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Older Quicksilver condition advice / experience
I've been given a 2004 Quicksilver 3.4m airfloor Quicksilver RIB (SIB?) [white colour] that my father purchased new. It's been stored, packed away for the last ~12+years, and was only used intermittently previously to being stored.
I'm keen to use it again, but reading various posts and forums there are many tales of caution regarding inflatables older than 10 years.
The boat tubes [PVC] themselves seem to be in good condition with no powdering, spoiling or cracking to be seen, no previous repairs visible to tubes or keel, a couple of repair patching to the floor.
I've inflated it a couple of times to check for leaks etc, and repaired a pin hole in the keel and a couple in the airfloor.
Initial inflation all the tubes seemed leak free and it stayed inflated for a couple of days in my shed. Second time inflating leak appared - a small length [~20mm] of seam separated / came apart - vertical seam at left of bow behind the running strip [running strip has also detached from the tubes in some places, not many]. Repaired seam and currently tubes and airfloor retain air pressure - no leaks.
I have noticed the baffles between bow and side tubes are not airtight / intact - slow air transfer left side, may as well be gone and become a single tube right side.
I am keen to use it - coastal inshore, but am slightly spooked with what I've researched. i.e. older inflatables, seams letting go, etc. There is, however, differing advice out there with regard to older inflatables with a lot of use or being stored for long periods outside / in the water inflated, and not much discussion around 20+ year old inflatables, those stored packed for long periods - Mercury Quicksilver or otherwise.
When I look and inspect the boat it seems stable, intact and in good condition....but I'm still wary.
I would appreciate others opinions and experience with these or similar inflatables of similar age.
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