Boat or RV? EDIT: Decision made!

[Sailingeric]

If you go boat, look for a used one. Most of the cost is in the equipment it has, not the hull and often people find out they are either more work than they wanted to deal with, not used it as much, or find out that boating is not their thing after having a scare on the water ( strong wind, wave, storm, etc) and please please take a boater safety course, and go out a few times with someone who knows what they are doing. Boat is easy, docking is hard.

 

[Sod Buster]

Boat is easy, docking is hard.

I love watching the people putting in and taking out boats at the launch. Some days are more entertaining than others. Like a family w/ 4 kids all excited to go out on a brand new barge from the bass pro, engine cover off wondering why it won't start clogging up a ramp. Buddy, put the engine cover on, jump in the seat, put it in neutral, start it up and get your whining kids far far away from where I'm going fishing. Then the roller bunk trailers, seen people unhook the winch two times and dump the boat on the pavement backing it in. I crack a beer and take it all in. Best mom, a rental short motorhome can tow that boat you posted a pic of no problem.

 

[lbacha]

Do you actually get out that much in the summer? We have thought about getting a boat but have been afraid due to working all week and only having the weekends.......of which roughly half of them have crappy weather lol. I am in Mentor which has a boat dock within walking distance of my house.

We dock at Whisky Island which is <10 min from our apartment in downtown. We are on the lake 2-3 times during the week and then most weekends. If we weren’t so close I wouldn’t really want the boat as it would be a chore

 

[Sailingeric]

I love watching the people putting in and taking out boats at the launch. Some days are more entertaining than others. Like a family w/ 4 kids all excited to go out on a brand new barge from the bass pro, engine cover off wondering why it won't start clogging up a ramp. Buddy, put the engine cover on, jump in the seat, put it in neutral, start it up and get your whining kids far far away from where I'm going fishing. Then the roller bunk trailers, seen people unhook the winch two times and dump the boat on the pavement backing it in. I crack a beer and take it all in. Best mom, a rental short motorhome can tow that boat you posted a pic of no problem.

I meant to say boating. But you get the point. I sail on boats that generally are too big to pull out on a trailer but even watching people dock their 30+ foot motor boat or sail boat is fun to watch- wind, current and just thinking they can pull it in like a car is always entertaining. Or my favorite- driving the boat is a Man's job and the Women should handle all the ropes or heavy anchor. Then they start all the yelling. I bet a marriage or two has ended because of docking.

I have always taken the slow and steady approach, just enough speed for steering, that is all you need.

 

[amazongb]

I live in So Ca, so it's boating in the summer and camping in the winter, and on occasion both at the same time. Tough decision..

 

[67chevellemalibu2]

Hubby will be retiring soon and we are trying to figure out what we want to be/do. We can’t decide between a small travel trailer and a party party barge (pontoon boat). There are pros and cons that are applicable to both (I will list) but I want to know hat you guys would do.

Boat... we live on the Gulf of Mexico. There are endless bodies of water to explore. We can cruise the Alabama river, fish in the Gulf, or just sit in the bay and watch the sunset. I grew up on the water. I love it. I’m not too fond of lakes and rivers but I’ve swam in (or explored) almost every salt water bayou and inlet near the Gulf. Hubby loves to do the same although he grew up on fresh water ponds and lakes.o_O

RV... we love to travel. I’ve been lots of places but there is so much to see in the great big US of A. I would love to just hook up and go. We could even go to a campground where there is water to fish in. There are lots of those around here. I don’t think we would ever drag a RV to California but who knows? The cool thing is, with an RV you can stop at every little nook and cranny and see stuff.

Btw.... we have a truck that will pull either as long as it’s not too big. And we are looking at stuff not too big. 20’ max for boat (preferably 18’) and about the same for RV. It will likely be just Hubby and I. Both cost about the same, give or take a few $1000.

We really want the opinions of anyone that will give them.... chime in folks!

I would buy an RV that I could pull a boat behind. See, I solved your dilemma.

 

[BestMomEver]

If you go boat, look for a used one. Most of the cost is in the equipment it has, not the hull and often people find out they are either more work than they wanted to deal with, not used it as much, or find out that boating is not their thing after having a scare on the water ( strong wind, wave, storm, etc) and please please take a boater safety course, and go out a few times with someone who knows what they are doing. Boat is easy, docking is hard.

We have found way more used RVs than boats. We live on the Gulf of Mexico and have tons of rivers and lakes. More people have boats and more people keep them. There are a few and we are definitely trying to find one.

We might take another safety course but I grew up driving and docking my father’s 62’ Hatteras. Of course, it was twin engine which made it pretty easy. I also never put it on the trailer. It was docked at a marina. We’ve also had numerous ski boats which I drove, but again, we had our own lift at our pier. Getting a boat on a trailer is not my forte’. I’ve done it a few times, but not often. Hubby has probably done it more than I have. As for pulling it behind my truck.... that’s my department. I’ve been hauling horse trailers all my life.

