Camping and boating

[1rjclark]

I had to promise the wife I'd cut back on camping . In 2012 we went camping too many times

 

[1rjclark]

We even have wifi at the camp site.

 

[jdiaz78]

I see a lot of civilization is these camping pictures.

I'm with you, the less people, the crazy stuff you can get away with!

 

[Lspeedss]

I can only camp with electricity due to having really bad sleep apnea and have to sleep using a cpap machine, so we just stay in hotels these days.

@SuperJetDan . You do know they make battery compact Cpap machines right? About $400

 

[jaybro72]

the old camper and then the basic simple camping cot tent

 

[marc7]

@PEARCE We have the AR230 of which I assume it's the OEM tower. We purchased the boat in AUG 2011 and are the 2nd owner.
Our storage facility which is totally enclosed for both the boat and camper is less than 1/2 mile from the Corp park. From our house to storage is 45 minutes. From storage to setup is another 30 minutes. Very convenient.
Since you can book 6 months in advance on Corp lakes, we have a favorite site that we book to arrive on Friday's (sometimes Thursday's) and for our week vacations.

Cheers!

 

[PEARCE]

That's very cool and convenient. We keep our boat and camper at home in a garage we had built. Well, the boat is inside a garage and the camper is outside but still under the same roof. We live 45 minutes to a lake and an hour to the closest lake of choice. It has a very large state park on one side that we launch from a city park with camping on the other side. No Corp parks and the state and city parks are both first come first serve for sites.

The reason I brought up your boat being an AR is that I thought the OEM towers had the brushed aluminum look with a different bimini setup. Yours looks awesome by the way! I also thought that the SX and the AR had different sticker package. If I remember correctly the AR of our vintage had a tribal look that wasn't everybody's cup of tea.

You've got an awesome setup that I'm very jealous of.

 

[marc7]

Thank you for the compliment Pearce.
I believe the tower was painted by the original owner (needs to be redone at some point). The Bimini that was on it barely provided any shade thus we replaced it.
Purchased a universal tower Bimini from Aerial. This thing is 7'×7' and provides excellent shade in the cockpit while leaving the bow and swim platform available for sunning.

Cheers!

 

[steined]

View attachment 3652 View attachment 3651
the old camper and then the basic simple camping cot tent

How do you like the cot tent? My wife and I have thought about it a couple of times. Does it take up a huge amount of space in the boat?

Thanks in advance

 

[jaybro72]

How do you like the cot tent? My wife and I have thought about it a couple of times. Does it take up a huge amount of space in the boat?

Thanks in advance

there were two types of cot tents when I bought it last year. one that went in a bag like a big tent and you had to assemble it with a bunch of tent like poles witch I didn't like because I wanted it simple and the one I bought it just basically just folds in half like a cot does. I love it. Its extremely comfortable. Yes it does take up a decent amount of space and its pretty heavy for what it is. Its made very well and I don't regret buying it. they make a double, but you can imaging how big that one is. I just pull up to the sand bar and dump it off and set it up. not a big deal for me. If the fiancée wants to go though we need another or will bring the tent.

 

[Trm1765]

Our permanent spot on the shore of the Mississippi River...

 

[Boat Crazy]

After at least 6 weeks of glamping in the new fifth, loving the new RV.

 

[buckbuck]

You struggle to act your age both summer and winter, don't you?

 

[Ronnie]

I used to love tent camping and have tried every sort of lodging I can think of with my boat from under the stars (no tent), on the boat or a boat, in a truck (oem tent for the bed and cab), rv, as well as Cabins and hotels near the water. Now I prefer to stay at a cabin or hotel on the water. It's not as secluded and costs more but it is a lot less work. That is, a lot less packing, setting up, cooking, breaking down, cleaning and storing involved.

We still camp at least twice a year for our big family and friends get togethers but if it's just me and/or my immediate family we want to show up and boat/relax, not do all the work involved with camping. I believe this is just me getting tired and/or lazy as I get older. I tip my hat to those of you who are successfully fighting off getting tired and lazy.

 

[PEARCE]

After at least 6 weeks of glamping in the new fifth, loving the new RV.View attachment 29932

Boy, that's a biggin! Is that a Grand Designs?

 

[Boat Crazy]

@Ronnie, camping isn't what it use to be. Pull in, push button to disconnect, pull truck out, push autolevel button to level all 6 legs. Have wife push buttons to push out the 5 slides. Kick back and and have a few beers. Life is good. @buckbuck, age is just a number, stay active, think young, stay young, enjoy life.

 

[farrelltravis]

Boy, that's a biggin! Is that a Grand Designs?

Nice 5er!!! Pearce, yeah, it is a Grand Designs Solitude.

I would be interested to know what model it is to look up the floorplan. That things looks super nice!!

 

[Boat Crazy]

Boy, that's a biggin! Is that a Grand Designs?

Boy, that's a biggin! Is that a Grand Designs?

Only 42.5 feet, not counting bumper. Grand Designs Solitude 375re. A great manufacturer that stands by their product. All RV's have issues, how the manufacturer handles those issues matters. Happy we went with Grand Design.

 

[farrelltravis]

I like that pull out ottoman! Kinda breaks up the space underneath the bed, so things don't get lost it seems.

 

[PEARCE]

Very nice! That's pretty long for a non toyhauler. We camped next to a young couple that had a new Grand Designs 5er back in the spring and we were very impressed.