| As you may already know, specialization in | | | | servicing to maintain a warranty. Any way you |
| the design of today's inflatable boats and | | | | look at it, closer is better. |
| inflatable kayaks is now in the forefront of | | | | |
| the minds of the manufacturers and designers. | | | | Pricing Years ago, inflatable boats and |
| Each distinct group is specifically designed | | | | inflatable kayaks were the most expensive |
| for a different set of applications and is | | | | boats on the market and only a few people |
| built and equipped with different components | | | | could afford them. This was due to the use of |
| and equipment. Most inflatable boats and | | | | exotic materials and the hours of meticulous |
| inflatable kayaks today fall within one these | | | | hand labor which went into their |
| specific categories. | | | | construction. Now, the boats still use the |
| | | | best materials, but in the late seventies, |
| If all you need is a small inflatable boat or | | | | the companies started investing millions of |
| inflatable kayak to get you from ship to | | | | dollars in computer-driven assembly |
| shore, then a typical inflatable tender is | | | | equipment. This enabled prices to be |
| the best answer. If you're after a medium | | | | dramatically reduced as economies of scale |
| sized boat for diving or watersports there | | | | rose, enabling more and more consumers to |
| are many choices as well. If a large | | | | enjoy affordable inflatable boating. Zodiac |
| rigid-hulled inflatable (Rigid Inflatable | | | | and its sister company, Sevylor, are now the |
| Boat or RIB) for recreation, rescue or work | | | | leading low-cost producer thanks to these |
| is what you need, there are again many exotic | | | | technological investments. So be wary of |
| designs available with a wide variety of | | | | inflatable prices substantially below the |
| standard and optional components. The choice | | | | Zodiac/Sevylor line. They may be either |
| of inflatable boats is quite wide through the | | | | produced in developing countries by unskilled |
| entire spectrum, ranging from very compact | | | | labor, or marketed by companies who are |
| models with simple slatted or inflatable | | | | unaware of the importance of profit margins. |
| floors, to larger tenders with inflatable or | | | | They will be glad to see your dollar today |
| wooden keels and solid wooden or aluminum | | | | but may be unwilling or unable to fix a |
| floors, up to the fiberglass or aluminum | | | | problem later, or supply that much needed |
| rigid-hulled inflatables. To avoid confusion, | | | | spare part. |
| before buying, or even shopping for an | | | | |
| inflatable, discuss and decide on exactly | | | | Warranties You may be enamored with |
| what the uses or requirements will be for | | | | inflatable boat competitor's claims, all of |
| your new inflatable boat. This will minimize | | | | whom will promise they have the best or |
| the models to choose from, which in turn will | | | | longest warranty. There was even a lifetime |
| minimize confusion. | | | | warranty offered some years ago by an |
| | | | inflatable boat company that soon enough |
| Dealer Location and Reputation The location | | | | disappeared. A lot of manufacturers use |
| of the inflatable boat dealer or inflatable | | | | attractive warranties as a substitute for |
| kayak dealer or repair station is important | | | | quality or proper boat design, or simply to |
| because you don't want to have to travel too | | | | shore up a lack of product features. |
| far for you inflatable boat needs. Whether | | | | |
| it's parts, repairs or just technical support | | | | You should also be sure in your own mind that |
| and friendly customer service tips, a close | | | | the company will be around long enough to |
| dealer can be a close friend. In particular, | | | | deliver. Zodiac has been building inflatables |
| as a new boat owner and perhaps new to | | | | for over 50 years and offers a limited 5-year |
| inflatable boats, you may have questions, | | | | warranty. And they have the whereforall to be |
| need to claim warranty, or need regular | | | | around for a long time. |