Going to look at used 10 foot Achilles, Advice Please?

[Jennifer "water-wolf"]

A friend of ours has a 10 foot Achiles that he wants to trade with me....It is over 10 years old, probably about 15 or 16 years, but has been kept in a garage....not much freezing but lots of rain here in Oregon. I have never owned an inflatable, though have dived from a large number of RIBs over the years that belong to other people. We are thinking that this might be a good way to get into a small boat that will allow us to expore or fish some of the smaller streams here in Oregon that our 20 foot glass runabout boat is totally unsuitable for. No motor, but at one time they had an 8 HP on it, sold last year seperately. Given my druthers, I would prefer a RIB, but an inflatable is what is offered. What is the expteced life span of the materials used in Achilles? If 15 years old or so, should I expect to be re-gluing it soon, or will it be OK? If there is a 'STICKY' about used inflatables and what to look for, please direct me to it....any advice on what to look for to say yes or no to it is appreciated. Though no cash is involved, the value of the trade he is asking for is about $1000....Is that a fair price for 15/16 year old inflatable with no motor & no trailer. I DO have a unility trailer that can be used behind a car, and the boat has wheels above the transom to roll in and out, or can tow behind my other boat to go explore after arrival in an area. I have seen some bare 10 footers go from as low as $350 for a simple Zodiac to well over a grand for assorted brands, but without knowing a lot about inflatables, I could not explain the range of price besides age and condition...all were set up for tiller steering, non fitted steering wheels and throttles, non were RIBs. I was looking for comparables to what is being offered. Don't know if it has oars yet......Will be looking at it next weeked, and would like to know as much as I can before then to make an intellegent decision. THANKS in advance for help and advice. Jennifer

 

[lncoop]

Re: Going to look at used 10 foot Achilles, Advice Please?

I assume this is a dinghy, so take my advice with a grain of salt since I only know rafts (no transom issues to consider, that sort of thing). FWIW it's most likely made of hypalon. Since it's been garage kept it should have several more years of life in it. Not sure if you'll have to do any glue work, but even if you do that's not a huge deal. Just for the sake of comparison, I have a hypalon raft that was made in the early nineties. I bought it sight unseen for $400 from an outfitter in Oregon who was kind enough to ship it to me. It's no beauty queen, but other than replacing a D ring I haven't had to do any repair work on it. I do multi-day trips and only have to top it off on cool mornings. That said, I can't see your friend's boat being worth a grand. Achilles makes a good boat, and it sounds like it's been well cared for, which is the most important thing, but regardless of condition it's a fifteen year old inflatable, and even the best ones do have a finite lifespan. Also, you'll find that a ten footer will feel pretty small. What kind of rivers are you wanting to take it on?

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Going to look at used 10 foot Achilles, Advice Please?

Although Achilles is Hypalon made, 280 is pretty small, just for 2 and gear, probably will be bored soon, for that price better look for larger 320, 340 sizes. If truly wanting to count with it, inflate sib fully, make a soappy water test throughout whole boat and look for air leaks to determine it's tube condition, try to peel extreme of any accesory and see if any glued part is becoming unglued, it's a must have price reduction during recession times.

Happy Boating

 

[Jennifer "water-wolf"]

Re: Going to look at used 10 foot Achilles, Advice Please?

Some of these have aluminum floor segements, some have wood, and some have none..only the 'skin' and inflatable tubes. What is the value difference between the floor types. I would think aluminum would be the best....non rotting. As for the places I would take this, that would be slow moving streams, from 20 to 100 foot wide, basically feeders to the main river system we have around here. Example, we live about 600 feet from the Tualitin river that feeds the much larger Willamette after a mild rapids at the junction point. Low horsepower pontoons, canoes, drift and powered dories, are typical of what we see on the Tualitin...there is gentle current, virtually no wave action. The 10 footer is way too small for SCUBA diving, so I have no pre-conceived notions of using it for that..just puttering around in small lakes, small streams...There are an abundance of affordable used outboards in the 5 to 8 HP range around here too, and that is what I would likely fit. and also no more than 2 people total, with some light fishing gear or camera gear. I know previous owner has had the boat out in much larger water than I would be comfortable with...where you can get real waves and wakes of several feet....I'll use my larger boat for that, thank you!!! The attraction for me is that this can be a cashless transaction, for a trade of stuff that I am perfectly willing to be rid of....I am just concerned that the relative value is rather high.....and I DON'T want to get into a heavy project boat...If it looks like there are service issues I will pass on it......Also please understand that I am not looking to buy an inflatable or RIB with cash money, I have a nice 20 foot V-6 powered runabout that is our 'main' boat...this would just be a nice additional small boat to allow us to see some other sights and be easy to transport, and be obtained for no cash out of pocket. I don't like 'jon boats' or other small 'tin' boats..people around here die every year from sinking small tin boats. If obtaining a small boat for any reason, it would HAVE to have the safety of an inflatable or RIB.

I'll bring along a spray bottle of soapy water...good idea! How is Hypalon to re-glue???? Can anyone provide a link to DIY repairs or modifications on Hypalon?
Jennifer

 

[jamnn]

Re: Going to look at used 10 foot Achilles, Advice Please?

http://www.nrsweb.com/repair/clifton_hypalon_adhesive.asp

You do not need to glue unless it has a leak. I have a 10' hypalon that is 22 years old and holding air just fine. It is also garaged and on the trailer.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Going to look at used 10 foot Achilles, Advice Please?

Yes, no need to re glue unless has a hole and want a patch it or re glue unglued parts as oar locks, oar holders, etc. If going for the sib, get yourself a nice manual or electric air pump.

Happy Boating