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What would you rather own?

  • Sailboat

    Votes: 99 90.0%
  • RV

    Votes: 11 10.0%
  • Motor Yacht

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Would you rather own a sailboat or a RV?

20K views 134 replies 67 participants last post by  LessTacksing 
#1 ·
So here's my dilemma.

I really want to buy a new sailboat. Has been wanting one for a while now. But I also want to get a RV of some kind.

With a sailboat you have a house on water. You could explore islands, remote coasts, lakes, rivers.

But with a RV you could explore the remotest parts of North America. I think RVing is alot cheaper too.

What do you guys think?
 
#32 ·
Was this thread really started in a SAILING forum????
 
#33 ·
It does seem a silly question in a sailing forum, but I bought an RV before I bought my boat thinking that cruising around the country would be just as much fun. I definitely did not use it as often as I am now using my boat. In many ways, RV'ing is similar to living in a marina, but it's a form of travel that's more akin to power boating than sailing. On land, I'd much rather camp in a tent and explore more wild places than tow a trailer. If you really can't decide, my suggestion is to just do both! You'll know soon enough which vessel/vehicle is just sitting there more often than not ;-)
 
#35 ·
the RV thing has always been attractive to me, but I always go back to how many hotel rooms I can buy with the money an RV costs. I like camping and an RV isn't quite camping. But I have to admit that as I get older my back sure does keep asking for an RV.

Then I began to see and RV more as a travel convenience than a replacement to camping. It sure is nice to be able to pull over and sleep instead of hunting for a hotel room.

I love sailing more, but I honestly believe the wife and kids would prefer the RV.
 
#41 ·
the RV thing has always been attractive to me, but I always go back to how many hotel rooms I can buy with the money an RV costs. I like camping and an RV isn't quite camping. But I have to admit that as I get older my back sure does keep asking for an RV.

Then I began to see and RV more as a travel convenience than a replacement to camping. It sure is nice to be able to pull over and sleep instead of hunting for a hotel room.

I love sailing more, but I honestly believe the wife and kids would prefer the RV.
I have always thought hey those things use a lot of fuel, can't be much fun to drive and then you got to pay about what you would pay for a hotel room to park them in what amounts to a trailer park crowded with people. So you spend a ton more on fuel and still pay to park them, and they cost thousands, if not 100s of thousands of dollars. They don't make sense to me at all. Sure if you spend a LOT of money they are kind of luxurious but never made any sense to me. I like camping, and want to go someplace where I won't see anyone, you know experience nature, not other drunk people. But you could likely fly places, rent a car, stay in the Ritz for a lot less than what it costs to buy and run a motor home.

But back to the original question, I say rent an RV for a few weeks, then Charter a sailboat for the same amount of time and see what the family likes.
 
#91 ·
My wife liked the RV better because it didn't "tip". :D

Paul T
Same here. When I retired we wanted to sell the house and travel. I wanted a boat. The wife wanted a motorhome. The motorhome won. We have lived in it for 9 years as of December. Mostly we stay in military RV parks. They have all the regular services and are a little bit less expensive than private parks, and they are usually located in some very scenic places. We like the life style. We also have three boats; a motor boat (heaven forbid), a 12 foot rowboat and an 8 foot sailing dinghy. So I get to sail, go fishing and boating as well.
 
#48 ·
So here's my dilemma.

I really want to buy a new sailboat. Has been wanting one for a while now. But I also want to get a RV of some kind.

With a sailboat you have a house on water. You could explore islands, remote coasts, lakes, rivers.

But with a RV you could explore the remotest parts of North America. I think RVing is alot cheaper too.

What do you guys think?
I have both an RV and a sailboat and I've never had to ask myself that sort of question. I'll always have a boat. If you even think of asking such a question then I think you should buy an RV.
 
#49 ·
Well I own both. Biased opinion but, I use my RV much more. It has traveled the country or at least the eastern half.

I envy those with larger sailboats that go around the world or even island hopping but it may be awhile before I can do that.

Reason my opinion is biased is because we have been camping my whole life. Never really been without some sort of RV. Right now mine is a travel trailer although I am considering going to the motor coach next. Sister loves theirs.

Big plus for RV? Well family will love it, (they may not enjoy sailing as much as you), bad weather? no problem stop in a wayside and make a snack. So much to see in America, scenery from open water is well open water, scenery from the road is Awesome!!! Family reunions have a whole new "niceness" to them. No longer need to crash at uncle Ed's place, just pull in and plug in. Home away from home.

remember the last motel you stayed in on vacation? who slept there before you? My better half used to clean in a very upscale hotel. (5 star rated) you wouldn't believe what people do in those rooms. She now cleans operatting rooms in a hospital and says they are so much cleaner even after major surgery. bllod, guts, bone fragments and brain matter are nothing compared to the alternative.

I do still want to someday get the larger sailboat for extended stays and have even thought of living aboard although I would still keep my RV for traveling.

