Foo - Houseboat or RV?

Doing a bit of daydreaming here. Thinking about the whole retirement thing. Wife and I like to travel, but she has a difficult time sleeping in strange beds/rooms.

If you got to pick one, which one would you choose?






















And, yes, I'm bored:o

Note: this is not a houseboat.

http://www.virginislandsoutfitters.com/images/boat_background_3.jpg

So many people that have bought RVs thinking that they would use them have sold them within two years. The houseboat thing...well, it's a whole different lifestyle.

How about a small vacation home/cabin type thing? You can always rent it out when you aren't using it.

Boat: A hole in the water surrounded by wood/fiberglass into which one pours money.

RV? Probably the same for the land.

If I were serious, I'd get the RV. More opportunities, places to go and things to see.

With a boat, you're buying the boat lifestyle. With an RV, you can buy the RV lifestyle or you can just make up your own. Of course, if you get a honking huge 5th wheel, you do limit your options vs a smaller one you could "dry camp" with out in the boonies, away from the other RVers. And from there you can bike and hike or whatever. With either style, you can disconnect your tow vehicle, leaving your RV as a base camp, and explore.

For example, you could go to Rapid City, SD and find an RV park. From there, you can visit Mt. Rushmore, the Badlands and the Black Hills. Then pack up and go to... wherever. Do a cross country trip starting on the west coast and ending in New England for the fall foliage before packing it up for the winter.

If you're going to just use it for weekend trips, I guess it's a draw since your range on either is limited by the time.

With a boat, you have lots of options, too, but when you get there, to get out and sightsee, you would have to rent a car for anything beyond the range of your bikes or feet.

Yes, I've thought about them both; almost bought and RV a few years back. But the real decision you have to make - and be brutally honest with yourselves - is what Siu said: will you use it enough to justify the costs?

One of my favourite vacations was a week spent on lake Shasta in a rented houseboat.

houseboat.

Small RV, like a Westphalia.

I hate boats.

I bought an RV about a month ago, so I'd have to say RV.

My answer is yes. (http://www.terrawind.com/terrawind.htm)

Id go with RV myself

My answer is yes. (http://www.geekologie.com/2008/06/half_rv_half_houseboat_all_fre.php)

OMG, now that's the cat's meow! I WANT. (insert drool smilie here).

By RV, I meant either a Class A, B, or C. Not too keen on the towables.

Most houseboats are only able to travel in calmer waters -- even the coastlines in this country are a big turbulent for houseboats -- so your travel options are limited with a houseboat. The RV can take you from coast to coast, from the Arctic to the tropics. AND, with the RV, you can ride wherever you stop on the continent; there's Le Route Vert, AZ's North Rim trail system, all the Rail Trails, even the Maah Daah Hey and Moab. Good luck getting to any of them from the houseboat.

Sailboat. Getting there and being there are more fun.

I would say RV. If you want a boat, they are not that expensive, in comparison to a nice class a. Keep the boat in dry storage and spend a few months a year wherever the boat is, living in the RV. There is a whole culture of delivery skippers out there that will move your boat to wherever you want it, if it is saltwater. On freshwater, you could pull a decent sized boat with an RV

This boat: http://www.rbauction.com/theapoise/index.jsp

One factor to consider: If your RV springs a leak, you might get a wet bed, whereas if your houseboat springs a leak, it will sink. ;)

This boat: http://www.rbauction.com/theapoise/index.jsp

Holy crap!! Even if, by some miracle, I won that thing for, say $10K, I wouldn't be able to afford the gas to make it go or the crew to run and maintain it for even a day!!

But wow, what a nice boat!

RV. The stuff we like to do is land bound. And I go out of my mind with boredom when on the water for extended times.

houseboat

but parking would be KILLER

I like vacationing but I don't like boats or driving long distances. I'd probably buy a vacation home somewhere within driving distance or close to an airport.

I was checking out the Specs on her on Jane's, and she has a 50,200 gallon fuel bunker, and a 5000 nMile range. That means she gets ~0.1 MG of diesel.
Holy crap!! Even if, by some miracle, I won that thing for, say $10K, I wouldn't be able to afford the gas to make it go or the crew to run and maintain it for even a day!!

But wow, what a nice boat!

I was checking out the Specs on her on Jane's, and she has a 50,200 gallon fuel bunker, and a 5000 nMile range. That means she gets ~0.1 MG of diesel.

Link please.

Link please.


http://www.rbauction.com/theapoise/assets/docs/Apoise-Specifications.pdf

Here you go.

Here are the specs from the auction site. I also found them there, because I had to go back to try to retrieve the search keywords I used.

APOISE – 220 FOOT LUXURY MEGAYACHT



Built by Lürssen Yachts (project name: Marlin)
Designed by Espen Øino
Built in Germany and launched in 2006
Ranked 89th in Power and Motoryacht magazine's list of the world's largest yachts (2009)



Two 1850 HP Caterpillar 3512B DITA SCAC diesel engines
Maximum speed: 16 knots
Cruising speed: 14 knots
Fuel capacity: 190,000 liters
5,000 nm range at 12 knots
Length: 219.82 feet (67 m)
Maximum beam: 43.04 feet (13.12 m)
Tonnage: 1838 GT; 551 NT
Tenders: two 14-person Denship, one 15- and one 8-person Novurania



Accommodates 12 guests and 19 crew
Six decks in total, including the topmost sun deck, which offers 360 degree views
Main, bridge and upper decks feature numerous lounges and sunbathing areas, as well as indoor and outdoor dining
Upper deck offers a large Jacuzzi, sports bar and gym
Main deck highlights include the formal dining area and 1,399 sq ft (130 sq m) owner’s cabin, which includes a full-beam master bath and private Jacuzzi
Apoise has five spacious guest suites with king size berths and individual ensuite bathrooms




http://www.rbauction.com/theapoise/yacht-feature.jsp


Link please.

