go without having to split your load up among four or moreseparatebags.Mostofthesetrailersalsohaveacargoareathatcanbeadaptedtocarryawidevarietyofloadsandoversizeditemsyouwouldnotbeabletofitdirectly onto the bicycle using racks or panniers. An example of the versatilitythey can offer is that you coulduse thebicycle and trailer to haul firewoodorjerrycansofwatertoyourcamponceyou’veunloadedyourgearandsetup inyourbug-outlocation.Bicycle trailers come in single-wheel and two-wheel variations with differenthitchsystemsforattachingthemtothebicycle.Anexampleofaheavy-dutycargotrailerthatispopularwithrough-terrainbicycletouristsistheBOBIbexsingle-wheeledtrailerthathasa70lb.loadcapacityand3inchesofsuspensiontraveltohandlethebumps.Thistrailerattachestotherearaxleofthebicycle,andthesinglewheeldecreasesrollingresistanceandhandlingproblemsontrails.Itsellsforaround$439withacustom-fitteddrybagforyourcargo.Detailscanbefoundatwww.bobgear.com.UsingaBicycleasaLoad-CarryingVehicleIndiscussingtheideaofloadingabicyclewithracksandpanniersorpullinggearbehind itwitha trailer, Ialsowant to point out the potential of a bicycle as a pure-load carrying vehicle.ThoughitisrarelyseeninplacesliketheUnitedStates,inundevelopedcountrieswhere bicycles are true workhorses and are used as taxis and all sorts ofconveyances, bicycles are also seen carrying what most of us would view asimpossible loads,with theownerwalkingalongside it andpushing, rather thanriding.Imentionthisbecauseinabug-outsituationwhereyoumaystartoutinavehiclecarryingbicyclesandlotsofothergearandsupplies,therecouldbesomescenario where you need to abandon the vehicle andmove all the stuff insidesome distance overland to a secure bug-out location. In this case, it might bepossible to do so in one trip if you arewalking andpushing the bicycle ratherthantryingtorideit.Onceeverythinghasbeenmoved,youwillthenhaveuseofthebicyclefortransportationaroundthearea.BicycleMaintenanceandRoadsideRepairComparedtoanymotorvehicle,abicycleisarelativelysimplemachine,but,evenso,therearemanycomponentsthatcanwearout,break,orotherwisefail.Themostcommonissuesareflattires,bentrims,brokenspokes,brokenorstretchedbrakeandderailleurcables,andwornhuborcranksetbearings.Flattiresareanunavoidablepartofanyseriousbicycle travelandyoumustcarrywhatyouneed to fix themon thesideof theroad, including a pump, tire removal tools, spare tubes and patches, and, forlonger trips, spare folding tires to replace the set you start out with. You can

reducethefrequencyofflatsbyusingKevlar-beltedtiresandheavy-dutytubesofthe type favored by long-distance touring cyclists. Other spare parts to carryincludeextraspokes,brakeandderailleurcables,andbrakepads.Inadditiontothepartsyouwillalsoneedacompactkitwithallthetoolsnecessarytoreplaceandadjustthesecomponents.Maintenance and inspection is the key to staying ahead of anyproblems thatmightrenderyourbicycleinoperable.Keepaneyeontheconditionofyourtiresandcheckforembeddedbitsofglassorthorns.Makesuretherimsaretrueandinspect for dents and check the tension of the spokes. Brake pads should beinspectedforwearandreplacedwhennecessary.Keepthebrakeandderailleurcables lubricated and properly adjusted. The chain should be kept clean andlubricatedformaximumlife.Anyknockingorgrindingnoiseswhileridingcouldbeasignthatit’stimetooverhaulyourhubsorcrankset.AlistofthetoolsandsparepartsyoushouldhavewithyouifyoubugoutbybicycleisincludedintheBug-OutBicycleChecklist.

ChoosingaBicycle

Thepopularityofmanyformsofbothrecreationalandcompetitivebicyclinghasledtothedevelopmentofawiderangeofspecializedbicycletypesoptimizedfordifferent activities, ranging from racing and commuting to touring and trailriding.Someof thesetypes, likeultralightroadracingmachines,willhardlybesuitableforbug-outpurposes,butthetechnologythathasbeendevelopedfortheserious sport of bicycle racing has trickled down to every type of bicycle andbenefits all riders. For potential bug-out vehicles, I will look at four differenttypesofbicycles: touringbikes,mountainbikes,commuterorhybridbikes,andrecumbentbikes.

TouringBicycles

Touring bicycles are simply derivatives of the road bicycles that are used forraces and recreational and fitness riding.Fromadistance, they lookmuch thesame, usually featuring drop handlebars, skinny tires, narrow seats, and alightweight frame. The touring bike, however, will have a more relaxed orstretched-out frame geometry to better absorb road shock and allow all-dayridingcomfort.Itwillbeheavierthanahigh-techracingbike,astheframewilllikely be chrome-molybdenum steel or aluminum rather than carbon fiber orsomecombinationofaluminumandcarbonfiber.Chrome-moly isconsideredbymanytobethebestmaterialforserioustouring,asitwillallowtheframetoflexbettertoabsorbbumpsandwon’tbreakorweakenduetometalfatigue.Chrome-moly is heavier than aluminum, but a good touring bike with high-qualitycomponentswillstillweighlessthan30lb.Thetirestypicallyusedfortouringwillbeabitwiderthanroad-racingtiresandtherimsmuchstronger,withmorespokesperwheeltohandletheextrastrainof

a touring load. Touring frames come with threaded eyelets for front and rearracks, as well asmounting points for extra water bottles. Instead of the high,closely spaced gears of road racing bikes, they almost always have triplecranksetswith awide range of gearing to handle the steepestmountain roadswithaload.Thebrakesarealsostrongersotheycanstopalltheextraweightofaloadedbike.

TOURINGBIKEEXAMPLES

Surly LongHaul Trucker In recent years, the Surly Long Haul Trucker hasbecomeoneofthemostpopulartouringbicyclesonthemarketanditsreputationas a reliable long-haulmachine is well deserved. The heart of this bike is thechrome-moly steel frame that comes with brazed-on fittings for all the racks,bottleholders,andotheraccessoriesyouneedandisofferedinarangeofsizestofiteveryrider.Theframecanbeorderedtofiteither700c(622mm)roadbikewheelsorthemorecommonlyavailable26-inchwheelsusedonmountainbikes,whichmakesiteasiertofindtiresandtubes.Youcanorderacompletebicycleorjust the frame through the company’s dealers and build it up with thecomponentsyouwant.Acompletebikerunsaround$1200.MoreinformationcanbefoundontheSurlywebsiteatwww.surlybikes.com.Aclassictouringbicyclewithracks,panniers,andlowgearingforcarryingheavyloads

REINovarraSafari TheNovarraSafari,which is availableonly throughREIstores,isaruggedtouringbicycledesignedfor“adventuretouring”onpavedorgravelroadsandthekindofroughroadsfoundindevelopingcountries.Recently

redesigned,itnowhasastrongersteelframeandcomesineither26-inchor700cwheel size depending on the frame size. This bike is fitted with trekking-stylehandlebars,whichoffermultipleridingpositionsandthecontrolofmountainbikeflat bars. Itweighs approximately 30 lb. depending on frame size and lists for$849.Fullspecsareavailableatwww.rei.com.

MountainBikes

Mountain bikes are purpose-designed for off-road riding and are the bicycleequivalentofoff-roadmotorcyclesorATVs.Amountainbikecantakeyoudownchallengingsingle-tracktrailsthatnoothervehicleexceptthesmallestdirtbikescouldnegotiate,orhandlefireroadsorgravelwithease.Theycanalsoberiddenonpavement, of course,butwill bemuch slower thana touringorhybridbikebecauseoftheextrarollingresistanceofthefat,knobbytiresthatallowthemtodosowelloff-road.Therearemanydifferentvariationsofmountainbikesavailabletoday,mostofwhicharedesignedforspecifictypesofriding.Unfortunately,themostversatile,basicconfigurationthatwaspopularwhenmountainbikesfirstbecamepopularishardtofindnow.Theseearlybikeshadstrongrigidframesandrigidforkswithno suspension. They got their off-road capability just from the strong rims andwide,aggressive tirescombinedwith lowgearingandweresimplerand lighterweight than most of today’s mountain bikes, which utilize suspension systemsthatcanincludebothfrontandrearshocks.Theearliermountainbikeswereeasytoconvert to touringmachinesbecause, likereal touringbikes, theycamewithframeand forkeyelets tomount racks.The lackof suspension is anadvantagewhenridinglongdistances,notonlybecauseofweightsavings,butalsobecausealltheenergyofyourpedalstrokegoesintoforwardmotionwithouttheflexingofshocks.Althoughtheserigid-framedmountainbikeshavegoneoutoffashion,youcanstillfindgoodexamplesusedoryoucanbuildonefromabareframe.Youcouldalsoconvertafront-suspensionhardtailmountainbiketorigidfrontforks.Of all the mountain bikes available today with suspension systems, the“hardtail” type,which featuresarigid framewith front forkshocksbutnorearsuspension, is more suited to long-distance riding than heavier, more complexmodelsthatfeaturerearsuspensionaswell.Peopledotouronhardtailmountainbikes, and it is possible to set up a rack and pannier system on them using aspecial front rack designed to work with shocks. Or you could use one of themore rugged trailer designs that are built for mountain bike touring andcamping.This typeofmountainbikecouldservewell ifmostofyourroutewilltraverseroughterrain.

MOUNTAINBIKEEXAMPLE

SpecializedRockhopper TheSpecializedRockhoppermountainbikehasbeeninproduction forover20years inone formoranother,and today representsa

good buy in a hardtail, front-suspension bike built for general-purpose off-roaduse. In stock form it features analloy frame, 24-speeddrive train, and26-inchwheelswith 2-inch-wide tires. The basemodelwith linear pull brakes starts at$640, with the disc brakemodels ranging from $940 to $1,350, depending oncomponent groups. You can find a good example of a used Rockhopper foranywherefromabout$150to$300.OlderRockhopperswiththeirqualityframesalsomakeagoodplatformforconversion into long-distanceroadtouringbikes.MoreinfoabouttheRockhopperlinecanbefoundatwww.specialized.com.

HybridorCommuterBicycles

This class of bicycles evolved to address some of the limitations presented byroad bikes andmountain bikes—machines that excel in the environments theyweredesignedfor,butdonotcrossoverwelltootheruses.Hybridorcommuterbikesaremostlyusedforroadsandstreets,buthavesomeoftheruggednessofmountainbikestodealwithpotholes,curbs,andotherobstaclesofurbanriding.Insteadofknobbytires,theyareusuallyfittedwithwidetiresthathaveastreettreadforlowrollingresistance.Theridingpositionisupright,asonamountainbike, which gives you good visibility and control in dense city traffic and theability to perform quick evasive maneuvers similar to the riding techniquesrequiredontwistyoff-roadtrails.Thesebicyclescouldbecalledthe“dual-sport”equivalentofbicycles,and,justlikedual-sportmotorcycles,individualmodelscanbebiasedmoretowardroadoroff-road riding depending on your needs. Like touring bikes, bicycles designedspecifically for commuting usually come with attachment points for luggageracks, andmost also comewith fenders for riding in inclementweather. If youliketheuprightridingposition,suchabicyclecanbeagoodplatformfor long-distanceridingwithminimalmodificationscomparedtomostmountainbikes.

COMMUTINGBIKEEXAMPLE

CannondaleBadBoyTheCannondaleBadBoylineofcommutingbikesconsistsofseveralmodelsdesignedtotakethehardknocksofurbancommuting.Withitsmatte-blackfinishthat includesall-blackwheelsandcomponents, it’snot flashybututilitarian,andcouldbeagoodchoiceforano-nonsensebug-outbicycle.Thediscbrakeversion isdesigned toallowyou to switchoutwheelsbetween700croadwheelsand26-inchmountainbikewheelsdependingon thekindofridingyou’llbedoing.Withthe26-inchwheelsandknobbytires,thisaluminum-framedcommuterwithnofrontorrearsuspensionhasalltheadvantagesoftheold-stylerigid-framedmountainbikesdiscussedabove.TheBadBoyisalsoavailablewith29-inchwheels,whicharebecomingpopularonthistypeofbikeandonmountainbikesbecausetheyrolloverobstaclesbetterthansmallerwheels.Cannondaleisatop-notchbicyclemanufacturerandthepricefortheBadBoyiswithinreasonfor the quality you get at approximately $1,100, depending on the model and

specifications.Youcanfindoutmoreatwww.cannondalebadboy.com.

RecumbentBicycles

Recumbentbicyclesareacompletelydifferentconceptfromconventionalbikes.Thenamecomesfromthereclinedridingposition,whichisattainedbya lowerseat and pedals that are forward of the rider’s body instead of straight downunder theseatasonaregularbicycle.Thoughstill far frommainstream in thebicycleworld, recumbents arebecomingmore commonasmoremanufacturersoffer a greater variety of models to choose from. Those who prefer them toconventionalbicyclesareusuallyofthebeliefthattheyaresuperiorineveryway,but like anything else, there arepros and cons to this type of bicycle and it isunlikelytheywilleverreplacestandardbikes.Recumbentscanbeagoodalternativeforpeoplewhoforsomereason(suchasaninjury)physicallycannotrideonanuprightbicyclestraddlinganarrowseat.Theseatsonmostrecumbentsarewideandcomfortable,manyofthemmadeofmesh fabric,andputyou ina laid-backposition like lounging inahammockordeckchair.Incertainconditions,recumbentscanbefasterthanuprightbicyclesbecause of themuch lowerwindage. This is particularly true on downhills andlong flat stretches. They can allow thosewho are less physically fit tomanagelongdayswithlessfatigue,andforthisreasonsomepeopledotouronthemandsome impressive trips have been completed on recumbent bikes. Areas whererecumbents fall short are in steep uphill climbing, where you cannot get yourbodyweightoverthepedals,andinbusyvehicletraffic,wherethelowpositionmakesyouhard toseeandmakes ithard foryou toseearoundothervehicles.Another disadvantage of recumbents is that most of them are much moreexpensive than upright bicycles, starting at over a thousand dollars andaveragingtwotofourthousandforthoseofhighqualitywithgoodcomponents.Still,ifyou’veneverriddenarecumbent,it’sworthtryingonetoseeifyoulikeit.Youcouldmakeagoodoneworkasabug-outbicycleifyouaresoinclined,assomeof themodelsused for touringpulla touring trailerorcanbe fittedwithracks and panniers. The available designs varywidely and even include three-wheeledand four-wheeledversions.Finda shop that specializes in this typeofbicycleandtheywillusuallyletyouridethemodelstheyhaveonhandsoyoucanjudgeforyourselfifthistypeofmachineisforyou.

RECUMBENTBICYCLEEXAMPLE

BachettaGiro26ATTManypeoplewhouserecumbentsfortouringfavortheshort-wheelbase designs such as this 47-inch wheelbase offering by Bachetta.Bachetta is a leader in the recumbent industry and this aluminum-framedexampledesigned for touring and commuting is comparable inweight tomanyuprighttouringbikesat28lb.Apointinfavorofthisparticularrecumbentisthatituses twoequal-sizedwheels in thecommonmountainbike sizeof26 inches,

making iteasy to findreplacement tiresandtubes.Anotheradvantageof theselargerwheels is that they offer less rolling resistance and cannegotiate roughterrain better than the smallerwheels used onmany recumbents. TheGiro 26ATThasawiderangeofgearingspreadover27speedstohelpyougetupanddown hills. It has a weight limit of just 230 lb. including your body weight,however,soyouwillhavetotakethatintoconsiderationifyouwanttocarryallyour bug-out gear. MSRP is $1,899 and more information can be found atwww.bacchettabikes.com.

