Sadly, after 2 assemblies (with no problems), I found that a #5 (side) pole is split at the shock-cord joint. It's a 1" split along the length, starting at the joint. Large enough that I won't reassemble it until it's replaced. It wasn't there on first assembly. Next, after the second assembly I left it inflated for a few hours, only to find that the front thwart had deflated to an unusable level. To be clear: I was very gentle, followed the instructions precisely, and didn't have to force anything. This was done indoors, in a very large empty room.
I have emailed Advanced Elements, and from what I've read on this forum, I have no doubt they will make things right. My concern is how can I feel comfortable taking this boat out for overnight trips if it's this fragile? I realize this isn't an expensive boat by any means, but it was a large purchase for me; one that I justified by promising myself at least a few years of outdoor fun. If I'm having these problems before it even gets wet, is it going to last more than a season?
I love the idea of this boat, and I really want to keep it, but I can't afford to (and don't want to) be doing repairs and buying replacement parts all the time. I also don't want to spend my time on the water paranoid about leaks and broken poles. Given the small storage space on the boat, I was even hoping it would be reliable enough to go overnight without bringing the pump.
Please, talk me into keeping it! I'd love to hear stories about people using their Fusion's for more than a season or two, and how they held up, or didn't. How often do you get an air leak? A ripped hull from normal uses? A broken or bent pole? How about those plastic valve bodies and valve connections?
Thanks in advance for your comments

Rob