Apart from these features, there are many other things too, which can distinguish the Zodiac boats from other boats in that size and price range. However, these are the major advantages of owning or using a Zodiac boat. Zodiac boats in the past have been manufactured out of rubber but in the present time, the majority of them are made out of plastic polymer materials such as PVC also known as Polyvinyl chloride fabric. The newly used materials like Neoprene or Hypalon have synthesized rubbers that are beginning to be used more and more because of their high resistance and effectiveness.
As a matter of fact, a Zodiac boat is as safe as a conventional boat, and many times it is even safer as well because of the stability and how easy it is to maneuver it around. Zodiac boats are one of the safest types of boats available on the market so when using one you should never have to worry about your safety. Zodiac boats provide the best possible middle ground between all of the factors such as durability, storage, capacity, weight, functionality, operation, price, etc.
Despite having all of these great features and lasting for so long, typically the best part of a Zodiac boat is the versatility that it offers the user. Zodiac boats can be used for a variety of things including fun, patrolling, and even saving lives! To a great extent, it can be said that their limited manufacturing is another great reason behind their higher prices. The materials used in the manufacturing process are also expensive as well as the labor intensive factor as well contributes to their high price.
In general, a zodiac boat can provide the durability of lasting for years depending on how they are taken care of but they are also quite durable in regards to what kind of abuse they can take with crashing into waves, rocks, and more.
The most expensive Zodiac boats are designed to handle these poor circumstances and come out the other side unscathed! Although these boats are far from perfect, the materials they are typically made of as well as the way they are made provides plenty of durability for everyone to love these boats. The glue used on Hypalon vs PVC inflatables is also different, as each material type can only be glued by a specific type of glue. A PVC boat will not last more than 2 years if used in a place with lots of sunlight and left uncovered.
If you live in tropical climates like Florida, I would not recommend you spend much money on a PVC dinghy. The different sections of an inflatable boat are either hand glued together, or machine welded together. Freshly glued or welded material will create a seam which is stronger than the base fabric, which is great. With welding, the 2 pieces of PVC material are effectively melted together, so they become one.
A thermo-welded seam is a permanent bond with high-pressure tolerance. This means the weld can last indefinitely. With glued parts, the glue will get tired after a while and let go. How long before the glue fails? It depends on the type of glue used, and the conditions the boat was used and stored in. It can be anywhere from 2 to 20 years.
Returning to boat materials, you should also know that Hypalon being rubber can only be glued, while PVC can be glued or welded. If you are buying a used inflatable boat, you will want to check whether the glue is holding strong. Check for lifting around the glued areas:. It should be evident that higher quality boats will use higher quality glue.
Perhaps the single most important factor that will determine the lifespan of an inflatable watercraft, be it a dinghy, raft, pontoon boat, a kayak, or even a SUP, is how it is cared for by the owner. Keep the following advice in mind, and your inflatable boat will provide many years of faithful service:. It would be great if you, dear reader, would share how old your inflatable boat is, or how long an inflatable you had lasted. Are you new to the world of inflatable boats?
Then my Getting Started Guide is for you. It has a few patches here and there, but nothing major. Patching it is easy by the way. I also have a PVC zodiac future, mine is 10 years old. The seams are holding together well, but I take good care of it. Granted, hypalon is hard to clean. One feature that helps ensure your boat will have a long usable lifespan is hot air welded seams. This binds two fabrics into one and allows the seams to last as long as the PVC fabric.
If you live in a tropical climate and plan to keep your boat uncovered most or all of the time, you can expect a shorter lifespan ranging from years. The heat and humidity will soften the glue, anything that is not heat welded will quickly come unglued.
You will start to notice that the PVC becomes less flexible and more brittle the more it is exposed to UV and heat. Boats that use hot air welding will have longer lasting seams, but the accessories and the transom will not be able to withstand the climate unless the boat is stored in a temperature controlled environment.
PVC boat owners who live in areas with cooler climates have to worry less about UV exposure. Inflatable boats kept in these climates can be expected to last longer than their tropical counterparts, usually years or more.
However, dinghies used or stored in temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, can expect a similar lifespan to hot and humid climates.
When PVC encounters below freezing temperatures for long periods of time, it can become inflexible and brittle. This can be a problem when unfolding or rolling up a dinghy.
Forcing your dinghy to fold when it is stiff in extreme cases can cause the material to crack. This issue is more common when the dinghy is rollup up after use without being dried. Newport Vessels always recommends drying your dinghy before disassembling your inflatable boat. With every product, there is a recommended way to care for it and help ensure it stands the test of time. It is easy in the age of Amazon to see our purchases as disposable, however, this is wasteful and not the case.
Just as the paint of your car needs an occasional wax job, PVC boats, also need occasional care. There are a few simple tasks that can be done before and after you use your PVC inflatable dinghy to help extend its life. This advice is best for individuals who plan to store their dinghies fully or partially inflated outside This could range from storing it on the bow of your sailboat to a trailer in your backyard.
Regardless of where the boat is stored outside, a boat cover is a necessary investment. A good cover will protect the dinghy from UV rays, rain, snow, and general weathering. Another way to keep your dinghy in good shape is to store it in a climate controlled environment.
Storing your dinghy in extreme temperatures puts unnecessary stress on the material and seams for long periods of time. The extreme temperatures will expand, condense and quickly weaken the seams and age the fabric. Keeping your inflatable boat at a consistent temperature like a closet, basement, or garage is the best way to protect your investment for years to come.
There are several products available that can help protect PVC fabrics. One product we recommend is Marine Aerospace Protectant. This protectant only needs to be used sparingly, as overuse can also damage the PVC. We recommend only using this product roughly once or twice per year when you are putting your boat in storage or taking it out for the first time in a season. Another product that can prolong the life of your dinghy is inflatable boat antifouling paint. This paint is specially formulated to be applied to the bottom of your dinghy to prevent algae, barnacles, mussels, and other critters from attaching themselves to your dinghy.
Unfortunately, regular fiberglass antifouling paint will not give your inflatable boat the protection it needs. A simple task that is commonly overlooked is the cleaning and drying of a dinghy after use. Not only is this good practice for any conscious boater to avoid spreading invasive aquatic hitchhikers, but this will help prevent mold and algae growth.
In addition to being harmful to your health, mold also has the ability to break down the glue of an inflatable boat. Be sure to always clean, drain, and dry your boat after each use. If you are ever unpacking your boat and notice water or animals on it from the previous use, clean them before putting your boat near or in the water.
Water can carry invasive insects, algae, and other critters offspring which is invisible to the eye, but can quickly ruin an ecosystem. Cleaning your PVC inflatable boat helps keep other unwanted oils and dirt off your boat. When left uncleaned, these substances can work their way into the fabric, and age the boat faster. Cleaning them will help prolong the life of the fabric and the glue. What is Hypalon exactly? The original Hypalon fabric was made by the chemical giant DuPont who patented the material, for many years it was the most popular material for building inflatable boats.
Hypalon was popular because of its resilience to heat, UV, and chemicals like gasoline. While it had great properties, it was very expensive.. As more consumers chose more cost-effective PVC boats, demand dropped and Hypalon production costs continued to rise until the material was discontinued by DuPont in
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