Your fc470 is hypalon? All hypalon seams are glued. Glued seams are susceptible to failure over time. UV (sunlight) does not directly degrade the glue in seams. The UV is blocked by the overlying material. It is heat that accelerates the process. Even boats that are stored out of direct exposure, but in a hot location will have issues eventually. Storing the boat in a cool dry location definitley increases its lifespan.
On my futura (pvc) the side seams of the speed tubes are thermo welded. You will rarely see failure of thermo welded seams. Peter C also has a PVC futura. His experience may not be applicable to your vessel. My speed tubes have had issues with seam failure at the very front where they are glued. I opened up all failing sections of the tube cover seams and reglued. The repairs have held well for years of abuse. You should be able to pull apart all of the seam that will separate without damaging the underlying material and reglue the tube cover. If that is more than you are comfortable doing then looking for a local inflatable repair facility is the way to go.
If you are considering repairing the boat yourself be sure to follow the linked instructions, particularly the environmental restrictions. A properly re glued seam will give you years of use. I will be re gluing my transom where previous repairs by the original owner are failing. The PO used outdated glue and did not follow the environmental guides. My other repairs have not deteriorated. Only you can determine if the overall condition of the boat is worth the effort, but I assure you that proper repairs do hold up whether they are on Hypalon or pvc.
Information From ShipStore.com | Hypalon-Neoprene Inflatable Boat Fabric Gluing Repair Instructions | HYPNEO from the ShipStore.com ™ on-line catalog.
Instructions for PVC gluing are linked off that page.
Prepped for glue.