BUG-OUTBICYCLECHECKLISTBASICRIDINGGEAR:

HelmetEyeprotection(sunglasses)BicycleshortsorpantsthatarecomfortableinthesaddlealldayFootwearsuitedtothetypeofpedalsystemyouareusingPaddedcyclinggloves(toabsorbhandlebarshock)Wind/rain-protectiveouterlayersWickinginnerlayersforcoldweather

BIKEACCESSORIESANDLOAD-CARRYINGOPTIONS:MirrorforlefthandlebarorhelmetFendersWaterbottlecagesandbottlesCyclingcomputerorhandlebar-mountedGPSRearcargo/pannierrackFrontpannierrackFrontandrearpanniersHandlebarbagUnderseatbagOptionaltrailerifnotusingracksandpanniers

TOOLSANDSPAREPARTS:InnertubesandpatchkitSparefoldingtire(s)HandpumpTireleversPressuregaugeAllenwrenchsetSpokewrenchSparespokes(6ormore)6”adjustablewrenchMultitoolChain-breakertoolReplacementchainlinks

Chainandgeneral-purposelubricantSparebrakeandderailleurcablesSparebrakepadsAssortednutsandboltsNylonwiretiesDucttape

9

HUMAN-POWEREDWATERCRAFT

Canoes,SeaKayaks,andRowingVesselsIfyou’reinalocationwheretakingtothewaterwaysmaybeabetteroptionthanoverlandtravel,youshouldnotoverlookthemanyadvantagesofhuman-poweredwatercraft, especially canoes and sea kayaks. These advantages includesimplicity,reliability,lowinitialcost,easymaintenance,andsmallsizeandweightthat, in combinationwith shallowdraft, allows them to gowhere other vesselscannot.Justasabicyclecouldbekeptgoingindefinitelyasanoverlandvehicleinthe aftermath of some SHTF or TEOTWAWKI event that renders fuelunobtainable,boatsthatcanbepaddledorrowedcanfunctionindependentlyoftechnologyandinthemostremoteenvironments.Thesimplestofthesedesigns,especially canoes and some kayak designs that do not need a foot-controlledrudder, have no moving parts at all to wear out or break. Some of them,especiallycanoes,canstillbebuiltfromscratchfrommaterialsfoundinnature,justasthenativeswhoinventedthemdidforthousandsofyears.The stealth aspect of canoes and kayaks is a huge advantage in a bug-outscenario and in many environments could make them better than any othermeans of transportation available. As I pointed out inBug Out: The CompletePlan for Escaping a Catastrophic Disaster Before It’s Too Late, small streams,rivers, bayous, and other waterways that are rarely used by commercial orrecreationalboattrafficthreadtheirwaythroughsuburbanandrurallandscapesalloverAmerica,oftenwinding throughdensewoodlandsandswamps thatarecutofffromroadsandalmostnevervisitedbypeoplelivingnearby.Asmall,silentboatcouldbequietlypaddledalongsuchwaterways, takingyouandyourgearunnoticed throughareaswhereyoucouldnever travelunseenoverland.This isespeciallytrueifyoupaddleatnightandholeupinstreamsideundergrowthandwoodsduringtheday.Ihavetraveledhundredsofmilesbyseakayakinjustthisway,pullingmyboatupintothewoodsoutofsightoftherivertomakecampandslipping past homes, farms, and ranches—even whole towns—undetected bythose living on the banks. Paddling at night, I have also slipped unseen in theshadows past unsuspecting campers, beachgoers, fishermen, and others, oftencloseenoughtoheartheirconversationswithoutthemeverknowingIwasthere.Becausetheyaresohardtoseeatnightandsosmallthattheydonotshowuponradar systems, especially in the rough seasof theopencoast, seakayakshavebeenusedbyspecialoperationsmilitaryforcessuchastheU.S.NavySEALSforstealthyinsertionsintoenemyterritory.Seaworthyenoughtobedroppedofffaroffshorebyhelicoptersorlargervessels,thekayakscanthenbepaddledinundercoverofdarknessbytheassaultteamandsunkoutofsightinshallowwaternearthe shore.Most kayaks used for this purpose are of the folding type,with thecapacitytocarrytwomenandplentyofweaponsandgear.

Youcanget thesamestealthadvantageas these teamsbypaintingyourboatandpaddleflatblackorcamouflageorchoosingafactorymodelfinishedthisway.Suchboatsareoftenusedbywildlifephotographers,hunters,andfishermen,andif you paddle slowly and silently, you will be amazed at how closely you canapproachanimalswithout alarming them.This has obvious advantageswhen itcomestohuntinginasurvivalsituation.Boatsthatblendinarealsoeasytohidewhenyouarenotusingthem.Thesmallsizeandlightweightofacanoeorkayakwillallowyoutodragitupsteepbanksorcarryitasfarfromthewaterasyouneedtoconcealitfromanyonewhomightpassby.Thisisanadvantageoftheseboatsthatcannotbeoveremphasized,astheycantrulyallowyoutopaddleintoaremoteareaanddisappear.

DisadvantagesofCanoes,Kayaks,andOtherHuman-PoweredWatercraft

Thistypeofboathasfewdisadvantagescomparedtolargerboats,buttherearesome.Thesmallsizethatmakesthemsoversatilecanbeadisadvantageifyouneedavesselthatcanhaulmorepassengersandcargo.Thecrewandgearcould,ofcourse,besplitupbetweenseveralboats,butthiswouldn’tworkifanumberof the people in your party are children, elderly adults, or disabled individualswhocannotpaddleorrow.The slower speedofhuman-poweredwatercraft canalsobeadisadvantage ifyou have to get out of an area fast, especially if leaving that area involvescrossingalotofexposed,openwaterwherethestealthadvantagesoftheseboatswon’tbeofbenefit.Insuchcases,especiallyifyouaretryingtoeludepursuers,youwon’tbeabletooutpaceanykindofmotor-poweredboatormostsailboatsifthereisafavorablewind.Somehuman-poweredboatsdiscussedinthischapterwillalsohavelimitationsintheirabilitytotraverseopenwaterordealwithroughconditions.Thisappliesmainly to open canoes, pirogues, and the smallest rowing vessels. All human-powered boats, even the incredibly seaworthy touring kayaks, are limited byhumanendurance,whichwillvaryfrompersontopersonaccordingtofitnessandpaddling skill. This can be a major factor in route planning, especially if yourroute involves long crossings of bays or sounds or passages between islands.Adversewindandcurrent canpushhumanendurance to the limit andbeyond,makingsomeroutes impossible.Andwhilestrongpaddlerscantravelupstreamonrivers,itwillalwaysbemoreworkandtakelongerthangoingdownstream.

KeyConsiderationsforUsingHuman-PoweredWatercraft

TrainingandTechniquesforLong-DistanceEnduranceMostpeoplereadingabout the long-distance canoe and kayak expeditions that today’s adventurersundertake thinkof suchexploitsasepic stuntsor foolhardy risks. Ihaveheardcomments to this effect time after time both during and after my own solo

journeysofseveralthousandmilesandconstantlyhadtoremindpeoplethatsuchtraveliswhattheseboatsweredesignedfor.HereinNorthAmerica,thenativeswho lived along big rivers or coastlines thought nothing of paddling greatdistancesforthepurposesoftrading,hunting,orraidingothertribes.Thekeytolong-distancepaddling,justlikelong-distancebicyclingorwalking,istodevelopefficiencyandeconomyofmotion—inthiscasethepaddlestroke—andtolearntopaceyourselfatarateyoucanmaintainforhourafterhour,dayafterday.Ifindthatpaddlinggenerallyrequiresaboutthesameeffortaswalkingatanormalpace,unlessthere isacontrarywindorcurrentto fightagainst.Atthislevelofeffort,ifyoupauseafewminutesandeatahigh-energysnackeveryhourorhourandahalforso,youcankeeptheboatmovingalldaylong.Andifyouthinkofalongjourneyassimplyastringofdaylongpaddlesdoneconsecutively,youcanseehowyoumightbeabletokeepgoingindefinitely.Thissaid,ifyou’venever done a multi-day paddling trip, you should incorporate a few into yourpreparationssoyouknowwhatyou’regettinginto.Ifyouareplanningtobugoutbyhuman-poweredwatercraft,youshouldalsopaddleorrowyourchosenboatasoftenaspossibletobuildupyourendurance,evenifitisonlyforshortafternoontripshereandthere.LearntheNecessaryBoat-HandlingSkillsInadditiontothephysicalfitnessrequired to paddle longdistances, youwill alsoneed to knowhow to keep theboat going in a straight line so that you are notwasting your energywith thepaddleoroarsfightingthenaturaltendencyoftheboattoturnoffcourse.Thisturningcanbecausedbywindorcurrentorsimplybytoomuchforceononesideortheotherinyourstroke.Inthecaseofcanoes,totravellongdistanceswithouttiringyoumustlearnhowtodoacorrectionstrokesuchastheguidestrokeorJ-strokesothatyoucankeeppaddlingonthesamesideoftheboatwithouthavingto constantly switch sides. These skills take a concentrated effort and a bit ofpracticetolearntothepointwheretheyaresecondnature.Youwill also need other boat-handling skills to control your canoe, kayak, orrowing vessel in the various conditions you can expect to encounter in yourparticularenvironment.Forexample,ifyouplantocanoedownriverswhereyoumight encounter rapids, youmust learn to read thewater so you can pick thesafestlinethroughalongseriesofdropsandwhitewater,andyoumustknowthebasicsweepsandotherstrokesneededtoquicklyturnyourboattoavoiddanger.If youareplanning to seakayak theopencoast, youwillneedawide rangeofskillsfromweatherforecastingtoreadingwind,tide,andsurfpatterns,andyouwillneedtoknowbracestrokestokeepfrombeingknockedoverinbigwaves,aswellasEskimorollingtechniquestorightyourboatafteracapsize.Youwillalsoneedtoknowhowtodoa“wetexit” ifyoucannotrolluprightandhowtodoaself-rescue re-entry into theboatandget itgoingagain.All these skills canbelearnedinadvancebyparticipatinginrecreationalpaddling,takingclassesfrominstructors,orsimplylearningfrommoreexperiencedpaddlingpartners.Poling a Canoe Upstream Poles are actually the oldest form of boatpropulsionandwereundoubtedly firstusedbyprimitivepeoplewhodiscoveredtheycouldmakeafloatinglogorraftoflogsgowheretheywanteditbypushing

off fromthebottomwitha longpole.Thesimpleboatpolestillhas itsplaceonmodernhuman-poweredwatercraft.Polingcanbemoreefficientthanpaddlinginsome situations, particularly when traveling upstream in a canoe in swiftcurrents.Aslongasthepolecanreachthebottomandthecanoeisstableenoughto stand in, it is possible to travel upstream for great distances this waywithmuch less effort than paddling. A good canoe polemay have to be 10–12 feetlong, depending on thewater depth, and can be improved if it is fittedwith asplayed foot to keep it from digging into a soft bottom. Such poles arewidelyused with pirogues in the shallow swamps of south Louisiana, and it is stillcommontosee the localnativespolingdugoutcanoesupstreamalongrivers inthemoreremotejungleregionsofthetropics.PaddlesandOarsManynon-boatersroutinelyinterchangethewords“paddle”and “oar” as if they were both the same thing. The paddle is the next logicaldevelopmentofthepole,andcanbeassimpleasapolewithoneendflattened,allowingittograbthewaterenoughtopropeltheboatinplaceswhereyoucan’treach the bottom with a pole. Oars are an even later development; they areattachedtotheboatbylashingsoroarlocksandworkasleverstogeneratemorepropulsionforcethanpaddles.A canoe paddle can be anything from a simple flat board carved to the rightshape to a high-tech composite creation made of exotic materials like carbonfiber and Kevlar. The main advantage of more sophisticated and expensivepaddlesistheirmuchlighterweightandstiffnessforagivenweight.Ifyouaretravelinglongdistancesbycanoe,youwillbewieldingthepaddlehourafterhour,dayafterday,andeveryounceofweightsavingsinthepaddlewillhelpdecreasethefatigueyouwillfeelfromtheeffort.Butwhenyouchooseapaddle,makesureitisdesignedtowithstandtherigorsofreal-worldtouring,assomeofthelightestpaddlesbuilt for racingmaynotholdupover the longhaul.Manyexperiencedexpeditionpaddlersstillpreferwoodenpaddles,particularlythosecarvedfromasolidpieceofhardwood, suchasash,withnoglued laminations to fail.Awell-madewoodenpaddlecanalsobe lightweightandwellbalanced.Thebottomofthebarrelincanoepaddlesisthecheapvarietywithaluminumshaftsandmoldedplastic blades and handles, such as the type provided by most canoe rentaloutfitters.However,whilesuchpaddlesareclub-likeandinelegant,theyarequitedurable,sohavingoneortwoforaspareinanemergencyisnotabadidea.Seakayakpaddlesaremorecomplex thancanoepaddles,as theyaredouble-endedandusuallyhavetheblades“feathered”oroffsetanywherefrom45to90degreestominimizewindresistanceagainsttheendthat’spushingthroughtheair while the other end is pulling through the water. More traditional“Greenland”-stylekayakpaddlesdonotneed thisoffset,as thebladesare longandnarrow,ratherthanshortandwide.MostmoderntouringkayakpaddlesareacompromisebetweenthenarrowGreenlandstyleandthewidewhitewaterstyleneeded to maximize grip in the water in rough conditions. You can think ofdifferent blade widths as gearing in a kayak paddle, much the same as thegearingonabicycle. Ifyouareout topaddleallday,possiblyagainst thewindandsea,youneedalowergearingsoyoudon’twearyourselfout,andthereforea

longer,narrowerpaddleblade.Bigbladesareforpowersprintsandrough-watermaneuvering,butwillcausefatigueandpossiblyjointinjuryoverthelonghaul.Allkayakpaddlesarelongbydesignandshouldbesizedsothatthepaddlercanstroke rhythmically with either end without having to lean or reach to avoidstrikingthesidesofthekayak.Thebeamofthekayak,aswellastheheightofthepaddler,willdeterminetheoptimumpaddlelength.Becausetheyaresolong,allhigher-quality kayakpaddles featureaquick-disconnect sleeve in themiddle ofthe shaft that enables you to break them down into two pieces for storage ortransport.Youwilldefinitelywanttocarryasparetwo-piecepaddleonthedeckofthekayak,securedbybungeecordswhereitisaccessiblefromthecockpitiftheprimarypaddleislostorbroken.Rowingoarsaremoreusefulthananytypeofpaddleforboatsthatarewiderormuchheavierthancanoesandkayaks.Suchboatsarealsocalled“pullingboats”becausetheoarsmansitsamidships,facingthestern,andpropelstheboatwithapullingstrokeoftwoequal-sizedoarsattachedtothegunwales.Oarscanmakehuman-powered propulsion feasible for much larger boats than canoes andkayaks,someofwhichhaveadditionalrowingstationsfortwoormoreoarsmen.

Canoes

Canoesindifferentvariationsweredevelopedbyindigenouspeopleallovertheworldaccordingtothetypesofmaterialsavailableintheirenvironment.Canoeshavealwaysbeenanidealtypeofwatercraftforpeoplelivingahunter-gathererlifestyle,becausetheycanbemadewithsimplemethodsandtools fromreadilyavailable materials. Dugout canoes carved out of a suitable log are the oldesttypesofcanoe,andcanbeexcellentboatsifshapedbyskilledhands.IhavespentseveraldaysatatimeonriversinCentralAmericapaddlingnativedugoutsandtheyareasefficientasanymoderncanoewhileunderway.Mostaremuchlargerthan the canoes used for recreational paddling today and can carry entirefamiliesorseveralpaddlerswithalargeloadofcargo.Thebiggestdisadvantageof even a small a dugout is its weight, which would make it unsuitable forcarryingfaroverlandorcar-toppingtothewater.Evenmoderncanoesaretheepitomeofsimplicityinboatdesign—justanopen,double-ended hull with no moving parts and no interior structure other thanthwartstomaintainrigidityandracksorbracketstosupportsimplebenchseats.Because they are openwith no decks or hatches, canoes are easy to load andunloadandtogetinandoutof.Thismakesthembetterthananyotherwatercraftfornegotiatingnarrow,winding,log-chokedcreeks,aswellastravelingtheGreatNorthWoods lakecountrywhere theboatmustbeportagedoverland fromonelake toanother.Opencanoesarealsoeasy to fishandhuntoutof.Without thedecksortheconfinedseatingpositionofkayaks,youcanstandinacanoetogetabettervieworclearershotatyourquarryandmostdesignsarestableenoughtoallowpaddlingfromastandingpositionaswellwhenitisnecessarytoscoutthewaters ahead for obstructions. Because they are paddled with a single-bladepaddle from one side of the boat, canoes are the most silent of watercraft. A

skilled paddler can move over the water without a sound, easily approachingunsuspectinggamethatwouldbedifficulttostalkonfoot.

