Renovating a used inflatable boat: costs and method
The lifespan of semi-rigid boats can easily reach 20 or 30 years when well maintained, offering the possibility of investing in a second-hand model while still ensuring many years of use!
In this article, Orca Retail revisits the conditions for purchasing second-hand semi-rigid inflatable models, and how to make the most of them with a few simple steps to restore their like-new appearance at little cost! Here are our tips and tricks.
Where to buy a second-hand inflatable boat? Why prefer a professional?
When it comes to finding and acquiring a second-hand model, we can only advise you to favor a professional dealer.
While it is certainly possible to go through a private individual for the purchase of a second-hand semi-rigid boat, and if your first instinct is to scour the classified ads on specialized or generalist sites (leboncoin.fr, ebay.fr), going through a boat seller offers many advantages:
1. Better maintenance conditions
You can rely on the expertise of professionals to carefully inspect everything that needs to be on your second-hand inflatable boat. In terms of pure mechanics and engine maintenance, there is no doubt that a professional dealer can more effectively guarantee the overall functioning of the boat than a private individual. Even if, in good faith, a private individual assures you of perfect functioning, nothing replaces a careful examination conducted by a pro, to avoid costly unpleasant surprises after a few outings at sea.
2. The guarantee of presence
By purchasing a second-hand inflatable boat from a professional, you can first visit in person to see several boats instead of just one, saving you numerous trips between private individuals.
Then, in case of a problem or hidden defect with your new toy, it will be much easier to take action against a professional than a private individual. In the age of the internet and consumer reviews, boat dealers pay attention to their reputation and are more likely to make efforts to ensure your satisfaction, whereas a private individual might be tempted to dismiss you once the transaction is completed.
3. Good deals
A private individual who is not an expert in the field will tend to offer you a price that does not reflect the reality of the market.
While, on one hand, they might undervalue their asset (which is good for you!), they might also overvalue their boat beyond its actual worth (overvaluation). Therefore, you need to be cautious and compare well before purchasing a second-hand semi-rigid boat, and you may end up spending a lot of time searching due to unequal prices that confuse you (and beware of false good deals and prices that are too low).
And of course, while a dealer plans for a margin, remember that many individuals sell their used inflatable boats to these professionals at a reduced price. So you won't be alone in "bearing" the cost of this margin.
Also consider that dealers have limited space, so you can find used boats at slashed prices from exhibitors who want to make room, while an individual can keep their boat at home for months without changing the price. This is especially true if you have your eyes on a show model.
Good deals are therefore not only the prerogative of individual offers.
Note that if you want to have your boat's price estimated by a professional, expect a service fee of 40 to 80 euros per linear meter.
4. Saving time and money on purchasing maintenance equipment and accessories
The other advantage of turning to a used semi-rigid boat dealer is that they have everything necessary for them!
In addition to the dealer's good advice, you can buy directly from their shop everything you need for your boat: accessories for your sea outings as well as maintenance products.
And of course, you can be sure that you can negotiate the whole package if you buy other products along with the boat.
To find a used semi-rigid boat dealer in your area, check out our network of partners!
What details to pay attention to when buying a used semi-rigid boat?
Whether it's a professional or an individual, it's always recommended not to rush things and to observe a number of points or ask a few questions.
For example, are the engine or the tubes floats still under warranty? Indeed, if the object of your desire is only a few months or a few years old, it is very likely that its warranties are still valid. Make sure to retrieve the necessary documents.
Of course, the ideal is to be able to try the boat, but this is not always possible, or very rare. A sea outing is not really something that can be easily improvised! Depending on the season, weather conditions, fuel costs, proximity to a body of water, and the goodwill of the owner, it may not necessarily be possible to test the used semi-rigid. Don't forget to take this into account for the price negotiation! You take more risks and cost the dealer less by not trying the boat, and this should be reflected in the offer.
Take a tour around the boat, look at how many people can board, check if the mechanical components are well oiled, inspect all angles to assess overall wear and note details that an individual might have overlooked. Comfort of the benches, operational state of the electronics are also to be observed.
Another crucial point to pay attention to when buying your second-hand semi-rigid boat is its size/length. If you already own a trailer, make sure it is compatible with the boat. The same goes for the size of your garage or other storage space.
How much does a second-hand inflatable boat cost?
Depending on the size, age, performance, equipment, the accessories provided, the brand, the wear, second-hand semi-rigid boats can display very diverse prices.
