Sailors going RV-ing first time

[Waxwing]

We've sailed and lived aboard our 28-foot Bristol Channel Cutter for the last 38 years but health problems now require adventuring by land.

We're very used to living is a small space and figure a Class C motor be about right for us.

We realize such a broad question of scope of RV units is best would be akin to a new sailor asking 'which boat should I buy'..., but hey, ya gotta start somewhere.

Short list, just two old sailors who live frugally, limited $$ but could go maybe $40,000 or $50,000...used of course.

Would appreciate ideas of where best to search for such a jewel or to be aware of particular brands or models.

[hivoltage98]

Go to as many rv dealers and walk the different models and find your perfect floor plan. That’s the best start. Then come back on the forums and let us know what you like. Just like boats they all have their little quirks that need attention.
We went through 4 different models before we found the perfect fit. Good luck!

[Traxless]

Originally Posted by Waxwing

Would appreciate ideas of where best to search for such a jewel or to be aware of particular brands or models.

Used Class C "jewels". In no particular order, Big Foot, Lazy Daze, Coach House, Dynamax, Born Free, Phoenix Cruiser, Triple E ... all excellent Class C with a strong following. There's a few others but I am not as familiar with them as I am these. Hope this helps.

[CharlesinGA]

If you don't like the floor plan, you will hate the RV, so if you see something advertised (Craigslist, RVT.com, RVtrader.com, etc) then Google the sales brochure. Many times you can find it or one or two years away, gives you a good idea of what it is like before you ever look at it.

Floor plan, floor plan, floor plan, then everything else. 99% of what you are going to be looking at in your price range will be on a Ford E350 or E450 chassis with the V10.

Charles

[Excesses]

Sailors that is. We never lived aboard, but spent lots of time on our Columbia 26. Like our RV, we learned lots just by doing, so you guys are well ahead of the game knowing how to stow and more importantly, trouble shoot and innovate.

We spent lots of time (30 months or so) looking at RVs on RVT dot com, RV Trader and other sites. We looked at ratings from previous and current owners (# of stars out of 5), we looked at complaints and at likes and dislikes.

We too thought we would like the C Class, but we could not find anything we liked. We ended up getting an A Class with basement stowage and just 1 slide out. At 34 feet she meets all of our needs, for now that is. LOL! One of the things about the C class that concerned us was the amount of overhang in the rear on the 30 foot plus models. Watch out for your cargo carrying capacity too.

1 footitis isn’t as common with MHomes as it is with boats, but reasons for it are much the same. Whereas longer boats mean more in moorage fees and fewer slips available, with motor homes the only real downside is access to some parks.

And just like the survey on a boat you’re considering, an inspection by an independent, qualified RV inspector is well worth the money spent.

Happy hunting and may the wind always be behind you.

Cheers!

[LOG]

Welcome to rving. As in boats, there are big differences in the quality of Class C Motorhomes. For example, just as there is a big difference between the Bristol and say a Bayliner or Catalina. Quality of motorhomes will be harder to differentiate than the quality of boats. Most Class C motorhomes will have the same engine and chassis, appliances, heating, air conditioning, etc. It is the build quality and components that set them apart. I am biased because I own one. But the Bristol of Class C Motorhomes is the Chinook. They quit making them in 2006, but there are a lot of them available. Find one that has been taken care of. Go look at it. Then you will have a basis to go by when looking at other motorhomes. They are expensive, but you are getting what you pay for.

[Excesses]

Also - we found this helpful.

https://www.frugal-rv-travel.com/Used-RV-Questions.html

[saddlesore]

Keep in mind..
Your 1st coach is a learning tool..
BUY USED! & buy one with everything you "think" you want and will need..
As You will make mistakes and have booboo's We all have.....(sometimes more than twice..)
Within a year or two you will discover..about the RV

What you love about the RV...
What you can kinda-sorta tolerate with the RV..
And what you absolutely hate about that !@#$%^%$#@! RV.
Then you can go get what you should have gotten in the first place..
Happy Hunting

[Waxwing]

Wow. That's an impressive response in just seven hours.

