Sailing the Farm: A Survival Guide to Homesteading on the Ocean

by Ken Neumeyer

Sets out to equip the sailor with the information needed to turn a boat into a survival retreat. Topics covered include - Gather and preparing edible seaweeds; Earning a living with your boat; Delicious no-fuel recipes; Survival tools; Long-term food storage; Vegetable gardening; Fully illustrated with diagrams and sketches.

Genres: Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1981

Reviews

[Sebastian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not as pessimistic about the future as the author is, but self-reliability is always good and always will be. I can't wait to try it myself.

[Victor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the author have a extremist survivalist run-to-the-mountains (oceans in this case) mindset the book has some great insights on self-suffiency that may come very handy for voyaging the seven seas.

[Luke Carlson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much of the information within on creating a variety of healthy, sustainable food systems aboard a boat is fantastic and ripe with possibility. I, for one, have been sold on testing the concept of making sprouts a cornerstone of the diet and have a batch each of adzuki, kidney, and garbanzo beans sprouting as I write. I'm also quite curious to try crafting a solar dehydrator and oven from the directions provided and may even look back into spearfishing (after an unsettling first experience a few years ago in which the only catch was very nearly that of a snaggle-toothed moray acquiring several of my fingers).

Missing stars are due primarily to two of the author's omnipresent worldviews getting in the way of absorbing and processing the useful information: firstly, that global societal breakdown is impending (he's a seafaring prepper), and secondly, a sort of New Age philosophy that causes him to refer to food as things like "divine light energy". Many of the resources listed for acquiring useful foods and tools are no longer available or relevant, too, due to the book being published 40 years ago.

In short, it's still a very worthwhile read (even for those whose aspirations only reach landwards), but be prepared to skim long-winded passages prophesying the end times/higher planes of existence.

[Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

A guide to surviving on the ocean. How to grow all the food and produce all the water you need on board a 30 foot boat at sea. A bit too much about survival after the coming collapse of society, nonetheless there is some very inspiring information on self sufficiency.

[Laura Sagen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining read! The author takes "nutrition on board of a sailing vessel", to another level - to sprouting. Also, made me feel gutted that I didn't try using seaweed in my cooking on board when I had the chance! I thought I did it well with stocking up on pumpkin, cabbages and spices... I enjoyed his no-frills straightforward approach and enjoyed how he blends the principles of permaculture farming within the limitation of being on a sailing boat. Not sure how much I'd implement this, but I would definitely adopt more of his cooking also in my daily (most of which, non-sailing, life!). Yes, some of the advice is "too" practical – like detailed instructions how to build a solar still to generate sweet water – but for someone interested in that DIY approach - could be useful.

[Lisa]

I just found a free copy of this out-of-print book!

[David Koblos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Homesteading on the ocean. This seemingly unusual idea is made not only well understood after the first couple of pages, but in fact explained in detail how it is the only sensible way of traveling the seven seas: foraging and drying fruit, eating sprouts and ferments, fully utilizing your given resources. All complete with recipes and instruction manuals. A great book I would gladly give an extra star.

[Jo de Hastings]

Great off-the-grid book on how to live completely on a boat.

[servobot · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've ever dreamed of living completely off the grid (on a sailboat) this is a practical manual for doing it.

[Mi-sA-lê Fransen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a fantastic practical book about surviving and homesteading at sea. This is a handy book for anyone living close to nature, being handy and enhancing green living.

[Alex Ihlo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever dream of living out there? Away from it all. This book, though no longer in print, can help get you started on land or sea. Bon voyage!