DIFFERENCESINCANOEDESIGN

Modern canoes have developed from their more utilitarian origins to becomehighly specialized craft optimized for a variety of recreational and competitivepursuits. When reading through a typical manufacturer’s catalog, one couldeasilyconcludethatadifferentcanoeisneededforeverytypeofwaterway.Butifyousticktoprovenparametersincanoedesignandignorethelatesttrends,youcanfindahullthatmightbeacompromiseinsomeareas,butwillfunctionwellenoughinall.Thehullformsmostlikelytomeetallyourneedsareusuallythoseclosesttothetraditionalshapesperfectedovermillenniabythosewhodependedonthemasameansofsurvival.Inboatdesign,asmentionedinpreviouschaptersaboutlargercraft,waterlinelengthisdirectlyproportionaltospeed,sothe longerthehull, theeasier itwillmove through the water. In the case of narrow canoe hulls, greater waterlinelength also increases stability and load-carrying ability, as well as improvesstraight-line tracking on open water. Conversely, too much waterline lengthdecreasesmaneuverability,makingitmoredifficulttonegotiatethesharpbendsofcreeksandsmallerriversandthreadthroughtheobstaclesofrapids.Thebestall-around canoes seem to fall in the range of 15 to 18 feet in length, with amaximumbeamofaround33to37inches.Althoughawidercanoemayappearmorestabletotheuninitiated, itwillbeslowertopaddleandwillactuallyhavelesssecondarystabilityinreallyroughwater.Otherdesignconsiderationsincludetheamountofrocker(thechangeinthehull’scurvature)alongthekeelandtheshapeandheightofthebowandsternends.Astraighterkeelwithslightornorockerwill track better and be faster on flatwater than a banana-shaped hulldesignedtodotricksandspinonadimeinwhitewaterrapids.Thebowandsternendsshouldbesymmetricalandshapedwithenoughflareinthemtoprovideliftoverwaves,boththosetakenhead-onandthelargefollowingseasthatcanoccurwhenpaddlingoff thewind.Theendsshouldbehighenough toavoidshippingwater and to deflect spray, but if too high they will catch toomuch wind andmakethecanoedifficulttopaddlestraightinopen,exposedwaters.

EXAMPLEOFALONG-DISTANCETRIPPINGCANOE

OldTownTripper172Thisisaclassicexampleofahigh-volumetandemcanoethatisdesignedfortravelingandcanhandleflatwaterormoderaterapidswithease.At17feet,2incheslongand37incheswide,withadeep-Ventryand25-inch bowheight, it fallswithin proven design parameters for a canoe that cancarry twopeopleandaheavy loadofgearwithminimaleffort.Weighing80 lb.empty, it can carry a total load of up to 1,550 lb.—more than enough for anextended stay in thewilderness.Thehull ismadeofhigh-impactandabrasion-

resistant Royalex for durability and low maintenance. MSRP is $1589.00 andmoreinfoisavailableatwww.oldtowncanoe.com.

SeaKayaks

Duetomyextensivepersonalexperiencewiththem,Ihaveastrongbiasinfavorofseakayakswhenitcomestohuman-poweredwatercraft.I’vetraveledaloneforliterallythousandsofmilesina17-footNeckyTeslaalongexposedcoastlines,up-anddownstreamonmajorrivers,andislandhoppingintheopenocean.WiththisboatI’vetraveledfromtheCanadianNorthWoodstotheGulfCoastandthroughtheWest Indies from Florida to the Virgin Islands. I’ve seen first-hand how aseaworthyoceankayakcanventureoutondayswhentheweatherkeepslargercraft inport, andhow it can reachsurf-bound rockybeachesandothercoastalhideawaysthatareinaccessiblebyanyotherpracticalmeans.AnArcticTern,aDIYwoodenseakayakbuiltfromakitbyPygmyBoats

Myownadventurespaleincomparisontosomemodernseakayakingexploits,however, suchasEdGillet’soceancrossing fromCalifornia toHawaii andPaulCaffyn’ssolocircumnavigationofthecontinentofAustralia.Likethecanoe,themodernseakayakisasimple,lightweightvesselderivedfromaboriginalorigins—in thiscase thenativesof thearcticandsub-arctic regionsofNorthAmericaandGreenland.Modernadventurershaverediscoveredtheoceangoingkayakandits amazing capacity to do things no other vessel can. Lightweight and smallenoughtobecarried to thebeachona lonepaddler’sshoulder, it isseaworthyenoughtonegotiatebreakingsurfandmakelongjourneysontheopenocean.Thekeytothekayak’sextraordinaryseaworthinessisthewatertightdeckandsealedcockpit.Adeckedboatwithnoplaceforwatertoentercansurvivealmostanywave, bobbing back to the surface like a cork even after being completely

submerged.Unlike largerboatsthatdependsolelyontheshapeoftheirhullortheweightofballasttokeepthemuprightinroughseas,inakayak,thepaddlerliterallybecomespartoftheboatandcanusebracingtechniqueswiththepaddleto create outrigger stability or even right the boat after it is capsized to aninvertedposition.Withawatertightsprayskirtthatsealsthepaddlertotheboatat the waist, there is a seamless transition between paddler and boat with noplaceforwatertoenter.Theauthor’sNeckyTesla,a long-distancetouringseakayak,ataremote islandcampsite

Another feature youwill notice onmost touring-style sea kayaks is the smallretractableruddermountedonthestern.Thisrudderisnotdesignedtosteertheboatsomuchastohelpittrackstraight.Asmentionedinthekeyconsiderations,it’sdifficulttokeepapaddle-poweredboattrackinginastraightlineduetowind,current,oratendencytopaddletoohardononesideortheother.Ifyouhavetofightwitheveryotherstroketokeepyourkayakgoingstraight,youwillwearoutmuch faster. A rudder with foot controls can make subtle corrections in yourcourseandusingitthiswaybecomessubconsciousovertimeandallowsyoutofocus all your paddling effort into forward motion. Some kayaks utilize aretractableskeg(extensionofthekeel)insteadofarudderforthesamepurpose.Otherkayakdesignshavehull formsthattracksowell thatarudderorskegisnotneeded.Oneof these is theArcticTern17modeldescribedbelow.Ruddersaddmovingpartstotheboatthattakeawaysomeofthesimplicity,butmodernmanufacturers have learned how to build these parts strong enoughwithstandexpeditionuse,sotheyareunlikelytogiveyoutrouble.

CHOOSINGASEAKAYAK

Justaswithcanoes,therearemanydifferenttypesofseakayaks,butforserioustravelorbug-outpurposesthebestchoicesarehigh-volumetouringmodelsthatcan carry the required gear and supplies and are long enough to be fast andefficient.Thisgenerallymeansalengthof17or18feetandabeamof23to25inches. Avoid the more performance-oriented narrower boats, as they will nothavesufficientvolumeforyourgear.Largertandemseakayaksarealsoavailable

if you are bugging out as a couple. These could be useful if one person is asignificantlyweakerorlessexperiencedpaddler,butifnot,twopeoplewouldbebetterservedbytheversatilityoftwoseparatekayaksthatwouldhaveagreatercombinedpayloadthanalargedouble.One type of double kayak that is extremely useful and capable is the foldingkayak, which is comprised of a take-apart wooden, aluminum, or plasticframework ontowhich a skin ofwaterproof canvas or other similarmaterial isstretched.Modern folding kayaks feature toughHypalon hull bottoms that canwithstand hitting rocks and other objects as well as any kayak. These are thetypes of kayaks often chosen for military use, as alreadymentioned. They aretypically beamier than hard-shell kayaks and consequently can carry a muchheavier load.Adisassembledkayakof this typecouldbeeasilycarried inmostother vehicles and larger boats as a backup means of bug-out transportation.Theyareexpensivecomparedtohard-shellkayaks,butcouldbeworth it ifyouneedthefoldingfeature.

SEAKAYAKDISADVANTAGES

Sea kayaks are a bit inconvenient compared to canoes because the watertightdeck thatmakes them so seaworthymeans that the cockpit opening has to besmall and any access to the spaces beneath the fore and aft decks is throughrelatively small, watertight hatches. This means that you can’t shove a loadedbackpackorlargeduffelbagintoakayakthewayyoucancasuallytossitintoacanoe. Instead, your gearwill takemore time to load through thehatches andwill have to be divided into many small dry bags or other containers to takeadvantageofalltheinteriorspacebelowdeck.Sea kayaks are also more expensive than canoes and require more essentialequipment simply to function, suchas themorecomplex,double-endedpaddle,the watertight spray skirt already mentioned, and safety gear such as bilgepumps and a paddle float that serves as a stability device for re-entry after acapsize.Newexpedition-typeseakayakscancostanywherefromaround$2,500to $5,000 ormore. The gearmentioned above—along with the other stuff youneedtotravelbykayaklikedrybags,deckcompass,GPS,PFD,flares,etc.—canadd hundreds or thousandsmore. But there are good deals to be found in theusedmarket,asmostownersneversubjecttheirboatstotherigorsofexpeditionuse.Aqualitykayakmadeofgoodmaterialswilllastmanyyearsorevendecadesifnotabused.

SOMETOURINGSEAKAYAKEXAMPLES

CurrentDesignsSolsticeGTCurrentDesigns is a top-notchmanufacturerofquality sea kayaks, and the Solstice GT is one of the best examples availabletodayofahigh-volumeexpeditionkayakthatcancarryyouandallyourgearonpracticallyallwaters.At17feet,7incheslong,withamaximumbeamamidships

ofjustover24inches,itcancarry475lb.andhasalltherightdesignparametersforgoodcruisingspeed,steadytracking,andhandlingroughconditions.Itcomesstandardwithafoot-controlledrudderandisavailableinfiberglassconstruction,weighing54lb.for$3,199,oralighterKevlarversionthatcomesinat49lb.for$3,599.MoreinformationonthisandotherCurrentDesignsmodelsisavailableatwww.cdkayak.com.Pygmy Arctic Tern 17 High Volume If you want save some money on anexcellentnewkayakinsteadofshoppingtheusedmarket,oneofthebestoptionsto do so is to build your own from one of the top-notch kits offered by PygmyBoats.Thesekits alloweven someonewithout specializedboatbuilding skills tocomplete a high-quality, super-lightweight, and durable wood and fiberglasscompositekayakthatisequaltoorbetterthananyproductionseakayakonthemarket. I currentlyown thestandardversionof thehard-chinedArcticTern17that I built about 12 years ago, and it has proven to be a great-handling andseaworthyboat that is fastandeasy topaddle. If Iweredoing itagain today, IwouldchoosethenewerHighVolumemodelinsteadforadditionalload-carryingcapability. Completed, theArctic Tern 17HighVolumewill be lighter than anyplasticorfiberglasskayakyoucanbuy,atjust43lb.Thepriceforthecompletekit with all the wood parts, epoxy, and fiberglass is $965. More about PygmyBoatscanbefoundonlineatwww.pygmyboats.com.Touringseakayakspulleduponabeach

Feathercraft K2 Expedition If you need a folding double kayak with anenormous 700 lb. load-carrying ability, then the Feathercraft K2 Expedition,which has been proven in some of the world’s toughest marine environments,couldbeworthtakingalookat.Thisbigkayakpacksdownto44”x23”x14”whendisassembled,andweighs87lb.Itcomeswithafoot-controlledrudder,twosprayskirts,arepairkit,deckrigging,andmanyaccessories.Thistypeoffoldingkayakistypicallymoreexpensivethanhard-shelledkayaks,andFeathercraftisatop-of-the-linemaker of such boats. The price for this model, which is their flagshipdouble,is$7,414.00.Moreinformationcanbefoundatwww.feathercraft.com.

Sit-On-Tops,Hybrids,andPirogues

Forlong-distancetravelbypaddle,thereisnoquestionthatfull-sizedcanoesandtouring-stylekayaksasdescribedabovearethebestchoices.Eithertypeofboatofferslongwaterlinelengthforspeedandglidebetweenstrokes,aswellasgoodload-carrying capability for the gear and supplies needed on a long journey.However, there are other situations, such as negotiating twisting or confinedwaterwayslikesmallcreeks,wherelonghullsdesignedtotrackstraightarenotoptimal. Inother situations,whereoperating inextremely roughwater suchassurf or rapids is required, some of the self-draining sit-on-top typekayaks thathave become popular for saltwater fishing are more convenient than deckedkayaks.Sit-on-topkayaksarewiderandhavemore initial stability than touringkayaks, making them ideal platforms for fishing, hunting, and other tasks youmay need a boat for in a survival situation.While some have a longwaterlinelength and watertight storage compartments fore and aft, enabling them tofunctionastouringkayaks,mostareshorterandmorecompactforconvenienceof transport andmaneuverability on thewater.Forbugging-outpurposes, theirbest use would be as auxiliary craft carried on the decks of larger escapewatercraft or liveaboard boats as discussed in previous chapters. In this role,theycouldbeaninvaluabletoolandmeansoftransportationtoplacesthemainvesselcannotgo.Anewclassofpaddlecraftusuallyreferredtoas“hybrids”or“crossovers”hasevolvedfromthepopularityofsit-on-topkayakstomeettheneedsofthosewhowantadrierrideandmoreprotectionforgearthanastandardopensit-on-top.Thesehybridsaresomethingofacrossbetweenacanoeandakayak.Unlikesit-on-tops,whichhaveopen,form-fittingcockpitswithmoldedseatsforoneortwopaddlers andmaybea storage compartment or twoaccessedby small hatches,hybridshaveflexibleinteriorspacewithcanoe-likeseatsandroomforbackpacksand other oddly sized and shaped cargo. Most are designed to be extremelystable,withmoldedplastichullsusingatunnel-hulltypedesignthatisalmostlikeamini-pontoon boat. This makes it possible to stand and do other things thatwouldbeimpossibleinmosthullsonly12to14feetlong.Pirogues are a traditional type ofwatercraft in about the same size range asmanysit-on-topsorhybrids,butcompletelydifferentintermsoftheircapabilitiesand intended purpose. Although the word “pirogue” has been used for manytypes of boats around the world, the one I’m referring to here is the CajunpirogueevolvedintheswampsofsouthLouisiana,mostlikelyasaderivativeofthenativedugoutsusedintheregionpreviously.Piroguestypicallyhavedoubleendslikecanoes,butmuchlowerfreeboardandanarrow,flatbottom.Theyaredesigned to operate in calm waters only, and excel at negotiating the narrow,windingbayousandfloodedforeststypicaloftheDeepSouth,eitherbypaddlingor poling. Cajun fishermen typically carried them across the gunwales of theirlargerboatstogetintomoreremoteareasnootherboatcouldreach.Usedthiswayasanauxiliarycraft,apiroguemightbequitehelpfulifyouareplanningtobugoutintoswampcountry.Piroguesaresimplecraft,easytobuildyourselffor

verylittlemoneyfromeitherplywoodorthetraditionalmaterial:cypresslumber.

EXAMPLEOFAHYBRIDBOAT

NativeWatercraftUltimate14.5TandemTheUltimate14.5Tandemisoneofseveral designs in the Native Watercraft Ultimate line. This model has theadvantageoverthesmalleronesofbeingconvertiblefromasolocrafttoatwo-personseatingandpaddlingconfiguration.Thisboatcouldbegoodchoiceasanauxiliary boat to carry on the deck of a larger boat or for those who need tooperateonsmallwaterwayswherelargercanoesandkayakswouldbeawkward.Thetunnel-hulledUltimate14.5offersanincrediblystableplatforminaboatthatisonly30”wideandweighs71lb.It’seasytostandinwithoutfearofcapsizingandhasa load-carrying capacity of 450 lb.TheUltimate14.5Tandemsells for$1,349andthemanufacturer’swebsiteiswww.nativewatercraft.com.

