A Plastic Boat for 5000 bones: Life Span?

Hi,

For a copule of years I have been really interested in getting a Tandem Adventure Island. I'm still interested, but I'm a bit concerned about spending close to 6000 dollars on a boat that is made out of PVC (or is it ABS) plastic. I currently own an Ocean Kayak and I must admit it is durable But the bottom is all scratched up. This doesn't affect its performance. But I'm just wondering what the Expect lifespan of a TI would be?

Should this boat realistically hold up for 20 years? is this a 10 year life span?

Any thoughts on build quality and durability?

Thanks!

(by the way my subject line, was supposed to get a laugh)

The hulls are molded of Polyethylene. Similar to your Ocean kayak.

Depends on care and wear. We have been building roto molded sailboats and kayaks for close to 20 years. They seem to last and last.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

My Ocean Kayak that sits up under my house is about 15 years old, and is fine. My other one that has spent its life in the sun is crackly crunchy and has large holes in it. They are the same age. The one that had a hard life was done at ten years.

I'm wondering why it is that there are so few used Hobie kayaks for sale? My searches have turned up maybe 2-3 in the same time literally hundreds of fiberglass boats (14s, 16s, and larger).

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Raise your sail one foot, and you get ten feet of wind.
起你的一只帆，和你10英尺的。 -- Chinese Proverb
William D. Latinette @ Latrobe, PA, USA w. H14 Turbo X 2... [email protected]

Most used Hobie kayaks sell quick. The few you're finding are probably overpriced or sold and the seller hasn't removed the ad. I've posted 3 for sale online within the last 2 months and they've sold in a matter of hours. And I didn't sell them cheap.

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Legal Disclaimer: Any information provided should not be construed as legal, financial, medical or spiritual advice and may cause retina bleeding if read incorrectly.

Yep, finding a used Hobie kayak is not easy, folks tend to hang on to them and when a used one does come on the market it sells pretty fast for a high price. I think the quality speaks for itself.

I've only had my Tandem Island 3 1/2 months and I'm totally sold on it in every way. Hobie is a great company and they stand behind their products. This forum is filled with testimonies confirming that.

_________________
It's a good Life, Let's sail!

iHop

Dune TI - 6/4/2011
Camas, WA

I put my extra AI on Craigslist in the morning. By the afternoon, I had a buyer stop by and wrote out a check for what I was asking. I had set a pretty high price expecting to have to lower it until the unit sold. New units are not discounted very much by dealers even at boat shows. Hobie has a great reputation and is known for keeping honest with their warranties. If you have taken care of it, Hobie's have a very good resale value.
I 'baby' my Hobies...wash them often, give them a quick wipe down using the Hobie 'UV' hull-protector liquid, and keep them in covered storage. They still look brand new except for bottom scratches.
Think of your Hobie as a new car...don't wash it, don't wax it, and leave it outside for ten years...how much do you think a buyer would pay for it?

The absence of used Hobie AIs is a good sign that the TI should hold its value. Spend the money on a cover and some UV spray just to be sure and keep your boat looking good.

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mine is a 2007 model (first year ?) that I bought used two summers ago (2010).

... previous owner used it ALOT and I've done my fair share the last two seasons - sure its got some usage scars on the bottom but its still going strong !!

_________________
Alan W.

Papaya AI2 to replace my well worn V1
TheTwins - His/Hers 2007 Papaya Hobie Adventure Island's (v1.00.01)
.. and a Hobie Outback SUV