Finding a reliable and affordable watercraft often leads the potential owner to think that you need to use it. Boat progress to buy b/wThis is a sensible move, given that new AMG5M models have recently become more expensive and demand is growing, and Soviet and post-Soviet aluminium boats have proven to be “unkillable” workhorses capable of withstanding harsh operation, rock impacts and long standings on the water.
But the used water-powered vehicle market is full of great deals and investment-intensive marriages. Buying an old boat is always a lottery, where the good stuff is half-priced and the bad stuff is cooked. In this article, we'll go into detail about the nuances to pay attention to, how to distinguish a good piece from a scrap piece, and what models to make. Progress They really deserve your attention in the current situation.
Don't rely on the seller's assurances that "the boat was in the garage." Aluminum tends to get tired, and welds can crack with vibration, even if the product has not been used for decades. A competent approach to choosing will save you budget and get at the disposal of a reliable boat for fishing or recreation, which will last for many years without expensive repairs.
Why you choose old aluminum boats
The phenomenon of boat popularity Progress Unlike modern PVC analogues, metal is not afraid of sparks, sharp objects or prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light. When you buy a used version, you often get a finished product with a squirrel wheel, anchor frack, runducts and even canopies, which significantly reduces the start-up cost compared to buying a head case in a store.
The most important factor is repairability. The AMG5M aluminum alloy that these boats are made of is argon weldable. Even if you find serious defects, they can be repaired in any specialized workshop. In addition, these boats have excellent seaworthiness for their class, allowing you to feel confident in the excitement of up to 0.75 meters, which is more than enough for small bodies of water and medium rivers.
- 🛡️ Durability: The service life with proper care exceeds 30-40 years, which is confirmed by many specimens floating since the 80s.
- 🔧 Repairability: The ability to brew a hole or crack in the field or in the garage.
- 📦 Capacity: The wide hull and large load capacity allow you to take on board 4-5 people and a significant amount of equipment.
However, it is not necessary to idealize the past. Old boats often have problems with the geometgy of the bottom after numerous drags to shore.Progress-2early Progress-4) may be heavier than their current counterparts due to the greater thickness of the metal and lack of design optimization.
Overview of popular models: Progress-2, 4 and 4M
The used boat market offers several major modifications, and each has its own specifications. Progress-4 and its modernized version Progress-4MThese are classic flat-bottomed, wicker boats with developed cheekbones, which are great at glides with engines from 30 hp and have good stability on the course. Boat progress to buy b/w for universal use.
Model Progress-2 It's an earlier design with less streamlined contours, heavier and slower, but it's phenomenal toughness, and it's often bought for use as cargo platforms or for powerful homemade structures, but it's less suitable for high-speed walks because of its high drag and its high weight.
⚠️ Attention: When you buy Progress-4M And if you look at the condition of the transom, you can see that in old boats with powerful engines, it could be deformed or it could get micro-cracks in the places where it attaches to the sides, and you should check out this area with a magnifying glass.
There are also rare modifications, such as Progress 2000 or Progress 2000MThey have a more modern design, smooth contours and often feature fiberglass consoles. They are harder to find in good condition, but if you come up with an option, it's worth considering. These boats are more comfortable for the driver and passengers, better spray protection and have more sophisticated cockpit ergonomics.
| Model | Length, m | Width, m. | Weight, kg | Recommended engine, hp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Progress-2 | 4.60 | 1.70 | 190 | 25-40 |
| Progress-4 | 4.60 | 1.70 | 185 | 30-50 |
| Progress-4M | 4.60 | 1.72 | 180 | 30-60 |
| Progress 2000 | 4.60 | 1.72 | 175 | 40-70 |
When inspecting the Progress-4M boat, be sure to check the presence and condition of removable deck splashers. Their absence on older boats is a frequent occurrence, and the manufacture of new ones will require additional costs.
Where to look for ads and how not to run into scammers
Search for an advert with the wording “Boat progress to buy b/wIt's best to start with specialized powerboating forums and big bulletin boards, and the good thing about forums is that they're actually really enthusiastic, who often sell their machines and value their reputation, and you can find the history of owning a boat and honest reviews about the condition of the boat, but there's limited choice.
Large ad platforms offer a wide range of options, but require increased vigilance. Fraudsters can use photos of other people's boats, indicate a low price to attract attention or hide critical defects in photos. Always demand additional photos from different angles, especially bottom, transom and internal seams. If the seller refuses to show the boat "live" before making an advance payment, this is a red flag.
- 🔍 Verification of the seller: Look up profile history, registration date and other merchandise. "Day-by-day" is often a sign of fraud.
- 📞 Phone call: Ask specific technical questions. If a person is floating around in answers, they're probably a dealer or hiding problems.
- 🤝 In-person meeting: Never transfer money in advance. Inspection and purchase should only occur through personal contact with the product.
And you also have to look at regional groups on social media, and you can often find options from your neighbors, which makes logistics easier. Progress It's difficult and expensive to transport over long distances, so looking within 200-300 km of your home would be the most rational solution.
How to distinguish the dealer from the owner?
