Is a quality inflatable worth the cost.

[gwozhog]

I have always preferred buying quality because I am a firm believer that you never get more than what you pay for. I have been looking at the achilles sgx122 which will set me back about 4k. What really has my cogs turning is that in 10 years the boat will probably have a resale of 300 bucks. There are several manufacturers out there who sell a comparable PVC boat for about 1000 bucks and have a 5 year warranty. I could buy 3 of them over the next 10 years and probably come out ahead. Do you guys think the achilles hypalon boat would outlast 3 generic PVC boats? If so then I'm sold on the achilles. How do you guys justify buying a high end inflatable? Thanks

 

[Mlmg]

Re: Is a quality inflatable worth the cost.

I have always preferred buying quality because I am a firm believer that you never get more than what you pay for. I have been looking at the achilles sgx122 which will set me back about 4k. What really has my cogs turning is that in 10 years the boat will probably have a resale of 300 bucks. There are several manufacturers out there who sell a comparable PVC boat for about 1000 bucks and have a 5 year warranty. I could buy 3 of them over the next 10 years and probably come out ahead. Do you guys think the achilles hypalon boat would outlast 3 generic PVC boats? If so then I'm sold on the achilles. How do you guys justify buying a high end inflatable? Thanks

I went with PVC for the following reasons..
1. 1st SIB, I didn't want to spend a fortune on a new hobby.
2. I live in Michigan where the climate is pretty temperate.
3. I store my boat indoors/garage, out of the direct heat/cold and sun/snow storm.
4. I was dumb......see the sentence that starts with "plus the exact..."

Now, I am hooked on this hobby and my next boat will be hypalon...the Admiral is complaining the boat is taking over the garage (she thinks garages are intended for cars...ggeeezzzz), so I will need to park the boat outside. Plus the exact same boat in hypalon is roughly 25% higher than PVC cost wise. In fact, I should have shopped more and purchased the hypalon. Lessened learned.

And 4k for a hypalon vs. 1k for a PVC...something is wrong, I don't think you are comparing the same items.

 

[gwozhog]

Re: Is a quality inflatable worth the cost.

I'm looking at the newport vessels Catalina, seamax 380, and the saturn. All are under 1400 bucks and around 12 ft like the achilles.

 

[CapeAnn]

Re: Is a quality inflatable worth the cost.

Defender Industries in Conn. occasionally has sales on Hypalon boats come end of season. And reasonable too given better fabric material. This is what I did. In my experience I much appreciate Hypalon more than the heavier, and shorter-lived PVC. Better flexibility, less cracking, and better in the sun. However, if this is the first inflatable that will get stored out of sun, and not used too much - a cheaper, starter PVC boat isn't a bad idea. It's just my own preferences with regards to a better fabric which can last decades.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Is a quality inflatable worth the cost.

I'm writing this while I'm sitting in our display at a boat show. I have seven brands on display, including models in both PVC and Hypalon. So I am constantly asked about the benefits of both.

PVC has it's place. It's relatively cheap. It will last anywhere from 5 to 10 years depending on where it is used and how it is put together.

Hypalon is better in every respect except initial purchase price. Hypalon will last anywhere from 20 to 30 years. It is stronger and more resistant to damage.

So, which to buy? PVC is a great choice for someone who intends to use a boat for less than ten years. Hypalon is a great choice for someone who wants to use the same boat for a 20 year period. Buying a PVC boat can be very cost effective as you can buy one now and buy another later. People do that all the time...In theory. Reality is that people buy PVC once, then when it fails, they go with Hypalon because they now know they will stay with an inflatable.

 

[ssobol]

Re: Is a quality inflatable worth the cost.

One thing to consider with PVC vs Hypalon is that quality PVC boats use thermowelding to attach the fabric together (inexpensive PVC boats tend to be glued). This makes the seams stronger than the plain fabric. Hypalon boats are hand glued (which explains some of the increased cost). While the hypalon fabric itself generally is more durable than PVC, the lifetime of a hypalon boat is limited by the durability of the glue job. I had a hypalon boat from what was supposed to be quality manufacturer start coming apart at the glue joints within days of getting it. The boat was fixed under warranty, but I spent a lot of money for a hypalon boat and that just shouldn't have happened.

My second boat is PVC. For less money I could get a bigger boat than I could afford with hypalon. With proper care (which is not difficult or time consuming) the tubes on this boat should last no less than 10 years, most likely a lot longer. When the tubes finally expire, I can get another set for a couple of $K. Amortized over 10-12 years the cost of replacing the tubes is only a couple of hundred $ a year.

The biggest issue with PVC vs. hypalon is that PVC will suffer more UV damage than hypalon. That does not mean that hypalon is immune to UV damage, just less susceptible. If you intend to have this boat in very sunny cliimes, then hypalon is a better choice. If you plan on using it in where the boating season is short or less sunny, PVC should work out fine. In either case, it is best to cover the boat when storing it (or keep it inside).

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Is a quality inflatable worth the cost.

Ask yourself these simple questions.

