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From: Ken Cooperstein <cprstnc1_at_optonline.net>
subject: [Paddlewise] Life of plastic boats
Date: Mon, 07 Dec 1998 10:05:48 -0500
Below is email corrspondence I had with Wilderness Systems concerning
the Sealution II's I bought.  As can be seen, WS thinks that with proper
storage they will remain flexible for 16-20 years.  Since I don't expect
to last that long, it is sufficient for my purposes.

Ken Cooperstein
-------

attached mail follows:


Ken Cooperstein wrote:
> 
> Hi, I bought two new Sealution II's in 1997, both from current
> production.
> 
> I have seen comments in paddling lists and newsgroups that polyethylene
> starts becoming brittle in 8-10 years, making it difficult to patch and
> more likely to shatter on impact.
> 
> Can you tell me how long my Sealutions will remain flexible if they are
> stored indoors?  It will affect how long I keep them before trading up
> to fiberglass.
> 
> Ken Cooperstein
Ken,
This varries quite a bit. But if you keep them stored out of the sun.
They should be around twice that long. We use linear polyethylene which
is very repairable. Mary of the whitewater boats use crosslinx
polyethylene which is not repairable. I hope that answers your
questions.
John




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