Just shopping for my first RV, and brand new to this forum, but I'm putting on my flame resistant underwear and wading in here with a different perspective than most here seem to have. Although I don't have land yacht experience, I do have 30 years experience working with real yachts as a captain (licensed Master). Basically there's two differences: one floats and the other doesn't, and the water kind of yachts can cost a whole lot more.
In the yachting world most owners feel the same as expressed here by many. They don't want strangers sleeping in their beds. The ironic things about it are that 1) They take a lot of vacation time, mostly staying in hotels where different people are sleeping on those beds 365 days a year. 2) I move these boats all over, sometimes taking them on 3 week runs down the coast. The owners seldom make the trip, because they're busy making the money to afford their toys or the transports are just too grueling for them. Where do you think my crew and I sleep? And before anyone says that the owners know me, in 30 years only two have asked to see my license and that was because their insurance companies wanted it, and the owners have no idea who I bring on as crew.
Now I completely understand the reasoning (some logical and some emotional) for not wanting strangers to live in your home whether it's on land, water or wheels. So I'm not trying to convince anyone that they should rent theirs, but many do. Easily 10% of smaller yachts rent out, and probably 90% of the larger ones do. I'm talking floating homes that cost tens of millions of dollars. Some rent out for easily $100,000 a week. All you need do is look at any celebrity magazine and you'll see the stars out on chartered yachts. Smaller yachts, in the 25'-45' range often rent out "bareboat", meaning without a crew. (45' yachts often cost well over $1M)
As for RV rentals, just search the web and you'll find dozens of companies and an infinite number of individuals renting their motorhomes. The RV I plan to buy will only set me back about $20K. I expect to use it about 2 weeks and maybe a few weekends a year until my wife retires. That's not getting much for $20K. It's also not enough use to keep the motor lubricated, the gas fresh and the MH maintained. So why not "charter" it? I'm checking into a rider for my policy that the renter will pay for, and I'll be holding a deposit equal to the deductible. They will also be charged a cleaning and refueling charge. If they smoke I'll charge them $100 and buy a can of air freshener just like the hotels do.
My motorhome will also be for sale from the day I buy it. I don't expect it to sell, because I'll be asking a price that will net me a profit, but to me it's just a thing that can give me some good times and make me a side income in my retirement. And if someone wants to make me a profit I'll sell it and buy something nicer with the extra money. My guess is that it'll rent out maybe 12 days a year up here in the NE. I'd expect net to be about $200 a day from what I see. That'll cover my use and depreciation. Basically it's buying an RV using other people's money.
So again, renting out your motorhome is definitely NOT for everyone. Not even for most. But there's a definite market, and it's a way for people who can't really afford these types of luxuries to get to enjoy them. It also affords visitors to your area (many with their own RVs back home) to enjoy an RV vacation without having to drive all the way across the country. So I say the OP should explore it, and I hope he'll keep in touch to let me and others who might be thinking of this know the good, bad and ugly of his experiences. Good luck.
BTW, being new to this I'm scanning the web for knowledge, and learning from those with experience. This looks like a good place to get an education. DK how much I'll have to contribute (being a Newbee), but I expect to be lurking and learning. So thanks in advance. And don't hesitate to flame me (but of course keep it civil). I learn as much or more from criticism as I do from pats on the back, and my skin is old and thick. 8)
