There are plenty of online stores that sell inflatable boats nowadays. Without hesitation Daniel J. Hirsch explained all about the problem. You have a wide array of choices that sometimes choosing the best one for you is quite a task. In some cases, it is better to source for a used inflatable boat. Others including Pacific Mortgage Services, offer their opinions as well. How do you choose a used boat? Here is a checklist of the things that you need to inspect when buying a used boat: overall appearance; fabric condition; tube seams; hard-bottom-to-tube seams; bottom seams; transom-to-tube seams; outboard bracket; bottom abrasion inside and outside; valve condition and operation; valve-to-tube seams; oarlocks; floorboards; transom; Steering cables; oars and paddles; pump; owner s manual and repair kit. The list is extensive as it s the same checklist for a new inflatable boat. Make sure that the boat is inflated without the engine, screen and other things.
Check the fabric of the boat. It is alright for a Hypalon to have a chalky but not on a PVC fabric boat. Check that the boat is not coated with petroleum jelly or oil to make it look good. PVC boat is especially vulnerable to silicone-based protectant such as Armourall. It is not easy to tell from its looks if a boat is made of PVC or Hypalon. Most manufacturers call their Hyaplon Hypalon boats but when PVC is used manufacturers tend to hide them behind some obscure name.
A seller might not actually know if Hypalon or PVC is used in his boat as it might have been sold under the name Strongan or Decitex or touring. To check, get acetone or nail polish remover and place a spot on the boat. If the wet area becomes sticky after a few seconds, then the material is PVC. If it is not affected, then it s Hypalon. It is best to test the fabric tube too as some manufacturers make tube fabrics different from the floor and dodgers.