 

[BestMomEver]

I love watching the people putting in and taking out boats at the launch. Some days are more entertaining than others. Like a family w/ 4 kids all excited to go out on a brand new barge from the bass pro, engine cover off wondering why it won't start clogging up a ramp. Buddy, put the engine cover on, jump in the seat, put it in neutral, start it up and get your whining kids far far away from where I'm going fishing. Then the roller bunk trailers, seen people unhook the winch two times and dump the boat on the pavement backing it in. I crack a beer and take it all in. Best mom, a rental short motorhome can tow that boat you posted a pic of no problem.

Yes.... it’s a trip. It’s also pretty funny to see the “water cops” stop people and give them tickets. Yes, you have to have a license. No, you can’t drink and drive. Oh, by the way, life vests are the same as seat belts. Do it right. Do it safely. Don’t be stupid. People just don’t get it.

 

[Idoc]

We’ve heard people say, “The best days are are the ones when you buy a RV and/or boat and when you sell them.” We have considered doing nothing but we both love to explore and get out and about. I would enjoy either. Certainly, the boat will see more use because of where we live but I want to go/see places too.

The boat will get a lot of use IF you live on the water and have the biggest always wet in the water with a dock/slip. If you have to trailer a huge pontoon boat in and out if the water each time, it will get old quick and soon you'll be passing up those fun, quick boat trips due to all the work involved.

 

[brad shawn]

I have a small boat I fish out of. It’s maintenance but to me it’s worth it. Either way it’s gonna be work. he’s retiring you say so if he’s the type it would be a good thing to keep him busy!

 

[lbacha]

Can’t get good views of the tall ships coming in with an RV I’ll second my boat vote lol

 

[BestMomEver]

I love watching the people putting in and taking out boats at the launch. Some days are more entertaining than others. Like a family w/ 4 kids all excited to go out on a brand new barge from the bass pro, engine cover off wondering why it won't start clogging up a ramp. Buddy, put the engine cover on, jump in the seat, put it in neutral, start it up and get your whining kids far far away from where I'm going fishing. Then the roller bunk trailers, seen people unhook the winch two times and dump the boat on the pavement backing it in. I crack a beer and take it all in. Best mom, a rental short motorhome can tow that boat you posted a pic of no problem.

We’ve considered doing that. And, yes, I loved sitting on my pier watch the clown show. Not always so funny though. I watched a family of 5 struggle with their engine. While they were fighting with it it drifted pretty close to our pier. All of a sudden, it burst in flames. The family went into the water and I dove in after them. Of course, their little kids had no life vests on. They could swim ok but they were scared and disoriented. I drug two of them to shore. The boat burned all the way to the water. Unbelievable.

 

[BestMomEver]

I meant to say boating. But you get the point. I sail on boats that generally are too big to pull out on a trailer but even watching people dock their 30+ foot motor boat or sail boat is fun to watch- wind, current and just thinking they can pull it in like a car is always entertaining. Or my favorite- driving the boat is a Man's job and the Women should handle all the ropes or heavy anchor. Then they start all the yelling. I bet a marriage or two has ended because of docking.

I have always taken the slow and steady approach, just enough speed for steering, that is all you need.

My father used to ask me to dock our 62’ boat. I learned to do it when I was about 6 or 7. It takes finesse but it’s like riding a horse. Pull the right and the boat turns right. Pull the right back and push the left up and it’s like asking a horse to go a turn on the haunches (pivot around keeping the back feet stationary). I started riding horses when I was 4 or 5. I got it, easy greasy.

 

[BestMomEver]

I have a small boat I fish out of. It’s maintenance but to me it’s worth it. Either way it’s gonna be work. he’s retiring you say so if he’s the type it would be a good thing to keep him busy!

Very pretty. Put the top down and water ski!

 

[BestMomEver]

Can’t get good views of the tall ships coming in with an RV I’ll second my boat vote lol

Where is that? It’s beautiful!

 

[BestMomEver]

The biggest will get a lot of use IF you live on the water and have the biggest always wet in the water with a dock/slip. If you have to trailer a huge pontoon boat in and out if the water each time, it will get old quick and soon you'll be passing up those fun, quick boat trips due to all the work involved.

You’re correct. But I think we’ll have to figure out how to live with it. First, boat slips are expensive. Secondly, unless the gulf is very calm, a pontoon boat is not the best open water craft. We will certainly take it into the gulf when it’s calm enough but we will likely spend more time in Cotton Bayou and Mobile Bay. The swamps and inlets are fascinating. Fishing is great.

 

[JonoB]

Ditch the pontoon and get a center console. I'll come down and rig up the popping corks and we can go get us some redfish and trout :D

 

[brad shawn]

Very pretty. Put the top down and water ski!

You don’t wanna see me on water skis!

 

[BestMomEver]

You don’t wanna see me on water skis!

Yea... it’s been a long while for me too. I’m no longer in good enough shape to even try it. But as a kid we spent hours every day water skiing. So much fun.

 

[brad shawn]

Yea... it’s been a long while for me too. I’m no longer in good enough shape to even try it. But as a kid we spent hours every day water skiing. So much fun.

Your lucky to live in a area where you get a lot of use out of a boat. Here in the northeast we get a few good months of use and that’s about it. But I love it. Whatever choice you make enjoy for a few Seasons weather a camper or boat if you hate it sell it. Good luck in your choice I’m sure you’ll enjoy either and congrats to your husband on his retirement!