Bombard Aerotec 380.

[sneland]

I'm thinking about buying a Bombard Aerotec 380 to use with my motor home for a bit of diving and generally pottering around with. There is one for sale nearby but I have not seen it looks ok in pictures but I don't know the age yet. Having read previous threads on here which are verry helpful I have a couple of questions.
It mentions in some threads about a 10 year life span the the boats start to suffer from delamination/glue breaking down. I would have hoped to get a few more years from one especially if buying second hand.
Also are there any particular years of manufacture to avoid. I have a Zodiac fish and Huntwhich is great but the extra size of the bombard would be great.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Fenlander]

What I usually think is you are safe within the first 10yrs and then the possibility of repairs increases to a near certainty at 18yrs. So between 10 & 18 years you need to factor in the cost/hassle of a re-glue in what you pay.

There are rare examples that have suffered before 10yrs and others that have lasted towards 18yrs without trouble so it's a personal judgement on the specific boat.

Do bear in mind one guy on here who's 380 failed gave no signs whatsoever before the transom half fell off.

[sneland]

Thanks will try and get a look at it next week and find out the age condition etc like everything it comes down to price and condition.