Thanks to everyone. And gives us a lot of great input. We're hoping to find something by winter and see that we have our work cut out for us.

Again, thanks to everyone and we'll be back on the forum as we kick a few tires this summer.

[paddykern]

Spent a lot of time on an Irwin 28.
Sailboats are small so knew that a small class B or C would work for us.
Rented a 29 foot class C in Alaska first and it was too big.
Years later found the interior that was perfect for us.
Ended up being a 22 foot class C (Pleasure-Way Plateau XLMB).


With your experience with small sailboats you may want to consider a small motorhome.
It will be easier to drive, park, store.


As stated above, the interior layout is the most important consideration.
Next is the manufacturer.


We went small with the interior that was perfect for us.
So far in 1.5 years we have driven coast to coast and used the rig close to three months.
The wife said after the first one month trip "This is the best financial decision we have ever made".


Good luck in your search.

[Funding Fun]

Big time boater here to for 50+ years. Have the 100 Ton. RV's and boats share very similar features and ideology. You will adjust well. Many here will recommend what they have as the best, as it's worked for them. Others that have been through several RV's will give more general opinions, but better ones. Best advice...go to RV shows, go to RV dealers and look at FSBO. FLOOR PLAN should be your "guiding light"...period. Next is configuration...Class A or C. Everything else sorts itself out from there. Remember the most important thing of all...you DO NOT need tie your RV up to the power post at night...nor do you need to hurl an anchor out the door or blow your horn (one blast or two) every time you pass someone on the highway.

[Winemaker2]

There are a lot of similarities between boating and RVing.
Your boat experience should help you buy your second MH the first time.

As others suggested tour as many dealers and shows as possible. Also walk CGs and talk to owners... EZ when you start by praising their rig... ask them what the like and dislike and how they use it. Like boating there are different use styles... some anchor out (boondock) a lot others always in a full service CG / marina.
How long are the trips. .. days weeks months full time?
Eat in or out a lot? Guests?
You get the idea.

Develop and refine a list of your musts and wants as you do the looking. Have spouse SO do the same and compare and combine lists... ahh the art of compromise... just do it her way ?!
Many layouts and styles features etc available... NONE right for everyone only you can decide whats best for you... but others can provide a lot of info & experience.

I've owned 3 cruising power boats and 3 Cl A MH.
I would say a general guideline I have found is that roughly the same size will suit your needs if you are comfortable in a 28ft boat a 28 MH would be about the same.

We started w a DIY Dodge van conversion and camped in it for about 12 yrs. Started w a 24 ft boat.

We have moved from 28 to 34 ft and gas to diesel for both MH and boat as our most recent and maybe final move for both.
Don't be afraid of larger being hard to handle. ..learning comes very fast but larger not necessarily best for everyone.

[tizzyfit]

If you have health issues, think long and hard about climbing up a ladder to get into the bunk above the driver/passenger seats. After having said that, one of my favorite smaller RVs in a Safari Trek which has the bed lower from the ceiling. These are considered class A's but the older ones are just 28' and no slide.

[F76Marion]

Waxwing,

The big difference between a boat and an RV is that water will leak out of an RV.
Other than that same~same.....

Translation from your world to RVs.
A slip or alongside is now a campground.
Pump out is now a dump. And, you get to do it yourself.
Anchor out is now called Dry Camping.
Gunkhole is now a Boondock.

Fuel and potable are still a concern.
Navigation is way easier because there are lines to follow.
You never have to remember to hang an anchor light.
Weather is still an issue, but a day of driving upwind is not.

Overall, an RV is easier to maintain than a sailboat.
It is very rare that an RV gets sunk in a storm.
You never have to get up in the middle of the night to tend mooring.

You can now go places that you could just not get to before.

Frank - a lifelong waterman