So what do you do as an ex boat owner?

Bertramdriver

Bertramdriver

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www.williamsandsmithells.com
In a few days the sale of my beloved Med cruising Bertram should complete. I'm now contemplating a boat free life with a deep sense of loss, compounded by a realisation that the twin burdens of increasing arthritis and decreasing mental competence rule out buying a smaller replacement. A short trip on a 30' single engine cruiser left me feeling uncomfortable, the movement and exposure to the weather (miserable) left me wondering how Solent boaters get any enjoyment at all. Also tried out a new narrow boat on the Thames but I can see that boredom would be a problem after a few weeks.
So here I am looking at caravans. Last summer we decided to do an extended road trip from Oxford down to Preveza for one last hurrah afloat. After working out a budget for stopover hotels and eating out, buying a caravan made serious sense bearing in mind a decent used van can be purchased for three or four thousand pounds and could be sold after the trip. The irony is that we enjoyed the trip down through France, Germany, Switzerland and Italy far more than the cruise around the Ionian. There was no stress when underway with weather merely being a background rather than a dominant force. We got to see some really interesting sight seeing and the evening G&T was enjoyed without having to watch for homocidal charters looking to wreak havock.
So the New Year approaches with me looking at caravan brochures and camping site details that accept dogs (also a new addition) and are close to the sea. I now appreciate that encroaching senility forces this change but at heart I still love the sea and every day I gaze out over the water I will feel the need to be out there doing it. I'm sorry about this rant as all I wanted to do was to offer the thought that you should make the most of your boat and have adventures, mishaps and memory making events that you can carry forward when you face the day when you sign your last Bill of Sale.
Have a really good year afloat and when you cast off and see a few people ashore, give them a wave as it might be me.
 
Bertramdriver said:
In a few days the sale of my beloved Med cruising Bertram should complete. I'm now contemplating a boat free life with a deep sense of loss, compounded by a realisation that the twin burdens of increasing arthritis and decreasing mental competence rule out buying a smaller replacement. A short trip on a 30' single engine cruiser left me feeling uncomfortable, the movement and exposure to the weather (miserable) left me wondering how Solent boaters get any enjoyment at all. Also tried out a new narrow boat on the Thames but I can see that boredom would be a problem after a few weeks.
So here I am looking at caravans. Last summer we decided to do an extended road trip from Oxford down to Preveza for one last hurrah afloat. After working out a budget for stopover hotels and eating out, buying a caravan made serious sense bearing in mind a decent used van can be purchased for three or four thousand pounds and could be sold after the trip. The irony is that we enjoyed the trip down through France, Germany, Switzerland and Italy far more than the cruise around the Ionian. There was no stress when underway with weather merely being a background rather than a dominant force. We got to see some really interesting sight seeing and the evening G&T was enjoyed without having to watch for homocidal charters looking to wreak havock.
So the New Year approaches with me looking at caravan brochures and camping site details that accept dogs (also a new addition) and are close to the sea. I now appreciate that encroaching senility forces this change but at heart I still love the sea and every day I gaze out over the water I will feel the need to be out there doing it. I'm sorry about this rant as all I wanted to do was to offer the thought that you should make the most of your boat and have adventures, mishaps and memory making events that you can carry forward when you face the day when you sign your last Bill of Sale.
Have a really good year afloat and when you cast off and see a few people ashore, give them a wave as it might be me.
Click to expand...

I have that horrible feeling that I may soon be in the same position, arthritis in my hands is now causing me real issues, along with neck problems, but I will continue as long as I can. Our plan is to move Eos to somewhere warmer and spend more of the winter in the sun. I also have thought about a caravan, something that I'd never thought I'd do! If and when I do have to give up I will do so happy that I've enjoyed a good 25 years or more of boating and diving. Thank goodness I did as much as I did when I was younger and fitter!

Hope it all goes well for you, at least you have years of good memories to look back on. And maybe you can consider a charter if you need another fix?
 
To Bertramdriver, what about a pucker mobile home? A land yacht really - the opportunity to travel in real comfort, stay wherever you want and let's be honest, fettle it with kit and gizmos. Caravans are OK but a cracking mobile home with its high seating, easy stop and brew facilities and nothing to unhitch and set up is a bett option.
 
We have a narrow boat moored 10 minutes drive from home. Almost any time I like, I can wake up on the water, surrounded by trees and greenery. I don't have to go anywhere, but I'm only a 90 minute trip from teal countryside, and an hour from a mooring in Manchester City Centre.
 
Colvic Watson said:
To Bertramdriver, what about a pucker mobile home? A land yacht really - the opportunity to travel in real comfort, stay wherever you want and let's be honest, fettle it with kit and gizmos. Caravans are OK but a cracking mobile home with its high seating, easy stop and brew facilities and nothing to unhitch and set up is a bett option.
Click to expand...

In my 20's and pre boat owning days I owned successively a Devon Volkswagen T2 camper, followed by an Abbey Lancaster Caravan, followed by an Autosleeper Bedford CF 250. And then a new wife and boats. The debate between caravan vs camper will run forever and I've seen the best of both. My daughter and Sil are just setting out on the road having just upgraded from their first tent to a detached three bedroom monster in canvass and constantly ask advice. All I can say is that there is a solution for every stage of your life conditioned by income, children, time available and parking space. It doesn't matter what you use be it tent, camper or caravan. Just get out and do it.....make some memories.
 
Great post. For me I am coming to the end of my first year of owning boat. Have been around then for sometime wish I could have had one before, unfortunately I could not afford one. Now as I have got older and my kids have left the nest (they still have a nasty habit of coming back occasionally ?). I have a little bit more spare cash (not spare anymore as it goes on the boat ?) boating is still one of the best best things that I have done. Yes I would like a bigger boat. Yes I would like to be able to afford to go on holiday overseas but I have to make the most. Unfortunately for me having to work is getting in the way of me doing what I would like to do. When I do eventually retire I intend to make the most of it and keeping doing what I enjoy doing for as long as possible. Unfortunately my body has been through the mill and has lots of injuries so who knows how long it will be before it gives up on me. The fact that you have had such fun just means that you have enjoyed your life and continue to want to enjoy it
 
We Sold our last boat just over 2 years ago we have had some holidays in lovely places but I just can't get on with hotels ! Or the people you have to share them with so we have just bought a targa 43 back in Majorca Can't wait !!!!!
 
Firstly beware of any advice from Sharpness - he is a well known dodgy geezer hereabouts with a penchant for lap dancers.

Secondly as you live in the Oxford area could you not manage a small cruiser for the occasional trip out and picnics etc? The Thames is one of our most beautiful rivers and there is a new view around every corner.

Thirdly, the argument between motorhome and caravan has been fought long and hard elsewhere. My take on it (having owned both) is that if you plan long journeys with a day or two at each location and a little rough camping en route a motorhome is hard to beat (but always more tight on space than you anticipated). However if you plan to take a few weeks in one location then the extra space/use of towcar etc makes a caravan far and away the best bet.
Good luck whatever you choose.
 
I have just sold my boat and bought another rental property with the money, so with the money I will save on owning a boat plus the rental income the boat money is now generating I will be about £1500 per month better off so my idea is to have some nice sunny holidays with this extra cash
 
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