🚣♂️ Book Review: Kayak Bug Out by Jerry D. Young (Kindle Edition)
A fast-paced survival vignette that blends real-world prepping with fictional crisis response—Jerry D. Young delivers another gritty, resourceful tale from his extensive catalog of bug-out scenarios.
🧠 Overview
Published in March 2019, Kayak Bug Out is a short survival fiction story by prolific prepper author Jerry D. Young, known for his practical, scenario-driven narratives. This installment centers around a group of forum friends who decide to evacuate to a safe homestead in Georgia after a series of devastating hurricanes cripple the Gulf Coast and send fuel prices skyrocketing.
The story is part of Young’s broader universe of “bug-out” fiction, where characters use detailed planning, gear, and community networks to survive large-scale disasters. In this case, the kayak becomes a symbol of mobility, independence, and tactical escape.
🌪️ Plot Snapshot
- 🌊 A series of hurricanes devastates the Gulf Coast, triggering fuel shortages and economic collapse
- 🧭 Members of the Family Readiness Center Forum coordinate a bug-out to a homestead on Lake Seminole
- 🚧 Plans unravel as fuel runs out, communication falters, and unexpected obstacles arise
- 🛶 The kayak becomes a critical tool for one character’s escape and survival, showcasing ingenuity and resilience
“The biggest problem with this book is that it was simply too short… So many places where expansion could be easy. But thanks for another fun little read, Jerry.” — Amazon review
💬 Reader Reception
- ⭐ Amazon rating: 4.1/5 from 173 global reviews
- 📖 Readers enjoy the story’s realistic prepping details, tight pacing, and community-driven narrative
- 🧾 Some wish for deeper character development and a longer format, noting that the story feels like a teaser for a larger novel
- 💬 “Always thought-provoking. It was fun to see the challenge coins used and meet Mulely’s family, but it took half the book to get there.” — Verified Amazon reviewer
⚠️ Considerations
- 📄 Short format: At under 30 pages, it’s a vignette—not a full-length novel
- 📚 Best for prepper fiction fans: Readers unfamiliar with survivalist culture may miss some of the nuance
- 🧾 Limited character arcs: Focus is on logistics and scenario execution rather than emotional depth
🏁 Final Verdict
Kayak Bug Out is a compact, scenario-driven survival story that showcases Jerry D. Young’s knack for blending fiction with practical prepping insight. While brief, it offers a compelling look at how ordinary people might respond to extraordinary crises—with kayaks, community, and contingency plans. Ideal for fans of tactical fiction and anyone curious about bug-out strategies in a collapsing world.
