How old is too old?

I'm referring to rotomolded boats, not people...

Next week, I'm going to take a look at Windrider 16, the same one that AlsHobie posted a picture of a few days ago (see below). It looks sorta like a pre-historic Adventure Island, minus the mirage drive.

The boat was manufactured in 1998. While, I can look for cracks and similar signs of damage/flaws, I'm not sure how to check whether the plastic might just be past its prime due to, say, excess UV exposure. This place recommends testing to see if the plastic still flexes, but I'm not sure that'll be an option (I've never seen one in-person before).

https://outdoors.stackexchange.com/questions/21788/how-to-detect-significant-sun-damage-in-a-plastic-molded-kayak

Any thoughts on how to tell whether a plastic boat that's a quarter-century old might still have useful life left in it?

NwM

I found this.

I am sure i have read of kayaks lasting longer than some of these estimates though. I think my oldest hobie is over 15 yrs., but it is plastic. Fiberglass seems to get brittle over time.

 https://theoutdoorfanatic.com/how-long-do-kayaks-last/

That is a nice ride ! Looks like it will scoot-along pretty fast when you want it to.

Its calling you. You probably get a better feel for it, in person.

If i only had a bigger yard.

https://www.sailnet.com/threads/how-long-will-a-polyethylene-boat-last.39139/

If I only had more garage space…

https://www.sailnet.com/threads/how-long-will-a-polyethylene-boat-last.39139/

That link has some good info. One guy there claims to be a "plastic engineer" and he says,

"I'd consider a plastic boat as a disposable item. When it gets old it's used up. I'd call a very faded boat old."

The Windrider in the picture looks faded, but based on some videos I've seen, I think that's about the way it looked new. A couple years ago, I looked at a used Hobie Island that somebody was selling. He'd stored it outdoors (actually, in the Santa Cruz harbor, in the water, uncovered, next to his "real" sailboat). As I recall, it was only about 6 years old, yet it was badly damaged by the elements, and I would not have bought that one.

Anyways, I'll have a look-see at the Windrider. For the price, I doubt I can resist, unless there's a gaping hole below the waterline...

It looks pretty good from the pics, but for sure needs a close up inspection.  I almost pulled the trigger on a HobieCat14 for 300$ but it's way more work than I can do to get it up and running.