I have a friend down south who does 6 months living on her boat and 6 months cruising in her RV....perfect combo.

as far as cost? I wouldn't say the RV is "cheap" but it is easier to find things for, and I don't think they break quite as often. Although I have had a few issues with mine they have been inexpensive, and more importantly non life threatening. when something breaks at a campground it is an inconvenience but easily handled.
 
#50 ·
by the way as far as niceness, I have gone from a tent through various versions of RV to what I have now. Even my dogs would rather stay in my "camper" rather than the house. I have lived in it for a year and a half while contracting in FL. quite comfortably. pulling the camper with my truck nets a fuel mileage of about 12 MPG.
My sister and Bro in law get 10 from a 35 ft class A RV. They have 2 bedrooms, 4 flat screen TV's and very nice leather furnishings...

you don't buy RV's or trucks for fuel mileage.

Campgrounds are like anything else, choose wisely. If you like to party go to the party places. If you like up scale and snooty those exist. I stay in KOA a lot. they are very nice and comfortable. rules are enforced, no old shabby rolling wrecks allowed. usually campers have to be 10 yrs old or less. (unless custom rebuilt)

I have had Montgomery Gentry pull their tour bus into one of the ones I stayed at. Definitely not a drunk fest there. Mostly drive in and look around. If they won't let you look, leave -- fast-- if they let you, I usually look at the vehicles around. all new trucks pulling newer campers probably not a big party.

There are certainly campgrounds you should avoid but I have seen a couple harbors I wouldn't go in to.
 
#52 ·
all depends on how you are comparing prices. yes you can stay in a $40/ night motel but really do you want to?

or $40 campsight gets you nice campground, pool, often a hot tub, cook in your own unit, sleep in your own bed. sometimes a lake, sometimes hiking trails,

if you're comparing prices you have to look at an equivalent stay. for me to stay in a hotel equivalent to my RV would be well over $100 / night.
Flat screen, cable, open bar, surround sound, A/C, heat, kitchen, covered patio, all new furnishings and bedding, non smoking unit, not too mention outside fireplace. Girly wants one with an inside fireplace next. LOL (yes they have them)

Plus the fact it's usually fun to get to know folks around you. I have never walked around a hotel/motel and gotten to know others around me. Campground we almost always do it.
 
#53 ·
I think a primary question here (which I notice no one has asked yet) is - do you currently sail? Also important - do you live near a good sailing area?

If you don't have much sailing experience, I would start there before making a decision. I would sign you (and spouse if married) up for a cruising course where you live on the water. See how you like it and then decide.

I recently purchased a boat to sail, because I love sailing and wanted to get more practice and expand my skills. However, I have been pleasantly surprised by how wonderful it is to just get out of the city and weekend on the boat, even if it doesn't leave the slip. We have nicknamed the boat 'the country house'. It is a much cheaper alternative to a waterfront home in the area, and even if I'd never host Thanksgiving dinner on the boat, those waterfront homes can't just untie and change the view, either.

As for the RV, I would ask yourself if it really is a much more desirable alternative to car camping. I think this really depends on your proximity to the places you would like to camp and how much time you plan to be out. For me, the threshold would be if I planned to take many extended trips, with multiple stops, where I would be out in all weathers and the convenience of not having to pack and unpack my 'house' and spend multiple days tent-bound in the rain would outweigh the aesthetic pleasures of sleeping outside and the considerably cheaper cost.
 
#54 ·
As for the RV, I would ask yourself if it really is a much more desirable alternative to car camping. I think this really depends on your proximity to the places you would like to camp and how much time you plan to be out. For me, the threshold would be if I planned to take many extended trips, with multiple stops, where I would be out in all weathers and the convenience of not having to pack and unpack my 'house' and spend multiple days tent-bound in the rain would outweigh the aesthetic pleasures of sleeping outside and the considerably cheaper cost.
that is a very good question/point. The reason we stopped tenting is because the better half got sick and tired of week long trips where it would rain alll week. everything would be soaked, plus no amenities at all in a tent. so we began the scaling up of how we camp. now days it isn't camping at all. I still like to go out in a tent now and than but I have to admit there is somethin to be said for comfort.

I watched a family in FL trying to set up camp in the rain with a tent. I went out and asked them if they'd like to come in until the storm passed. Their son was amazed at the "camping" I was doing. Hanging out having refreshments watching TV and saying "sure looks bad out there"
I don't miss tenting in the rain at all. LOL

BTW emcentar: Is that your boxer? Mine would never get near the boat, let alone lounge like that LOL
 
#59 ·
Yes, I think my advice could be summed up more succinctly: start slowly and see which suits you best. Ideally, a sailboat should be an upgrade from weekend club/rental sailing, a RV an upgrade from car camping. I think too many sailboats sit in slips and RVs sit in driveways because people purchased a dream of what they wanted to do, not what they actually do now.

And that's not my boxer, although it could be her sister. Mine isn't a fan of the boat either, although I'm still working on it. She is probably never going to be a sailor, sadly, but I haven't given up on taking her to the boat when I don't plan to leave the slip. She does at least like to nap in the cockpit and watch the seagulls fish now.
 
