vw mini van

Just heard today they stopped making the Volkswagen van last month.Was thinking that's exactly what I am looking for in boat form.Currently have a boat comparable to vw bug. Speed is good, sea worthiness great, fuel stingy but need a few more comfort conviences,fridge,ac,and larger fuel capacity. Suggestions appreciated.

Here are a couple of options...

Lol FlyWright!

Seadog, you seem to be describing my boat as it really is what we call "luxury camping". We've owned RV's in the past and hated them and far prefer tents. Of course our Owens has a turn of speed in her she lopes along nicely at 7 knots.

Limit your search to 30' and under then see if you can find what you are looking for. We would never try living aboard Bliss full time but the wife and I can be completely comfortable aboard for a couple weeks at a time. Good luck in your search.

Those pictures made me chuckle. Wasn't there a place in the Delta where they rented the pontoon and you drove your RV on board? Was it Herman and Helen's? I'll have to pull out my copy of Dawlding on the Delta, I think that's where I originally saw photos like these.

Seadog2013 said:

Just heard today they stopped making the Volkswagen van last month.Was thinking that's exactly what I am looking for in boat form.Currently have a boat comparable to vw bug. Speed is good, sea worthiness great, fuel stingy but need a few more comfort conviences,fridge,ac,and larger fuel capacity. Suggestions appreciated.

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VW has been using Dodge Grand Caravans for years, marketing them as Routans. BUT for a corresponding boat design, how about houseboats? Coastal Barracudas come to mind as being decently built.

If you can't find a VW Bus with pontoons, here is another option:

Seadog2013 said:

Just heard today they stopped making the Volkswagen van last month.Was thinking that's exactly what I am looking for in boat form.Currently have a boat comparable to vw bug. Speed is good, sea worthiness great, fuel stingy but need a few more comfort conviences,fridge,ac,and larger fuel capacity. Suggestions appreciated.

Click to expand...

C dory 22
C dory 23
C dory 25
C dory 27
Ranger tug 21
Ranger tug 25
Ranger tug 27
Ranger tug 29
Ranger tug 31
Nordic tug 26
Nordic tug 32
Aspen 28
Cutwater. Can't remember the lengths.

Plus what the yahoos above recommended. Very amusing!

The above list massive price range too choose from. It would help members to advise you if they knew more about what you currently have.

IMG2 said:

Those pictures made me chuckle. Wasn't there a place in the Delta where they rented the pontoon and you drove your RV on board? Was it Herman and Helen's? I'll have to pull out my copy of Dawlding on the Delta, I think that's where I originally saw photos like these.

Click to expand...

Yes there was, IMG2. Here's a picture from my Dawdlin' on the Delta.



The caption calls it a Camp-A-Float. Not sure who rented them, but Herman and Helens sounds like a good bet.

Here are some other links...

camp-a-float: a concept from 1973 - Airstream Forums

ALL I can say is I want one - Topic

Thanks all, quite funny!
Currently have 21' jeanneu,v berth,4 cyl diesel,sink,fresh water,foot pump,propane camp stove,bbq,full keel,pilot house. Wish list,salon,more fuel capacity(15 gal now),possibly fly bridge,small diesel,fridge,ac electric either genny or battery/inverter.

There's Houseboats, and then there's this "Mini van".. gotta watch it when you're stereotyping boats, things aren't what they first appear to be.



That's a LOT of horsepower back there.

This boat is literally the most complicatedly engineered boat I've ever been on in my life. I went there with enthusiasm as the other Houseboat he built had a beautiful interior and only a single I/O and it was cute, fast and simple. This one was just..WOW. Over $200k he had in her, and it had blisters. lol

There's Houseboats, and then there's this "Mini van".. gotta watch it when you're stereotyping boats, things aren't what they first appear to be.

True , TRUMPHY were sold as houseboats!