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Old 04-19-2008, 05:43 PM   #1
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Tough choice: Airstream or Sailboat

Hi,
I'm a full-time truck driver...so I currently live in an 18-wheeler.
I've come to the conclusion that the house will be sold because I'm rarely home to use it and the simpler lifestyle in the truck has really grown on me.

Now I have to decide between "fulltiming" an Airstream or "liveaboard" on a sailboat.

The travel and camping or sailing are actually only bonuses to me...my main goal is to escape the over-materialistic traps of the 'burbs and get back to basics in a lower cost, more self-sufficient situation.

If I do go AS, I imagine access to bike and hike trails, campfires and such would be wonderful...

Oh the agony of choice!

Any one here split their time between both?, Any advise as to models better for full-timers? (do any AS's float? haha)

Looks like a terrific forum, looking foward to learning alot here.
Take Care.
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Old 04-19-2008, 05:45 PM   #2
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I have had both. To me it would be an easy choice get an airstream
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Old 04-19-2008, 06:00 PM   #3
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Gen-
Thanks, I saw your AS at the beach photo (cool)...maybe I can have the best of both while camping surf-side.
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Old 04-19-2008, 06:09 PM   #4
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Why Not Both?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Don't Panic
................................
Now I have to decide between "fulltiming" an Airstream or "liveaboard" on a sailboat.
...............................
Oh the agony of choice!.................
Get rid of the house, I agree.
Keep the options open, do not spend much money on either.
Boats and trailers are piling up at dealers and repo lots.
Wait for blood in the streets, prices are falling.
Keep working, cash talks loudest.

R
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Old 04-19-2008, 06:12 PM   #5
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Having had several of both, I'd opt for the boat m'self... I love the sailing lifestyle. However, one MUST remember the definition of a sailboat: "A fiberglass hole in the water into which one pours money."

Roger
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Old 04-19-2008, 06:14 PM   #6
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Another consideration is that, under normal conditions, Airstreams are unlikely to sink.
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Old 04-19-2008, 06:17 PM   #7
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I've also had both and then some .....

Had a power boat when the kids were small and went to all the lakes and ocean. Did overnighters. Then sold the Powerboat and bought a Sailboat. Did the ocean racing thingi and went to Catalina Island every now and then. and then got tired of "pouring" money into a a "slip" and cleaning, and wear and tear, and cleaning, and so on and so on.

Kids are all grown, got tired of going to the same places with the "boats" !
With the Airstream we can go anywhere in the U.S. Canada, and (Mexico, if we are crazy enough to do it)! And.... not to say too much about "fuel" for the boat. $$ And would you really use the boat more then an Airstream?

Anyway, that's my 2 cents worth.

R/
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Old 04-19-2008, 06:24 PM   #8
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Just a comment from a former native Floridian and boat owner. The cost of staying in marinas for any length of time - or even overnighting - has become astronomical! Boat slips are being bought up for prices ranging well into the $250,000 range and beyond. Many of the purchasers are yacht builders who don't have any place to put their completed yachts until sold. The old days of Ma and Pa floating cottages are almost a thing of the past - and anchoring out gets old - regardless of how romantic and peacful it may sound initially. Unfortunately, a non-trailerable boat becomes a real liability unless you own a waterfront home. Also, because the Ma and Pa boats have all but disappeared, the only boats the marinas want to work on are the very expensive playtoys of the rich. That means you'll pay the going rate - even if you own a 40-year-old Chris Craft or Columbia sailboat that's seen better days! The Airstream can be parked - and with minor attention - and very little cost - it'll wait patiently until you're ready to take off on the next trip. I love boats - and I've had my share of all sizes and types - but I'm now down to a 14' aluminum skiff and 9.9 hp outboard, plus an Old Town canoe.
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Old 04-19-2008, 06:46 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vswingfield
Another consideration is that, under normal conditions, Airstreams are unlikely to sink.
You HAD to bring that up!...
I've also owned both, and have found that:
If an Airstream springs a leak, you put a pan under the leak and patch it when it stops raining.
If a boat springs a leak, it could be either bail or sink.
I'd rather have a leaky Airstream than a leaky boat.
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Old 04-19-2008, 06:50 PM   #10
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So many helpful thoughts-thanx
The rigors of full-time life on a boat do concern me.
...but , and I mean absolutely no offense here...
Do any of you full-time AS dwellers ever take any flak such as "trailer park" humour...truly- I mean no disrespect.
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Old 04-19-2008, 06:52 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 85MH325
However, one MUST remember the definition of a sailboat: "A fiberglass hole in the water into which one pours money."
then i would say the defintion of an airstream: "An aluminum hole in the backyard into which one pours money."

