Inspecting a used inflatable dinghy

[RonRelyea]

Does anyone on the forum have suggestions on what inspection criteria to use when looking at a used inflatable?

I've come across a used Avon (8 foot, wood floor) that the owner says is about 10 years old, holds air fine and has one patch.

Am I stupid to be looking at a 10 year old inflatable? If not, what do I look for as far as determining condition.

Thanks!

Ron

 

[Ray Bowles]

I'd pass unless it's free and then I'd have a life jacket.

We purchases a 38' boat that had a dingy about that old. The dingy didn't leak when we pumped it up but it had been about 1 1/2 years since it had been used. After using it for about 4 hours it sprung the first leak and it was inbound. Patched it. Another hour later, patched another inbound. Next morning he was limp. No "Extenze" helped. We pumped, we blew...it sucked. The rubber was simply used up. Hard and brittle.
We bought a hard dink. Didn't have to pump it.

 

[sailingdog]

Is it hypalon or PVC. If it is PVC...don't bother... if it is hypalon, it might be okay. A PVC dinghy that old is going to be close to end of life from UV damage. In either case, I wouldn't pay for a 10 year old dinghy.

 

[jibes138]

20 year old dinghy

I just trashed my 20 year old Achilles so i have some pretty good experience on the slow decay of a hypalon inflatable. First to go were the floorbaords (wood) at about 5 years or so. Got some marine plywood, made new ones and epoxy coated the wood to water proof them a bit. They lasted the next 15 years. The oars crack along the edges of the blades, I bought one spare set in 20 years. They also rust out ( yes they are aluminum) but the little spring loaded pin that holds the two halves together is steel and it rusts out. I replaced all the valves after about 15 years as the caps started breaking. Over the years the rub strake slowly deteriorated and started flaking. The strips of fabric over the seam slowly started to delaminate along the edges as the glue deteriorated. Finally the check valve in the transom failed allowing free flow of water into the boat unless the rubber plug was installed. The boat did not leak until 15 years I put on a patch from a puncture most likely from a barnacle or sharp stone when I rolled it up at end of year. I used to fill it at the start of the season and maybe pump it a few times in the fall when the air would contract from cold temps. Very small patch over the small pin hole and it worked fine. After 19 years the actual fabric started to crack and it started leaking along the seams. At that point nothing could be done so I trashed it. So I bought it for $999.00 new in 1990. I brought it to the dump in 2010. 50 bucks a year plus a few hundred for assorter spare valves and oars seems like a bargain and I would buy a new one in a heartbeat. In fact I am planning a trip to Connecticut to get one at Defender very soon. Maybe a RIB this time with a little more HP for fun and games in my local area. Hard to beat the stability of an inflatable. I also have a sailing dinghy so the combination is great.

 

[sailingdog]

Dave—

If you're going to order one, buy it now, as Defender's spring sale is going on now.

 

[Eric M]

The first point of failure on my 12 year old zodiac with wood floors was the seal between the transom and the fabric that was on the bottom of the boat under the wood floor. I tried a multitude of repairs each of which would last about a weekend or two before failing again. I finally gave up and purchased a new to me RIB.

 

[RonRelyea]

Was there yesterday! $539 for a 8' Bombard/Zodiak

if you want to go cheap!

unfortunately the new manson supreme, bow roller, xantrex, xls halyard etc etc blew my budget ...

Dave—

If you're going to order one, buy it now, as Defender's spring sale is going on now.

 

[RonRelyea]

Update on inspecting the inflatable

I went to look at the Avon Saturday ... it failed the MOST IMPORTANT test .. the guy didn't have a valid registration or title! He suggested I could register it here in New York as a "salvage" ... uh, I don't think so!