Just like a new model, the price of a second-hand inflatable boat can range from a few thousand euros to several tens (or even hundreds) of thousands.
In terms of depreciation, if we take an entry-level model from 2005 such as the Zodiac Marvel 480, it was sold at launch for 12,740 €, and can be found today second-hand for less than 8,000 €, which is nearly 40% cheaper (not counting inflation which further lowers this value).
If we take a more recent mid-range model such as the Cantieri Capelli Tempest 650, we can observe that its new price is negotiated around 45,000 €, and about 30,000 € for a model 5 years old, which is one third less than the original price.
Overall, it can be noted that between a new model and a second-hand model, the depreciation is 20 to 30% in the first year. This is why it is interesting to consider the second-hand market for a semi-rigid boat, the ideal being to aim for a model that is between 2 and 5 years old. You will thus have the advantage of benefiting from the bulk of the depreciation while still enjoying some sales guarantees and a good lifespan with the possibility of reselling it yourself at some point.
How to refurbish a second-hand semi-rigid boat? What budget should be planned to renovate a second-hand inflatable boat?
Now that you have acquired a second-hand inflatable boat, depending on its condition, you will have more or less work to do.
For a recent model, especially if you made the purchase from a professional who ensured it was delivered to you in the best possible condition, expenses will be limited or even nonexistent, or will really be limited to the purchase of basic maintenance products for a few tens of euros.
For the real "good deals to refurbish", which is more often the case with goods resold by individuals who may not have provided the best maintenance, here is what we recommend.
1. Clean the tubes
Dirt or mold can be stubborn. The problem is certainly aesthetic but can affect the resistance of the floats. Whether you want to keep your tubes as they are or reinforce them, you need to clean them first. This can refresh some faded and dull colors.
2. Look for punctures
At first glance, if the seller has been conscientious, you won't have this problem, but caution is the mother of safety, so, inspect the inflated tubes for possible punctures.
3. Change the fabric of your pneumatic tubes
Revamping your floats is THE best way to give a second life to your second-hand inflatable! Redoing the fabric of your semi-rigid floats has 2 advantages.
First, it is about reinforcing your tubes that are aging, by providing a new quality protective layer, allowing you to go back to sea with peace of mind for years.
But also, it is the ideal way to customize your boat and give it a brand-new look!
Orca Retail offers you its range of neoprene repair fabrics to reinforce and customize your tubes.
We offer 4 finishes (Carbon / Fabric Impression / Perlage / Smooth) as well as dozens of different colors. You can even order our color sample for 10 Euros (+ shipping costs) to guide your choice.
All our fabrics are resistant to abrasions, UVs, hydrocarbons, and are compatible with all brands of semi-rigid on the market.
Regarding the total cost, if you only want to make a localized repair, 1 or 2 meters of fabric is sufficient, which is 100-200 euros (excluding installation and shipping costs). However, the price for changing a semi-rigid tube is around 1200 to 2500 euros (excluding installation and shipping costs) if you want to cover the entirety of your tubes with our repair fabrics.
4. Clean the rest of the boat
Once your renovated tubes are installed, or in parallel, clean the rest of the boat. Applying a varnish for the wooden parts is also more than welcome.
For more information on cleaning and maintenance steps, please refer to our articles:
- What to do in case of a puncture of your zodiac's tube?
- How to maintain your semi-rigid boat?
5. Change the engine
This is the second point that will contribute the most to giving a new life to your used inflatable boat. Perhaps you have bought a semi-rigid boat in excellent condition but with a temperamental or simply absent engine. You are then free to buy a new engine, either new or used.
The price of a used semi-rigid engine starts at around 500 euros for entry-level models, and up to tens of thousands of euros for the most powerful ones.
The price of a new semi-rigid engine ranges from a few thousand to several tens of thousands of euros depending on the desired power.
Conclusion
Opting for a used semi-rigid boat can save you thousands or even tens of thousands of euros on purchase.
For a budget of 10,000 to 15,000 euros, you can easily find very good entry-level models that you will have completely refurbished, with tubes and an engine as good as new, or even less if you come across a good deal!
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Read more about the world of semi-rigids:
- Why do we say Zodiac to refer to semi-rigids?
- The best accessories for semi-rigid boats
- Preparing the winterization of your semi-rigid boat
- Why buy a semi-rigid boat? Advantages
- Preparing the launch of your inflatable boat
Queries: refurbish a Zodiac, buy a used inflatable boat, purchase used semi-rigid boat.
