Separation by Sail

[micah719]

I've been musing lately about the dwindling space on this planet to practise Biblical separation and live a Godly life. One possibility that came to mind was on a sailboat.

What better place to get out of the wicked way of the world and lead a quiet, peaceful life? Homeschool in peace, raise children without fighting the world at every step, engage the world when you want to rather than live at its mercy. Ok, when the time comes no place will be safe, least of all the ocean, but in the meantime what better way of being separate and touching not the unclean thing?

Granted, the life of an ocean cruiser is far removed from suburbia and demands some sactifices, but aren't so much of these sacrifices merely the letting go of worldly entanglements anyway?

Now, I'm not positing that one can run away from the sin nature....but being in an environment where you are not bombarded by billboards and modern media and the worldly mindset of just about everyone you meet anywhere you go, would be somewhat simpler and less stressing than living as a sheep amongst a multitude of goats?

It is not the kind of thing to appeal to many, or even quite a few of the few, but I thought I'd start this thread for those of us with the same salty thoughts of retiring to the fluid wilderness and living off the marine equivalent of locusts and wild honey. Just think of the boost to your prayer life and Scripture study when you're out there alone with Father.

It's not as though you're hermiting permanently, as you can manage your contact with the world a whole lot better, and being globally mobile seems safer to me than being stationary in one spot waiting for the local jursdiction to come hunting for any excuse to eradicate any vestige of separatist intolerant non-globalist inclusivist-synchretist-universalist-compromise-apostacy-hating Christians.

I considered where to put this thread, and almost put it in economics forum, but since it is primarily about separation I thought the ethics forum was the best.

So, let's discuss all pertainong matters to do with Separation by Sail.

For starters, I have no boat yet and am many hundreds of miles from the sea, for now....but the germ of an idea is there and the preparation has begun.

My hazy plans are forming up....a self-built steel junk-rigged schooner about 45 feet long. That's plenty to start with. Over to you.....

[Littlejoe]

Kinda ignores the commandment of "Great Commission" doesn't it?

[mossrose]

Kinda ignores the commandment of "Great Commission" doesn't it?

And Jesus' words that we are to be IN the world but not OF the world.

[micah719]

It's not about totally withdrawing from the world, merely redesigning the terms of contact.

Still plenty of opportunity to proclaim The Gospel, but also a whole lot more control about what goes on in your life, especially if raising a family. Most of the world's population lives within cooee of the sea or a river, so there's no question of hermiting in some backwater somewhere. Probably the opposite, seeing as how a sailboat is globally mobile with a very cost-effective energy source: free wind.

And speaking of wind, even the ecofascists can't have much to complain about because consumption of resources is extremely low and without a propulsion engine not even the carbon heist applies, though those bandits will find a way to stick it to you. The beauty of the maritime life is....if the locale isn't amenable, or the vermin are becoming intolerable, you pull up anchor and sail off somewhere more peaceful. Can't do that with a house.

Ok, next objections please. Hopefully someone will turn up with something constructive and the thread will provide ideas rather than reasons why it can't be done.

Anyone with printing experience? Let me know of simple, reliable cheap methods of printing....Bibles afloat!

[mossrose]

If I had the means and my husband didn't get seasick, I would do it.

[micah719]

The economics of it are much more favourable than the house/mortgage/rent system, as long as one keeps in mind that there are sacrifices to be made in certain comfortsand conveniences, but also gains in others.

As to the seasickness....for most it is a matter of getting used to it. Very few are totally devoid of "sea-legs". Many seasoned sailors still get a twinge of seasickness when it gets really rough, but with a safe boat, proper seamanship, prudent routing and modern weather prediction, the heavy weather and violent motion can be reduced to a very minor risk indeed. My own experience so far with growing up on the shores of a bay renowned for choppy water and treacherous currents is that I tend to feel the effects more when I go on land....getting used to terra firma not rocking underfoot is harder than getting used to a rolling deck! Should The Lord bless this venture with progress and success I expect that at some stage I'll be kneeling over a bucket bidding breakfast goodbye and wishing I was somewhere else, but right now it's a risk I'm willing to bear and suffer through. If all else fails, there are remedies for mal de mer.

I like your signature, btw!

[mossrose]

The economics of it are much more favourable than the house/mortgage/rent system, as long as one keeps in mind that there are sacrifices to be made in certain comfortsand conveniences, but also gains in others.

My husband is of retirement age, our children are grown, we own our home outright. And we would have to learn how to sail.

As to the seasickness....for most it is a matter of getting used to it. Very few are totally devoid of "sea-legs". Many seasoned sailors still get a twinge of seasickness when it gets really rough, but with a safe boat, proper seamanship, prudent routing and modern weather prediction, the heavy weather and violent motion can be reduced to a very minor risk indeed. My own experience so far with growing up on the shores of a bay renowned for choppy water and treacherous currents is that I tend to feel the effects more when I go on land....getting used to terra firma not rocking underfoot is harder than getting used to a rolling deck! Should The Lord bless this venture with progress and success I expect that at some stage I'll be kneeling over a bucket bidding breakfast goodbye and wishing I was somewhere else, but right now it's a risk I'm willing to bear and suffer through. If all else fails, there are remedies for mal de mer.

My husband can't ride in the back seat of a car. He was never able to go on a merry-go-round with the children. Mind you, there are probably remedies today that are different from what we tried way back when.

I hope that you get to separate yourself within the context of how you have stated it here. Sounds like you are thinking things out well.

I like your signature, btw!

Thank you!



Even for a landlubber, I can state with assurance that my Rock is steadfast!

[micah719]

Sorry to hear about the motion sickness of your hubby. It doesn't sound promising for sailing.

Even for a landlubber, I can state with assurance that my Rock is steadfast!

Amen Amen! The Scriptural symbol of the raging sea comes to mind, and whether you remain in your present earthly harbour or make the plunge to sailing, your anchorage is secure. Storms are sure to come.

I hope that you get to separate yourself within the context of how you have stated it here. Sounds like you are thinking things out well.

It is an option Lot didn't have...though he didn't have to go live where he did. The example of Jonah is not so encouraging, but Nineveh is global these days and I'd rather not put myself in such high company without some clear unmistakeable evidence. Lowly sheep is fine for me. Lurking in the various cruising forums on the web I've noticed a frequent piece of advice to prospective blue-water sailors is to take plenty of books....the idea of bulk Bible-study time is already enough to make the whole idea very appealing to me.

A somewhat disturbing topic I've noticed is that singlehanded sailors are reportedly prone to hallucinations, particularly when sleep-deprived. I haven't come across any of these accounts from a verified Christian sailor, and we do have The Lord's promise to be always with us and keep us from the evil one. Sleep deprivation, physical danger, and solitude are not completely new to me, and I have faith He will carry me through difficulties wherever I am...

The main concern I have is that my motive for the whole idea is pure and acceptable to The Lord, and not merely an outcropping of my yet-present sinful nature. Hasten Romans 7:25, praise God!