Thanks I had found those but was hoping to see what Janes had on her. Found some other specs on another website but was curious if there was anything more out there. http://www.superyachttimes.com/sale/details/673 Looking at all the specs I don't think that I could afford to buy even the smallest tender but it's sure fun dreaming.

nowhere to land the chopper, no sale!

nomad1: Wife and I like to travel, but she has a difficult time sleeping in strange beds/rooms.

If she gets that frisky in strange rooms stick with the hotels! (no sex until post 26. foo is slipping!)

Holy crap!! Even if, by some miracle, I won that thing for, say $10K, I wouldn't be able to afford the gas to make it go or the crew to run and maintain it for even a day!!

But wow, what a nice boat!

Actually she probably runs on diesel but I get the point. I probably could not afford the gas for the outboards on her tenders. :)

But this is more my speed (http://www.neatorama.com/2007/06/21/the-maltese-falcon-mega-yacht/).


Actually I think the days of the RV are numbered.

Here are the specs from the auction site. I also found them there, because I had to go back to try to retrieve the search keywords I used.

APOISE – 220 FOOT LUXURY MEGAYACHT



Built by Lürssen Yachts (project name: Marlin)
Designed by Espen Øino
Built in Germany and launched in 2006
Ranked 89th in Power and Motoryacht magazine's list of the world's largest yachts (2009)



Two 1850 HP Caterpillar 3512B DITA SCAC diesel engines
Maximum speed: 16 knots
Cruising speed: 14 knots
Fuel capacity: 190,000 liters
5,000 nm range at 12 knots
Length: 219.82 feet (67 m)
Maximum beam: 43.04 feet (13.12 m)
Tonnage: 1838 GT; 551 NT
Tenders: two 14-person Denship, one 15- and one 8-person Novurania



Accommodates 12 guests and 19 crew
Six decks in total, including the topmost sun deck, which offers 360 degree views
Main, bridge and upper decks feature numerous lounges and sunbathing areas, as well as indoor and outdoor dining
Upper deck offers a large Jacuzzi, sports bar and gym
Main deck highlights include the formal dining area and 1,399 sq ft (130 sq m) owner’s cabin, which includes a full-beam master bath and private Jacuzzi
Apoise has five spacious guest suites with king size berths and individual ensuite bathrooms




http://www.rbauction.com/theapoise/yacht-feature.jsp

That's just a dinghy/ :)

Actually she probably runs on diesel but I get the point. I probably could not afford the gas for the outboards on her tenders. :)

But this is more my speed (http://www.neatorama.com/2007/06/21/the-maltese-falcon-mega-yacht/).


Actually I think the days of the RV are numbered.

Haha yeah
now thats a boat!

I'd probably go with a small Diesel-powered RV with the essential amenities. Of course, it'd have to have bike racks on the back.

These days, it's completely feasible to live house-free in an RV.

I'd rather have a decent pickup and a travel trailer. I like this setup over an RV/"toad" because that can become obnoxiously long over a pick up and travel trailer.

Truth be told, neither an RV or Houseboat would take me to the places I like to go.

RV, much more versatile. See if you can rent a few different varieties first. Currently have a 37 ft 5th wheel. Love it but too big for just 3 and 4 day weekends. Downsizing until retirement then getting something bigger to hit the road in.
Bonuses of trailers, more room when set up, always have vehicle. Also generally get more bang for your buck even if buying new truck/trailer combo.
Bonuse of RV, easier set up. Less stress (for me) when driving but have to tow a dingy (car). More maintenace. Another engine, trans and brakes to worry about.
Planning on big Class A closer to retirement but who knows by then.

Why not rent one of each first to try them out? One of my favorite vacations was in a rented houseboat at Lake Powell. Think of combining spring break with floating rental cars you live in for a few days.

I have a minor covet going for a westfalia eurovan (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320509487596). Need the power of a <20 yr old engine to climb a hill.

I don't really see houseboats per se as mobile but a regular liveaboard sailboat I could see. Heck, I could see that right here were I live right now. Not sure about bike parking.

Doing a bit of daydreaming here. Thinking about the whole retirement thing. Wife and I like to travel, but she has a difficult time sleeping in strange beds/rooms.

If you got to pick one, which one would you choose?






















And, yes, I'm bored:o

I want to pick the bedroom. I suggest you should rent a car that has stretchable seats so that your wife can easily sleep. And you will enjoy the vacation. :D

Grandparents had two Westfalias. Lots of fun, but not super reliable.

Personally, I'd go for a vacation home, one that's reachable easily by train or bus. Gas prices are unlikely to go down, and RVs and boats unfortunately don't appreciate in value (unless you have a mint Airstream.) The only people I know who use RVs regularly are ones who park it at a lake. We had a 24' trailer growing up, eventually ditched it for tents. It's just too much of a hassle to haul around. Dad wouldn't go in for a motorhome because "it's another engine to maintain".