I have a 1983 Achilles inflatable ... keep threatening to replace it ...

... but really liked the size and shape of her compared to the newer models ...

I had a leak I couldn't locate ... for several years ... slow one but required 1/2 dozen pumps every am ...argh

... until we took off on a trip 2 years ago ... found a little pin hole and once located I'm thinking well maybe ... patched her up using shoe goo, clamped (all this on the dock in Port Ludlow at the Bob Perry rendezvous - I'm sure folks thought I was well a wee bit nuts or just the cheap sailing bastard that I am

... never had to put any air into it the rest of that season and this year not once ... not bad for a 27 year old rubber boat! ... think I'll keep it for a bit longer ... FWIW: I do keep it covered when not in use at the marina ... which seems to help ... and I regularly wash and "dingy wax" her up ... all I have on it is a 2.5 yamaha 4 stroke ... now which for the 2 of us works fine but then again ... I'm not a full time live-aboard needing it like the family station-wagon

I'll buy another Achilles when the time comes ...