As the owner of Sealed Air Repairs Inc., I’m often asked about the wisdom of inflatable stand up paddleboard (iSUP) or PVC inflatable boat repair vs. simply replacing the item. People frequently quiz me on the topic thinking that I will recommend repair in every scenario. That’s not necessarily true. I want you to get the most out of your iSUP and if the best choice is to fix it, I will certainly encourage that. However, let’s take a look at one of the basic ways people approach the economic value of a repair. Remember, while we are discussing iSUP vs. SUP, most of the same principles apply.

What is Salvage Value?

Most people believe that a damaged item still has some sort of “value.” Well, yes and no. It really depends on the item. If your riding lawn mower doesn’t work anymore, you very likely can sell it to someone who is willing to invest in the repair or at the very least use it for parts. It has “salvage value.”

Salvage value depends heavily on the item in question and, possibly, its various components. If you need PVC inflatable boat repair or iSUP repair or if you have an iSUP that’s been punctured you “might” be able to sell it to someone who thinks that he or she is crafty enough or clever enough with a DIY repair kit to fix it.

It also depends on the price of the item in a brand new state. Electronics in particular can suffer from poor salvage value. Would someone pay for your broken GPS unit when he or she could get a brand spanking new one for $80? (Not to mention most people use their phones these days for GPS functioning, but that’s another article.)

Would you believe that salvage value can also be less than nothing? That occurs when it may cost the new owner something to dispose of the item if it can’t be fixed. Think about that awesome treadmill you got when you planned on being a marathon runner, which then became a handy place to hang your clothes. If sometime in the intervening years it has conked out, the prospective buyer of the broken machine is considering how much a brand new one might cost, how much a potential repair might cost and how much it might cost to dump the thing if it’s unfixable. That’s why you typically see exercise equipment under the “free” category on Craigslist. You are actually doing the current owner a favor by toting it away.

Lastly, salvage value can be driven by demand and rarity. We generally see that with antiques and collectibles. If you had a damaged board that just happened to be autographed by Lincoln Dews, world champion paddle boarder, it would probably retain quite a bit of value. Demand and rarity, right?

Repair or Replace iSUP vs. SUP

All things considered, let’s just use an easy way for you to determine if you are better off repairing or replacing your iSUP. It’s called the 50% rule. The 50% rule states that if the cost of repair is 50% or more of replacement cost, you are better off replacing. That means if you have four figures invested in that board, the repair would need to cost $500 or more for replacement to make sense. Considering iSUP vs. SUP the average repair cost would probably be much higher.

Who to Call if Repair is the Way to Go

Here’s the good news. The “average” iSUP or PVC inflatable boat repair cost at Sealed Air Repairs Inc. is around $150 plus shipping. That means in “most” scenarios repair is your best bet. If you’d like my opinion on it, call Sealed Air Repairs Inc. at 321-505-1512. I’m also happy to discuss the merits of iSUP vs. SUP. Just give me a call.