New England InstallFest

[Bill Ricker]

> I am certainly capable of transporting 3-4 + reasonable equipment.  the
> Boston/Cambridge area is not far out of the way for me if going to olin
> or worcester or such.

On an earlier thread, I'd said the same - I live not far from DoctorMo
and have a larger vehicle with significant cargo and passenger
capacity.

> We could also rent a van for the day for $100 or so if we wanted to be
> able to bus people.

Long-body Fifteen passenger (or 8+cargo) is a bit more expensive than
the 12 or a minivan.
* less competitive, harder to find, dropped by major in-town agencies
due to higher accident rate with "subcompact" drivers
* most "car" insurers no longer consider it covered under regular
policy, so the CDW/PLW is needed.
* standard inclusive daily miles is not enough to get anywhere
"outside" Boston & back

I rented one recently for a 6 Flags birthday party
(Boston=>Springfield & return), picking up at VERK Quincy at 5pm and
returning it via key-drop after midnight the next day as a "one day"
rental. Very happy, but a good bit more than $100 all-in.

MIT SAO is recommending renting 2 minivans for the same price as one
15-passenger, for greater safety. This wasn't an option for me, as the
only adult in my group; and I have more experience with long-body than
most (farm, Mass CaraVan VanPool/VSI, and a conversion van as POV for
years), so I was quite comfortable ignoring their advice (especially
since they had no say in the matter at all).

-- 
Bill
n1vux at arrl.net bill.n1vux at gmail.com