RowingVessels

Mostrowingvesselsarequitedifferent in theircapabilitiesanddesignpurposethan canoes and sea kayaks, but I’m including themhere as they are the onlyother class of practical human-poweredwatercraft thatmight serve as bug-outboats. Most of them have few advantages over paddle craft, except in caseswhereyouneedabiggerboat to carrya lotof extragearandsupplies, or youhavemoresmallchildrenthanyoucanfitintoacanoeanddonotwanttosplitupyour family into two or more boats to accommodate everyone. Some rowingvessels, especially those descended fromworking craft used as ship’s tenders,lifeboats, or fishing boats in the days before internal combustion engines, arequite seaworthy and are capable of undertaking serious voyages in most anyconditions.Suchboats includedouble-endeddories thatcannegotiatebreakingsurforbigriverrapidsaswellasrecreationalcanoesandkayaks.Another use of rowing vessels is in the role of tenders, or dinghies, carriedaboard larger craft. If your bug-out plans include any type of floating mobileretreat,suchasamotoryacht,sailboat,orhouseboatasdiscussedinChapterSix,youwill need to have some type of small boat aboard to get to shore from ananchorage,haul supplies to themother ship,andperformanynumberofothertasks.Whilerecreationalboatersoftenpreferrubberinflatabledinghies,suchasthe typicalZodiacpoweredbyanoutboard, inaSHTFsituation, fuelwillbe inshort supply and inflatable boats will be too susceptible to damage anddeterioration that can limit their useful life. A sturdy rowboat of wood orfiberglassisabetterworkhorse,andinthiscasearowboatisabettervesselthanacanoeorkayakbecause itcanbeboardedeasily fromalongsidethebigboat.Unlikecanoesandkayaks, rowboatscanbedesigned invery short lengthsandstillbeefficientunderthepowerofoars.Somedinghies lessthantenfeet longareeasytorowandhavetheadvantageoftakingupverylittleroomwhenstowedonthedecksoflargercraft.

EQUIPMENTCHECKLISTFORHUMAN-POWEREDBOATSSAFETYANDNAVIGATIONEQUIPMENT:

PFD(personalflotationdevice)foreachpersonHandheldflaresor12-gaugeflaregunSignalmirrorWaterproofbinocularsHand-bearingcompassHandheldGPSreceiver/chartplotterPapernauticalchartsoftheregionSunprotection(wide-brimmedhatandsunglasses)

TOOLSANDSPAREPARTS:MultitoolwithbasichandtoolsHullrepairkitandmaterials(specifictohullmaterialtype)DucttapeMarinesiliconesealantEpoxyorotherwaterproofglue Spare hardware, cables, etc. (for seats, rudders and other movingparts)Foldingsaw,rasp,sandpaper,andothertoolstomakepaddlesandoarsfromwoodSewingkitforcanvasandotherfabricrepairsPlentyofspareline(Dacronornylonrope)inassortedsizesSparebungeecordsorlengthsofshockcord

CANOE-SPECIFICEQUIPMENT:PaddleandsparepaddleforeachpersonBailingscoopandspongetoremovewaterDrybagsandtie-downstrapstosecuregearBowandsternpaintersforsecuringboatAccessiblerescueknifeThrowablerescuelineandfloat

SEAKAYAK-SPECIFICEQUIPMENT:PrimarypaddleTwo-piecesparepaddlesecuredondeckWatertightsprayskirtPFDdesignedtoworkwithkayakseatingpositionManualbilgepumpsecuredwithinreachBailingspongeAccessiblerescueknifeDeckriggingconsistingofbungeecordsandgrablinesforself-rescueBowandsternpaintersPaddle-floatself-rescuedevice

Deck-mountednavigationcompassROWINGVESSELEQUIPMENT:

PrimaryoarsSparepairofoarsSparesetofoarlocksAnchorandrodeforlargercraftBoathookBowandsternpaintersThrowablePFDandlinePump,bailer,orbucket

EXAMPLEOFACAMP-CRUISING-TYPEROWBOAT

PhilBolger–DesignedGypsyThe15-footGypsy,designedtobebuiltinplywoodwitha fiberglassandepoxy sheathingover thehull, is anexcellent lightweightrowboatthatcanbecar-toppedlikeacanoe,yetcancarryagoodloadofgearforitssize.Withabeamof4feetandasleek,low-windageprofile,thisisaneasilydriven boat you can row for long distances. If you add decks and watertightstorage as my brother did when he built one, it can handle choppy coastalconditionsaswell.TheBolgerGypsyrequiresonlyfivesheetsof¼-inchmarineplywoodforconstructionofthehullandisfastandeasytoputtogetherforatotalcostofjustafewhundreddollars.Ifyouwanttotryyourhandatbuildingone,plansare$40fromwww.instantboats.com.

PartIV

FixedRetreats

10

SITE-BUILTNATURALSHELTERS&LONGER-TERMPORTABLESHELTERS

Mostpeoplethinkofbuggingoutinitsmostbasicform,whichinvolvespackingeverythingyouneedtosurviveforatleastafewdaysandpossiblymuchlongerinto a bug-out bag (BOB), as I described in Bug Out: The Complete Plan forEscapingaCatastrophicDisasterBeforeIt’sTooLate.Sinceshelterisoneoftheprimary needs in any kind of survival situation, and any bug-out plan shouldinclude preparations to meet this need, most well-stocked bug-out bags willinclude at least a versatile tarp, if not a lightweight backpacking-style tent toserveastemporaryshelterwhileonthego.Itisalwaysagoodideatohavesomeformofshelterlikethiswithyou,evenifyouroriginalplans involvebuggingoutwithoneof thevarious typesofmobileretreatsalreadydiscussed.Havingameansofbivouackingon thegogivesyougreatflexibilityifyouareunabletosticktoyourpreplannedrouteorreachyourpreplannedbug-outlocation.Youcansurvivethiswayifthereisnootheroption,but it will not be as comfortable or as secure as bugging out to a locationcomplete with a larger shelter that you have built or moved into the area inadvance.This chapterwill cover two different types of shelters that can providemuchgreater long-term comfort than bugging out with a tent or tarp, but still offerflexibilityinthattheycanbesetupvirtuallyanywhere,withoutrequiringyoutotransportbuildingmaterialsoraprefabrigidstructuretothesite.Thefirsttypeincludes naturally occurring shelters such as caverns and rock overhangs thatcanbeimprovedonwithalittleeffort,andsite-builtsheltersmadefromnaturalmaterials,thedesignandconstructionofwhichwillvarygreatlyaccordingtotheclimateandthenaturalresourcesavailable.Inmostcasesthesewillbecopiesof,or variationsof, provendesignsusedby indigenouspeople in the samekindofenvironment.Thistypeofstructurecanalsobebuiltlater,afteryoubugoutintoaremote locationand findthatyouneedmoreprotection fromtheelementsorneedtostayinonelocationlongerthanyouoriginallyplanned.Thesecondtypeofsheltercoveredhereisthelonger-termportableshelter—atake-downshelterthatisboughtormadeinadvanceandmovedintothebug-outlocation for assembly. These are generally much larger than backpacking orrecreationalcamping-style tentsandcanbeheatedwithawoodstoveora firepit, extending the rangeof comfort and livability andmaking themsuitable forfour-seasonuseinmostareas.Suchsheltersincludecanvaswalltents,teepees,andyurts.Thiskindofportableshelterwillbemuchtoobigandheavytopackinonfoot,butcouldbecarriedwithyouortakenintotheareainadvanceifyouareusingpackanimalsor suitablebug-out vehicles suchasATVsorboatsof sometypetoreachthearea.

EssentialElementsofShelterConstructionandLocation

ProtectionfromtheElementsKeep inmind that theprimarypurposeofanyshelteristoprovideprotectionfromtheelements,andifitdoesn’tdothat,itisoflittleuseforanythingelse.Thisincludesprotectionfromthesun,fromthecold,andfromwind,rain,andsnow.PositionRelative toNaturalFeaturesandHazards The shelter shouldbelocated so that it takes advantage of naturalwindbreaks if possible, aswell asexposuretoearlymorningsuntoquicklywarmitupafterachillynight.Itshouldbeoutof thepathof fallingbranches,dead trees, loose rocks,andavalanches,andaboveanyfloodplainorlowareasubjecttoflashflooding.FreeofPlantandWildlifeHazards Ideally,yourshelterwillnotbe locatednearpoisonousplants,areasofdensemosquitopopulations,orcoloniesornestsofotherinsectpestssuchasfireants,wasps,orbees.Ifyourbug-outlocationisinwarmorswampyareas, itshouldbe locatedoff thegroundor inopenareaswheresnakes,alligatorsandothercrawlinganimalscaneasilybeseen.Inareaswith largepredatorssuchasbearsandmountain lions, locate theshelterawayfromgametrailsanddensusedbytheseanimals.AvailabilityofBuildingMaterialsAsite-built,primitiveshelterwillbemucheasiertoconstructifalltherequiredmaterialsareintheimmediatevicinityandyoudon’thavetospendalotoftimesearchingforthemandmovingthemtothesite.Trytouseaconstructionmethodthatworkswiththenaturalmaterialsyouhaveavailablecloseathand.Fire-Building and FirewoodSupply The shelter should provide level spaceforsleepingandhaveroomforadesignated firepitwithventilation forsmoke.Large quantities of firewood should be available in the immediate vicinity,especially inwinter or in colder regions,where your survivalwill depend on areliableheatsource.Water Supply A reliable source of drinking water should be close by. Avoidsetting up the shelter directly on the banks of rivers or streams, however, asthese are natural travel corridors and may lead unwanted guests to yourdoorstep. Fast-moving water can also drown out the sounds of approachingdanger,suchasfootstepsorvoices.It’sbesttohideyourcampoutofsiteofthewatersource,butwithinreasonabledistanceforcarryingwater.StrategicLocationandConcealmentKeepinmindthathumanstravelinginwildareastendtotakethepathofleastresistance,asdomostanimals,andwillfollow trails and waterways if possible, avoiding thickets, steep slopes, deepravines, and other difficult areas. Make it unlikely that someone will stumbleuponyourshelterbylocatingit indifficultterrainornearlyimpenetrablebrushand forest. Use natural camouflage to conceal it by making it blend into thelandscape asmuch as possible and avoid clearing out underbrush andmakingotheralterationsthatwillbeobvioustoanyonepassingnearby.Advance Work: Building, Moving Materials, and Hauling in Portable

SheltersRememberthatthekindsofsheltersdiscussedherewillrequiremoreworktobuildorsetupthanthelightweightbackpackingtentsyoumightcarryin

abug-outbag.Planonseveraltripstoyourbug-outlocationinadvance,firsttofindtheidealspotfortheshelter,thentobuilditoratleasthaulinthetoolsandadditionalmaterialsyoumightneedlater.Ifyou’reusingalargeportableshelter,youmightalsowanttomoveittothelocationandkeepitpackedandhidden,oriftheareaissufficientlyremotethatitwon’tbefound,evensetitupinadvance.

NaturalCavesandRockShelters

Thesimplesttypeoflong-termprimitiveshelterisoneofthenaturallyoccurringrocksheltersthatcanoftenbefoundinmountainousareasorrocky,hillyterrain.Suchsheltersare typicallyrockyoverhangsoften foundat thebaseofbluffsorcliffs or in the walls of river canyons or ravines. Some of these are shallowdepressionsjustdeepenoughforanindividualorafewpeopletogetunder,whileothersarelargeenoughtoshelteralargeencampment.InNorthAmerica,mostof these large overhangs were well-known and used by the Native Americantribeswhoonce lived in theareaswhere theyare found.Aroundmanyof themyoucanstill findevidenceoftheirancientuseastemporaryorsemi-permanentshelters in the form of artifacts, pottery shards, or flakes from Stone Agetoolmaking.Suchrockyoverhangsareidealsheltersinmanyways,astheirrockwalls provide naturalwindbreaks and reflect heat from fire pits. They are alsooftenstrategically located,overlookingriversorcanyons,and/ordifficult togetto,sometimesborderingoninaccessible.Today,mostofthelargerrocksheltersofthistypethatwereknowntobeancientdwellingplacesarewell-knowntoarearesidents,andevenmanyof themthataredeep inwildernessareashavetrailsleading to them. These would obviously not make good bug-out locations. Butdespitethis,inanyareawheresuchrockoverhangsoccur,therewillusuallybemanymoresmalleronesinadditiontothelarge,spectacularexamples,andmanyofthesewillbefaroffthebeatenpathandseldomifevervisited.OneofthemostinterestingthingsI’veevercomeacrosswhilebackpackingwasjustsucharockshelterinaremotepartoftheGilaWildernessinNewMexico.Following an established trail along a creek with steep slopes covered inponderosapineforestoneitherside,Ijusthappenedtostopatarandomspotfora drink of water and a brief rest. As I stood looking around and catching mybreath, I noticed something that didn’t seem quite right on the mountainsideseveral hundred feet above the trail. It looked like it could be a cave, but Icouldn’t be sure. It would have been impossible to reach it with the heavybackpack,soIleftmygearbehindandscrambleduptheslopetothedarkareaintherockwall.Muchtomysurprise,whenIfinallyreachedit,Ifoundalargerockoverhangwithabarricadeofsharpenedlogsformingapalisadeacross itsopenfront. It had clearly been someone’s frontier home or camp, and when I wentthroughanarrowopeninginthewallIfoundblackenedcookingutensilsaroundafirepit,alongwithmanyPrinceEdwardtobaccocansdatingfromthe1920s. Itappearedthatnoonehadbeeninthesheltersincetheoriginalinhabitantleftit,andIneverwouldhavespotteditifIhadnotpausedatthatexactspotmidwayon a 30-mile loop hike. Whoever built the barricade across the entrance was

probablytryingtokeepoutbearsormountainlions.Fromthehistoryofthearea,I concluded that it was most likely the semi-permanent camp of a silverprospector,astheareawasnotfarfromthetinytownofMogollon,wheretherewasoncealotofminingactivity.Thismodifiednaturalrockshelterstruckmeasaperfectsetupforlivinginthatparticular area. Requiring much less work than building a cabin, it had aninteriorthatwaswell-protectedfromwind,rain,andsnowandeasytoheatwitha central firepit thatwould ventnaturally at thepeakof theopening.The logpalisadeaddedameasureofsecurityanddefensibility,andthestreambelowwaswithinareasonabledistancetohaulwater.If you are lucky enough to be in an area where your bug-out location mayinclude natural features such as rock shelters and caverns, itwill be easier toscout out and locate one of these than to build or haul in any other kind ofstructure,andprobablywilloffermoreshelterorsecurityaswell.However,youshould be very careful when entering such an opening for the first time,especiallyadarkcavernorarockshelterwithacaveentranceopening into it.Wildanimalsknowthevalueofsuchplacesaswell,andyoucouldinadvertentlystumbleuponabearormountainliondenandfindyourselfinaverydangerousposition. Before approaching any opening you can’t see into, look around thesurrounding area carefully for tracks, droppings, or other signs of animals.Rattlesnakesareanotherdangeryoumayencounterinthesekindsofplaces,asare wasps or bees. Use caution, approach slowly, and don’t enter a dark holewithout a flashlight or torch. Also,make sure the overhanging rock is stable—avoidcrumbling,fragmentedrockthatmaycavein.Inareaswheretherearenorockcliffsorbluffs,suchastheriverbottomswamplandsintheSoutheast,youmayfindsimilaroverhangsatthebaseofclaybluffs.Mostofthesewouldnotbesafe touseasa long-termshelter,but sometimesyoucan findgoodshort-termshelter in clay banks, especially in places where the roots of large trees areholding the bank together but floodwaters have carved out “caverns” beneaththem.Youcaneffectively increasetheprotectionofanaturalrockoverhangwithoutdoingall thehardworkof felling largetreestobuildanelaboratepalisade likethe frontier dwelling I found inNewMexico. Othermaterials, such as stackedrocksordeadfallandbrushfromthesurroundingarea,canserveasawindbreakwhileeffectively concealing the shelter if arranged inahaphazard fashion thatappearsnatural.Stackinglogsorrocksadjacenttothefirepityoubuildcanhelpconcentratetheheatinasmallerareasoyouwon’tneedtoburnasmuchfuel.

PrimitiveStructures:TemporarySheltersandSemi-PermanentDwellings

Inmostpotentialbackcountrybug-outlocations,theresimplyaren’tanynaturalshelterstobefound;orifthereare,theyareoftenunsuitableforthepurposeforonereasonoranother.Theymaybeinsufficientlyremotetobesecure,noteasily

accessible without dangerous climbing, or not close enough to food or watersources.Thislackofanadequateamountofnaturalshelterledprimitiveculturesall over the world to develop ingenious structures suited to their particularenvironmentsanddesignedtomakeuseofwhatevernaturalmaterialscouldbefound there. Examples include the bark houses of the Woodland Indians ofeasternNorthAmerica, the igloosmadeof iceby theEskimosand Inuit of theArctic,andhutsofbambooandthatchbuiltbytribesinthetropicalzones.Everyenvironment you might conceivably bug out to offers some kind of naturalbuildingmaterialthatcouldbeusedtomakeatemporaryorpermanentshelter.Studyingthedesignsandconstructionmethodscanbeafascinatingexercise,andactually going out and building such a structure will go a long way towardincreasingyourconfidenceinyoursurvivalskillsshouldyoueverhavetobugoutwithout the convenience of your mobile retreat or high-tech fabric and frametent.

