Boats, Drones and the Geometry of Movement

Space behaves differently on water.

As a sailors, we think about space differently. How much of it does a boat actually use to take you somewhere ?

Unlike a car, a boat doesn’t need roads, telecoms links, or endless infrastructure. It needs a hull, some water, and enough competence to steer.

That’s what makes boats so interesting:
They are freedom machines. A way to slip the net of corporate systems and move on your own terms.

Think about it:

On the Water

Boats need wide spacing, low speeds and sparse crowds. In terms of density, it’s not efficient, but it’s honest.

Boats carry people at the pace of attention. There’s no algorithm controlling where you go or how fast. You can drift. Or stop entirely. Try that on a motorway.

When we compare boats to cars, we need to be clear about the frame:

Cars are optimised for system-owned roads.
Boats are optimised for human-owned water.

The geometry is different, so the movement is different.

On the Ground

Cars. Also not efficient- most carry just one person. But they win. Not because they’re better—but because infrastructure bends to them.

Roads, roundabouts, service stations—they’re all engineered to absorb car chaos.

In the Air

Now, enter the drones.

Drones are efficient. Brutally so. Stackable, inspectable, and scalable. But they aren’t freedom machines—they’re delivery units. Four million buzzing quadcopters, all licensed and locked into low-altitude corridors of control.

Tied to logistics and surveillance. Useful, but not free.

So What Wins ?

It depends who you ask. Drones dominate efficiency. Cars dominate systems. But only boats let you disappear.

Boats are the middle ground. They’re already "off-grid” without needing to announce it. The map doesn’t expect you.

And that’s the point.

Boats remain the winner because they let you move—without asking permission first.

“Boats are freedom machines; a way to slip the net of corporate systems and move on your own terms."

Neil Chapman, Boatshed founder

Read the original article in November's edition of All At Sea