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