Renovating a used inflatable boat: costs and method
The life span of semi-rigid boats can easily reach 20 or 30 years when properly maintained, offering the opportunity to invest in a second-hand model while still guaranteeing great years of use!
In this article, Orca Retail takes a look at the conditions for buying used semi-rigid tyre models, and how to get the most out of them with a few simple steps to make them look like new at low cost ! Read on for our tips and advice.
Where to buy a used inflatable boat? Why prefer a professional?
When it comes to finding and acquiring a used model, we can only advise you to favour a professional dealer.
While it is of course entirely conceivable to go through an individual to buy a second-hand RIB boat, and if your first instinct is to scour the small ads on specialist or generalist sites (leboncoin.fr, ebay.en), going through a boat dealer has many advantages:
1. Better maintenance conditions
You can count on the expertise of professionals to carefully review everything that needs to be on your used inflatable boat. When it comes to the pure mechanics and maintenance of the engine, there's no doubt that a professional dealer will be able to guarantee the overall operation of the boat more effectively than a private individual. If, even in good faith, a private individual assures you of perfect operation, there's no substitute for a careful examination by a pro, to avoid costly unpleasant surprises after a few outings at sea.
2. The guarantee of a presence
By buying a used inflatable boat from a professional, you can first of all visit the site to see several boats rather than just one, which saves you a lot of travelling between private individuals.
Then, in the event of a glitch or hidden defect with your new toy, it will be much easier to turn against a professional than a private individual. In the age of the internet and consumer reviews, boat dealers are careful about their reputation and will tend to go out of their way to guarantee your satisfaction, whereas a private individual may be tempted to brush you off once the transaction is complete.
3. Bargains
A private individual who is not an expert in the field will tend to offer you a price that does not correspond to the reality of the market.
While in a sense he may under-value his property (and good for you!) he may just as easily place more value on his boat than it is really worth (over-value). So you need to be wary and compare carefully before buying a used RIB, and you risk spending a lot of time researching because of price discrepancies that confuse you (and watch out for false bargains and prices that are too low).
And if, of course, a dealer expects a margin, remember that many private individuals sell their used inflatable boat to these professionals at a reduced rate. So you won't be the only one to 'bear' the cost of this margin.
Also bear in mind that dealers have spaces that are not expandable, so you may see second-hand boats at knock-down prices at exhibitors who want to make room, while a private individual will be able to keep their boat at home for months without changing the price. This is especially true if you have your eyes on a exposure model.
Good deals are therefore not just the preserve of offers from private individuals.
Note that if you want to have the price of your boat estimated by a professional, expect a service of 40 to 80 euros per linear metre.
4. Saving time and money when buying maintenance equipment and accessories
The other advantage of using a used RIB boat dealer is that they have everything you need for these!"
In addition to the dealer's good advice, you'll be able to buy everything you need for your boat directly from his shop: accessories for your outings at sea as well as maintenance products.
And, of course, you can be sure that you'll be able to negotiate the package if you buy other products in addition to the boat.
To find a used RIB boat dealer in your area, check out our partner network!
What details should you pay attention to when buying a used RIB boat?
Whether you are a professional or an individual, in all cases it is recommended not to rush things and to observe a number of points or ask a few questions.
For example, are the engine or float tubes still under warranty? Indeed, if the object of your desire is only a few months or a few years old, it is highly likely that its warranties are still valid. Make sure you have all the necessary documents.
Of course, the ideal is to be able to try out the boat, but this is not always possible, or even very rare. A sea trip isn't exactly something you can easily improvise! Depending on the season, weather conditions, fuel costs, proximity to a stretch of water, and the owner's goodwill, it won't necessarily be possible to test the second-hand RIB. Don't forget to take this into account when negotiating the price! You're taking more risk and costing the dealer less by not testing the boat, and this must be reflected in the offer.
Check out the boat, see how many people can get on board, whether the mechanical elements are well oiled, inspect all the angles to assess the overall wear and tear and pick up details that a private would have missed. The comfort of the seats and the working order of the electronics should also be observed.
Another decisive point to pay attention to when buying your used RIB boat is its size/length. If you already own a trailer, make sure it is compatible with the boat. The same applies to the size of your garage or other storage space.
How much does a used inflatable boat cost
Depending on size, age, performance, equipment, accessories supplied, brand, wear and tear, second-hand RIB boats can display a wide range of prices.
