Our "Floating RV"

[Cate&Rob]

I have referenced in a few different threads that our "other RV" is a boat. With a question in a recent discussion that wandered off topic about old engines and this new forum section about hobbies . . . I thought I would tell the story of my hobby, which is our first "RV”. This story goes back 25 years and is the restoration of a (now) 46 year old boat that was the floating RV for Cate & I and where we and our four boys spent every summer. Once the boys had grown and gone their own ways and Cate & I retired, the transition to a land based RV was easy. We are very used to living in this size space and I have lots of experience with the plumbing, electrical and mechanical things that are surprisingly common between boats and RVs. We still have the boat for summers in Canada and our Reflection is for winters in Florida.

Rob

 

[ksbowman]

Very neat water rv. My wife would love something like that.

 

[JCR GD]

Very nice! A lot of hard work!

 

[Steven@147]

Absolutely beautiful Rob!

As a vintage auto restorer I can appreciate how much time, research, effort, patience and attention to detail you have put into it. It touches both of my passions, vintage vehicle restorations and being on the water.

 

[howson]

just
wow
Rob

Did your Dad get to see the boat with all the improvements? (I think most sons get that "look" from their Dad at some point.)

 

[LV Naturist]

Very nice! And as an amateur woodworker I must say your woodworking skills are impressive. I guess my little runabout could be your dinghy...

John

 

[D2Reid]

We also transitioned from boats to RV. It was a big decision for us, we thought seriously about a trawler and doing the Caribbean Cruise. But when we started looking at the diversity of activities we could do and the number of ports we cold visit we opted for a land yacht instead.

We upsized several times but ended up with a 31' Walk-around Cuddy. Perfect for diving.

Here is Barbara describing what it feels like to swim with a school of 300lb Goliath Groupers.

We had lots of wonderful adventures. In the Bahama's there was a Dolphin Rescue place that allowed folks to swim with some of their Dolphins.
A very rare treat.

 

[jim1521]

Cate & Rob,
That was just amazing! I have such an appreciation for that, as Diana and I were planning on doing a 48' DeFever for 3-4 years. Unfortunately knee, back, neck, shoulder surgery for one or both of us knocked us out of that (I can't just pull over for the night if we hit 4-6' seas), so here we are.

Great job you guys!

 

[Cate&Rob]

Did your Dad get to see the boat with all the improvements? (I think most sons get that "look" from their Dad at some point.)

Hi Howard - My parents were sailors and Cate's were powerboats. We got to boat with them both on many occasions . . . so, yes, my Dad got to see the restoration years. He did come around . . . eventually .

Rob

 

[J&G garage]

Very impressive Rob! I just looked up the word "bristol" in the dictionary and found a picture of your boat. I can appreciate the work involved in restoring an old boat as I've fixed up a couple of them myself. But a spare original model engine!?!? That's over the top. I couldn't find parts to restore our original engine so took a much easier tack. Nice to see you don't mind hanging out with the "Rag Baggers".

 

[Cate&Rob]

Cate & Rob,
Diana and I were planning on doing a 48' DeFever for 3-4 years. Unfortunately knee, back, neck, shoulder surgery for one or both of us knocked us out of that (I can't just pull over for the night if we hit 4-6' seas), so here we are.

We also transitioned from boats to RV. It was a big decision for us, we thought seriously about a trawler and doing the Caribbean Cruise. But when we started looking at the diversity of activities we could do and the number of ports we cold visit we opted for a land yacht instead.

Jim & Dallas: It is interesting how many RVer's I meet who had that "trawler to the Bahamas" plan and ended up with the "land yacht" instead. A 48 ft DeFever is an amazing seaworthy world cruiser! We came really close to that decision but didn't do it for just the reasons you both describe. We got to fly in and fly out, to stay with boating friends for a couple of winter weeks, who took their boat from Canada the Bahamas every year and that is an amazing place.

Rob

 

[Cate&Rob]

I couldn't find parts to restore our original engine so took a much easier tack. Nice to see you don't mind hanging out with the "Rag Baggers".

Hi Jim - I can relate to that kind of project . Attached picture is getting ready to do the same thing with my Dad, for his sailboat.

Rob

 

[offtohavasu]

B-E-Utiful Cate & Rob!

 

[kevinpo]

Rob,
You and Cate should be very proud of your project! As a bit of a woodworker myself I can really appreciate the hours of labor it takes for a project of this magnitude. My hats off to you both. Very beautiful!

Cheers,
Kevin

 

[Paul & Deb]

Spending a couple days on the St. Lawrence with you and Cate were certainly some of the most memorable times we've had in all our travels Rob. Your write up, while fantastic, doesn't even scratch the beauty and detail of your work! Deb and I talk about you guys and your boat and our awesome time to everyone.

A sharp eye will recognize not just our fabulous host and hostess but also our traveling companions, Jim (as in Tucson Jim) and his DW, Gennie! All 4 our great friends.

 

[MidwestCamper]

I have referenced in a few different threads that our "other RV" is a boat. With a question in a recent discussion that wandered off topic about old engines and this new forum section about hobbies . . . I thought I would tell the story of my hobby, which is our first "RV”. This story goes back 25 years and is the restoration of a (now) 46 year old boat that was the floating RV for Cate & I and where we and our four boys spent every summer. Once the boys had grown and gone their own ways and Cate & I retired, the transition to a land based RV was easy. We are very used to living in this size space and I have lots of experience with the plumbing, electrical and mechanical things that are surprisingly common between boats and RVs. We still have the boat for summers in Canada and our Reflection is for winters in Florida.

Rob

Amazing quality. I've never seen this boat in the US ( I boat around the Lake Erie islands) but it makes perfect sense, especially with the aluminum hull. Really impressive work by both you and Cate.

 

[Canyonlight]

Rob - thanks, for sharing the pictures and story. Over the years you have shared some bits and pieces on the forum but I always wondered about the boat's history and especially what you and Cate have done to it........now we know ! Truly spectacular work as we have grown to see and appreciate from the Rob and Cate team........just remarkable !

How nice for Jim, Ginnie, Paul, and Deb to spend some time after the rally last year as I recall. Always great to to share pictures with friends and family/pets and the beautiful areas you boat in. Someday Carol and I will have to make it to your wonderful area.

While Carol ad I have not re-built any boats, you probably recall our love for boating together goes back to the early 80's when we bought our first boat a 1983 a custom ordered BAJA. My boating history goes back further to the early 70s in 7th grade when I learned to water ski behind a 12' aluminum fishing boat with a 9.8 Merc. at Lake Okoboji Iowa. I will have to share more history of our 4+ decade boating history and pictures of our boats sometime in another thread.

Dan

 

[MarkDeb]

That boat is awesome! And this life long boater is green with envy

 

[Steve7]

Rob, Amazing boat and great documentation. Enjoyed it all and the pics of friends and fellow members was great. Thanks for taking the time.

 

[Bill Davey]

Cate&Rob, I appreciate the effort and workmanship you put in to restoring that beautiful boat. I also recognize a lot of the places you boated in the 1,000 Islands. I think I saw Waterson S.P and several other areas on the Canadian Channel. Brought back a lot of good memories boating the same general area from 1992 to 2000 out of Bonnie Castle in A-bay.