DEBRISHUTS:QUICK-TO-BUILDEMERGENCYSHELTERS

Thedebrishutisthesimplestprimitiveshelteryoucanbuild,andknowinghowtomakeonecouldsaveyourlifeifyouarecaughtoutinthewildincoldweatherwithout modern gear or a means to make fire. This is essentially a cocoon ofnatural insulatingmaterial thatkeepsout thecoldandholds inyourbodyheatmuchasasleepingbagdoes.It’snotacomfortableplacetospendalotoftimebut it can suffice as a place to sleep while you work on a larger shelter. I’vetested these on more than one occasion in temperatures below freezing anddiscoveredthattheyworkwell.Buildingonestartswithsettingupalow,slopingridgepole,withoneendonthegroundandtheothersupportedbyatree,stump,or A-frame of two shorter poles. You thenmake a framework by leaning largesticksagainst theridgepole,angledout to thegroundoneitherside toprovideenoughspaceforsleeping,butnotsobigthatthereistoomuchairspaceforyourbodyheattowarm.Thenextstepistopileontheinsulation,whichcanconsistofleaves, brush, tree bark, leafy boughs, grasses, and sticks of assorted sizes(hence the name “debris” hut). The insulation layers should add up to two orthreefeetthick,steeplyangleddownfromtheridgepoletoshedrainandsnow.

LEAN-TOSHELTERS

Thelean-toisanotherbasicshelterthatiseasytobuildandcanserveasaquickovernight campsite or amore long-term shelter, depending on its size and thecare you take in its construction. It is essentially a sloping roof, the high sidesupported by a horizontal pole held up by two trees or poles and the low sideterminating on the ground, forming not only a roof overhead, but a wall orwindbreakonone side. It canbe left in this configurationorpartiallyenclosedwithsidewallsforbetterwindprotection.Afirebuiltnearthefrontopeningcanbekeptprotectedfromtherain,yetwillstillventwell.Asmallreflectorwallof

stackedlogsorstonesbuiltontheoppositesideofthefirecanhelpretainheatwithin the lean-to.Afteryousecurethe tophorizontalpole,buildingtherestofthelean-toissimple,andinvolvesplacingseverallongpolesofequallengthfromtheridgetotheground,keepingthespacingcloseenoughthatyoucanthenlashoncrossmemberstosupporttheroofingmaterial.Theroofitselfcanbemadeoflarge slabs of bark, evergreen boughs interwoven and stacked deeply, orthatchingofgrasses,reeds,orsuitablelongleavessuchaspalmettos.

THATCHED-ROOFHUTS

Thatchroofinginmanyvariationscanbeusedonmostanyprimitiveshelterfromthesimplestlean-tosheltertothelargestraised-platformhutortreehouse.Mostpeopleimmediatelythinkofpalmtreeswhentheythinkofthatchedhuts,andit’struethatlargepalmfrondsmakeidealthatchingmaterial.Butyoudon’thavetobugouttoatropicalislandtomakeuseofthisroofingmethod.Thatchingcanbedonewithmany types of plantmaterials, includingmost reeds andgrasses, aswell as themoreobvious choices youmight find if youare in the southeasternportion of the U.S., such as cattails or palmetto leaves. Once you have aframeworkoflashedsupportpolesforaroof,youcanadaptthestructuretosuitthematerialsyouhaveavailablebylashingonsmallersaplingsascrosspiecestofix the thatching material to. The distance between these crosspieces will bedeterminedby the lengthof thebundlesofgrassorothermaterial.The longerthe thatching material, the faster the roofing process will go. Applying thethatching is similar to laying shingles: you start at the bottom, lashing thebundles on while packing them as close together as possible. The next rowoverlapsthefirstcrosspieceandthetopedgeofthefirstrowofthatching.Ifthebundlesarecloselypackedandthickenough,andtheslopeof theroof issteepenough,athatchedroofwillbedryevenintheheaviestrain.

RAISEDPLATFORMHUTSANDTREEHOUSES

In some environments, particularly in hot andhumid areas such as the swampcountryoftheDeepSouthorjungleregions,indigenouspeopleoftenbuilttheirshelters off the ground. This serves two purposes: better air circulation andventilationforenduringswelteringhotnights,andgettingsleepingareasabovemud or standing water on the forest floor, not to mention all the undesirableinsects, snakes,andothercreaturescommon in suchplaces.While traveling intheMosquitia region ofHonduras andNicaragua, I spentmany nights in suchraised-platformhutsandfoundthemtobecomfortableanddryevenintorrentialtropical downpours. In this area, entire villages consisted of such houses,elevated on a framework of wooden poles, the floors and walls made of splitbambooandtheroofsofpalmthatch.Mostoftheplatformsthatformthefloorswere less than ten feet off the ground. Unless you have dangerous animals toworry about, even a platform two or three feet off the ground will have the

desiredbenefits.Aneasierwaytobuildsucharaisedplatformshelteristousestandingtreesasthesupportpolesratherthancuttingandsettingposts.Ifyouareinaforestarea,thisiseasytodo,andstructurescanbebuiltbetweenanynumberoftrees,fromtwotofourormore,dependingonthesizeoftheplatformyouneed.Horizontalbeamscanbemadefromlargesaplingsorsmalltreesofasizethatyoucancutwithamachete,aslongasthespanbetweensupporttreesisnottoogreat.Theeasiestway to attach them in awilderness situationwhere youprobablywon’thave nails or lag screws is to lash them, eitherwith rope you brought for thepurposeorwithvinesorropemadefromnaturalfibersfoundinthearea.Usingnaturalmaterialswillbemuchmoretime-consumingandrequiremoreskill,soifyouareplanning tobuild thiskindofshelter, it isagood idea tobringenoughropewithyou.Lashingropecanbeassmallas3/16or¼-inchaslongasitisofastrong synthetic material such as nylon or Dacron. Several turns around eachconnectionwill hold a considerable weight. The floor platform can be finishedwithastructuralframeworkofadditionalpoleslashedacrossthesemainbeams,followed by a matting of smaller branches or saplings placed close enoughtogethertoallowstanding,sitting,andsleepingonthefloor.Youcanusethesamesupporttreestolashonahorizontalridgepoleforaroof,either of an A-frame or lean-to style. An interlaced framework of saplings orbranches here forms the base for a roof that can be thatched with palmettoleaves, bundles of grass or reeds, or layers of bark or evergreen boughs,dependingonwhat’savailableinthearea.This same kind of structure lashed between tree trunks could technically becalled a tree house, especially if it is elevated high off the ground. The mainreasonssomeprimitivegroupsbuilt treehouseswere toget farenoughoff thegroundtobesafefrompredatorsortomakedefenseagainstothergroupseasier.Inabug-outsituation,youmightconsideratreehouseshelter forconcealmentpurposes,especiallyinplaceslikehardwoodbottomlandforestswheretherearelotsofbig, leafytrees.Withthehelpofa friend, Ioncebuiltsuchatreehouseabout40feetoffthegroundinahugebeechtree.Wehauledthesupportpolesuponeat a timeby ropeand lashed thembetween the spreadingbranchesof thetree to form the floorplatform.Theclosest limb to the forest floorwas20 feethigh, andwe accessed the tree house by climbing a largewild grapevine thatgrewalongsidethetrunk.Fromtheground,theplatformwaswellconcealedbythecanopyandwouldnotbenoticedbyanyonepassingthroughunlesstheywerespecificallylookingforit.

STACKEDLOGORROCKHOGANS

If you need somethingmore substantial than a lean-to or raised platform hut,particularlyinmountainousorcoldregions,youcouldbuildasimplebutsturdytype of shelter called a “hogan” with stacked logs or rocks. The hogan mostpeople think of is the round adobe or log structure favored by the NativeAmericansofthesouthwesternU.S.,butitdoesn’thavetoberoundanditcanbe

anysizeyouneed.Ahogan isquickerandeasier tobuild thanatraditional logcabinbecauseitdoesnotrequirelargelogsofuniformsizeorthenotchingandassembly techniques needed for log cabin building. The stacked-log hogan isconstructed by setting stakes in the ground to define the perimeter of thestructureandtoholdthelogsinposition,astheyarestackedbetweenthestakes.Thelogsaremortaredintoplaceandsealedbyamixtureofmudandgrassesorclay. The roof canbe thatch, bark, or a heavy layer of logs and stackeddebriswiththesamemixtureofmakeshiftmortar lockingitall inplaceandsealingit.Largestackedrockscanbeusedforthewallsiftheyaremorereadilyavailablethan logs.Either typeofhogancanbemadesturdyenough toserveasa long-termwildernesshomeinthesamewaythatalogcabinmight.

MixingModernMaterialsandMethodswiththePrimitive

Although there are many people who enjoy studying primitive technology andmethods,learningancientskills,andputtingthemintopracticeasasurvivaldrillorforresearch,thekindofsurvivalsituationsthatwouldrequireyoutobugouttoawildlocationarenotconducivetopuristpractices.Whileitwouldbegreatifyou were skilled enough to walk naked into the wilderness and procureeverything you need for survival without the aid ofmodern tools ormaterials,most people do not have a lifetime to devote to learning these skills.When itcomestobuildingadry,leak-proofroof,forinstance,it’samazingwhataplastictarp or two can do for your chances of success. Keep this in mind when youconsiderbuildingaprimitiveshelter.Evenifyoudon’twanttopackinoneofthecomplete portable shelters discussed in the next section, you can merge themodernwith theprimitivebycarryinga fewmaterials to“cheat”with.Modernsyntheticrope,ashasalreadybeenmentioned,isinvaluableinlashingstructuralmemberstogether.Youcouldalsocarryinnails,screws,andotherhardwareandthetoolstousethem.Plasticorcanvastarps,rollsofVisquineplasticsheeting,roofing felt, and other modern building materials can all be incorporated intoyourprimitivebug-outshelter.I’veseeneverycombinationofthisimaginableinmy travels inLatinAmericaand theCaribbean.Noneof theMiskito IndiansorothersI’vemetlivinginremotelocationswouldturndowntheopportunitytogettheirhandsonapieceofplasticinanyform,andeveninremotevillageswherealltravelisbydugoutcanoe,sheetsoftinroofinghauledupriverfromthecoastcouldbeseenonafewofthebamboohouses.

Wallor“Cabin”Tents

Thecomfortlevelthatagoodheavy-dutycanvastentcanofferforbothshort-andlong-term living should not be underestimated. This kind of tent bears littleresemblancetotheultra-lightnylonfabrictentsmostpeopleuseforrecreationalcampingorbackpacking.Traditionalheavy-canvaswalltentshavebeenaroundalot longer,but felloutof favorwhen lightermaterialswere introducedbecause

theyaremuchheavierandbulkierwhenpackedandquiteabithardertosetup,often requiring poles cut on site as part of their structure. For long-term use,however,thisisnotanissueandonceit’ssetupithasmanyadvantagesintermsof comfort, including ability to heat the interior and cook inside with a woodstove.Modernwall tents are still widely used by hunting outfitters and otherswhoneedanall-seasonbasecamp ina remote location,andareavailable inawidevarietyofsizesandconfigurations.Thebestmaterialto lookfor isheavy12-oz.naturalcanvas,whichbreatheswellandprovidesinsulation.Someofthesetentsareavailablewithorwithoutframesandpoles.Ifyouareplanningtomovethetent into a really remote backcountry location, it may be best to choose onewithoutpolesandthencutyourownpoleson-site.Mostofthesewalltentsdonotcomewith floors, but do have a 10–12”wide “sod” clothmade of vinyl that issewntothebottomedgeofthewallsandusedtosealthemtotheground,bothtokeepout the cold and to keep small animals fromgetting in.Anotheressentialfeatureisthestovepipetoconnecttoyourwoodstove,alongwitharaincapandsparkarrestorfortheopenendofthepipe.

EXAMPLEOFAMODERNCANVASWALLTENT

WesternWallTents12x14x5 ft.Magnum This is a heavy-duty tentmade oftreated12-oz.canvaswithreinforcedcornersandridgeandastovepipejack,sodcloth,andzipperedscreendoors.Itcomeswithtentstakes,tensioningropes,andabag, but no frame.Shippingweight is listed at 85 lb.,whichgives you someideahowitcomparestoultralightbackpackingtents.Thepricestartsat$797.00,depending on options. More information is available atwww.westernwalltents.com.

CanvasTeepees(orTipis)

The original teepees used bymanyNativeAmerican tribes in thewesternU.S.weremadeofsewnbuffalohidesstretchedaroundaconicalframeworkoflong,slender poles. Teepees were ideal shelters for the open plains, as they couldeasily be taken down and moved to follow the game herds, they were sturdyenoughtowithstandhighwinds,andtheirsteepsidesworkedwelltoshedsnow.Thepeakofateepeecreatesanaturalchimneyto funnelsmokefromacentralfirepitoutthetopoftheshelter,andtheroundfloorplanallowsmaximumuseofspaceforsleepingandstorage.Todayyoucanbuyamodernteepeefaithfultotheoriginal design but made of heavy treated canvas just like the wall tentsdescribedabove.Theseteepeesarepopularwiththosewhoattendmountainmanrendezvous, Native American powwows, and other such festivals, but they arealsosometimesusedasfull-timealternativehousing.Thedemandforfunctionalteepees that really work as serious shelters has led to many manufactured orcustom options if you decide that a teepee is more to your liking than a

traditionalwalltent.Onedisadvantageofteepeescomparedtowalltentsisthenumberandlengthofthepolesrequired,especiallyforthelarger-diameterversions.Forexample,a24-footdiameterteepeethatcouldhouseafamilywillrequiresome17to20polesofupto30feetinlength.Needlesstosay,thesewillbeinconvenienttopackfarintothe backcountry, and finding suitable timber that is straight, strong, andlightweightenoughwilltakesomeworkaswell.Packingthepolesinbydraggingthembehindahorse,astheIndiansdid,maybefeasibleiftheterrainisnottoodifficult, buta teepeewouldprobablyworkbest ina locationyoucouldaccesswithsomesortofmotorvehiclethathadroofracksforthepoles.

MODERNTEEPEEEXAMPLE

NomadicsTipiMakers20-footTipiPackageThisisacompletepackagefora20-foot-diameter teepeewitheverythingyouneedexcept thepoles. Itcomes indifferentgradesofcanvasfrom13oz.to20oz.armyduck,withthepricevaryingfromaround$1,000to$1,300.Abundleof1727-footpolescanbeaddedforanadditional$343.Thepackingweightofthecanvascovervariesfrom62to85lb.,depending on the grade. The 20-foot model will accommodate four peoplecomfortably for long-termuse.Largerandsmallersizesareavailableandmoreinformationcanbefoundatwww.tipi.com.

ModernYurts

A yurt is classified as a type of tent, but is much stronger and much moreweathertight,making it suitable for a long-termorpermanent shelter. Like theteepee,themodernyurtisdescendedfromtheancientversionusedbynomadictribes,inthiscasethoseofCentralAsia.Themodernyurtisahigh-techstructurebuiltwitharchitectural fabricsandahighlyengineered framework thatgives itnearly the strength of a permanent building. The design uses the principles oftension and compression tomake a lightweight structure that can stand up toheavy wind, rain, and snow, and the circular walls and domed roof are highlyefficientwithregardtoairflowandheating.Theyareoftensetuponpermanentwooddecks,butarestillportablesheltersandcouldbepackedintoandsetupinremote locations—though withmore difficulty than something like a wall tent,probablytakingdaysratherthanhours.Amodernyurtcanbeacomfortablelong-termbug-outretreatorevena full-timehome,but isnot thebestchoice ifyouplantomovetodifferentlocationsoften.

