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