JP,
Interesting dilemma. Here are some "deep thoughts:"

1. An older glider like an ASW24 will probably not depreciate very much at this point. If you buy one today and sell it in a few years you may get close to the same price you paid for it, so a $2-3K annual depreciation may be a bit too pessimistic (assuming you take good care of it)!

2. Joining various clubs around the country is an interesting idea, but reality tells me that it may not be the right option. For example, monthly dues will have to be paid. Many clubs have sizable initiation fees to join. More importantly many clubs (right or wrong) limit the use of clubs ships for X-C use. Some are better than others in this regard, but your X-C flying may be limited. Dare I say, I also believe there may be some hesitation in clubs to have someone from out of state decide to "suddenly" show up, take a club ship and go cross country. Just think how the "local" club members will feel if you damage the ship in a land-out and then the local club members lose the ship for the season....It would not be pretty....

3. Using various club ships will not really allow you get the comfort and familiarity that you would get in your own ship. It is critical that you get comfortable in a ship's handling and performance especially if you want to do some serious X-C soaring. This is also very important to allow you to fly safely and this is something I am sure your spouse would want you to do....

4. Owning your own ship allows you to equip it with the avionics you choose.. In clubs ships you have no choice on how it is equipped. Now, I know you can carry a few items like an Oudie with you, but it is absolutely not the same as being able to fly a ship regularly with equipment that you know how to properly use. Again, this "familiarity" tracks with #3 above.

So, I do believe that the "club" idea might sound reasonable, but I do believe that in reality the odds of success would be quite low.

Now, this all being said, if you cannot afford a ship (or do not want to invest in one at this point in time), it might be worth investigating this club idea a bit further. In addition, one could explore renting from commercial operations that do rent high-performance ships such as at: SoaringNV at Minden and Sundance Aviation at Moriarty!

OK...that's my 2 or 3 cents...Good luck!

Thx - Renny
(Flying glider #6)

On Monday, May 23, 2016 at 10:58:08 AM UTC-6, wrote:
So.. I bought a share in a 1-35 this winter. I've already had a blast in it this season. I own just 1/4 of it, so not much of an outlay of cash.

I've got the disease pretty bad. I'm interested now in going halves with another club member on something glass and in the 40+ l/d

Lets say a ASW24. I've rented one before at Williams, and had fun in it.

With my own glass ship that travels well, I could hit FL and SW areas in the winter. My job allows me to float about the country pretty easy. In other words, take the glider to FL, work a week out of FL, then fly a few days and bring it back home.

So my wife.. while not being very EXCITED about the prospect of me spending 25 or so thousand dollars on a glider hasn't thrown fits. BUT... she took me for a loop today.

She said, what about just going places to rent? I countered with the fact that many places were clubs, and many places were not renting high performance stuff like that.

When she heard CLUB.. she just said.... well, for the money you are spending, you could join at a couple clubs around the country and travel to them each once a year.

UHHHHH...

now.. off the top of my head, the depreciation on a well cared for glass ship is pretty low, what maybe 2k a year 3 at most? Then throw in my half of insurance and mtx.. call it another grand or two. That's a couple to three thousand a year.

Any help here?

Please.

JP