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Posts Tagged ‘purchasing used inflatabel boat’
One of the biggest problems when first looking at second-hand or used inflatable kayak, is how to tell if the craft is really what you need. Some inflatable kayaks look very spartan and commercially orientated and therefore are unsuitable for family and sports use, however, these craft may be very tough and provide an excellent safe sea boat albeit without any luxuries. Other inflatable kayak may look very well fitted with comfortable seating, flashy consoles and plenty of instruments, but this does not mean necessarily that the hull is very capable in typical sea conditions. Quite recently a number of inflatable kayak manufacturers have introduced a number of creature comforts which include thickly padded seating with grab handles and other features.
Most makes of inflatable kayaks are a safe bet when looking for a sound investment and used prices are very strong, thus buying a new or used kayak is generally a much better financial proposition than a GRP sports boat or open day boat which tend to depreciate very quickly. Perhaps because of their versatility and general social acceptance in marinas and harbours etc, where sports boats can be frowned upon, that kayaks are new in the majority and to be on the water during a weekend confirms their amazing popularity.
Buying a used, or as the posh used car trade call them, previously owned, inflatable kayaks can be a very confusing and in some cases expensive pastime. Buying a used inflatable kayak should be straightforward providing basic inspection shows no obvious flaws. Generally speaking, 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, the following obvious tips should provide a guide to the main problem areas.
Repairs Check
Check for major repairs to the inflatable kayak buoyancy tubes. If there are professional repairs evident, then this should not present any problems; however, half stuck patches may indicate an amateur repair and these should be attended to as soon as possible.
Blown Baffles
Check for blown inflatable kayak buoyancy tube baffles. This is easily checked by deflating the adjoining tube and inflating the inflated one to sufficient pressure so as to provide a firm and correctly inflated section. Any air transfer will be heard escaping into the deflated chamber. Place your ear close to the baffle (division between air chambers) of the inflated tube to magnify the noise.
Seams
Many inflatable kayak seams are covered by tape which can become detached or start lifting. On some kayaks, this is purely a protective tape covering the main seam below, however, on other makes, especially where the tape is the same fabric as the boat and not just a light weight tape, then this may be main attachment between seams. If the former applies, then is nothing to worry about and a little glue will re-stick the tape easily. However, if the heavier wider tape appears to be lifting, consult an expert before proceeding with the purchase. On certain makes of boat, this can be the beginning of the scams becoming unglued and this can prove very expensive to put right. Some early PVC and polyurethane tubes were particularly prone to seam problems and when unsure as to the type of fabric in use, again, contact the manufacturers or an expert to ascertain the likely problems.
Hull to Tube Attachment
Careful inspection of the inflatable kayak will show up any problem in this area and common sense should prevail, however, check for tell tale glue stains on the tube which may indicate a previous problem that has been hastily repaired.
Glue Smears
Dark brown smears which are difficult to remove around the inflatable kayak tube joint may be just a careless clean up job from new; however, it may be a repair so ask the seller and have a go at pulling at the fabric in that area to ensure the stick is good. Tubes that become detached at sea do not amuse the crew, although it has been known to create mirth amongst onlookers.
Hull Integrity
Check the inflatable kayak hull/floor for serious crazing, especially along the spray rails and chines. Any longitudinal cracks should be treated with great suspicion, but, even worse is a hairline crack that runs across the beam of the hull. This may indicate that the boat has a weakness which could result in an expensive repair or even worse a hull that is flexing due to loss of longitudinal strength through severe use or accidental damage. Any cracks should be checked thoroughly and a surveyor should be consulted if in any doubt. Minor star grazing, compression cracks and chips in the chines are generally cosmetic rather than structurally dangerous. To repeat, whenever in doubt get a surveyor or walk away.
Floor
This is seldom a problem although inflatable kayak floors may become spongy. This can be caused by the floor becoming detached from its bearers or the plywood base becoming damaged through water or fuel ingression.
Seating
Check for any obvious damage and condition of the upholstery, seat hinges etc. but, otherwise, nothing particularly serious should occur in this area; however, check the floor attachment area to ensure the seat does not break out.
Complete Package
Finally, check the engine-trailer-inflatable kayak package are compatible and have been regularly maintained. Kayaks that are hardly used hardly used can be just as troublesome as heavily used craft and vice versa. Outfits that have been properly maintained are usually reliable and well found and can provide a worthwhile investment for the buyer.
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As you may already know, specialization in the design of today’s inflatable boats is now in the forefront of the minds of the manufacturers and designers. Each distinct group is specifically designed for a different set of applications and is built and equipped with different components and equipment. Most inflatable boats today fall within one these specific categories.
If all you need is a small inflatable boat to get you from ship to shore, then a typical inflatable tender is the best answer. If you’re after a medium sized boat for diving or watersports there are many choices as well. If a large rigid-hulled inflatable (Rigid Inflatable Boat or RIB) for recreation, rescue or work is what you need, there are again many exotic designs available with a wide variety of standard and optional components. The choice of inflatable boats is quite wide through the entire spectrum, ranging from very compact models with simple slatted or inflatable floors, to larger tenders with inflatable or wooden keels and solid wooden or aluminum floors, up to the fiberglass or aluminum rigid-hulled inflatables. To avoid confusion, before buying, or even shopping for an inflatable, discuss and decide on exactly what the uses or requirements will be for your new inflatable boat. This will minimize the models to choose from, which in turn will minimize confusion.
Dealer Location and Reputation
The location of the inflatable boat dealer is important because you don’t want to have to travel too far for you inflatable boat needs. Whether it’s parts, repairs or just technical support and friendly customer service tips, a close dealer can be a close friend. In particular, as a new boat owner and perhaps new to inflatable boats, you may have questions, need to claim warranty, or need regular servicing to maintain a warranty. Any way you look at it, closer is better.
Pricing
Years ago, inflatable boats where the most expensive boats on the market and only a few people could afford them. This was due to the use of exotic materials and the hours of meticulous hand labor which went into their construction. Now, the boats still use the best materials, but in the late seventies, the companies started investing millions of dollars in computer-driven assembly equipment. This enabled prices to be dramatically reduced as economies of scale rose, enabling more and more consumers to enjoy affordable inflatable boating. Zodiac and its sister company, Sevylor, are now the leading low-cost producer thanks to these technological investments. So be wary of inflatable prices substantially below the Zodiac/Sevylor line. They may be either produced in developing countries by unskilled labor, or marketed by companies who are unaware of the importance of profit margins. They will be glad to see your dollar today but may be unwilling or unable to fix a problem later, or supply that much needed spare part.
Warranties
You may be enamored with inflatable boat competitor’s claims, all of whom will promise they have the best or longest warranty. There was even a lifetime warranty offered some years ago by an inflatable boat company that soon enough disappeared. A lot of manufacturers use attractive warranties as a substitute for quality or proper boat design, or simply to shore up a lack of product features. You should also be sure in your own mind that the company will be around long enough to deliver. Zodiac has been building inflatables for over 50 years and offers a limited 5-year warranty. And they have the whereforall to be around for a long time.
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Purchasing A Used Inflatable Boat or Kayak: Buying Tips
posted by The Captain @ 11:51 AM
Thursday, October 13, 2011
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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