Boat or RV ?

[25thmustang]

Re: Boat or RV ?

Get a boat that acts like a floating camper!

 

[bustoff]

Re: Boat or RV ?

Thanks for all your input. We are going with the boat.
Now the search for a used 28' power cruiser.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Boat or RV ?

Where are you located?

 

[bustoff]

Re: Boat or RV ?

We are in Grand Island, NY

Was thinking about a good used power cruiser 26-28 footer, if that's not too big for a first-timer.

 

[QC]

Re: Boat or RV ?

Most here would say too much without some experience. Trailer? Slip? What waters? Very lengthy discussion actually. A few have said get a used Class A and a small boat. I am in that camp. Get some boat experience, play with the MoHo, figure out which one, bor both, or none, is your passion.

 

[Sandi_k]

Re: Boat or RV ?

We've had jet skis for a decade. And we like camping - not hard core, for sure, but we never saw the need to bring along everything AND the kitchen sink. So we used a Ford E25-/E350 as our tow vehicle, which gave us a place to sleep without huge expense.

About three years ago, we decided to upgrade a bit, so we sold our E250 and bought an E350 - then we added in a fiberglass high top, shelves, a camping battery, an electric cooler/fridge, and some curtains. We sleep on a 6" queen sized cotton mattress that's more comfy than many hotel beds, but it folds up into thirds for day storage.

We camp in camp sites with bathrooms. No need for hookups or pump stations, which means that the site fees are reasonable. And best of all - we can tow our jetski trailer (and now BOAT and trailer) easily. Storage of the van is not a problem - it stays at our house, so no additional off-season storage fees either.

We're very happy as a result - we can camp for a week, or a weekend, and it's not a hassle. DH's best friend and his wife bought a Mini Winnie, and they had $700 per month payments on it, plus everything was a hassle - storage, trailering, leveling at the site, gas costs...they eventually sold it. In contrast, we didn't sink huge amounts of money into our rig, and we're still happy with it.

Take a look at the Sportsmobile Forums - there are lots of converted vans there, done for a reasonable cost. We spent $17K on the E350 (3 years old, still had a warranty at the time) and then paid an additional $6K for the fiberglass high top, window shades, shelves, backup camera, rubber mat, curtain and curtain rod, etc. You could have a "camping van" AND a boat. The best of both worlds!

Sandi

 

[Sandi_k]

Re: Boat or RV ?

We are in Grand Island, NY

Was thinking about a good used power cruiser 26-28 footer, if that's not too big for a first-timer.

IMHO, that is too big for a first timer. I wouldn't go longer than 22'.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Boat or RV ?

IMHO, that is too big for a first timer. I wouldn't go longer than 22'.

My first was a 29'er. I quickly moved to a 34'!

 

[pullin]

Re: Boat or RV ?

We did both

But in all seriousness, the recommendations above to rent for awhile are spot on. You can rent class-C and sometimes even Class A motorhomes to see how you like them. At least around here, there are a variety of lakes that rent both runabouts (open bows) and pontoon boats. This would be a good way to avoid an expensive mistake, and see which really appeals to you.

 

[bustoff]

Re: Boat or RV ?

Sandi_K - Your van sounds like a great idea !

 

[bustoff]

Re: Boat or RV ?

So we used a Ford E25-/E350 as our tow vehicle, which gave us a place to sleep without huge expense.

Sandi - just looked at those but they are loaded with seats. Where and how did you sleep ? Did you have to strip out the seats ?

 

[Sandi_k]

Re: Boat or RV ?

Sandi - just looked at those but they are loaded with seats. Where and how did you sleep ? Did you have to strip out the seats ?

The E350 comes as both a passenger van, and as a cargo van. We bought the cargo van version from a local commercial vehicle dealer who specializes in used trucks and vans.

Used Trucks and Commercial Vehicles for Sale | Hengehold Trucks

We then scoured the local pick-a-part places to find the pop-out windows, since we knew we wanted them for camping (and they are not installed on current models). The brilliant thing about using the Ford body is that it's been produced FOREVER, so you can find parts pretty easily. So we found 3 pop-out windows at the junkyard, and ordered one from the dealer, and then installed them ourselves.

Then we got a rubber mat, specially designed for cushy comfort on the floor (we decided we didn't want carpet, given we were in and out of the water so much). Then we added insulation and wall panels, a high top with a shelf over the front seats, a backup camera, etc.

Seriously, take a look at the home builds over on Sportsmobileforum.com • Index page - it will be a great resource as you plot and plan.

 

[Sandi_k]

Re: Boat or RV ?

As for the bed, it's actually foam, not cotton. We went to a local futon place, and ordered it. They did 3" foam normally, and we'd used that at first - but it got too compressed. So we asked if they'd make one double-thick, and make a cotton cover with zipper so it could be removed and cleaned. They said yes, and it cost under $200.

We've been using it for at least 6 years now.

Foam Creations Sleep Shop - Albany, CA

Sandi