-Do I live near the Equator or at the Carribbean
-Will my sib be living moored at a marina or year long at sunny open environments.
-Hypalon is a must have if both statements are met.-
No need to have visible sun, even on cloudy days UV does it's harmfull silent work.

-If buying a costly Hypalon sib.
-How long do I plan to keep it, if picked a medium size and plan to stay with it long years, good purchase, if family has grown fast and need a larger roomier size, bad investment.

Although most PVC warranties states 5 year, that doesn't mean that sib will desintegrate by magic after elapsed time, although will experiment some ungluing problems much prior warranty time ends mostly on glued external parts due to cheaper glues used and having more UV punishmment than before, but completely repairable at cheap cost if you know how to do it yourself.

Cost effective, don't buy expensive nor less pricey inflatables, go for a heavy duty JP 380 Patrol Series, costs more than standard ones, but will outlast any of them. Price is slight bit more than half the Avon 4K asked price. Can protect it even further more with a breathable thick cover and spraying 303 Aerospace Protectant once in a while. If it can be kept shaded at a garage after use sitting on top of a trailer, engine included, much better.

Happy Boating

 

[mrdrh99]

Re: Is a quality inflatable worth the cost.

Hey guys, I was reading your take on the different boats and I have a question, slightly related to the topic, even though not directly to the OP (SORRY!) I was wondering....what is a drop stich high pressure air floor? How might that compare to the aluminum or ply floors these boats have? Which is better or more preffered? I currently have a Intex Mariner 4, I know you guys laugh at these boats but I'm happy for now, esp for what I paid for it! However, I dont expect it to last any more that 5 years, and I'll be happy if I get the 3 years I paid for durring the registration process. So, I'm researching my next purchase and the Newport boats are looking might good! Thanks for reading!

 

[CapeAnn]

Re: Is a quality inflatable worth the cost.

Hey guys, I was reading your take on the different boats and I have a question, slightly related to the topic, even though not directly to the OP (SORRY!) I was wondering....what is a drop stich high pressure air floor? How might that compare to the aluminum or ply floors these boats have? Which is better or more preffered?

A lot of SUP's and inflatables use drop stitch floor. They're plenty tough, rigid as can be for a air floor and certainly less bother than a hard al/wooden floor to install. I consider the last bit most important if I have to take the inflatable somewhere remote. Other than that - I would opt for a hard floor if I were fishing, carrying scuba gear or hard stuff.

 

[ronaldj]

Re: Is a quality inflatable worth the cost.

I have always preferred buying quality because I am a firm believer that you never get more than what you pay for. I have been looking at the achilles sgx122 which will set me back about 4k. What really has my cogs turning is that in 10 years the boat will probably have a resale of 300 bucks. There are several manufacturers out there who sell a comparable PVC boat for about 1000 bucks and have a 5 year warranty. I could buy 3 of them over the next 10 years and probably come out ahead. Do you guys think the achilles hypalon boat would outlast 3 generic PVC boats? If so then I'm sold on the achilles. How do you guys justify buying a high end inflatable? Thanks

Cost is relative.
The issue with any boat is
Where do you take it for service

A cheaper boat is not cheaper if you cant get a repair done without sending it to west hell to get fixed, with you paying the postage and the repairs taking months.
When looking at a boat you have to figure in TCO(total cost of ownership)
I consider the ability and speed of registration to also be part of the equation.
It is not a deal if you cant register it because you are waiting on a piece of paper

 

[ronaldj]

Re: Is a quality inflatable worth the cost.

Hey guys, I was reading your take on the different boats and I have a question, slightly related to the topic, even though not directly to the OP (SORRY!) I was wondering....what is a drop stich high pressure air floor? How might that compare to the aluminum or ply floors these boats have? Which is better or more preffered? I currently have a Intex Mariner 4, I know you guys laugh at these boats but I'm happy for now, esp for what I paid for it! However, I dont expect it to last any more that 5 years, and I'll be happy if I get the 3 years I paid for durring the registration process. So, I'm researching my next purchase and the Newport boats are looking might good! Thanks for reading!

The reason one gets an airfloor is to allow for easy transport of the boat.
There is nothing wrong with a high pressure airfloor properly inflated.
The difference in floors alone can be 40 pounds or more.
If you launch by yourself the weight makes a difference.
Airfloor typically under 100 pounds
Solid floor typically 150 pounds

Airfloor tend to cost more
Convenience has a price

btw
It is not the same type of airflloor that is in the raft you have

 

[mrdrh99]

Re: Is a quality inflatable worth the cost.

Thanks Ron, that's the answer i was hoping for!

 

[saabsaviorlee]

Re: Is a quality inflatable worth the cost.

For what it's worth I have a Newport vessels Catalina. They emailed me the registration paperwork the same day I called. Had it about a year folded it every use nearly every weekend but now o built a trailer so she's garaged now. No issues with any construction (no stuff unglueing etc) had one valve nut break and had to replace but that could've been my fault from folding and strapping to a hitch carrier every weekend. They're based in cali so if that's closer than Saturn in Florida I say go for it!