I don't think there is any relation between the two. Boats do not represent "freedom." If an economic apocalypse occurred, do you think you would be safe on your little boat? You'd set into harbor and find an entirely new sort of harbor master staring at you, surrounded by his little gang of thieves. Depending on how and what you paid him, he might even let you keep your boat.
He wouldn't be safe even in the open sea in case some apocalypse should occur. To survive there you would need something like The Last Ship with a crew of marines to help you. Otherwise it will be a one-way cruise on a lethal mission.