7’3” inflatable Avon

Rockymtnmike · 09 August 2023, 18:23

Hey guys, I’m hoping someone can help me out with a couple questions I have on my inflatable. I purchased it last year and have not used it like I thought I would have with my cruiser. It’s a 1998 Avon 7’3” with a 3.3 MercuHey guys, I’m hoping someone can help me out with a couple questions I have on my inflatable. I purchased it last year and have not used it like I thought I would have with my cruiser. It’s a 1998 7’3” Avon with a 3.3 mercury two stroke. The boat is in beautiful condition and is stored in its original bag. I’m trying to figure out what the material is on this boat, I believe it is hypalon but I’m wondering if anyone could verify that. The boat is orange in color, and like I said it is in gorgeous condition! I thought I would be using it often on our big cruiser but I have not used it as of yet and honestly probably won’t. I’m considering selling it but I’m having a very hard time finding anything like it here in the United States. I purchased it from a friend so the purchase price definitely wasn’t a current market price. I’ve offered it back to him although he has no use for it either. If anyone can help me with this, please let me know what you think.

spartacus · 11 August 2023, 14:56

Pretty sure it will be hypalon. Post some pictures up. Any fabric ID on it?

Hypalon material is the same colour both sides.

Iankristy · 12 August 2023, 06:00

Use sand paper on a small inconspicuous area. Hypalon will ‘sand’, dull and create dust. PVC will scratch.

Rockymtnmike · 30 August 2023, 00:16

Hey guys, I pulled it out of the basement and set it up. The registration says Avon 7’ 3” and the boat and vin show Compass T22. I’ve been looking online and I can’t even find this particular model. Seems well built and it’s never been repaired, holds air perfectly, and the 3.3 Mercury runs like brand new, prob only has a few hours on it. I’ll see if I can post a pic of it here.

Rockymtnmike · 30 August 2023, 00:27

[IMG]<a href="https://ibb.co/d41j9tW"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/XxNjBD2/31-AEF568-17-F9-4450-A5-B6-BDA64446264-C.jpg" alt="31-AEF568-17-F9-4450-A5-B6-BDA64446264-C" border="0"></a>[/IMG]

User name · 30 August 2023, 11:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockymtnmike

[IMG]<a href="https://ibb.co/d41j9tW"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/XxNjBD2/31-AEF568-17-F9-4450-A5-B6-BDA64446264-C.jpg" alt="31-AEF568-17-F9-4450-A5-B6-BDA64446264-C" border="0"></a>[/IMG]

The A tags in your post are preventing the image from rendering like below. 👍

Looks really tidy though. I'm not familiar with that model but If you look really closely at the seams or through the valves, the back side of the material will usually be the same colour as the outside on PVC boats. On hypalon it'll more commonly be black or grey. You can rub a small spot with acetone and if it's PVC it'll become tacky/grippy.

Fenlander · 30 August 2023, 11:20

In the UK a Compass boat would be a Compass brand as stated, nothing to do with Avon. I'm guessing a Chinese made PVC boat??

Having said that there's a seller with two similar size ones on Ebay who says they're Hypalon.

It is quite old days Avon style with varnished transom, the rubber rowlocks and blow up seat.

Rockymtnmike · 30 August 2023, 16:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fenlander

In the UK a Compass boat would be a Compass brand as stated, nothing to do with Avon. I'm guessing a Chinese made PVC boat??

Having said that there's a seller with two similar size ones on Ebay who says they're Hypalon.

It is quite old days Avon style with varnished transom, the rubber rowlocks and blow up seat.

When I bought the boat the original owner did say it was a UK boat and I don’t believe it’s a PVC boat, the material feels completely different. I don’t know if I priced it right but I just listed it online for $900 USD. Funny thing is the registration does say Avon and the correct vin number is on the title and registration. 🤷🏻*♂️

Rockymtnmike · 30 August 2023, 16:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by User name

The A tags in your post are preventing the image from rendering like below. 👍

Looks really tidy though. I'm not familiar with that model but If you look really closely at the seams or through the valves, the back side of the material will usually be the same colour as the outside on PVC boats. On hypalon it'll more commonly be black or grey. You can rub a small spot with acetone and if it's PVC it'll become tacky/grippy.

Thanks I appreciate you helping me out with the image. I have the original patch kit and the color matches perfectly and the back is black in color. It does feel pretty durable.