#60 ·
And that's not my boxer, although it could be her sister. Mine isn't a fan of the boat either, although I'm still working on it. She is probably never going to be a sailor, sadly, but I haven't given up on taking her to the boat when I don't plan to leave the slip. She does at least like to nap in the cockpit and watch the seagulls fish now.
beautiful dog, love the brown. mine is a brindle with flash. she is a sweetheart but very hyper and not at all interested in the boat. She won't even get in it on the trailer in the drive. LOL she did love going to the beach though to wade in the water. sadly she is probably coming to her last days. she was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year and it is spreading through her body. so far no "pain" just tumors that seem to annoy her but not hurt. as long as she is living happily we intend to let her enjoy life.
 
#57 ·
I thought about doing a bicycle tour for a bit. I was heavy into cycling a few years and it seemed like it would be fun to do. two major drawbacks though were time consumption and weather exposure. even a nice day can get miserable on a bicycle if you're out for hours on end.
 
#62 · (Edited)
Time can definately be an issue. Pushing it some people can manage a 100 miles a day. But that defeats the purpose of touring on a bicycle. The goal is to slow down and smell the roses, so to speak. Like sailing, it's about the ride not the destination. It is to traveling by car what sailing is to power boating.

Hours on end pedaling a loaded bike can get old fast. Usually i average about six hours a day on the bike. That time is broken down into one or two hour stints. There is no rush. That's the point! Depending on terrain ( read that as hills) that breaks down to 40 to 60 miles per day.

IMO, there is absolutely no better way to see a place than to walk through it or ride through it on a bike.

There is no rule that says you must ride from Prudhoe Bay to Tierra Del Fuego ( though it's been done ) Start local and ride a to destination 20 or 30 miles away and then back home.

Lastly, there is no rule that says you have to camp. Credit card touring is very popular. Just pull up in the valet lane at the Ritz Carlton and tell them not to scratch the paint!!!! Seriously, lotsa people credit card tour staying at everything from cheap motels to expensive B&Bs. Like i said, no rules. Just have fun!
 
#61 · (Edited)
IMO, this forum is an excellent place for this question. If the OP hasn't already done so i would suggest asking the same question on an RV owners forum.

We too, do both. About 18 years ago i sold my 34 ft sail boat and a year later bought a 30 foot motrhome. We used it primarily as a way to go to Hobie regattas. But we caught the RV bug and used it more and more. Trips with the kids to Disney, the Keys, and the Outer banks. We did roller coaster summer in our RV. Visiting as many big coaster parks as we could find. WE also did baseball summer using 14 days to road trip as many baseball games as we could fit into the schedule. NASCAR was on the agenda as well, but only a couple of races. We also found those weird events that really get into the fabric of an area. Like Bridge Day in Beckley West Virginia. Honestly, by a show of hands, how many people have seen people with parachutes jump off a bridge? the area has a big celebration. It's like Hillbilly Octoberfest! The kids still talk about that! As they do about Raystown Lake, a gem of a beautiful place in western Pennsylvania. 30 miles of pristine shoreline!

So the RV became a big part of our family's togetherness. I believe more so than the boat would have done. Though we still sailed, racing Hobies and J22s. it was all good!

As time went on we found that RVers share something in common with boaters - bigger is better! Which isn't always the case. Still, we now have a 43 ft Diesel Pusher Motorhome. Might downsize that but for now we are happy campers!!!!( though most campers will tell you traveling in any vehicle with AC, heat, sat connections, flat screen TVs and queen sized beds is not camping!)
 
#68 ·
I think RVing is alot cheaper too.
I take it you've never gassed up one of those beasts. At around 8 MPG they ain't cheap. More like the cost of running a big powerboat than a sailboat.
 
#69 · (Edited)
While gas is not cheap the over-all cost for a vaca in one compares favorably with other options.

A 10 day 2500 mile round trip would cost about $1400 in fuel, $500 to $700 for campgrounds, and another $250 for food. Add in some odds and end your at about $3000.

Fly to a resort destination and how much does that cost? 2 people airfare $800, lodging, at least $300 per night and if you go cheap food will be $150 a day. All up it's gonna cost over $5000.

A family vaca at the Jersey Shore for a week will run you in the $7000 to $10,000 range. Of course there are less expensive alternatives.

That said, RVing for most is no different than what sailors with bigger boats are doing. Weekends and one or two longer trips per year. Drive the RV to a favorite or new spot 50 to 150 miles from home spend two nights drive home. Total cost, all in, less than $250.

As i posted, we used it to extend our reach for family activities. Some weekends we would drive to a great hiking trail or local attraction. Just not having to feed four kids at an amusement park saved money. ( plus you park right up front with the buses!)

That said, if you want to really save money don't buy either an RV or a sail boat. Cause both are gonna cost ya!
 
#70 ·
yep, I use mine a lot for going 4 wheeling with atv's. definitely easier than trying to drive out and back in one day.

when the kids were younger they loved meeting new friends at campgrounds. in fact the girl my youngest has been with for the last 1 1/2 years he met at one of our camp spots. now they're trying to find a camper of their own to go out with. her parents have gone the route of the park model and we still like to move around with ours.
 
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