My Friends and I Bought an Island • Hacker News Board

Re: My Friends and I Bought an Island

#151

Post by brd529 » Mon, Sep 16, 2013, 9:47 PM UTC

hoopism wrote: post #53

jessaustin wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Unfortunately, the first structure in a remote location is often the first structure the local pyro has an opportunity to torch with no consequences. After losing a camper trailer (not on an island, but in a remote location) to this phenomenon, we've investigated more durable/securable structures but have been reluctant to invest in anything more permanent than tents.

One of these: http://www.junglehammock.com/ and a nice Kayak is your key to staying on any coastline or island. If there's nobody there... then nobody will mind. Ownership = headache.

Looks cool. I've always thought sleeping in a Hammock would be nice, but as a stomach sleeper I wonder if it would really be possible. Are things flat and taught enough that you can stomach sleep on them?

Re: My Friends and I Bought an Island

#152

Post by davidp » Mon, Sep 16, 2013, 9:47 PM UTC

jacquesm wrote: post #103

notaddicted wrote: post #94

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If their boat is more of a skiff, a couple paddles and a milk jug cut in half for bailing might be sufficient. In terms of winter storms, this is approximately as bad as it gets: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Juan .

Funny you should post that. I was travelling by car near Cap Chat when that hit and it wasn't amusing at all. https://maps.google.com/maps?q=cap+chat+quebec&oe=utf-8&aq=t... The st. Lawrence river might just as well be ocean for the purpose of driving along the shore road in winter, in the middle of a snowstorm like that it really makes you wonder what the hell you were thinking of driving there in winter. I went the…

Completely unrelated: I zoomed out on your Google Maps link and saw a suspiciously circular lake formation:

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=cap+chat+quebec&hl=en&ie=UTF8...

Yep, it's the 4th most powerful known meteor impact: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ren%C3%A9-Levasseur_Island

I love Wikipedia.

Re: My Friends and I Bought an Island

#153

Post by edkennedy » Mon, Sep 16, 2013, 9:49 PM UTC

npsimons wrote: post #76

jacquesm wrote: post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You're welcome. Basic engine repair skills, something to patch up your boat in case you spring a leak, a basic comms kit+genny so you can call up the coast guard or a passing boat if you should need them (assuming your island is out of cell phone reach), cache of freshwater, fuel, waterproofed matches and a couple of days worth of tin cans in case you ever get cut off. Halifax coast in winter can be, how to phrase th…

As a SAR guy, I can say the big big thing is the first aid (plus CPR). It sounds like you're relatively close to civilization, but realize that if someone has to come to help you, they're likely not going to be there within the Golden Hour ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_hour_%28medicine%29 ). That, and just being prepared in general (ten essentials: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_Essentials and knowing how…

Although that area is typically serviced by hovercraft and close to civilization, having first aid skills are certainly essential.

Re: My Friends and I Bought an Island

#154

Post by [deleted] » Mon, Sep 16, 2013, 9:52 PM UTC

intenex wrote: post #66

Hey all - co-owner here with Tynan. He tried to reply to all your comments but you guys left so many he got throttled by HN and now can't post. Shame on you all. Just kidding - but really, he's throttled atm. He'll be back to reply to posts when he can!

[deleted]

Re: My Friends and I Bought an Island

#155

Post by saraid216 » Mon, Sep 16, 2013, 9:52 PM UTC

hnriot wrote: post #149

jacquesm wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yep. And suddenly fall they do (gust of wind, guy playing around with a chainsaw at the base, random chance).

it's a miracle humans managed to survive the first few million years...

Most of them didn't.

Re: My Friends and I Bought an Island

#156

Post by joonix » Mon, Sep 16, 2013, 9:53 PM UTC

hoopism wrote: post #54

yannk wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why do you assume he'd want to prevent locals from visiting?

You never met a bored teenager... have you? Of course it is Canada... maybe they aren't as awful.

Judging by the Stanley Cup riots in Vancouver a few years ago, they are worse.

Re: My Friends and I Bought an Island

#157

Post by brandall10 » Mon, Sep 16, 2013, 9:53 PM UTC

Just for people new to who Tynan is, he's a pretty far out guy. Some things I recall (sorry haven't kept up over the years)

1) Ran a successful professional online poker playing business, actually hired employees and trained them to predictably win.

2) Was one of the main characters in the book The Game (yes, that PUA one).

3) Did polyphasic sleep experiments in earnest (was it a couple months or so?).

4) Had a giant inflatable outdoor pool inside his house, taking up his entire livingroom.

5) Sold all his belongings, including said house, and travelled the world for a year with almost nothing... probably in 2k8 or so before such an idea became more commonplace.

There's probably some much cooler stuff I'm forgetting, but hey it makes perfect sense he'd be part of an island buying crew.

Re: My Friends and I Bought an Island

#158

Post by brianshaler » Mon, Sep 16, 2013, 9:54 PM UTC

tynan wrote: post #105

snowwrestler wrote: post #23

That's awesome! I have a feeling that you are going to get some neighbors pretty quickly as we all start looking now. For the love of Mother Nature, please hook up with a landscape architect so that you make sustainable decisions about where to site buildings, where to cut trails, etc. It doesn't take much vegetation loss to start some nasty erosion.

I hope so. If anyone buys an island in Nova Scotia, get in touch! We're leaving all trees around the edge to prevent erosion, and are clearing very minimally. Will definitely be getting some expert advice before making big decisions, though.

Do you know if there are any other islands in the area that are for sale? Any resources aside from privateislandsonline?

Re: My Friends and I Bought an Island

#159

Post by jacquesm » Mon, Sep 16, 2013, 9:54 PM UTC

davidp wrote: post #152

jacquesm wrote: post #103

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Funny you should post that. I was travelling by car near Cap Chat when that hit and it wasn't amusing at all. https://maps.google.com/maps?q=cap+chat+quebec&oe=utf-8&aq=t... The st. Lawrence river might just as well be ocean for the purpose of driving along the shore road in winter, in the middle of a snowstorm like that it really makes you wonder what the hell you were thinking of driving there in winter. I went the…

Completely unrelated: I zoomed out on your Google Maps link and saw a suspiciously circular lake formation: https://maps.google.com/maps?q=cap+chat+quebec&hl=en&ie=UTF8... Yep, it's the 4th most powerful known meteor impact: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ren%C3%A9-Levasseur_Island I love Wikipedia.

Go to Sudbury, Ontario for an even larger one! (they're still mining that one today).

Re: My Friends and I Bought an Island

#160

Post by toby » Mon, Sep 16, 2013, 9:54 PM UTC

lutusp wrote: post #64

Quote: "Over the years we'll build up the island, doing most of the work ourselves. We'll build a communal building with a shower, kitchen, lounge, and bathrooms. Each owner of the island gets to pick a spot on which to build their own little structure to sleep in. Together we'll build infrastructure, gardens, a fire pit, and whatever else we can come up with." So, not counting significant others, ten people sharing…

For what it's worth, I live in SF and know of several communities of people over 30 - people who are well-educated and could definitely afford to live in their own space - who choose to live together in big warehouse conversions. I'm sure there's drama but they consider being around other like-minded people to be worthwhile.

In this case it's just shared vacation land which is even easier, and they'll each get their own plot. My family of 6 lived on a quarter acre in a suburb and that always felt like plenty of space.