There are both pros and cons to RVing with a boat. On the plus side, you can experience the water by your campground in a whole new way and get out fishing or simply cruising at sunset. You can also reach boat-in only campgrounds that are more private and secluded.
However, boat ownership is not all smooth sailing. These are some of the costs and challenges that you will also want to keep in mind.
Towing a boat with a Class A. Photo via iRV2 member FreshAir
1. What type of boat should you get?
There are boats of all types, sizes, and prices. The best option for you ultimately comes down to your preferences, intended use, and budget. Maybe you would prefer a simple pontoon boat for fishing on the lake or rather a more luxurious catamaran for you and some friends to take out on the sea.
You can shop for various types and brands of boats at local boat shows and get a great deal with their competitive low event prices. The shows also have boating accessories that you may want to pick up as well. Check out OfficialBoatShows.com for more information on the events coming up this year.
2. Your towing capabilities
What do you plan on towing and launching your new boat with? It’s easier to back down a tight boat ramp with a truck and boat trailer or smaller Class B or Class C RV than a big Class A motorhome. Some boat ramps are so narrow that a 40-foot coach would be impossible to launch your boat with.
If you usually bring a travel trailer or tow vehicle along, how will you tow them with your boat? Keep in mind that triple towing is not legal in every state and may put you over the legal combined length.
3. The cost of ownership: Boat insurance, fuel, etc…
There are many costs that come with the initial big expense of the boat itself; this includes the annual premium for insurance, high repair bills, fuel, and marina rates. There are also several boating accessories available, some of which are more essential than others.
How much your insurance rates will be mainly depends on the value and type of boat. It can make a big difference between insuring a smaller jet boat as compared to a large yacht. Typically, boat insurance rates range about $300-500 a year to fully insure, but some bigger more expensive vessels can cost much more.
4. Regular maintenance
You’ll already be spending a ton on your boat and it is worth your time and money to keep it in good condition. Like regular upkeep on your RV, it is not only important for cosmetic purposes but also to help prevent problems while you’re sailing.
You will want to regularly wash, wax, and polish your boat, fuel it up, change its oil, inspect your engine, electrical systems, and steering. This maintenance list from Sport Fishing Magazine will give you a good idea of the checklist you will want to follow.
5. Summer and winter storage
When your boat is not in use, where will you store it? Unlike cars and RVs where you can park almost anywhere, your boat will need a dock or slip for storage.
After the summer boating season ends, you will also want to properly winterize your boat and have a place to store it until next year. Some marinas have year-round slips available, but you may not want to leave your boat out on the water over the winter. You can also store your boat in a dry climate-controlled boat storage facility, but you will need to consider the cost of that as well.
6. Consider your other options: renting boats, inflatable watercrafts
There are many other ways to get out on the water without towing around an expensive boat. You can usually rent a boat for the afternoon from the local marina; this can be a very cost-effective way to enjoy boating without having to pay regularly on insurance, fuel, and repairs.
Inflatable boats and kayaks are another popular option as they hardly take up any space or weight when not in use. The Scout Inflatable Boat can inflate up to 12 feet long and 3.5 feet wide, making an ideal boat for fishing, and it can deflate small enough to fit in a car trunk.
7. Search online boating forums
You can ask questions, get tips from other boat owners, view classifieds and more on several free boating forums online. These websites include:
- SailBlogs – With a free account, you can share your sailing adventures through your own blog and photo galleries.
- CruisersForum – As a member, you can interact with others on the forums, view the classifieds for available boats or crew positions, get up-to-date information on navigation, and keep up with the latest innovations from boat builders.
- TrawlerForum – This site has information and discussions specifically relating to Trawler Boats, including Commercial Trawlers, Converts, and Recreational Trawlers. You can get help with maintenance questions, browse their classifieds, or discuss a wide range of topics with other Trawler owners and enthusiasts.
- RIBnet– Information and discussions on Rigid Inflatable Boats and Soft Inflatable Boats. You can view the photo galleries or the classifieds.
- BoatMad – Any boater or person interested in boating can find useful tips on BoatMad. The online community has forum discussions, photo galleries, recommendations, and more.
- Maxum Owners Club – An online community of enthusiasts of the Maxum brand. Members share information on the boats (which are no longer made) and boating life in general.
- World Cruising Wiki – You can search this site for free, up-to-date information on cruising around the world.
Read more about RV Triple Towing Laws, Legalities, And Considerations
Towing a boat behind your rig is a great way to go. Sometimes we tow our Rinker 232 Captiva Cuddy behind our Winnebago Sightseer. My wife follows in the Expedition- which is what we use to launch the boat with. RV and boat…best combo ever!
Consider an inflatable kayak. Solves a lot of problems plus it is good exercise.
What size is your moterhome have the same boat
Hi drew what size is your moterhome
Sorry Brian,
The MH is a 36′ Winnebago Sightseer.
Drew
Just remember what the letters in “boat” stand for. Bust out another thousand!
Has anyone used a double stacker trailer to take haul both their vehicle and a boat?
We are thinking of using one to haul our Jeep GC and our 13 foot RIB.
No mention of Porta-Botes.
Have carried my 12 footer atop the Tow Vehicle and my 10 inside the camper.
They come 8 to 14 feet.
4 inches thick.
$ 1400 to $2400
My answer to this dilemma is to use a truck camper to tow my bassboat. I can drop the camper at a camp site then use the truck to launch the boat. And BTW my boat fits in my garage and gets used way more than my camper. Every cost argument in this article could also be applied to an RV. Don’t you pay for maintenance and storage for your RV? Don’t you have to winterize your RV? I would argue that my boat is a lot less costly to operate and maintain than most of the RVs on the road.