Campervan for Kayaking

Is it the first sign of old age? We're looking to buy a campervan.

My company car will go at the end of this year and we want a vehicle which we can use day-to-day as well as for longer kayak trips. We've only just started looking, but the Tiree conversion from Jerba Campervans looks promising. Delivery time is five months.

Jerba are part sponsors of my favourite mountain marathon, the OMM (which always clashes with the SCA Perth show!). That's where I first saw their vans.

It has a pop-up roof. When closed it'll carry 120 kilos, more than enough for two kayaks, but they have to be removed for the roof to stay up. The rack and cradles can stay on. But the fuel consumption looks severe, around 35mpg on mixed cycle compared to 57mpg for my Peugeot.

Anyone have experience of using a VW campervan to go kayaking, or using it day-to-day? Advice / comments / suggestions greatly appreciated.