Renovating a used inflatable boat: costs and methods
The life span of RIB boats can easily reach 20 or 30 years when properly maintained, offering the opportunity to invest in a pre-owned model while still guaranteeing many more years of great use!
In this article, Orca Retail takes a look back at the conditions for buying used RIB tire models, and how to get the most out of them with a few simple steps to make them look like new at low cost ! Our tips and tricks are coming soon.
Where to buy a used inflatable boat? Why prefer a professional?
When it comes to finding and acquiring a used model, we can only advise you to prefer a professional dealer.
If of course it's entirely feasible to go through an individual to buy a used RIB boat, and if your first reflex is to scour the small ads on specialized or generalist sites (leboncoin.fr, ebay.en), going through a boat dealer has many advantages:
1. Better maintenance conditions
You can count on the expertise of professionals to carefully review everything that needs to be done on your used inflatable boat. In terms of pure mechanics and engine maintenance, there's no doubt that a professional dealer will be able to guarantee the boat's overall performance more effectively than a private owner. If, even in good faith, a private individual assures you of perfect operation, there's no substitute for a careful examination by a pro, to avoid costly unpleasant surprises after a few outings at sea.
2. The guarantee of a presence
By buying a used inflatable boat from a professional, you can first of all visit the site to see several boats rather than one, which saves you a lot of travel between private individuals.
Then, in the event of a glitch or hidden defect with your new toy, it will be much easier to turn against a professional than a private individual. In the age of the Internet and consumer reviews, boat dealers are careful about their reputation and will tend to go out of their way to guarantee your satisfaction, whereas a private individual may be tempted to send you packing once the transaction is complete.
3. Bargains
A private individual who is not an expert in the field will tend to offer you a price that does not correspond to the reality of the market.
If, in a sense, he can underprice his property (and good for you!) he can just as easily value his boat more than it's really worth (overprice). So be wary and compare carefully before you buy a used RIB, and you may end up spending a lot of time researching and getting confused by uneven prices (and beware of false bargains and low prices).
And if of course a dealer expects a margin, remember that many private individuals sell their used inflatable boat to these professionals at a reduced rate. So you won't be the only one to "bear" the cost of this margin.
Also bear in mind that dealers have spaces that are not expandable, so you may see second-hand boats at knock-down prices at exhibitors who want to make room, while a private individual will be able to keep his boat at home for months without changing the price. This is especially true if you have your eyes on a exposure model.
So bargains aren't just the preserve of individual offers.
Note that if you want to have the price of your boat estimated by a professional, count on a service of 40 to 80 euros per linear meter.
4. Save time and money when buying maintenance equipment and accessories
The other advantage of using a used RIB boat dealer is that he has everything you need for these!"
In addition to the dealer's good advice, you'll be able to buy directly from his boutique everything you need for your boat: accessories for your sea outings as well as maintenance products.
And, of course, you can be sure that you'll be able to negotiate the package if you buy other products in addition to the boat.
To find a used RIB boat dealer in your area, check out our partner network!
What details should you pay attention to when buying a pre-owned RIB boat?
Whether you're a professional or an individual, it's in any case advisable not to rush things and to observe a number of points or ask a few questions.
For example, are the motor or tube tubes still under warranty? Indeed, if the object of your desire is only a few months or years old, it's highly likely that its warranties are still valid. Make sure you have all the necessary documents.
Of course, the ideal is to be able to try out the boat, but this isn't always possible, or even very rare. A sea trip isn't exactly something you can easily improvise! Depending on the season, weather conditions, fuel costs, proximity to a stretch of water, and the owner's goodwill, it won't necessarily be possible to test the used RIB. Don't forget to take this into account when negotiating the price! You're taking more risk and costing the dealer less by not testing the boat, and this must be reflected in the offer.
Take a look around the boat, see how many people can board, whether the mechanical elements are well oiled, inspect all angles to assess overall wear and tear and pick up details that a private would have missed. The comfort of the seats and the working order of the electronics are also worth observing.
Another decisive point to pay attention to when buying your used RIB boat is its size/length. If you already own a trailer, make sure it's compatible with the boat. The same goes for the size of your garage or other storage space.
How much does a used inflatable boat cost?
Depending on size, age, performance, equipment, accessories supplied, brand, wear and tear, second-hand RIB boats can display a wide range of prices.