Retailers usually do not know the technical details of operation, can not name the history of defects, have several heterogeneous goods on sale at once (boats, engines, snowmobiles) and often use template phrases in the description.
How to check the boat before buying
The most important step is to do a thorough inspection, and even if you're not an expert, following a certain algorithm will help you identify 90 percent of the problems, start with an external inspection of the case, aluminum doesn't rust like steel, but it's susceptible to corrosion and electrochemical destruction, look for white powder stains, paint bloating, or varnish, which may indicate that the oxidation process under the coating has begun.
Pay special attention to welds. They should be smooth, without interruptions, inflows and, most importantly, cracks. Cracks often occur in areas of stress concentration: at the zygomatic stringers, in the bow of the bottom, around the transom plate. Swipe your hand along the seams — they should not be sharp or have steps. Any irregularity can be a sign of poor repair or factory defect.
⚠️ Attention: It is strictly not recommended to buy a boat if traces of a "tap" (a pit from impacts on stones) with a depth of more than 2-3 mm are visible on the bottom. This indicates a critical thinning of the metal and a high risk of through cracks in the future.
Check the geometry of the hull. The boat must stand on a flat surface without falling on board. The distortions can indicate a violation of spatial rigidity, which is extremely dangerous when going to plane. Also inspect the timber. If it moves away from the side or rust is visible under it (from the fastener), this will require dismantling and digestion or riveting, which is laborious.
☑️ Checklist for body inspection
Technical nuances: bottom, seams and coloring
The bottom is a safety issue. In addition to visual inspection, it's useful to tap the case. The sound should be ringing and uniform. A deaf sound may indicate the presence of putty, which unscrupulous salesmen mask holes. Boat progress to buy b/w with the expectation of long service, the presence of layers of putty - an occasion to either bargain or refuse to buy.
The color of the boat also plays a role. Old, stained paint is half the trouble, it can be renewed. It's scary if the paint hides oxidized metal. Pay attention to the inner surfaces of the sides and the rundukes. If there are traces of water or mold, then the boat was stored improperly, possibly with open hatches, which could lead to moisture accumulation in hard-to-reach cavities.
Special attention should be paid to sleigh (floor in the boat). Progress They're often linoleum-covered wood, check them for rotting, lift the edge of the coating, if the tree is blackened or soft, it's going to have to be changed, and the dampness under the sleigh is a direct route to corrosion from the inside, which is hard to see right away.
Having a factory paint in good condition is a big plus, but not having paint is not a defect if the metal is pure.
Cost and feasibility of purchasing used Progress
Used price Progress Models of the 80-90s in the state of "sitting and going" can cost from 60 to 100 thousand rubles. More recent options or boats after capital recovery with a new awning and engine can be estimated at 150-200 thousand rubles and above.
Is it worth buying used if you can take a new Kazanka or PVC? If you want a metal boat for hard operation, fishing from a boat station, crane beam installation or just for the soul - definitely yes. A new metal boat of good quality is now worth space money, and find an analogue of the space money. Progress The price and quality of the novelty is almost impossible, and the market here is the only way to get a quality product for a reasonable money.
However, if you plan to use the boat 2-3 times a season on a calm lake, it may be worth considering the option of PVC. Metal requires storage (garage or canopy), transportation on a trailer and periodic maintenance. weigh your capabilities and needs. boat progression b/w It is an investment in reliability, but it requires the investment of time and effort to put in order.
- 💰 Recovery budget: Put 10-20% of the cost of the boat to replace sleigh, paint and minor repairs.
- 🚛 Logistics: Consider the cost of renting a trawl or trailer for delivery, since the dimensions of the boat do not allow it to be transported on the roof of the passenger car.
- 📝 Documents: Make sure that the seller has documents (boat registration certificate, purchase agreement), this will simplify registration with GIMS.
Do I need to register the boat Progress in GIMS?
Yes, boats. Progress The engine is subject to mandatory registration with GIMS, as its weight usually exceeds 200 kg (in running order), and the power of the recommended engines is often higher than 8 kW (10.88 hp). Even if the engine is less powerful, but the weight of the boat with the engine is more than 200 kg, registration is mandatory.
Which motor is better to choose for the used Progress?
For Progress-4 and 4M The best choice will be engines with a capacity of 30-50 hp This can be modern Chinese brands (HDX, Sea-Pro) or reliable Japanese (Tohatsu, Suzuki) used. Old Soviet engines "Virgin" or "Neptune" are also suitable, but they are noisy, heavy and require more attention. For quiet operation, 25-30 forces will be enough, for high-speed - better 40-50 hp.
Can you cook progress with ordinary welding?
No, boats. Progress They are made of aluminum-magnesium alloy AMg5M. They can only be boiled with argon welding (TIG) using a filler material corresponding to the alloy brand (for example, AD31 or AMG). Conventional electric arc welding or welding without argon will lead to burning of the metal and destruction of the seam in the near future.
How long can a Progress boat last?
When carefully operated and stored under the canopy boat Progress There are cases where boats from the 1970s and 80s are still in use, and key factors for longevity are: no impacts on stones at speed, storage outside water (on a trailer or suspension), and timely paint chips.