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Shelter Design Yurts vs. Pacific Yurts

C

Crystal

New member
Hi!
We are looking at two different used yurts that are located in our area...

One is a 27' Shelter Design yurt Big Sky model for $9000. Needs insulation and a platform.

The other is 16' Pacific for $6000. Has insulation and platform and outdoor woodboiler.

We will be living in it fulltime in Minnesota so will have to purchase insulation for the shelter design one.

Does anyone has experience with either of these.
Recommendations on which would be the better deal are appreciated.
TIA
 
My comment only regards size. 16' is way too small for a primary residence for two people. WAAY too small. I know this from having had 16' for several years. 27' is a much better size. Trust me on this. Good luck.
 
That's what we were thinking too.
Wish we had the funds up front for the larger one.
Thank you for your advice.
 
I agree 16' is small, but no insulation in Minnesota is a non-starter in my book. Considering you could get a standard NEW 24' Pacific Yurt or Colorado Yurt for about $12,000 - $13,000, with insulation, tells me neither deal there is very good. You can do even better on price if you went the traditional yurt route, which are less expensive, however require more maintenance and are harder to permit.

If it were me, I would offer the $5k for the Shelter Designs yurt, leaving you money for the platform and insulation or go with new. $9,000 is way too much IMO for a previously erected yurt (that may get damaged when you take down).
 
There's a youtube vid of a young nomadic European couple that filmed the tear down, move, and rebuild of their 16' yurt at a new location. So yes 16' is doable. However for longer term living that is size for a very few and those folks are likely to be very young, no children, and with very little belongings. 16' is two cots, a picnic table, woodstove and wheelbarrow woodbox, two folding chairs, and some very small storage boxes. That's what was in mine. As for insulation, you absolutely need that.
 
Bob, yes I know we could make 16' work.
We've been living in a camper van fulltime for 2 years now, so are looking forward to even a little more space.

I like that the platform and insulation is included too.
 
If you think you can make 16' work, then that is the better deal IMO..
 
Keep in mind, we are talking about 200 sq ft of floor space. The wood boiler should save you room if it is heating the platform.
 
My E350 work van is the standard length wheelbase, or ~60 sq. ft. behind the seats. If you are living in a van that size or even the 72 sq. ft' version, you gonna find 200' is heaven. In that case, skip the 27'er. I assumed you were living in a house or apt. and wanted to try a yurt. Absolutely need good insulation.

I lived in a ~30 sq. ft. 4 season backpacking tent for a few months when I was 24 so I know about small spaces. My 16' yurt beat that big time. Good luck to you guys.
 
If you care to watch the video I mentioned, copy and paste this:

nomadic tiny house: Mongolian yurt moves in 1 day, DIY style youtube
 
Off topic.

I read an autobiographical book and watched a video called 'Alone in the Wilderness' about Richard Proenneke. Dick built an 11x15 cabin on a backcountry lake northwest of Anchorage Alaska in summer of 1968. Dick had just retired in his 50's and built the cabin by himself, from scratch, and effectively 'dropped out' of society.

He lived in it for several decades. In his later years he did winter in CA. No wife or kids. No dog either.. I never could figure that one out. Dick's cabin still stands today and is open for visit by the Park Service. There's a video on that as well.

Dick had supplies float planed in by a good friend for a few years, but ended up buying and rebuilding a Piper Cub with floats some years later. He crashed that float plane attempting to fly over a pass and broke his back. Of course this was in the middle of nowhere, but he did manage to crawl up to a gravel road that was nearby that saved his life. The book and video are definitely worth a look.

OK I'm out on this. Good luck to you two.
 
Yup that's it. The version I used to watch was narrated by a different man, plus the music was haunting, and captured the Alaskan spirit a whole lot better. Imo this is a bootleg copy.
 
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