As with a new model, the price of a used inflatable boat can range from a few thousand euros to several tens (or even hundreds) of thousands.
In terms of discount, if we take an entry-level model from 2005 such as the Zodiac Marvel 480, this one was sold at its release for €12,740, and can be found today second-hand for less than €8,000, i.e. nearly 40% cheaper (not counting inflation which lowers this value further).
If we take a more recent mid-range model such as the Cantieri Capelli Tempest 650, we can observe that its new price trades around €45,000, and around €30,000 for a 5-year-old model, i.e. one third of the original price less.
Overall, we can say that between a new and a used model, the discount is 20% to 30% in the first year. That's why it's worth considering the used market for a RIB boat, ideally betting on a model that's between 2 and 5 years old. This gives you the advantage of benefiting from the bulk of the discount, while still benefiting from certain sales guarantees and a good lifespan, with the possibility of reselling the property yourself at some point in the future.
How to refit a used RIB boat How much should you budget to refit a used inflatable boat
Now that you've acquired a used inflatable, depending on its condition, you'll have more or less work to do.
For a recent model, and a fortiori if you've made the purchase from a professional who's made sure to deliver it to you in the best possible condition, expenses will be limited or nil, or really confined to purchasing basic maintenance products for a few dozen euros.
For real "fixer-upper bargains", which are more largely properties resold by individuals who haven't necessarily provided the best maintenance, here's what we recommend.
1. Cleaning flanges
Dirt or mildew can be stubborn. The problem may be aesthetic, but it can also affect the strength of the tubes. Whether you want to keep your rods as they are or reinforce them, the first thing to do is to clean them. In particular, it can freshen up some faded colors.
2. Looking for punctures
A priori, if the dealer was conscientious, you won't have this problem, but caution is the better part of valour, so inspect the inflated bladders for possible punctures.
3. Change the fabric of your pneumatic tubes
Relooking your tubes is THE best way to give a second life to your used inflatable! Remaking the fabric of your RIB tubes has 2 advantages.
The first step is to reinforce your aging bladders with a new layer of quality protection, so you can set sail again with peace of mind for years to come.
But it's also the perfect way to personalize your boat and give it a brand-new look!
Orca Retail offers its range of neoprene repair fabrics to reinforce and customize your bladders.
We offer 4 finishes (Carbon / Fabric Impression / Beading / Smooth) as well as dizens of different colors. For 10 Euros (+ postage) you can even order our color daisy to guide your choice.
All our fabrics are resistant to abrasion, UVs, hydrocarbons, and are compatible for all brands of RIB on the market.
Concerning the total cost, if you only wish to carry out a localized repair, 1 or 2 meters of fabric is sufficient, i.e. 100-200 euros (excluding installation and shipping costs). On the other hand, the price for a RIB bladder changes is around 1200 to 2500 euros (excluding installation and shipping costs) if you want to cover your entire bladders with our repair fabrics.
4. Clean the rest of the boat
Once your renovated flanges are mounted, or in parallel, clean the rest of the boat. Varnishing wooden parts is also more than welcome.
For more information on cleaning and maintenance steps, please refer to our articles:
- What to do if your dinghy's bladder gets punctured
- How to maintain your RIB boat?
5. Changing the engine
This is the second point that will play the biggest part in giving new life to your used tire. You may have bought a RIB boat in excellent condition, but with a temperamental or simply missing engine. You are then free to buy a new or used engine.
The price of a used RIB motor starts at around 500 euros for entry-level models, and goes up to around ten thousand euros for the most powerful.
The price of a new RIB motor, meanwhile, ranges from a few thousand to several tens of thousands of euros, depending on the power required.
Conclusion
Opting for a used RIB boat can save you thousands or even tens of thousands of euros on purchase.
For a budget of 10,000 to 15,000 euros, you'll have no trouble finding very good entry-level models that you've completely refurbished, with like-new flanges and engine, or for even less if you come across a good deal!
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Read more about the world of RIBs:
- Why do we say Zodiac when we talk about RIBs?
- The best RIB boat accessories
- Preparing to winterize your RIB boat
- Why buy a RIB boat? Avantages
- Preparing to launch your inflatable boat
Queries: refit a Zodiac, buy a used inflatable boat, buy a used RIB boat.