As with everything, the life expectancy of an inflatable boat depends on how well you take care of it and if you use it every day of the year. Our boats are made using German PVC Fabric as we found it to best suit our needs. With any rubber or plastic, Ultra-Violet light is the main enemy. The German PVC fabric we use today has additives and surface finishes to better protect them from damage caused by UV. Even in rough and tough environmental conditions, these boats will last for years; but if you take care of them well, they can last for 10 years and even more! We say that if you're in Florida or the tropics, CSM/Hypalon fabrics are still your best bet! Most non-tropical customers won't notice any difference in life expectancy between the two types of fabrics.