Boat camping

[Two killicks]

I read about boat camping while travelling on the road to a new destination, what I was wondering is, are we welcome in campgrounds with a boat? Do you call ahead of time to make sure that they will accept your boat?

Please advise, thank you.

 

[RobMcClain]

Many folks call it "boaterhoming." We've done it a number of times with our C-Dory while enroute to a particular cruising destination. I always call ahead and explain we have a boat as opposed to an RV or travel trailer. I also explain that the boat is fully self contained with holding tanks so that nothing will go overboard. I then ask if they will accept us. Often the person at the park is perplexed and has never been asked about a boat before, and often they need to check. Ultimately we have always been approved and never turned away. We've found that most RV parks actually seem to delight with having a boat in the park, as do campers who often seem momentarily stunned when they first see it, especially if we are leisurely sitting in the cockpit with a glass of wine.

Rob

 

[da156mac]

Best to call ahead, some campgrounds/ RV parks do not allow. Had the issue at a private RV park in FL. I have stopped, checked in, for type of unit I put 25ft Ranger, pulled to site and no one ever said a word.

 

[knotflying]

" It is better to ask for forgiveness rather than permission" . My experience has been, once they are confused they say no. Now I call ahead and tell them I need a pull through, no side extensions and my rig is 58 feet all in or that my trailer is 38 feet. I only had one issue in six years and with a little nice communication was able to stay. Many times we get pictures taken and a million questions of interest. The most touted question, "Are you expecting a flood"?

 

[JamesTXSD]

For the record, we have been turned away from several RV parks with the boat - "Your boat does not have an RVIA (Recreational Vehicle Industry Association) sticker." They are also able to keep out converted school buses or box vans with this policy. We ran into one park that had previously allowed folks with a boat to stay there, and they dumped their gray water on the ground - big no-no, and they turned us away.

In traveling from coast to coast to coast (multiple times), we have been turned away a handful of times, even if I let them know "We are a recreational vehicle; just a different shape, and we won't cause you any problems." In the many parks we did stay in, folks were always nice. We have been RVers for over 30 years, so we understand why parks can be hesitant about "something different."

We always let them know we are a "cabin style boat" (so they won't think you will be sleeping on a ski boat - we heard that once, too), with all the amenities of a typical RV, including 30 amp power, full galley, a "bedroom and bathroom" (don't confuse 'em with V-berth and head 😉 ).

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

We as well, like Mike, make reservations ahead of time by calling in to reserve a site for our truck and trailer. This way we know they have space and when we arrive it is much easier to overcome any obstacles....which are fairly rare. With that said we have been turned away a handful of times but that is the exception to the rule. When we arrive Lisa goes in to register as she is much better (read calmer) at the process. Mostly the folks that run RV Parks are curious about how and what we are doing and it becomes easier to explain in person then over the phone.

Jim F

 

[Two killicks]

Thank you very much for the advise, I am tempted to give it a try based on your expériences.

 

[walldog]

Walmart RV Parks turn no one away. One of our favorites is a Walmart with a Tractor Supply next door. We park next to the grassy area between the two. We call it the Tractor Supply RV Park. We spend money for supper, etc and we do not leak anything on the ground or pavement.

 

[ixlr8]

Walmart RV Parks turn no one away.

Except for the ones in Massachusetts, where it is illegal to camp in their parking lots.

 

[knotflying]

Every municipality has different zoning rules. Many times when there are a lot of campgrounds around zoning will not permit staying overnight at Walmart. I seem to remember that you can find which Walmarts allow overnight parking somewhere on their website.

 

[captstu]

What do you do with your gray water when boatorhoming?

I understand the Black Water process and respect the RV park. But my Ranger has no facility to collect gray water.

What do I do?

Gray water doesn't even all come out the same place so I could place some sort of external collection to catch it - galley drain, head drain, head shower - how do you do it?

 

[ixlr8]

Every municipality has different zoning rules.

This is true, but the last Massachusetts Walmart I was in, the "no overnight camper parking" sign listed a state statute not a municipality statute. I bet 98% of the Walmarts outside of Mass allow overnight camper parking

 

[Brian B]

Every municipality has different zoning rules.

This is true, but the last Massachusetts Walmart I was in, the "no overnight camper parking" sign listed a state statute not a municipality statute. I bet 98% of the Walmarts outside of Mass allow overnight camper parking

More than 900 do not allow it. http://www.walmartlocator.com/no-park-walmarts/

 

[RobMcClain]

We control our gray water discharge in 1 of 2 ways: 1) Connect a hose that plugs into the external discharge hole in the hull and runs into a small bucket on the ground. This catches the discharge which I dispose of in the restroom toilet or the sewer pipe access nearby; OR, 2) Put a small rubbermaid type of dishpan in the sink and use it to collect the water. I then dump that into the onboard porta potty holding tank (or black water tank). Both methods are pretty simple and work fine.

Rob

 

[knotflying]

Similar to Rob McClain, but a little more. I made a manifold. I push the plastic hoses into the head discharge and the galley discharge and have them connected. At the end I attached a standard male garden hose fitting. I carry two lengths of garden hose. One is short and I can dump into a five gallon bucket or the longer hose I run directly to the sewer connection at the site.
We will usually use the campground facilities and not the head, but that isn't an issue with us having an airhead. No black water to contend with.

 

[JamesTXSD]

If you are determined to use the RV park sewer connection, you will need this type of fitting...

For explanation: that is a hard rubber "donut" around the outside (what most RVers use when they connect their sewer hose), with the interior piece purchased that allows connection of a standard hose. The L-fitting was used to attach the hose to the water outlet on the boat.

What turned out to be easier for us when using the boat on land: put a wash basin in the sink and catch your gray water. When you need to dump that, pour it into the RV site's sewer connection. Use the campground's showers. Our boat used a fresh water flush, so no problem with using the head. This way, there is no hose connection to mess with and no skanky hose to carry along and store.

If we were going to be traveling on land long enough to fill the black water tank, we'd find a lake along our route with a marina and spend a night or two enjoying the "local water" and use the marina's pumpout.

A 30 amp adapter is necessary to plug your marine 30 amp into the RV 30 amp pedestals. This is another area that concerns RV park owners: that you are going to use something that will mess up their power pedestal. I just made it a point to tell them, "We have a 30 amp power system, just like an RV."

You can also carry an inexpensive window air conditioner to keep the boat cool when on land. You don't have to knock out a window 😉 , but can put it in the doorway and use a canvas cover to fill the gaps.

While you can make the boat work as a camper-of-sorts while on land, it isn't the same (or as easy) as an actual RV (where you can use all the facilities onboard). But, you can make it work while you move the boat from one great water area to another.

 

[knotflying]

I have that fitting, but rarely use it. I just open their cap, slip my hose in and place their cap back on top.