Having read many of the replies before getting to this original post, the Sprinter buildout can still be attractive if you expand it to contain an onboard biodiesel or WVO handling facility.� Your concerns about a shortage of "gas" vs. "fuel" might be lessened somewhat.� To me, that is the greatest attraction of diesel vehicles, that you can produce your own fuel if need be.

Before anyone in the brain trust hits me with the crippling realities of WVO or biodiesel production, please let me continue with my own dream. Thanks.

Stephen

--- On Fri, 9/9/11, Steve Williams <sbw@SBW.ORG> wrote:

From: Steve Williams <sbw@SBW.ORG>
Subject: Westy Now, Boat Soon? (Friday)
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Date: Friday, September 9, 2011, 7:20 PM

For some time now, I've been obsessed with learning enough about
sailboats to acquire one and outfit it for living more independently.

Of course, that's why I bought my '84 Westy and fixed it up two years
ago.� And why I keep refining its camping systems.� I've been
traveling full time for two years.� I've really enjoyed it.� Alas,
I'm starting a full-time job next week and looking for an apartment,
but I hope to be camping most weekends and back on the road eventually.

But even the Westy doesn't quite scratch the itch I have, to be more
self-reliant and opt out of the traditional job/debt/consume
treadmill.� I've thought about building a Sprinter-based camper,
which would be easier to boondock, but adventures in campers with
tires are driven by gas, and I'm not so sure gas will be easy to come
by before long.

So I've started reading about sailboats and the people who use them
to lead more independent, adventurous lives.� I don't know whether or
when I will buy my first boat, but I'm enjoying the learning process.

If you're curious, here's a good place to start: Nomadness, the ship
being outfitted by Steven K. Roberts, who has a long history of
adventures on recumbent home-built bikes and boats.

http://nomadness.com/