MODERNYURTEXAMPLE

RainierRaven24-footYurtThisisa24-footdiametermodernyurtthathas7’4”highwallsandisdesignedtowithstandwindsupto95mphandsnowloadsofupto 280 lb. per square foot. It comes with a fiberglass door that locks with a

standardresidential-style lock.Theshippingweight is listedat2,500 lb.,whichgivesyousomeideaofwhat’sinvolvedinmovingandsettingupamodernyurtofthissize.The24-footRavenis listedat$8,000,buttherearealargenumberofoptionsavailablethatcanchangethispricesignificantly.Youcan learnmoreatwww.rainieryurts.com.

11

SECUREBUG-OUTSHELTERS

Thesecuretypeoffixedshelterisusuallythoughtofaspartofa“bug-in”plan,ratherthanpartofpreparationsforbuggingout.Formostpeopleplanningtobugin,theirsecureshelterwillbetheirhome,orperhapsavacationhomeorcabin.In the context of bugging out, the kinds of secure shelters covered here aregenerally smaller than full-time homes and are located somewhere other thanyour full-time residence, preferably in a remote, off-grid location where fewpeoplewouldhavereasontogoandyourpresencecangounnoticed.Thiswouldbethetypeofstructurethatyoucouldbuildonsomeundevelopedlandyoumightownorhaveaccessto,perhapsasanagreementwithafamilymemberorfriend,ora leasearrangementsuchasthesortthathuntingclubsworkoutwith largeindividual or corporate landowners.Settingup sucha shelter onpublic lands,suchasnational forestorBLM lands, isgenerallynotagoodplan, thoughyoumightgetawaywitha low-profileversion in someof the reallybigand remotebackcountryareasoftheWestorinAlaska.By “secure” shelters, I’m referring to rigid permanent or semi-permanentstructuresthathaveadoorordoorsthatyoucanlocktoprotectyourgearandsupplies when you are away, or while you are occupying it, to add a level ofprotectionagainst intruders that youwouldnothave ina shelter likea tentorprimitivestructure.Thedegreeofsecuritysuchshelterscanoffervariesgreatlyby the type, design, and construction materials, as will be discussed in thischapter. They can range from a simple shack or converted portable storagebuildingtoareinforcedundergroundbunker.Naturally,suchrigidstructurescaninmostcasesalsoofferbetterprotectionfromtheelementsthanmostprimitiveormoveable shelters such as tents, teepees, or yurts. They can also be bettersealedtokeepout insectsandotherpests,aswellas largeranimalsthatmightsmellthestoredfoodinsideandattempttoraidyoursupplies.

DisadvantagesofSecureBug-OutShelters

While secure bug-out shelters can make bugging out much less stressful thanheadingoutintothewildernesswithnothingbutwhatyoucancarry,thefactthatsuch a shelter must be fixed in one location automatically negates one of theprimary purposes of bugging out, which is having the flexibility to adapt tochanging circumstances. No matter how well you plan and how perfect yourchosenlocationseemstobe,youstillhavenowayofknowingwhateventsmayoccur.WhoistosaywhetherthatparticularlocationwillbesafeinamajorSHTFeventor if itwill actually endupbeingground zero for anatural ormanmadedisaster?Nature is impossible topredict,as is thecourseofaction thatwillbetaken by governments, military forces, or ordinary citizens forced out of their

homesbyeventsbeyondtheircontrol.Inamobileretreatorinamoreprimitivecampingmode,youhavetheoptiontokeepmovingaseventsunfold.Ofcourse,youhavethisoptionwithasecureretreataswell,as longasyouarewillingtoabandonitwhenthetimecomesandyouhavesomesortofbackupplan.

SecureBug-OutShelterConsiderations

Althoughtherearenoguaranteesyouwillbeabletostayinyoursecurebug-outshelter, thoroughplanningandresearchcan increaseyourodds.Theguidelinesthatfollowcanhelpyouchooseasheltersitethatwillgiveyouabetterchanceofgettingthroughacrisiswithoutneedingtomove.MakeSureYouCanGettotheShelterWhenYouNeedItAspartofyouroverall bug-out plan, a secure bug-out shelter will work best if you are luckyenoughtohaveanidealplacetobuildoneandareliablemeanstoreachitfromyoureverydaylivingorworkinglocation.Unlessyoualreadyliveinaruralarea,youwillundoubtedlyhavetotraveltoreachit,butthefartheryouhavetotravelinaSHTFscenario,thegreatertherisksinvolved.Knowinadvancetherouteyouwilltakeandbefamiliarwithasmanyalternativeroutesaspossible.Makesureyour escape bug-out vehicle is ready to go and have a backup transportationoptionaswell.ChoosetheMostRemoteLocationPossibleTheshelter locationshouldbefar from large cities and population centers and not directly accessible frominterstatehighways, freeways,orothermainhighwayarteriesconnectingcitiestogether. It should ideally be surrounded by large tracts of undeveloped anduninhabitedland,oratleastsparselypopulatedruralcountryside.Peoplefleeingcitiesinthewakeofamajorbreakdownwillknowtoheadforthecountrysidetolook for food and other resources, and any farms or rural lands close by andaccessibletolargepopulationsofrefugeeswilllikelybeoverrunearlyon.Undeveloped Areas Are Less Regulated Another advantage of remote,sparselypopulatedandunderdevelopedruralareasisthatyoucangetawaywithbuilding unconventional structures that may not meet code requirements andother regulations thatarebecomingmore restrictiveall the time,even inmostruralareas.Butthoughtheyaregettinghardertofind,therearestillcountiesintheU.S.whereyoucanbuildwhatyouwanttoonyourlandwithoutpermits.Aslongasyoudon’trequireinsuranceonthestructureoraconnectiontothepowergridorotherpublicutilities,youmaybeabletokeepthelocationandeventheexistenceofyoursheltersecret.KnowYourNeighbors If the site for your secure bug-out sheltermeets therecommendations above, chances are you won’t have many, if any, immediateneighbors.Thefewerpeoplewhoknowaboutyourshelterthebetter,butbeforechoosingasiteitiswisetoknowwhothoseclosestneighborsareandattempttodetermineiftheycouldpossiblybeofhelporiftheymightbecomeathreatinaSHTFsituation.Ifyouarenewtotheareaandhavejustacquiredtheland,thismay bemore difficult than a situationwhere you are inheriting family land orbuyingaparcelfromafriend,butalittletimespenttalkingwithpeoplecantell

youa lot. Inmost remote ruralareas,peoplewhochoose to live therehaveanindependentspiritandmostlywanttobeleftalonetolivethewaytheywantto.Buttheymaycometoyouraidinacrisisafteryougettoknowthem,justasyoushouldbewillingtohelpthemifrequired.WaterSupplyBe sure that the site youchoose for your secure shelterhasareliable,year-roundwatersupply.Keepinmindthatpartofthereasontherearevasttractsofuninhabitedlandandcheapparcelsoflandforsaleinaridregionsof the country is that there is no natural water supply, easy access to groundwater, or reasonable way to bring a waterline in. Before buying property thatdoesnothaveaccesstoapermanentstreamorspring,findouthowdeepyouwillhave to drill to have a reliablewell and howmuch it will cost. If there is anyappreciable rainfall in the region, consider a cistern as well, with a system ofguttersontheroofofyourbug-outshelterorsomeothermeansofcollectingasmuchrainfallaspossible.FirewoodandNaturalMaterialResourcesUnlessyouplanonhauling inaprefabshelterormanufacturedbuildingmaterialsforeverypartofyourshelter,youshouldtakeintoconsiderationthenaturalbuildingmaterialresourcesoftheland, includingtimber,rock,andclay.Havingsuchmaterialsonsitecanreducethecostofbuildingandthedifficultyofmovingmaterialsintoremoteareas,butyouwillneedthetoolsandskillstoutilizethem.Regardlessofwhetheryoubuildwithlocaltimberontheproperty,youwillneedalargesupplyofavailablewood,especiallyincoldregionsormountains.Ifthereisnotenoughonhand,youcanstartbringinginfirewoodwellinadvanceofanyanticipatedneed.Aslongasitisproperlystackedandprotectedfromtheweatheryoucanstockpileenoughthatyouwon’thavetoworryaboutitforseveralseasons.Game,Fish,andWildPlantFoodsAvailabilityofwildgameisanimportantconsiderationforanygoodbug-outlocation,especiallyifyouarepreparingforalong-termstay.Whileyoucanstockenoughsuppliestosurviveforaconsiderablelengthoftimeinmostsecureshelters,it’salwaysagoodideatosupplementyourlarderwithhunting,fishing,andforaging.Generally,iftheareaisremoteenoughtomeettheotherqualificationsforabug-outlocation,therewillbegamearound,andineveryregionofthecountrythereareatleastsomeedibleplantfoodsthatshouldbeeasy to locateandharvest. Ifyouhaveaccess towaters thatcontainfish and other aquatic life such as crawfish, frogs, or waterfowl, that’s evenbetter. Before settling on a site to build your secure shelter on, scout thepotentialareatoseewhatfoodresourcesyoucanfind.StockpileSupplies,Tools,andExtraGearOneoftheprimaryadvantagesofasecurebug-outshelteristhatitgivesyouaplacetostoreandprotectalotofadditional goods that will make survival much easier, especially in the earlystagesofaSHTFordeal.Havingenough food for severalweeksormonthswilltakealotofthepressureoffafteryoubugouttoyourshelterbyeliminatingtheneedtoforage,hunt,andfishrightaway.Inaddition,youcangiveyourselfmoreoptionsinthewayofhuntingweapons,traps,fishinggear,tools,extraclothing,medical supplies, and anything else you may need in a long-term survivalsituation. Just be sure you have the basicswith you at all timeswhen you are

traveling to your well-stocked bug-out shelter, in case you cannot reach it forsomereasonoryouarrivetofinditdestroyedorraidedbyothers.

TypesofSecureBug-OutShelters

Thepossibilitiesforbuildingorconvertingexistingstructuresintosecurebug-outsheltersarenearlyunlimited,andasthepopularityofsurvivalpreparationgrows,newanduniqueideasareconstantlyshowinguponblogs,websites,andYouTubevideos. In addition to those who are interested in survivalism, there are otherenthusiastspromotingtheideaof“micro”housesandcabinsorotherminimaliststructures for economic and environmentalist reasons, leading to all sorts ofinnovativedesignsandideasthatcouldbeappliedtothesecurebug-outshelterconcept.Someofthesesheltersarethekindyoubuildfromscratchusingeitherconventional or unconventional building materials. Others are converted fromprefab structures that were never intended to be shelters or living quarters,includingeverythingfromstoragebuildingstosteelshippingcontainers.

Low-CostDIYCabinsandMicroHouses

Designing andbuilding your secure bug-out shelter from scratchgives you themost flexibility inmaking theaccommodations fityourandyour family’sneeds.Building from scratch also allows you to invest labor and materials into thestructureoveraperiodof time,workingonweekendsorvacation trips toyourbuilding site.Many such structures can be built small to provide basic shelterrightaway,butlaterexpandedastimeandmoneypermitsoryourneedschangeto require more space. They can be built using conventional materials andmethods,oryoucansavemoneyandtimebytakingamoreunconventionalroute.Thefollowingsectionsgiveafewexamples.PoleBuilding Pole building is a constructionmethod that dates back to theStoneAgeand,asalreadydiscussedinthepreviouschapter,isstillaviablewaytobuildprimitivesheltersinthewildernessusingcutpolessetinthegroundorstanding trees.As amodern constructionmethod, pole building is still popularbecause of its low cost relative to conventional buildings on slab or masonryfoundations.Thepolesarethe foundation,andusingthismethodyoucanbuildwithnoexcavationonsteepslopes,overgroundsubjecttoflooding,andonmanyothertypesofterrainunsuitedtoafoundation.Polebuildingisamethodthatwillwork for everything from the smallest storage shed to the most elaboratepermanenthome.Liketheprimitiveversions,elevatedpolebuildingsworkgreatinhot,humidclimatesandinenvironmentswhereitisdesirabletobuildseveralfeetabovetheground.Asabonus,thespacebeneathcanbeusedforashadedoutdoorlivingarea,orforworkorstoragespace.Ifyouwanttogoevenhigher,youcanalsoapply theprinciplesofpolebuilding to constructinga treehouse,usingalllivetreesoramixofstandingtreesandpolestoformthebasefortheplatformyourequire.

Post andBeamConstruction Post andbeamconstruction is similar to polebuildingconstructionexceptthatitentailsusingsquarepostsastheload-bearingstructuralmemberstosupporttheroofandwalls.Thismethodcanbeusedonaconventional foundation, on a platform set on poles, or as a stand-alonefoundation,withthepostssetintoholesinthegroundthewaypolesareinpolebuildings. It isa fastermethodofbuilding thanconventionalstud-wall framing,and is more economical in terms of materials, because the posts can be setseveralfeetapartandtiedtogetherwithminimalhorizontalframingmemberstowhich vertical board and batten siding planks are fastened directly. Modernpressure-treated lumber eliminates theneed toworry aboutwooddecay in theburiedposts,andwithproperdesign,postandbeamconstructioncanbeusedtomakeanysizepermanentbuilding.CordwoodMasonry Cordwoodmasonry is an unconventional yet time-testedbuildingmethod that can be used to construct low-cost shelters and dwellingsthathavefortress-likestrengthandefficientinsulationproperties.Shortlogs(12to24incheslong)arelaidwidthwiseinawalllikeastackoffirewood(hencethename)andareheld togetherbymortar.Because the logs canvary indiameterandtypeofwood,anddonotevenhavetobeparticularlystraight,theyaremucheasier to gather than the long, straight logs needed to build a traditional logcabin. For long-lasting durability, however, the logs should be debarked andseasoned before use. In the finished walls, the ends of the logs are visible,sometimes protruding a bit beyond the mortar. This building method is wellsuitedtobothrectangularandroundstructures.StrawBaleConstruction Strawbale construction is another unconventionalbuilding method that dates back many centuries but has recently found favoramong those seeking to build energy-efficient homes and other structures thathave minimal environmental impact in their material use. Bales of straw arestacked to form the walls, held in place with wire and metal rebar, andencapsulated by mortar and stucco to form a rigid structure. Straw baleconstructioncanhavetheadvantageofsuperiorinsulationpropertiesbecauseofthethicknessofthewalls,anditcanbeacheapmaterialtobuildwithifyouhavea readily available source ofwheat, rye, or oat straw. Itwould be ideal on theplains or prairies and works best in drier climates because of rot concerns,thoughIhaveseensomewell-builtexamples thatseemedtobeholdingup justfineinmyhumidandrainyhomestateofMississippi.RammedEarthConstructionRammedearth construction is anotherwayofbuildingwithmaterialsfoundonthesite.Thisprocesstraditionallyinvolvesusingwoodenformstobuildwallswithamixtureofearth,sand,gravel,andclaythatiscompressedbetweentheformstomakeasolidstructurethatcanthenstandonits ownwhen the formsare removed.Modern rammedearth constructionusescement in the mix for additional binding and stabilization properties. Thecompression of the walls is done by hand with a ramming pole or with apneumatic ram that makes the job much easier. Although the walls can bereinforcedwithrebar,bamboo,orwood,theyaretypicallystrongenoughontheirown, ranging from 12 to 24 inches thick in a house-sized structure. Rammed

earthconstructionisalow-costbuildingmethodthatworksinmostenvironmentsandhasgreatthermalandsoundproofingproperties.Itisalsounaffectedbyrainonceitiscuredandisimpervioustoattackbyinsectsorfire.Fullcuringofthewallscantakemonthsoryears,buteventuallytheywillresembleandhavemostofthepropertiesofsolidrock.

ConvertedStructures

Manyexistingvehiclesandobjectsdesignedtotransportgoodsorpeoplecanbetransformedintouniquefixedsheltersorhomesthatcanbefunctionalaswellasinexpensiveandquicktoconvert.Someofthesevehiclesorpartsofvehiclescanevenbeobtainedforfreeiftheywereabandonedordestinedforthescrapyard.