...... gladly i might add
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Old 04-19-2008, 06:57 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Don't Panic
...but , and I mean absolutely no offense here...
Do any of you full-time AS dwellers ever take any flak such as "trailer park" humour...truly- I mean no disrespect.
We live in an RV park, and when people ask, and find out why we are living in ours, there's been nothing else said. The biggest thing I have noticed to head off any comments about trailer trash, is to keep the campsite and trailer clean and neat. There are some trailers that seem to have nothing but the dirt holding them together, and they are the ones that get the flak.
BTW, you're not a Douglas Adams fan, per chance?
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Old 04-19-2008, 07:04 PM   #13
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As a lifelong Miamian, might I point out that when Jim Cantori (of the Weather Channel) opines that Hurricane Caligula is upon us and we are all going to die, the choice is easy; sailboat @ 6 knots or Airstream at 50 knots....

mike
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Old 04-19-2008, 07:06 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Don't Panic
Do any of you full-time AS dwellers ever take any flak such as "trailer park" humour...truly- I mean no disrespect.
I might if:
1) I was a type inclined to take flak

or

2) was the least concerned with the opinion of the herd.

To quote the great philospher Mark Twain : "Hain't we got all the fools in town on our side? And ain't that a big enough majority in any town?"
- The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
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Old 04-19-2008, 07:10 PM   #15
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Old 04-19-2008, 07:11 PM   #16
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Overlander63-
Thanx for the reply.
Not that the general public's opinion rates overly high in my decision process-
but I know there seems to be an unfairly positive reaction to the "yachtclub" vs the "campground"-
I don't think that way- after all, I live in a truck!

And yes, HUGE Douglas Adams fan.
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Old 04-19-2008, 07:16 PM   #17
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It seems unnatural for me to say, but Airstream.

Although...
There are small yacht clubs all over in the Midwest... Maybe a modest house in a rural area or a smaller town.
Some of the locals complain, but there are a number of houses in our town listed in today's paper between 75-100k. Not necessarily in the best neighborhood, but you can walk down the street 24/7/365

So... why did I say yacht club? We did scow sailing until babysitting became kind of a big deal. These are cheap, fast, and athletic enough to make a person want to stay in good physical condition. Additionally, between the local club and fleet regattas, there is a strong socialization aspect and I've always found that important from a quality of life standpoint. The least expensive clubs I know of sail out of state parks and run around $20 per year for associate membership (no votes, no trophies, but can participate in races).

It's a way to get an adrenaline hit every now and then, and I miss those from time to time.
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Old 04-19-2008, 07:20 PM   #18
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Klattu-
WOW!!!

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Old 04-19-2008, 07:37 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Don't Panic
Hi,

Now I have to decide between "fulltiming" an Airstream or "liveaboard" on a sailboat.

Looks like a terrific forum, looking foward to learning alot here.
Take Care.
Do you want to spend more time in a wheeled vehicle or on the water?
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Old 04-19-2008, 08:12 PM   #20
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I've done the boat thing also,
I had a 22ft Cruisers Inc Barnergat.

The money I spent on the boat and restoration costs, I could have had a real nice 32ft Airstream Excella 1000.

Go airstream,

Only an Airstream is built like an Airstream....
Only an Airstream offers the Wally Byam way of life...

I sound like a commercial
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