Are you a boater who loves to spend hours fishing or go sightseeing? If you are, you definitely need a boat to call your own. However, as you may already know, boats cost a lot of money which best explains why so many people prefer inflatable boats. In recent years inflatable boats have increased in popularity, but despite their lower price compared to rigid boats, they are still very expensive, especially when you include the motor.
For this reason, some boaters don’t mind going for used inflatable boats for sale. However, even the used ones are still relatively expensive and will set you back a couple of hundreds of dollars depending on the age of the boat and the build material.
Is buying a used inflatable boat a good idea?
Is it advisable to buy used inflatable boats? What are the pros and cons of buying a boat that has already been used by someone else? For starters, buying a used boat is not a bad thing if you can not afford a brand new one. But you should know the pros and cons of doing that so nothing will take you by surprise.
Here are the pros and cons of used inflatable boats for sale
Pros of used inflatable boats
There are quite a few pros of buying a used boat. Let’s discuss them below.
Cheap price
The obvious pros are the cheap price. You can get a used boat at a far cheaper price compared to a brand new one. If the boat has only been used for a few years, then you are in luck. With proper maintenance, it can last a few more years. If you bought a Hypalon inflatable boat, all the better because this material does not degrade very quickly but can last for many years before it goes out of service.
Buying a good used boat can save you several hundred, if not thousands of dollars.
Trusted Quality
Just like with all other equipment or product, you never really know how good they are until you use them. Some products tend to break down after only a few months of use. So if you find a boat available for sale that has been previously used by someone else, you know the quality you are getting. Battle-tested inflatables are worth their price.
Longevity
If you are lucky to buy the boat after a few months of use, you can use it for a long time. For instance, PVC boats last between 7-10 years, while Hypalon boats may last for up to 15 or 20 years with proper use and maintenance.
So imagine you got a boat that is only 2-3 years old at a cheaper price; you could use it for another 5 years or more before it goes out of service. That’s a good business deal if you ask me. And the good thing is you can actually verify the age claim of the seller by requesting the bill of sale.
Invest in other tools
With the money you save from purchasing the used inflatable boat, you can invest in other parts and accessories. For example, if you are an angler, you can buy your entire angling set with extra cash.
Cons of used inflatable boats
There are certain pros you should be aware of before you decide to buy that used inflatable boat you have seen online, or an angler is willing to sell to you. Here are some cons to consider.
The boat may have been overused
The first risk you face is the risk of overuse. Even if the boat is only a few years old, you never know just how badly the current owner has used it. So you may be buying a boat that has exceeded 59% of its potential within ty first few years. In the end, the price you pay may exceed the value.
Spend more money on repairs
Another risk you run is the possibility that you may spend more money on repairs. If you don’t do proper checks before buying it, you may not notice wear and tear, and the consequence is that you end up paying an unfair price for it.
Also, you will keep spending more money on repairs, and the entire financial package may exceed the price you would have paid for a brand new inflatable boat.
Vulnerable fabric
Experienced boaters who have used inflatable boats for years will tell you that from the very first day you put the boat out, the fabric will begin to degrade. Inflatables do not react well to the sun, as well as oysters and barnacles. If you make the mistake of storing the used boats in an oyster or barnacle-infested area, the boat will not last long.
These sea creatures eat the fabric or boreholes to live in them. If they do this to brand new boats, imagine what they’ll do to old ones with weaker exteriors? So if you must buy a used boat, make sure you store it in a safe and creature-free area.
Easy targets for fish hooks
Fish hooks are not good on used inflatable boats with weak fabrics. You will always have to be extra careful when fishing with the boat because a slight mistake and the hook will bore a hole on the fabric. And from there, things will get worse, and the hole will begin to widen
How to buy a used inflatable boat
If you can afford a new boat, then go for that; however, if you must buy a new boat, take your time and do the following
- Ask for the bill of sale and origin of the boat to ascertain the year it was made and commissioner by the current owner
- Ask the current owner what he does with the boat
- Conduct a careful examination checking the boat for scratches, holes, fabric weakness, etc
If you conduct these checks and you are satisfied with the boat’s condition, you can go ahead and buy it.
Used inflatable boats for sale pros and cons FAQ
1. Is it advisable to buy an inflatable boat used by someone else?
If the boat is still in good condition and has been used for only a few years, you can buy it.
2. Is it advisable to buy a used boat online?
No, it is not because you can not verify its current condition in person
3. How much is a used inflatable boat sold for?
It depends on the age of the boat and its build material. Hypalon boats cost more.
Last updated: 27/03/2022
