Achilles SE 12~what to look for used?

[keninaz]

I have found a model SE 12 locally for sale. The current owner says they are not sure how old it is as they got it used.
Can anyone give me an idea of when the model SE 12 was made?
It appears to be in good shape.
I have done some research and it appears that this may be a 90s boat but I cannot find anything in Achilles archives that shows a model SE 12D. They do show the SE or Sports Economy models for several years however.

 

[keninaz]

Re: Achilles SE 12~what to look for?

Re: Achilles SE 12~what to look for?

Update, I just got some information from the owner.
It's a 1984 model boat. It's an SE 12 model and he is the original owner.
It does have two patches on the bottom keel of the boat and he says they do not leak at all.
He sent me pix and it's not faded and looks good. It does not look like it's been used all that much to me. I am going to inspect the boat when the WX clears in a couple of days.
Besides fading and bad flooring what else should I look for? And he's asking $500 which sounds about right, maybe a little less?

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Achilles SE 12~what to look for?

Re: Achilles SE 12~what to look for?

Make a soappy water test and watch for seams, valves, fabric air leaks, transom ungluing issues, a long lasting boat if well cared for, if in mint overall condition go for it, the price, being hypalon fabric, seems right to me.

Happy Boating

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Achilles SE 12~what to look for used?

It's beyond its service life........

 

[keninaz]

Re: Achilles SE 12~what to look for used?

Wow, I guess I have to really look close at this one.
Maybe an aluminum boat is in my future.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Achilles SE 12~what to look for used?

It's beyond its service life........

Depends if it's been constantly exposed to sun if living outside environments or house shaded, hypalon boats can last as long as 30 years if well cared for, a matter to inspect at sight and make an offer.

Happy Boating

 

[keninaz]

Re: Achilles SE 12~what to look for used?

Yes that's my policy at this point.
It's already coming up on 25 years old at this point.
I am curious as to how someone came up with a higher end inflatable here in the mountains of AZ but some people just hang onto stuff.
I know this boat is currently stored in the bag but he is willing to set it up and show it all to me.
Here are some pix he sent me of the boat that he took not too long ago when he decided to sell it.
To me at this point it does not look bad for 25 years.
I am wondering at this point however if I might be better off with a 12' aluminum boat though. They can be picked up around here for use in the local lakes for the same price. It may outlast me however!

 

[keninaz]

Re: Achilles SE 12~what to look for used?

Well I think I may well pass on this inflatable.
I just found a local guy with an older Sears Game fisher 12' aluminum boat and a trolling motor he said I could have for $250.
It weighs the same as the inflatable and I don't have to worry about setting it up.
It looks like a no brainer to me.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Achilles SE 12~what to look for used?

Depends if it's been constantly exposed to sun as living outside environments or house shaded, hypalon boats can last as long as 30 years if well cared for, a matter to inspect at sight and make an offer.

Happy Boating

True...And the service life on Hypalon is still between 15 and 20 years I completely agree with you about how long Hypalon might last...But, "service life" or "normal material life" is more of an industrial standard as to what to expect rather than the one out of 500 that might see its 25th birthday.

 

[LT Jones]

Re: Achilles SE 12~what to look for used?

I bought my Achilles this year 28 years old and in perfect condition looks similar the one posted. You have to use common sense here. If the boat has been stored and has not seen the light of day for most of it's life the chances are it will be OK. Look even if you paid $500 and only got one or two years of use out of it. You would still be ahead on residual over the cost of a new one. I looked at several inflatables it doesn't take long to figure out the good from the bad...... Looks from the pic's like a good one