MARINESHIPPINGCONTAINERS

Bysomeestimates,asmuchas90percentoftheworld’stradegoodsaremovedabout the globe in steel shipping containers. These containers are widelyavailableassurplusorsometimesdamagedgoodsnolongerusedbytheshippingcompanies,andinrecentyearspeoplehavebeenusingthemtocreateinnovative,low-cost housing and other structures. Steel containers obviously have theadvantage of solid construction, making them relatively easy to convert intosecurebug-out shelters.Shippingcontainerscanbeburied,partiallyburied,orstackedvertically to formmultistorybuildings, or several canbecutapart andwelded into larger structures—the possibilities are as limitless as yourimagination. Such containers come in many configurations and sizes, but themostcommonarethe40-footand20-footdryfreightcontainers.Astandard40-footcontainerwillbe8’wideby8½’tall,withtheinsideaboutafootsmallerinall dimensions (totaling 2375 cubic feet). Considering the size and heavy-dutyconstruction,aswellastheweather-tightheavysteeldoorsthatcomeonthem,shippingcontainersareabargaincomparedtowhatitwouldcosttobuildsuchastructurefromscratch.You’llprobablygetabetterdealonausedone,includingdelivery,ifyoulivereasonablynearaportcity,butbecauseofthestandardizationofsizes,shippingcontainerscanbemovedbytruckorrailtoanylocation.Beforetheybecamesopopular,youcouldbuyusedshippingcontainersforverylittle money, sometimes just a few hundred dollars, but lately I’ve seen pricesrangingfromunder$1,500toover$3,000.Somecompaniesoffernewcontainersinthispricerangebutthepriceofdeliverycanvarygreatly.Mostcangiveyouaquote includingdeliverysoyoucanplanyourtotalcosts.Toconvertashippingcontainer into a livable shelter, youwill need ameans of cutting openings forwindowsandotherventilationandmaybeanextradoorortwo.Weldingskillsandequipment will give you many more customization options when working withthesesteelcontainers.Somesurvivalistsusingtheseforsecurebug-outsheltershavecreatedfortifiedbunkersoutofthembyencasingtheminconcreteblocksandcement,keepinginmindthatthesteelwallalonewillnotstopbulletsfrom

high-poweredrifles.Overall,steelshippingcontainersarewellworthconsideringifyourlandisaccessiblebytruckorperhapsatractorthatcanpullatrailertomovethecontainertothesite.

BUSES,RAILCARS,BOATS,AIRCRAFT,ANDOTHERABANDONEDVEHICLES

AsdiscussedinChapterFive,manytypesofvehiclescanbeconvertedintoDIYmobile retreats. Many types of large vehicles that are abandoned or beyondrepair can also serve as a basic structure that can be converted into a fixedretreat or home. Such conversions have become almost as popular as buildinghomesoutofshippingcontainersandhavetheadvantagethattheymightalreadyhavefunctioningwindows,doors,andothernecessitiesthatshippingcontainerslack.Abandonedvehicleslikethiscaninmanycasesbehadforfreeorforverylittlemoney,especially if youhave themeans tomove themoutof theowner’swaytoyourretreatsite.Lookforoldbusesandotherfleetvehiclesatjunkyardsorstorageyardsandmakeanoffer.Incoastalareas,hurricane-damagedvesselsfrom luxury motor yachts to oceangoing sailboats are often written off byinsurancecompaniesandmovedtoboatyardsbeforebeingcutupandscrapped.Youmaybeabletogetoneforfreejustformovingitandsavingthemthetrouble.Alittlecreativitycangoalongwayinadaptingsuchavehicleintoasecurebug-out shelter and blending it into the landscape. For example, you could bury adeep-keeledsailboatuptothewaterlineandhaveasturdyhomethatwouldbeimpervious to almost anything nature could throw at it. Themodifications thatyoucouldmaketosuchvehiclesandboatsareendless.Somepeopleevenaddonpartsofconventionalbuildingstocreatemorelivingspaceinside.

PrefabStructuresandKitHouses

Ifyoudon’thavethetimeortheinclinationtobuildfromscratch,assemblingakithouseorstoragebuildingorsimplypurchasingacompletebuildingthatcanbemovedintactorsetupbythecompanysellingitcouldbeanattractiveoption.This will certainly be faster than building from plans or even convertingcontainersorvehiclesasdescribedabove.

STORAGESHEDS,BARNS,ANDMETALBUILDINGS

Todaytherearemoreoptionsthaneverbeforeinprefabbuildingsorkitsthatyoucanpurchase andassemble yourself or have assembledupondelivery.Someofthesmallerstorageshedsandoutbuildingsarenailedorscrewedtogetherusingtraditionalhouse-framingmaterialsandbuiltonskidssotheycanbeloadedontoatrailerorflatbedtruckandmovedintact.Youcanfindsuchbuildingsatanybig-boxhomeimprovementstoreoronthelotsofdealersormanufacturers.This ischeapandfastwaytogetafinishedbuildingthatcanbeconvertedintoalivable

camp house or secure bug-out shelter. While most of these buildings are notdesigned to be cabins, the addition of insulation and interior walls, as well asceilings and better floors, could convert one into functional living quarters.Larger wooden sheds and barns are also available from most of the samecompanies,butsincetheyaretoobigtoreadilytransport,theywillhavetobeputtogetheron-site.A typicalexampleof the typeof small, transportableshedyoumightfindforsaleatabigboxstoreisan8x16-footcedar-sidedshedwithadoorandwindows foraround$3,500.Manyof thesestoreswilldeliverysuchprefabshedsatnoextracostifyourpropertyiswithinreasonabledistance.Perhapsthecheapestwaytogetalargestructureonyourpropertyifyouneedmorespaceistobuyametalbuilding,eitherinkitformorfromacompanythatwill set it up for you on your site. Such buildings are designed to be used foreverythingfromworkshopandstoragespacetocommercialofficeorretailspace.Compared to wood-frame structures, these offer much more enclosed, secure,and dry space for the same amount of money, and maintenance is minimal tonone.Convertingoneof thebasicstructures that isdesigned forstorage intoalivableshelterismainlyamatterofinsulatingthewallsandceilingandfinishingthe inside. To give you an idea of how reasonably some of these large metalbuildings arepriced, you can visit thewebsites of a number of companies thatoffer them and get a quote that includes delivery and setup on your site byenteringthezipcodeofyourproperty.

KATRINACOTTAGES

After Hurricane Katrina decimated theMississippi Gulf Coast in 2005, tens ofthousandsofFEMAtrailers(actuallycommercialRVtrailers)werebroughtinbythegovernmenttoserveastemporaryhousingfordisplacedhomeowners.Thesetrailerswerenotsatisfactory long-termaccommodations formostpeople,andanew industry sprangup toproduce “KatrinaCottages” tomeet thedemand forhousinguntiltheareacouldberebuilt.Originallydesignedforemergencyrelief,theseKatrinaCottageshavecaughtonandbecomepopularforeverythingfromhunting camps to guest houses.Muchmore substantial than any RV trailer ormobilehome,theyaredesignedtobeeasilytransportedbytruck,yetarebuilttospecifications that are engineered to withstand hurricane-force winds. Theoriginaldesignwas foraonebedroom,onebath,308 square footunit, 14 feetwide by 30 feet long (including an 8-foot front porch), but today you can buycompleteKatrinaCottagesorplanstobuildyourowninarangeoflargersizesaswell.Ifyouneedahome-like,securebug-outshelteronyourpropertyinahurry,purchasingoneoftheseunitscompletecouldbethewaytogo.YoucanfindmoreinformationaboutKatrinaCottagesbydoingawebsearchfor“KatrinaCottage”orvisitingwww.katrinacottagehousing.org.

LOGCABINKITS

Anothertypeofkit-builtstructuretoconsideristhelogcabin.Completekitsforbuilding your own log cabin are available in all sizes all theway up to luxuryhomes.Asmallcabinkitcouldmakeasolidbug-outshelterandwillcomewithpreprocessed logs that have been peeled, treated, and prepared for assembly.Erectingsuchalogcabinwillbefasterthantryingtoputtogetheratraditionallogcabinbyfellingyourowntreesandlaboriouslypreparingallthelogs,butitwill also cost a lot more than building from your own timber. In general, logcabinsaremuchsturdierandeasiertosecureagainstintrudersthansomeofthelightweight storage buildings and other prefab options mentioned, but exactlyhowmuchdependsonthesizeofthelogsusedintheconstruction.Largerlogsalso have good insulation properties, which is why cabins built this way havealwaysworkedsowellincoldclimatesandmountainousregions.Therearemanymanufacturersofsuchcabinkits,allwithvaryingreputationsastothequalityoftheirproducts.Beforeinvestinginone,itwouldbewisetotrytofindanexampleof the design you’re interested in that is actually in use so you can get someownerfeedbackandcheckoutthedetailsyourself.

UndergroundStructuresandBunkers

Manypeopleconsiderbuildingpartiallyorfullyundergroundtobethebestwaytoensure safety ina survival retreat.Digging inhasbeenanessentialmilitarystrategy since the invention of projectile weapons, and especially explosiveprojectiles. A defensive position can be as simple as a one-man foxhole or aselaborate as a reinforced concrete bunker buried deep in the ground or in amountainside.Undergroundstructurescanhaveadvantagesotherthandefense,however. An underground home or shelter can be warmer in the winter andcooler inthesummerthananabove-groundbuildingaswellassafer instorms,particularly violent wind events such as tornadoes. Going underground alsomakes it easier to blend in with the landscape and to completely hide a largestructure,ifdesired.

DUGOUTSHELTERS

Thesimplesttypeofundergroundshelteristhedugout.Dugoutshelterscanbepartiallyorcompletelyunderground,andinthemostbasicformconsistofalargeholefourfeetorsodeepwithtimberormasonry-reinforcedwallsthatprotrudeabove the ground just enough to provide headroom and support for a roof.Dugouts were common frontier homes in places like the Great Plains wherebuildingmaterialswerescarceandbuildingbelowgroundlevelprovidedbetterprotectionfromcoldwindandstorms.Asbug-outshelters,eventhoughtheyarenotcompletelyunderground,dugoutscanbemucheasiertoconcealthantallerstructures,andwithcreativity,youcanbuildonethatblendsinperfectlywiththelandscape, especially if it is incorporated into the side of a hill. They can alsoofferobviousadvantagesfordefenseagainstattackersduetotheirlowerprofile

andthefactthatseveralfeetofearthinthelowersectionswillstopbulletsandmostotherweaponsthatmightbebroughttouseagainstyourretreat.Butunlikestructures buried completely underground, dugouts enable you to incorporatedefensivepositionswhereyoucanseeyourattackersandreturnfire.

UNDERGROUNDBUNKERS/FALLOUTSHELTERS

The ultimate in defensive secure bug-out shelters is the underground bunker,bombshelter,orfalloutshelter.SuchshelterswereespeciallypopularduringtheColdWarwhen the threat of a nuclear attack seemed imminent, and plans forbuildingyourowncanbefounddatingbacktothe1950s.Mostoftheseshelterswill atminimum be under several feet of dirt and built of reinforced concreteseveral inches thick.Though itwouldbe labor-intensive, youcoulddigoutandbuild your ownundergroundbunker or you canpurchase a prefab or site-builtonefromoneofthemanycompaniesthatareinbusinesstoaddresstheconcernsof thosewho think theymight need this level of protection. Fully undergroundshelters like this require a lot of planningwith regards to plumbing, drainage,ventilation, and air filtration, as well as access and escape. In some types ofevents,suchasheltercouldbetheonlythingthatwillsaveyourlifeandthoseofyourfamily,butinothercasesitcouldwellbecomeadeathtrapwithnoescapeifsomeone finds out it’s there and that it may be full of supplies and othernecessities theycovet inapost-SHTFsituation.Beaware thatanysuchshelterhas some weakness to attack, which could be as simple as someone pouringgasolinedownoneoftheventilationpipesandsettingitafire.Thebestbetwhenrelyingonthistypeofshelteristobuilditinsecretandinsuchawaythatitiswell-concealed,perhapshiddenbeneathsomeconventionalstructureexpectedtobeseenonaruralproperty,suchasacabinorbarn.

BIBLIOGRAPHY&RECOMMENDEDREADING

ESCAPEVEHICLESAdams, Carl. The Essential Guide to Dual Sport Motorcycling: Everything YouNeed to Buy, Ride, and Enjoy the World’s Most Versatile Motorcycles. CenterConway,NH:Whitehorse,2008.Allen,Jim.Four-Wheeler’sBible.2nded.Minneapolis,MN:Motorbooks,2009.Alvord, Douglas. Beachcruising: An Illustrated Guide to the Boats, Gear,NavigationTechniques,Cuisine, andComfortsofSmallBoatCruising.Camden,ME:InternationalMarine,1992.Brand,Paul.HowtoRepairYourPickuporSUV.Minneapolis,MN:Motorbooks,2008.Cardwell,J.D.SailingBigonaSmallSailboat.2nded.DobbsFerry,NY:SheridanHouse,1997.Coyner, Dale. The Essential Guide to Motorcycle Travel: Tips, Technology,AdvancedTechniques.CenterConway,NH:Whitehorse,2007.DeLong, Brad. 4-Wheel Freedom: The Art of Off-Road Driving. Boulder, CO:Paladin,1997.Gray,MichaelE.andLindaE.Gray.AutoUpkeep:BasicCarCare,Maintenance,andRepair.2nded.Ozark,MO:RollingHills,2007.Hough,DavidL.ProficientMotorcycling:TheUltimateGuidetoRidingWell.2nded.Irvine,CA:BowTie,2008.Little,Ida,andMichaelWalsh.BeachcruisingandCoastalCamping.Rockledge,FL:WescottCove,1992.McKnew, Ed. The Boat Buyer’s Guide to Trailerable Fishing Boats: Pictures,Floorplans,Specifications,Reviews,andPricesforMoreThan600Boats,18to27FeetLong.Camden,ME:InternationalMarine/RaggedMountain,2006.Sweet, Robert. Powerboat Handling Illustrated: How to Make Your Boat DoExactly What You Want It to Do. Camden, ME: International Marine/RaggedMountain,2006.Vance,Randy.PowerBoatingforDummies.Hoboken,NJ:Wiley,2009.Wicks,RobertandGregBaker.AdventureRidingTechniques:TheEssentialGuideto All the Skills You Need for Off-Road Adventure Riding. Newbury Park, CA:Haynes,2009.

MOBILERETREATSBaker,KimandSunnyBaker.TheRVer’sBible:Ever ythingYouNeed toKnowAboutChoosing,Using,andEnjoyingYourRV.NewYork:Fireside,1997.Beck, Roger D. Some Turtles Have Nice Shells: A Picture Book of HandbuiltHousetrucksandHousebuses.Eugene,OR:PineHillGraphics,2002.Buehler, George. Bueler’s Backyard Boatbuilding. Camden, ME: InternationalMarine/RaggedMountain,1991.

Casey, Don and Lew Hackler. Sensible Cr uising: The Thoreau Approach; APhilosophical and Practical Approach to Cruising. Camden, ME: InternationalMarine/RaggedMountain,1990.Kretschmer, John.Used Boat Notebook: From the Pages of Sailing Magazine,Reviewsof40UsedBoatsPlusaDetailedLookatTenGreatUsedBoatstoSailAroundtheWorld.DobbsFerry,NY:SheridenHouse,2002.Livingston, Bob. RV Repair and Maintenance Manual. Rev ed. Ventura, CA:TrailerLifeBooks,2002.Mate,FerencandCandaceMate.TheFinelyFittedYacht:TheBoatImprovementManual,Volumes1and2.Pflugerville,TX:Albatross,1944.Moeller,Bill and JanMoeller.TheCompleteBookofBoondockRVing:CampingOfftheBeatenPath.Camden,ME:RaggedMountain,2008.Moitessier,Bernard.ASeaVagabond’sWorld.Dobb’sFerry,NJ:SheridanHouse,1998.Pallidini,Jodi.RollYourOwn:TheCompleteGuidetoLivinginaTruck,Bus,Van,orCamper.NewYork:MacMillan,1974.Parker,ReuelB.TheNewCold-MoldedBoatbuilding:FromLoftingtoLaunching.Brooklin,ME:WoodenBoatPublications,2005.———.The Sharpie Book. Camden,ME: InternationalMarine/RaggedMountain,1993.Vigor, John. The Seaworthy Offshore Sailboat: A Guide to Essential Features,Gear,andHandling.Camden,ME:RaggedMountain,2001.———.TwentySmallSailboatstoTakeYouAnywhere.Arcata,CA:ParadiseCay,1999.

