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One of the biggest problems when shopping for a used inflatable boat, inflatable kayak or RIB, is how to tell if the craft meets your needs. Some inflatable boats or inflatable kayaks appear to look spartan and commercially orientated and therefore are unsuitable for family and sporting use, however, these inflatable boats may provide an excellent safe boat albeit without any luxuries.

Inflatable boats and kayaks are a great way to enjoy the waters without having to pay thousands of dollars. RIBs are generally a sound investment as used boat prices are very strong, thus making it a great financial investment over such boats as the GRP sport boats or traditional sport boats which tend to depreciate very quickly.

Buying a used inflatable boat, such as a RIB, can be very confusing at times, however, it is usually the mechanics of the engine and soundness of the trailer which require the most attention. Engine problems can be quite costly and having a thorough inspection on the inflatable boat before purchase could save you money.

Here are a few things we recommend you check when buying a used inflatable boat:

• Check for major repairs to the buoyancy tubes. Half stuck patches may indicate an amateur repair and these should be attended to as soon as possible.
• Careful inspection of the hull to tube attachments should show any problems in this area and common sense should prevail, however, check for tell-tale glue stains on the GRP and tube as this could indicate a previous problem that has been hastily repaired.
• Check around the fuel tank for rust or old fuel as breakdowns at sea can often be attributed to polluted fuel.
• Consider having the engine inspected by a professional before purchasing, as engine repairs can be quite costly.
• Check to make sure the water pump is pumping through the correct volume of cooling water. Weak water flow is a good indicator that there might be a blocked outlet. If the pump is working incorrectly, overheating may have occurred and damage to the piston rings or bearings may have resulted.
• As per usual, the trailer requires visual attention, paying particular attention to the draw bar and hitch, ensuring that the ball locking system is safe and operating correctly.
• Wheel bearings and breaks, if fitted, are a major area for careful inspection. Breaks frequently become stiff or totally seized due to immersion in salt water and should be checked for correct rotation.
• The trailers wheel bearings should also be checked; spin the wheel and listen for bearing noise/rumble. If the bearings are noisy, do not attempt to tow the boat without first replacing the bearings
• Finally, inspect the winch, particularly the winch strap or wire.

Generally speaking, with used inflatable boats, what you see is what you get and there should be no reason to suppose that if the tubes and hull appear fair that there are any hidden problems; however, our recommended check list should help provide a guide to the main problem areas.

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