Buying a rib got a quote dunno about boat though, Help !!

[Pikey Dave]

Poly, we more or less agree, but the OP did ask:-

Originally Posted by dundeerib1994

what u guys think??

& he got a variety of answers

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

IF they are chinese, I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole no matter how cheap it is. Just my opinion.

I did qualify that statement with a big IF

Originally Posted by Poly

I'm hoping that the OP will be able to read between the lines and see that the only person who has actually examined one closely says this brand does not appear to fall into that category! But don't let that stop all the other people who have never seen an XPro from saying they must be rubbish because we think they are made in China. Its not like there aren't some shocking things in both the cheap and expensive ends of the UK market...

Agreed, having been on the rough end of quality issues from a UK "Quality" builder. However, having seen first hand examples of Chinese build quality(IF indeed Xpro are Chinese, we haven't established that for a fact yet) in Kerny & Hadds previous forays, I'd say the quality issues experienced by UK built boats from respected manfs. are tiny by comparison. If I had 18 grand burning a hole in my pocket, I wouldn't be sending it east

[kerny]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

If I had 18 grand burning a hole in my pocket, I wouldn't be sending it east

West it is then, all together now...

Pet Shop Boys - Go West [HDR] - YouTube

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by kerny

West it is then, all together now...

Too much time on your hands you council wallers.

Any news from the west on your engine

[kerny]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Too much time on your hands you council wallers.

Any news from the west on your engine

Do keep up PD



http://www.rib.net/forum/f36/broken-...e-50493-4.html

[kerny]

Just found this post by xpro ribs http://www.rib.net/forum/f64/hello-f...ibs-44970.html

[wavelength]

what u guys think??

this guy thinks its a good bit of subliminal advertising

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by wavelength

this guy thinks its a good bit of subliminal advertising

shot himself in the foot then Poly might go for it though

[mick]

Originally Posted by Maximus

I would agree with Pikey,Chinese RIB's I've SEEN have been very low Quality,and for 18K there are some great options second hand,which may well serve you better in the long run. Especialy with VAT at 20%(On new) and alot of people not doing many hours in thier boats.
Either way I'd advise you take your time and have a good look at alot of different makes... there are plenty out there with a Proven track record.

You weren't complaining about those Chinese ribs you had last week max


But I agree with Pikey my experience of stuff made in china it's all crap

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Poly might go for it though

Oh no, even if I was in the market for a new boat right now I wouldn't be buying from an "unknown brand". If for some crazy reason I had 18k burning a whole in my pocket I'd be looking at something totally different, and second hand. HOWEVER if I wanted a new boat that size for that money I'd be inclined to talk to one of the people I posted earlier who are at the high volume / budget end of the market. Because I believe the known names will hold their value better. The country of origin would not be my concern, the fact the company will still be there to support me in 1, 2, 3, 5 yrs time and that when I come to sell the buyer will know what he is getting will be. There is a huge hurdle for any new rib manufacturer (whether building in this country or importing) to get over to obtain the required market traction to be accepted; I certainly wouldn't want to be an early adopted with my own money unless I was getting a massive bargain to compensate. I just found it amusing that everyone jumped on the "Chinese Ribs are crap" bandwagon; and the one guy who's seen one contradicted all that and everyone ignored it!

[npm108]

I can understand making a generalisation about RIBs that are made in China.....especially the NE region which seems to be the epicentre of the lower quality boats.

I'm based in Malta so we don't really get the UK brands, Zodiac is a popular brand along with the various Italian RIBs but lately the market has been flooded with various Made in China RIBs.

As I'm in the market for a 6m boat, I've been going around to have good look and this has included checking out the RIBs that are made in China...perhaps I can give some insight/info.

Brand Name: Maxxon, distributed in Europe by Wassersport H. Bonnke GmbH
China Manufacturer: Sun Selections Co. Ltd http://www.sunselections.com/

I was looking at the Maxxon 580 which has a good open layout, it's around 5.9m overall, and has 60cm PVC tubes. Quality is as expected from a boat that seels for around £5525 for a pretty bare boat, console only, nothing else like fuel tank, shower etc.

