Wanted Aerotec 380 - recent and in good order.

bestman · 16 July 2022, 20:45

Sold mine on here years ago - and regretted it every since….

Not fussed about engine as still haven’t decided between the lightness of a two stroke versus the quiet of a four stroke.

Fenlander · 17 July 2022, 20:07

>>recent and in good order

Are you up to date with their slow demise?

Last normal production run was in 2014... mine is one of these and there were many grey ones sold at a discount that year. Then Zodiac went wobbly in 2015 and they didn't make any so the price crept up a bit for the old stock... this was when I bought mine as an ex showroom demo version.

Around 2016/17 when the factory restarted they made a few but seemingly with materials they had left over (such as using a rubbing strake design that had been changed years before) and there were some quality control issues.

Then around 2017/8 someone managed to persuade Bombard to make one as a special order.

By 2019 they were discontinued for good.

So it is most likely "recent" will be 8yrs or more old.

bestman · 18 July 2022, 18:11

Thanks Fenlander,

Now even more irritated that I flogged mine.

Sounds like what I'm after is one from the last proper production run - so 2014 or older.

Do they deteriorate over the years in terms of materials, glues etc degrading? How long could one reasonably expect a 380 to last, wear and tear aside?

Fenlander · 18 July 2022, 18:25

Well what we know for sure was sometime just pre-covid several members had the transoms come unglued on theirs which at the time were in the 16-20 year old age range.

What we don't know of course was... if ones built say in 2001 were failing in 2019 giving an 18yr glue life... then does it mean the 2008 ones will fail in 2026?

They could have improved either glue or the process to negate the issue??

I must say it's a while as far as I remember since we heard of a transom falling off.

chriswjallen · 18 July 2022, 19:37

I’ve got a 2006 model which I’ve owned for 5 years and there is no sign of failing glue anywhere.

I guess as with most things in life, that if it’s been well looked after it should last longer.

Highland Haggis · 18 July 2022, 22:36

Try the flying Dutchman on her I think he has one for sale and a 20hp Suzuki with it good luck

bestman · 19 July 2022, 08:43

Obviously, unlike a RIB, there isn't the option of a retube.

Can anybody provide any insight as to whether they can be 'kept going' indefinitely with professional repairs (re-glueing etc), or is there an absolute life in practical terms.

Fenlander · 19 July 2022, 13:55

Well what we do know is that ones made 1998-2002 seem to have suffered glue failure both transom and floor with several members and there will be loads more that aren't forum members where we never hear of them. So those ones that are now 20+ are a total risk.

But as I mentioned above there is very little feedback of issues from those with 2004 and newer models... so perhaps they are loads better?

Re repairs I think it's perhaps £250 for a cheap transom re-glue and maybe £500 or more for a real pro full transom and floor. Some folks have DIY'd and all credit to them but it is quite involved. The worse bit is cleaning off all the old glue properly... this becomes a nightmare if already badly re-glued or temp repaired with other sealants.

Then for me the major factor in this is how long does a re-glue last... same 20yrs as a factory job... or a much shorter time? We did have one guy on here pay a pro place only to have it come apart again in under a year.

And getting to the Nth degree of how to look at this how much a year are you willing to depreciate an Aerotec for the fun it will give you? Take mine as an example... paid around £2000 in 2015. Forget the lack of use in covid times as that's not the boats fault. So I've had it 7yrs and if the glue were to fail next year (it won't but just for the theory) it would be worth about £300 so a cost of under £250 a year. It is totally worth that for the fun you get. Take a more realistic glue life of still being sound at 15yrs and a sale price then of say £750 that's under £85 a year... totally stupidly cheap for the fun factor.

Well that's how look at it.

Steve509926 · 19 July 2022, 14:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fenlander

And getting to the Nth degree of how to look at this how much a year are you willing to depreciate an Aerortec for the fun it will give you? Take mine as an example... paid around £2000 in 2015. Forget the lack of use in covid times as that's not the boats fault. So I've had it 7yrs and if the glue were to fail next year (it won't but just for the theory) it would be worth about £300 so a cost of under £250 a year. It is totally worth that for the fun you get. Take a more realistic glue life of still being sound at 15yrs and a sale price then of say £750 that's under £85 a year... totally stupidly cheap for the fun factor.

Well that's how look at it.

Like the way you think David

Now to put that into practice with Diane when I buy all the other toys I want

Fenlander · 19 July 2022, 15:02

Yep I've been offering that theory for years... look into my eyes... look into my eyes... and it's always worked.

But it's true. One day's small craft hire at the coast can be the same as a whole years SIB depreciation. And fuel... I've been nowhere important but spent £100 in diesel going about locally over the past ten days. So yep I think our sibbing hobby is cheap.

I do like a keen deal and keeping on top of current prices for interest but for me it's all secondary to the fun of ownership and use.

Vipermax80 · 19 July 2022, 22:56

BestMan, I've got what I think is a 2004 model, which I bought for my Dad. Now not being used. Good condition, stored indoors, holds air indefinitely. No issue with any of the seams.

Original Zodiac / Bombard bow bag, bench seat, extendable paddles, foot pump, pair of launching wheels, transport bags, handbook and manual. Good quality bow line / lifting rope, fuel tank strap, towing eyes. Will post some pictures.