Newbie hello w/a question about a NOS purchase

[Caladan]

Hello all,

Just found this forum while researching an upcoming inflatable boat (SIB, I think is what ya'll call it) purchase, and I'm hoping someone can give us some insight. We are looking at purchasing a new/old-stock 2008 Zodiac PVC inflatable w/airdeck floor for light-duty use when we are traveling in our RV. Our concern is what it's condition might be after sitting boxed in a warehouse since 2008. Do the members here think that this amount of time is too long, or do you think it should not make a difference? I picture in my mind a very and possibly permanently wrinkled boat that is pulled from the box.

Your thoughts on this situation would be greatly appreciated!

Caladan

 

[cbavier]

Re: Newbie hello w/a question about a NOS purchase

Insist on inflating it and leave it inflated while you talk it over, Price and any other questions. No I personally don't think it sitting in a box in a warehouse will hurt it as long as mice or ants haven't gotten too it and chewed it up like it did to a brand new air mattress in our garage that got ate up by ant's after we moved in our house the first year. By the way Welcome aboard.

 

[Pack Rat]

Re: Newbie hello w/a question about a NOS purchase

I just purchased a 12.5' SIB. I did find rope marks indented on mine from factory packing. What effect this will have down the road is unknown. I'm pretty certain the marks are never coming out, but after carefully looking at the indents and inflating it to find no leaks I think it'll be fine.

I think the problem you'll have is the sale price for that model means it will be walking out the door pretty fast. I almost bought a new 2008 Zodiac but simply got a 2010 model for $800.00 less at a diff dealer.

I plan on storing mine in the house packed up 90% of it's life for the next 5 years and then upgrade to same or bigger. So to answer your question YES I do think some marks can be indented on the material when you store them but like cbavier says inflate it on the showroom and if you find something see if you can sweeten the deal.

 

[Syzygy]

Re: Newbie hello w/a question about a NOS purchase

Over the years, I have owned about 10 different inflatables. In PVC and in Hypalon. I have only purchasd leftovers because the savings justified doing so. I've seen wrinkles in fabric that have come out when inflated and left in the sun and I've seen rope indents (like what Pack Rat posted) that have also diminished over time.

Never of these issues has ever resulted in a leak. When I ran into my neighbors dock and a nail was sticking out? Oh yeah....big leak..... But never anything that concerned me about buying a leftover.

I even bought an 8 year old Achilles that a Dealer had on his shelf in the back, in the box. It was almost half price and I thought worth the gamble. Never an issue with that one.

Hope that helps.

Cheers

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Newbie hello w/a question about a NOS purchase

New inflatables comes factory air vacuumed and perfectly packed, no big deal with marks on fabric, with correct inflation and time will overcome them...

Happy Boating

 

[jrs_diesel]

Re: Newbie hello w/a question about a NOS purchase

I bought a 2009 model Bombard (PVC SIB made by Zodiac) in February 2010 for a good price. Works great and I had no issues with it from sitting in a box for a year.

Now if I could only pack it up as well as it came out of the box...

 

[Badburn]

Re: Newbie hello w/a question about a NOS purchase

I purchased an old stock zodiac inflatable also, 7 years ago. No problems. I'd definately do it again.

 

[Caladan]

Re: Newbie hello w/a question about a NOS purchase

Thanks for the replies ya'll (can you tell I'm from Texas?). We pulled the trigger on the Zodiac after all. I'll let you know how this turns out....

 

[Caladan]

Re: Newbie hello w/a question about a NOS purchase

Just wanted to stop back by and let everyone know that, for the most part, our recent purchase of a 2008 Zodiac went pretty well. I was worried about permanent creases from being boxed for so long, and indeed the boat looked very wrinkled when we first pulled it from the box. However, most of the creases looked pretty good once we got the boat filled. Therefore, we are happy with the way the boat looks. No leaks, other than a valve that doesn't work correctly.

There were a few hitches that the seller is trying to iron out. The owner's manual was missing, but the CS guy at Defender stated they would get one from Zodiac asap. Also, there inflation hose from the footpump had a leak. Lastly, one of the valves had the inner mechanism broken, so the air would leak back out. We found the broken pin head and spring in the botton of the boat when we unpacked it. The Defender CS guy said they would get a new one out to us asap as well.

Although we were disappointed in these things that went wrong, we can also say that the people at Defender have so far taken these seriously and have given us their prompt attention. Hopefully they will come through in a timely manner.

Thanks for your replies
Caladan