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Originally Posted by Andy JC
Yes, its well made and takes no time to setup... very handy to chuck in the boot of the car
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Wei Hai name is mentioned on the Honda 380 sib plate, for most boaters that could be any oriental fancy name, but no, this is China’s tech zone state near the Yellow Sea where most of the sibs/ ribs are being assembled today. There seems to be a main huge inflatable factory with lots of satellite small companies working for the main one, acting as sales agents selling the same product with minor cosmetic changes for different international popular brand names Companies. Well reputed brands are assembling their inflatables with parts and PVC fabrics imported from Korean providers, with just Chinese hand labor.
I laugh when a final end user states that Honda, Quicksilver, Suzuki, Tohatsu brands just to mention some sib/rib name, rates their products as wery well made, the correct word would be, well assembled. The only difference between brands is the PVC or Hypalon fabric thickness employed, the thinner the less cost. You won’t see Dupont Hypalon fabrics on any of these brands because of the high costs Dupont has, but will see Orca fabrics that are less expensive and well made alternative fabric brand.
Don’t be surprised to find in the market a 15” rib with center console and seats for under $ 4,000 dollars, ribs are assembled employing PVC 1.2 mm, which is the thickest high quality PVC available. These low cost boats could be a interesting price/quality alternative for new boaters, and experienced boaters as well who wound like to count with a second less pricy sib/rib and invest what have been money saved in engine and accesories.
Hope not, that in a near future on Avon tramsom plates will be possible to read “Assembled in Wei Hai, China” sales strategy in order to compete worldwide to reduce hand labor costs and better their final end user products costs.
Bottom line: would you still buy the same Honda sib assembled in PRC (People's Republic of China) with a “Ping Choy” brand patch glued on it, probably not. But still buying a Honda China assembled sib, all is reduced to just pure commercial brand marketing strategies. Is a matter of follow the competitive market or die…
Happy Boating