The History Of The Used Inflatable Boats You Look At Will Give You Information You Need To Make A Smart Purchase
All used inflatable boats have a history.
If you live in a very sunny part of the world, and the boat you are looking to buy is made of PVC, and the Hull Identification Number tells you the boat is 10 years old....... run away, don't walk, run!
If you live in a cooler part of the world, like Canada, and the boat you are looking to buy is made of PVC, and the Hull Identification Number tells you the boat is 10 years old..... find out more of the history..... it may be a good deal!
Was this boat used as a primary boat or a secondary boat.
Was it used by live aboard cruisers, or mom and pop on 5 Sundays a year.
Was it stored inflated or deflated, in a garage, outside, or in the water - neglected at the marina.
Probably the ideal would be lightly used inflatable boats in a temperate climate stored partially inflated indoors when not in use.
If you find a boat like that..... call me, and I will buy it! (just kidding, but maybe you should.)
Each piece of information about the history of the boat will help you decide if the boat is worth buying.
When we bought our first inflatable boat, had we known what we know now, we would not have bought it! No matter how good a 30 year old boat looks, if it is glued by hand the glue may fail one day soon.
When exactly? Nobody can really know.
I have found some 20 year old Hypalon boats for sale on-line for as much as $2000 US. I would not pay that kind of money for a boat that has one very big unknown. How long will the glue continue to hold?
Keep looking around for a newer used boat!
Perhaps start looking for an entry level PVC boat from a reputable company.
It depends partly what you plan to do with it. Extended wilderness trips or ocean voyages are no place to find out your seams are starting to fall apart!
If you just want to float around in the little pond out back, it may not matter to you!
Most importantly, get a boat, and go enjoy it!
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