Just like a new model, the price of a used inflatable boat can range from a few thousand euros to several tens (or even hundreds) of thousands.
In terms of discount, if we take a 2005 entry-level model such as the Zodiac Marvel 480, this one was sold for €12,740 when it came out, and can be found today second-hand for less than €8,000, i.e. nearly 40% cheaper (not counting inflation which lowers this value further).
If we take a more recent mid-range model such as the Cantieri Capelli Tempest 650, we can see that its new price is trading at around €45,000, and around €30,000 for a five-year-old model, i.e. one third of the original price less.
Overall, we can remember that between a new and used model, the discount is 20% to 30% in the first year. That's why it's worth considering the second-hand market for a RIB boat, with the ideal being to bet on a model that's between 2 and 5 years old. This gives you the advantage of benefiting from most of the discount, while still benefiting from certain sales guarantees and a good lifespan, with the possibility of reselling the property yourself at some point in the future.
How to refit a used RIB boat How much should you budget to refit a used inflatable boat
Now that you've acquired a used inflatable, depending on its condition, you'll have more or less work to do.
For a recent model, and a fortiori if you have made the purchase from a professional who has ensured that it is delivered to you in the best possible condition, expenditure will be limited or non-existent, or will really be limited to purchasing basic maintenance products for a few dozen euros.
For genuine "bargains to be refurbished", which is more widely the case with properties resold by private individuals who have not necessarily provided the best maintenance, here's what we recommend.
1. Cleaning flanges
Dirt or mould can be stubborn. The problem may be aesthetic, but it can also affect the strength of the floats. Whether you want to keep your socks as they are or reinforce them, the first thing you need to do is clean them. In particular, it can freshen up some dull, out-of-date colours.
2. Look for punctures
A priori, if the dealer has been conscientious, you won't have this problem, but caution is the mother of safety, so inspect the inflated bladders for possible punctures.
3. Change the fabric of your pneumatic tubes
Relooking your floats is THE best way to give a second life to your second-hand tyre! Redoing the fabric of your RIB floats has 2 advantages.
The first step is to reinforce your ageing bladders with a new layer of quality protection, so you can set sail again with peace of mind for years to come.
But it's also the perfect way to personalise your boat and give it a brand new look!
Orca Retail offers its range of neoprene repair fabrics to reinforce and customise your bladders.
We offer 4 finishes (Carbon / Fabric Impression / Beading / Smooth) as well as dizens of different colours. For 10 Euros (+ postage) you can even order our colour daisy to help you make your choice.
All our fabrics are resistant to abrasion, UVs, hydrocarbons, and are compatible for all brands of semi-rigid on the market.
Concerning the total cost, if you only wish to carry out a localised repair, 1 or 2 metres of fabric is sufficient, i.e. 100-200 euros (excluding fitting and postage costs). On the other hand, the price for a semi-rigid bladder changes is around 1200 to 2500 euros (excluding fitting and postage costs) if you want to cover your entire bladders with our repair fabrics.
4. Clean the rest of the boat
Once your refurbished flanges are fitted, or in parallel, clean the rest of the boat. Varnishing wooden parts is also more than welcome.
For more information on the cleaning and maintenance steps, please refer to our articles:
- What to do if you get a puncture in the bladder of your dinghy
- How to maintain your RIB boat?
5. Changing the engine
This is the second point that will play the biggest part in giving your used tyre a new lease of life. Perhaps you've bought a semi-rigid boat in excellent condition but with a temperamental engine or one that's simply not there. You are then free to buy a new or used engine.
The price of a second-hand RIB engine starts at around 500 euros for entry-level models, and up to around ten thousand euros for the most powerful.
As for the price of a new RIB motor, it ranges from a few thousand to several tens of thousands of euros depending on the power required.
Conclusion
Opting for a second-hand RIB boat can save you thousands or even tens of thousands of euros on purchase.
For a budget of €10,000 to €15,000, you'll have no problem finding very good entry-level models that you've completely refurbished, with like-new flanges and engine, or for even less if you come across a bargain!
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Read more about the world of RIBs:
- Why do we say Zodiac when talking about RIBs:
- The best semi-rigid boat accessories
- Preparing to winterise your RIB boat
- Why buy a semi-rigid boat? Avantages
- Preparing to launch your inflatable boat
Queries: refit a Zodiac, buy a used inflatable boat, buy a used RIB boat.
