General Questions
I bought a used boat and need
information on it. How do I get it?
The best way is by visiting our Supplier's
Index, searching for the brand and visiting their website. If they are not
listed, try contacting us and maybe
we can help answer your question.
What fabrics are inflatable
boats made from?
For many years all inflatables were made of Neoprene/Hypalon (or
rubber) materials. Today modern materials and construction processes have made
it possible to make inflatables out of strong plastic materials called PVC or
Strongan (Zodiac's fabric). So, today most inflatables are made out of PVC or
Hypalon. Each fabric is different and requires different fabric and glue for
repairs.
Are inflatable boats safe and
stable?
Yes! Inflatable boats are said to be the safest and most stable
boats in the world now with the patented construction methods, technology used
and the innovative designs allowing redundant safety systems to be in place (ie.
multiple chambers in the tubeset in case 1 gets punctured, other still stay
inflated). Because of their safety reputation, inflatable boats are now
essentially the standard for use by the military, coast guard and other rescue agencies
worldwide.
How big a boat do I need for my family?
There are too many criteria to consider for us to
answer this question accurately for each user, but generally criteria include, number of people to go in the boat,
their average weight, how much cargo will you have, for use in lakes or oceans,
calm water or rough water, size of engine, personal safety peace of mind needed,
tow it, put it on the roof or fold it up, and your budget. When you know the
answers to these, visit a dealer and they'll show you boats that meet your
needs.
What size tender do I need for my
yacht?
There are too many criteria to consider for us to
answer this question accurately for each user, but generally criteria include, number of people to go in the boat,
their average weight, how much cargo will you have, for use in lakes or oceans,
calm water or rough water, size of engine, personal safety peace of mind needed,
tow it, put it on top of your boat, put it on davits or fold it up, and your budget.
When you know the
answers to these, visit a dealer and they'll show you boats that meet your
needs.
How do I
find out who manufactured my boat?
Inflatable boats will have a logo, decal or other
branding on them most of the time. If not, they should all have an I.D. plate or
patch identifying the boat brand, model, serial number, length, width, weight,
capacities, manufacturer contact info and more. This plate is often located on the
transom (back) of the boat. Contact the manufacturer using our Supplier's Index
to attain information you may be looking for or may require in the future.
How do I find a repair facility
Go to our Supplier's Index and search for the
listing of the manufacturer of your boat. Click there to go to their website and
locate the "dealer list" to search for a dealer/repair facility in
your area. If brand loyalty is not an issue, or your brand has no dealer in your
area, some of the bigger manufacturers have many dealers to choose from as most
dealers will repair any brand of inflatable. Here
are some:
Zodiac
Canada, Zodiac
USA, Zodiac
Worldwide, AVON
Worldwide
I recently bought a used boat and need parts
for it.
Go to our Supplier's Index and search for the
listing of the manufacturer of your boat. Click there to go to their website for
information and parts. If it isn't listed, they probably don't have a
website. Our Shopping section offers a
wide selection of parts and many dealers of different brands stock universal
parts also.
I want to
repair my boat. What do I do?
Repairing a boat yourself is a difficult and often
costly task. It is a complex procedure and the glue, solvents, fabrics and tools
required are not easy to get and are usually expensive. However, most dealers
stock these items and will sell you them, some will even offer directions and
advice. Be warned though that "self repairs" may end in a visit to the
dealer anyways, so a dealer evaluation before you try is always the best idea to
determine the difficulty of the repair.
I want to build my own
inflatable boat. Does anyone sell patterns and supplies?
Building an inflatable boat is
complex, and expensive and is best left to the professionals. Building your own
boat will likely cost more than buying one and could prove to be a safety hazard
as well. Insuring it or passing government inspections/regulations my be
difficult also. Patterns for the sections of the inflatable collar are hard to
get and it is unlikely a manufacturer will supply them or that a dealer would
have them. However, if
you really want to try, a dealer will likely sell you the fabric, glue, parts,
etc.
How do I learn
more about inflatables?
The best way to learn more about a specific brand is by visiting our Supplier's
Index, searching for the brand and visiting their website. If they are not
listed, try using our Information, Advice and Support
page to learn more, or by contacting us and maybe
we can help answer your question.
Technical Questions
How
Do I Find A Leak In My Boat
Tighten all
valves first. Then, use a water/dish soap mix in a spray bottle, spraying your
boat, watch for bubbles to appear. Mark any leak locations for repair. Your boat
gets a good cleaning too. Works every time!
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