ALTERNATIVEANDBACKUPVEHICLESBurch, David.Fundamentals of Kayak Navigation. Seattle, WA: Pacific Search,1987.Burke,EdmundR.andEdPavelka.TheCompleteBookofLong-DistanceCycling:BuildtheStrength,SkillsandConfidencetoRideasFarasYouWant.Emmaus,PA:RodaleBooks,2000.Casper, Steve. ATVs: Everything You Need to Know. Minneapolis, MN:Motorbooks,2005.Davidson, JamesWestand JohnRugge.TheCompleteWildernessPaddler.NewYork:Vintage,1982.Donaldson, Doug.Bicycling Magazine’s Guide to Bike Touring: Everything YouNeedtoKnowtoTravelAnywhereonaBike.Emmaus,PA:RodaleBooks,2005.Dowd, John. Sea Kayaking: A Manuel for Long-Distance Touring. Victoria, BC,Canada:GreystoneBooks,1986.Downs,Todd.TheBicyclingGuidetoCompleteBicycleMaintenanceandRepairForRoadandMountainBikes.5thed.Emmaus,PA:RodaleBooks,2005.Hallam, James. Snowmobiling: The Sledder’s Complete Handbook. Abbotsford,BC,Canada:FunonSnowPublications,1999.Hutchinson, Derek C. Expedition Kayaking. 4th ed. Old Saybrook, CT: Globe

PequotPress,1999.Jacobson,Cliff.ExpeditionCanoeing:AGuide toCanoeingWildRivers inNorthAmerica.4thed.Falcon,2005.Lovett,Richard.TheEssentialTouringCyclist:ACompleteGuidefortheBicycleTraveler.2nded.Camden,ME:InternationalMarine/RaggedMountain,2000.Mason, Bill. Path of the Paddle: An Illustrated Guide to the Art of Canoeing.Reviseded.Buffalo,NY:FireflyBooks,2001.———.SongofthePaddle:AnIllustratedGuidetoWildernessCamping.Reviseded.Buffalo,NY:FireflyBooks,2004.Null,Scott and JoelMcBride.KayakFishing:TheUltimateGuide. 2nd ed.EastPetersburg,PA:FoxChapel,2011.

FIXEDRETREATSBrown, Tom. Tom Brown’s Field Guide to Living with the Earth. New York:BerkleyBooks,1986.———. Tom Brown’s Field Guide to Wilderness Survival. New York : BerkleyBooks,1987.Creekmore,M.D.Dirt-CheapSurvivalRetreat:OneMan’sSolution.Boulder,CO:PaladinPress,2011.Kahn,Lloyd.HomeWork:HandbuiltShelter.Bolinas,CA:Shelter,2004.———.Shelter.ShelterPublications,2nded.Bolinas,CA:Shelter,2000.Lacinski, Paul andMichel Bergeron.Serious StrawBale: AHomeConstructionGuideforAllClimates.WhiteRiverJunction,VT:ChelseaGreen,2000.Nelson,Peter.Treehouses:TheArtandCraftofLivingOutonaLimb.NewYork:MarinerBooks,1994.Oehler,Mike.TheFiftyDollarandUpUndergroundHouseBook.4thed.BonnersFerry,ID:MolePublishing,1981.Olsen,LarryDean.OutdoorSurvivalSkills.Provo,UT:BrighamYoungUniversity,1976.Roy,Rob.CordwoodBuilding:TheStateoftheArt.GabriolaIsland,BC,Canada:NewSociety,2003.———.Earth-ShelteredHouses:HowtoBuildanAffordableUndergroundHome.GabriolaIsland,BC,Canada:NewSocietyPublishers,2006.Shafer,Jay.TheSmallHouseBook.2nded.BoyesHotSprings,CA:TumbleweedTinyHouse,2009.Stiles,DavidandJeanieStiles.RusticRetreats:ABuild-It-YourselfGuide .NorthAdams,MA:StoreyPublishing,1998.Wolfe,Ralph.LowCostPoleBuildingConstruction:TheCompleteHow-ToBook.Pownal,TV:StoreyBooks,1980.

OTHERESSENTIALSURVIVALREFERENCESBurns, Bob and Mike Burns.Wilderness Navigation: Finding Your Way UsingMap, Compass, Altimeter and GPS. 2nd ed. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books,

2004.Carr,Bernie.ThePrepper’sPocketGuide:101EasyThingsYouCanDotoReadyYourHomeforaDisaster.Berkeley,CA:Ulysses,2011.Chesbro, Michael. Wilderness Evasion: A Guide to Hiding Out and EludingPursuitinRemoteAreas.Boulder,CO:Paladin,2002.Craighead, Frank C. How to Survive on Land and Sea. United States NavalInstitute,1984.Forgey, William.Wilderness Medicine, Beyond First Aid. 5th ed. Guilford, CT:GlobePequot,1999.Gibbons,Euell.EuellGibbons’Beachcomber’sHandbook.DavidMcKay,1967.Gonzales,Laurence.DeepSurvival:WhoLives,WhoDies,andWhy.NewYork:W.W.Norton,2004.Hinch, Stephen W. Outdoor Navigation With GPS. 2nd ed. Birmingham, AL:WildernessPress,2007.Kesselheim, Alan. Trail Food: Drying and Cooking Food for Backpacking andPaddling.Camden,ME:RaggedMountain,1998.Layton,Peggy.EmergencyFoodStorageandSurvivalHandbook:EverythingYouNeed to Know to Keep Your Family Safe in a Crisis. Roseville, CA: PrimaPublishing,2002.Lundin, Cody.When All Hell Breaks Loose: Stuff You Need to Survive WhenDisasterStrikes.Layton,UT:GibbsSmith,2007.Maxwell, Jane,CarolThuman,andDavidWerner.WhereThere IsNoDoctor:AVillageHealthCareHandbook.Reviseded.Berkeley,CA:HesperianFoundation,1992.McCann,JohnD.BuildthePerfectSurvivalKit.Iola,WI:Krause,2005.McNab,Chris.SpecialForcesSurvivalGuide:WildernessSurvivalSkillsfromtheWorld’sMostEliteMilitaryUnits.Berkeley,CA:Ulysses,2008.Nestor, Tony. Desert Survival Tips, Tricks, and Skills. Flagstaff, AZ: DiamondCreek,2003.———.TheModernHunter-Gatherer:APracticalGuidetoLivingOffTheLand.Flagstaff,AZ:DiamondCreek,2009.Rawles, James Wesley.How to Survive the End of the World as We Know It:Tactics, Techniques, and Technologies for Uncertain Times. New York: Plume,2009.Sherwood,Ben.TheSurvivor’sClub: TheSecrets andScience thatCouldSaveYourLife.NewYork:GrandCentral,2010.Stein, Matthew. When Technology Fails: A Manual for Self-Reliance,Sustainability, and Surviving the Long Emergency. Revised ed. White RiverJunction,VT:ChelseaGreen,2008.Wiseman, John. SAS Survival Handbook: For Any Climate, in Any Situation.Reviseded.NewYork:HarperPaperbacks,2009.

PHOTOCREDITS

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INDEX

A

Abandonedvehicles,asmobileretreatsAllTerrainVehicles.SeeATVsAll-wheel-drive(AWD)Alternative/backupvehiclesbicycleschecklistsoff-roadvehicleswatercraft,human-poweredArmor,vehicleATVtrailersATVsaccessorieschecklistequipmentsafetyAutos.SeePassengercars

B

Backupvehicles.SeeAlternative/backupvehiclesBaggers.SeeTouringmotorcyclesBarns,prefabBicycletrailersBicycleschecklistchoosingconsiderationsdisadvantagesequipmentmaintenancepreparationtypesBlendinginboatsmotorvehiclesmotorcyclessheltersBluewatercruising

BoattrailersBoatschecklistconsiderationsdesigndisadvantagesequipmentandmodificationsmaintenancetypesBoxtrucksBrakelights,disablingBrownwatercruisingBugOut:TheCompletePlanforEscapingaCatastrophicDisasterBeforeIt’sTooLateBug-outbag(BOB)Buildingmaterials,DIYmobileretreatsBuildingmaterials,sheltersSeealsospecifictypesofsheltersBunkersBuses,converted

C

CabintentsCabinsCamouflage.SeeBlendinginCampertrailershomebuiltCampervansCampersCanoeschecklistpaddlesCanvasteepeesCargoracksATVsbicycleCargovans,convertedCars.SeePassengercarsCatamaransCavesChecklists

alternative/backupvehiclesescapevehiclesmobileretreatsCommuterbicyclesCompactpickupsConstructionmethods,forcabinsConvertedbusesConvertedcargovansConvertedpassengervansConvertedstructuresCookingfacilitiesDIYmobileretreatsliveaboardboatsRVsCordwoodmasonryCrossoverpickupsCrossovervehiclesCrotchrockets.SeeSportbikesCruisermotorcycles

D

DebrishutsDieselfuelDinghiesDirtbikeschecklistequipmentsafetyDIY(do-it-yourself)cabinsDIY(do-it-yourself)mobileretreatschecklistconsiderationsdisadvantageselectricalsystemssecuritytypeswater/plumbingsystemsDressers.SeeTouringmotorcyclesDualsportmotorcyclesDugoutshelters

E

ElectricalsystemsDIYmobileretreatsRVsEMP(electromagneticpulse)eventsEnginesmotorvehiclesmotorboatoff-roadvehiclesEscapehatches,DIYmobileretreatsEscapesailboatsEscapevehiclesboatschecklistsmotorvehiclesmotorcycles

F

FalloutsheltersFEMAtrailersFifthwheeltrailersFixedretreats.SeeSheltersFoldingcampersFour-wheel-drive(4WD)FuelFull-sizedpickups

G

Gasoline

H

HarleyDavidsonmotorcyclesHelmets,motorcycleHogansHorsetrailersHousetrucksHouseboatsHullconstruction/materialsHulltypeHuman-poweredwatercraft.SeeWatercraft,human-poweredHuts

raisedplatformthatchedroofHybridbicyclesHybridboats

K

KatrinacottagesKayaks.SeeSeakayaks;Sit-on-topkayaksKithouses

L

Lean-tosheltersLiveaboardboatschecklistcookingfacilitiesconsiderationsdisadvantageselectricalsystemshullconstruction/materials,securitysizeconcernstypeswater/plumbingsystemsLiveaboardboatscruisingmotoryachtshouseboatssailboatsLogcabinkitsLuggageracks,bicycleLuggagesystems,motorcycle

M

Manufacturedmobileretreats.SeeRVsMarineshippingcontainersMicrohousesMinivansMobileretreatschecklistsDIYretreatsliveaboardboats

manufacturedMonohullsMotoryachts,liveaboardMotorboats.SeealsoPowerboatsMotorcycletrailersMotorcycleschecklistconcealmenteaseconsiderationsdisadvantagesenginesequipmentandmodificationsmaintenanceridinggeartirestypesMotorhomesMountainbicyclesMultihulls.SeealsoCatamarans

N

NaturalcavesNaturalshelters

O

OarsObstructions,clearingOff-gridissues,RVsOff-roadvehicleschecklistconsiderationsdisadvantagesenginesizeequipmentsafetyOpen-waterpowerboats

P

PaddlesPanniers

bicyclemotorcyclePassengercarsPassengervans,convertedPersonalwatercraft(PWC)PickuptrucksdisadvantagessizesPiroguesPlumbing/sewersystemsDIYmobileretreatsRVsPolebuildingsPolingPop-upcampers/trailersPortablesheltersPostandbeamconstructionPowerboatsliveaboardopen-waterprotected-waterPrefabstructuresPrimitivesheltersProtected-waterpowerboatsPublictransportation

Q

Quads.SeeATVs

R

RacksATVbicycleRaisedplatformhutsRammedearthconstructionRecumbentbicyclesRoadtravel,disadvantagesRockhogansRocksheltersRowboatsRowingvessels

checklistRVschecklistconsiderationsdisadvantageselectricalsystemsequipmentoff-gridissuessafetyandsecuritytypeswater/sewagesystems

S

Sailboats,escapeSailboats,liveaboardSchoolbuses,convertedSeakayakschecklistchoosingdisadvantagespaddlesSecuresheltersconsiderationsdisadvantagestypesSecurityDIYmobileretreatsliveaboardboatsShantyboatsSheds,prefabSheltersconstructionessentialelementslocationnaturalportablesecuretemporarytypesShippingcontainersSHTFeventsSidecars

Sit-on-topkayaksSnowmobileschecklistequipmentsafetySportbicyclesSporttourersStackedloghogansStandardmotorcyclesStorageDIYmobileretreatsinboatsofboatsStrawbaleconstructionStructures,convertedSUVs(SportUtilityVehicles)disadvantages

T

TeepeesTemporarysheltersTendersTentsTEOTWAWKI(TheEndoftheWorldasWeKnowIt)Thatched-roofhutsThree-wheeledstreetmachinesTipisTires,motorcycleTouringbicyclesTouringmotorcyclesTowingpackages,formotorvehiclesToyhaulersTrailersATVbicycleboatcamperFEMAhorsemotorcyclepop-upTransmissions,motorvehicles

Traveltrailers.SeeCampertrailersTreehousesTrikesTruckcampershomebuiltTrucksboxpickup

U

UndergroundbunkersUtilityracksUTV(UtilityTerrainVehicles)

V

VansconvertedVehiclearmorVehicles.Seespecifictypeofvehicle(Boats;Passengercars;Pickuptrucks;etc.)Vehicles,abandoned,asmobileretreatsVentilation,DIYmobileretreats

W

WalltentsWater/plumbingsystemsDIYmobileretreatsliveaboardboatsRVssheltersWatercrossings,andoff-roadvehiclesWatercraft,engine-powered.SeeBoatsWatercraft,human-poweredchecklistconsiderationsdisadvantagestypesSeealsoCanoes;Seakayaks;etc.WinchesATVs

Y

YachtsYurts

OtherUlyssesPressBooks

BugOut:TheCompletePlanforEscapingaCatastrophicDisasterBeforeIt’sTooLateScottB.Williams,$14.95Cataclysmic events strike sleepy towns and major cities every year. Beingpreparedmakes thedifferencebetween survival anddisaster.Guidingyou stepbystep,BugOutshowsyouhowtobereadyatasecond’snotice.ThePrepper’sPocketGuide:101EasyThingsYouCanDotoReadyYourHomeforaDisasterBernieCarr,$12.95Youcan’tescapethatinevitabledaywhencatastrophestrikesyourhometown—butyoucanbeprepared!OfferingasimpleDIYapproach,thisbookbreaksdownthevitalstepsyoushouldtakeinto101quick,smartandinexpensiveprojects.GettingOutAlive:13DeadlyScenariosandHowOthersSurvivedScottB.Williams,$14.95A unique combination of fictional scenarios, true accounts, and instructiveinformation,GettingOutAlivepresentscaptivatingstoriesofpeoplestrandedandfightingfortheirlivesagainstharsh,unmercifulconditions.To order these books call 800-377-2542 or 510-601-8301, fax 510-601-8307, e-mail ulysses@ulyssespress.com, or write to Ulysses Press, P.O. Box 3440,Berkeley, CA 94703. All retail orders are shipped free of charge. Californiaresidentsmustincludesalestax.Allowtwotothreeweeksfordelivery.

ABOUTTHEAUTHOR

ScottB.Williamshasbeenexploringwildplacesandseekingadventureonbothland and sea most of his life. At the age of 25, he sold his possessions andembarkedon anopen-ended solo sea kayaking journey fromhis home in southMississippi to the islandsof theCaribbean.HisbookOnIslandTime:KayakingtheCaribbeanisanarrativeofthatlife-changingjourneythatledtomanyyearsand many thousands of miles of kayaking and canoeing adventures. Hisenthusiasmfortravelbywaterfueledaninterestinavarietyofboatsandledhimto learn the craft of wooden boatbuilding and later to construct more than adozen custom-built vessels, including the 26-foot sailing catamaran that is hismost recent project. In addition to building boats, paddling small craft, andoffshore sailing, he enjoys backpacking, bicycling, dual-sportmotorcycling, andphotography. He maintains several blogs related to these pursuits andoccasionally writes for magazines including Sea Kayaker and SAIL. His mostpopularblogisBugOutSurvival(www.bugoutsurvival.com)whichexpandsonhisbookBugOut: TheComplete Plan forEscaping aCatastrophicDisasterBeforeIt’sTooLate.Moreinformationaboutallofhisbooks,articles,andblogscanbefoundonhismainwebsite,www.scottbwilliams.com.

PublishedintheUnitedStatesby

ULYSSESPRESSP.O.Box3440

Berkeley,CA94703www.ulyssespress.com

eISBN:978-1-569-75997-4

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