Early purchase ?

mciaglia · #1 05-20-2015, 10:49 PM

I know for sure I will build an RV10. Just when is the exact question. I have a new baby boy on the way (here in 4 weeks) and work takes so much of my time. Since kit prices are always going to go up... Is there any downside to buying a kit now and storing it for a few years before I have the time to dedicate to building it? It would be stored in my garage. Probably for 3-5 years. In addition, I could have it all purchased and the kit cost would not be a factor as the build commences. Any thoughts

RV10inOz · #2 05-21-2015, 12:06 AM

The small cost increase verses the corrosion under the plastic on the skins is not worth it. Buy when you are ready.

Invest the money in the interim. That will offset the difference hopefully.

Jesse · #3 05-21-2015, 08:27 PM

I tend to agree. There are too many projects out there sitting in someone's garage, gathering dust and maybe a little corrosion. The kit cost isn't increasing that fast, probably with inflation more or less. Invest the $ in an "RV-10 Fund" and wait until you are ready would be my recommendation.

DaAV8R · #4 05-21-2015, 10:19 PM

I wouldn't buy a kit just to let it sit several years. That said, do you have any time to build? If so, buy the tail kit and just build when you can. For many of us it's about the journey, not the destination. Regardless of how much you accomplish in the next few years, you will be farther ahead than not starting for 3 or 4 years.

Just my $.02.

Dbro172 · #5 05-22-2015, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaAV8R

I wouldn't buy a kit just to let it sit several years. That said, do you have any time to build? If so, buy the tail kit and just build when you can. For many of us it's about the journey, not the destination. Regardless of how much you accomplish in the next few years, you will be farther ahead than not starting for 3 or 4 years.

Just my $.02.

Yep - Agree with that 100%. And from my experience; those new baby's take a lot of naps in there first year. Have your garage organized and sneak away to work on that tail kit while baby is sleeping and momma's doing her thing. Get one of those motorola wireless monitors. I bet you have that tail kit built before baby turns 1. Then you got that much behind you! Give er nuts

'

jmcanty3 · #6 05-22-2015, 08:16 AM

Since you are certain on building a -10, you could buy the tail kit and have it be the worlds slowest RV-10 tail kit. If it took you four years, at least you have a project to work on if you want to.

We have our 3rd due in 2 weeks

I find that with kiddo's around, you actually end up needing to be home more often, even if they are just napping. Great time to spend with your new hobby (that is 'til hungry baby wakes up)!!!!

tjo · #7 05-22-2015, 09:52 AM

Since you have time, get your shop set up. Buy the tools so you are ready to go. Then look for second hand kits as you go and build on them as you have the time, that way, instead of collecting dust and potentially corroding in their shop you are putting it to good use and you will save far more.

Tim

Palamedes · #8 05-22-2015, 12:31 PM

I agree with start small.

The corrosion argument doesn't really hold. Aluminium doesn't corrode like steel. It will "rust" immediately, but as I understand it, that oxide layer actually serves to protect the rest of the aluminium.

So if it sits in your garage for a couple years while you work on it when you have a chance it's not like its turning into a pile of rust.. instead its just patiently waiting for you to come out and give it loving when you have time.

I'm no expert here but I'd say every hour you can give it now, is an hour you don't have to spend later. It's already a very long term project, start it sooner than later.

DaleB · #9 05-22-2015, 12:57 PM

Kit prices go up every year... but not as much as you could easily be making if you had the money invested in an ETF or something. If you have $45K sitting idle now, stick it in a brokerage account, manage it for 3-5 years and compare what it's worth to what new kits cost. I think you'll come out ahead, even after the IRS finishes trying to crush your dreams.

I would be a little concerned about letting un-started kits sit in the crates for years. Depending on your climate and the storage location, people have seen filiform corrosion under the blue plastic. Easily removed, but just one more thing for you to worry about.

You could very well also find a killer deal on a partially complete airframe or even un-started kits while your brand new kits (for which you paid full price) sit idle in the crates. If you're not in a hurry, you have the luxury of being able to shop around and watch the VAF classifieds.

So, I get where your thoughts are, but I'd suggest holding off. Get your shop set up (cleaned up, lights, heat, compressor, workbenches, tools). If you find you have the time and space, get your tail kit and get started. Who cares how long it takes? You can treat it like it a hobby craft project... it will just turn into an airplane some day.

ppilotmike · #10 05-22-2015, 02:11 PM

Speaking as one who has two kids (daughter 3 1/2, son 11 months) and two projects (RV-10 and RV-3B), kids will DEFINITELY have an impact on your build time! That being said, I believe that if you have the money to simply purchase the entirety of an RV-10 kit, then "saving money over time by buying now" might not be your real concern. It may be that you're questioning whether or not you'll have time to build with a kid(s) in the picture, and wanting to "lock in" your build by having a kit in the garage. My suggestion is to have a long, honest talk about it with your wife. She will likely have a difficult cross to bear if and when you start on your project. I'm not saying you won't be around at all (that would quickly destroy your relationship with wifey and kiddie(s)), I'm saying that when you're busy working, your wife will be busy doing dishes, laundry, cleaning the kitchen, picking up toys, laundry and probably more laundry. You both don't yet know what's in store for you, regarding time management, but you can at least speculate on your specific roles and make sure that she's on board for her expected sacrifices, and you yours... You too will have times, when you watch the wife and kid(s) pull away to spend a beautiful day at the zoo, waterpark, whatever, while you get to debur/dimple thousands of holes, research proper edge distances, torques, etc. You friends will question your loyalty, since they don't see you as often. Etc, etc. Try to know what you're in for, then make the leap or not.

I knew a guy that built an RV-10 pretty quickly, spending all his time in the shop while his wife cared for their baby "TWINS!" When he finally had it built and wanted to fly places, the wife and kids had little desire to go with, as they were into other things and used to daddy being "busy." In the end, he sold the plane about a year after it was finished, to buy a boat. So, my $0.02 is to talk about it, make sure you're both okay with the sacrifice vs. payoff, and if so, then pull the darned trigger!