Brand Name: MAGNUS Ribs / also found as same boat but unbranded
China Manufacturer: Qingdao Lian Ya Boat Co., Ltd

I was looking at their HYP580 or possibly a variant of it. It had everything even the battery box and battery, cables, steering, shower, fresh water tank etc and this particular person was selling it for £7600 incl trailer. The boat has a very low freeboard and the finishing left an awful lot to be desired. Tubes were PVC

Also came across Aqualand RIBs, made by Qingdao Sea-Land Industries Co.,Ltd
www.aqualandboats.com but haven't gone to view the boat yet, it's a 580C if I'm not mistaken.

Brand Name: Deltabay
Manufacturer: Deltabay Boats www.deltabayboats.com

This was the last boat I saw (Model 635) and the difference in quality was immediately visible. Granted this boat had Hypalon tubes, but the quality of the GRP, Gelcoat and fittings stood out by miles when compared to the other boats. I did some research online and found that this manufacturer is located relatively close to Hong Kong. I was told (but could be hearsay) that Deltabay used to manufacture some models for BWA of Italy and that have been making RIBs for a while that are sold all over the world.

I ran over the boat very carefully because I’d already seen BWA and Capelli RIBs whilst doing my research and the build quality and components appeared to be pretty equal. I looked at the quality of the wiring; switch panels etc and as mentioned above, these guys appear to be way ahead of the other Chinese boat builders.

All the boats have planning pads, the Deltabay 635 seems to have a pretty substantial one at the transom (perhaps 20cm), and the pad starts from the console positioned amidships.

Some Italian RIBs appear to be suffering in terms of build quality or indeed as mentioned about some UK builders perhaps are also offshoring their work overseas to Far East plants. Capelli are now made in Tunisia, which considering their price is somewhat surprising.

I stand to be corrected but I believe Valiant are no longer produced in the UK and Brunswick own plants in Poland, and I believe the Eastern Block. I saw a Valiant 550 Comfort with Arimar listed as the builder, so that model is definitely made in Italy.

Could it be that someone like Deltabay, albeit a China based boat manufacturer, may in fact be offering a product of decent quality?

[AJ.]

When did the Oct/Nov issue of PowerBoat&RIB mag get issued? Only got mine at the weekend and I see the OP pictures are on page 63, had a good write up.

[Rokraider]

Seems to me that China is capable of building to the worst and best standards. The problem is western companies wanting to buy it for peanuts hence the build quality will be poor. If they went in with a better spec and price, the Chinese are quite capable of making it. I believe that a lot of the problem is having someone there keeping an eye on the quality control. It is not realistic to simply whitewash all things Chinese as being crap.

[boristhebold]

Originally Posted by PeterM

I'm going to be controversial .....so hang on ....

I'm not sure that the 'tag' of 'cheap & low quality Chinese goods' can always be applied.... I feel sure they are catching up on the quality and design side very very quickly indeed.

I'm not disageeing that for this sort of money there are not more reputable/capable 2nd hand boats out there . Just look at a RC 585 for example £18k will but you alot of 2nd hand kit....

I think most Iphones/pads are made in China as an example ?

I'll get my coat

I was also thinking that you might be better off going down the 2nd hand route, especially if you may want a bigger boat in the future, £18k could get a decent 2nd hand option thats tried and tested.

[ian parkes]

Just looked at a pair of top of the range Salomon Walking boots , goretex and the most expensive they make , label inside says made in china .
I would bet no one here owns a car boat bike or whatever without something on it being made in china .

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by ian parkes

Just looked at a pair of top of the range Salomon Walking boots , goretex and the most expensive they make , label inside says made in china .
.

& they aren't what they used to be Loads of crap about hiding behind "Quality" labels. Berghaus, Merrel, Salomon, Timberland to name a few. Last Berghaus boots I had fell apart after 6 months. We've sold our souls <== edited by mods ==> & it's payback time

[ian parkes]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

& they aren't what they used to be Loads of crap about hiding behind "Quality" labels. Berghaus, Merrel, Salomon, Timberland to name a few. Last Berghaus boots I had fell apart after 6 months. We've sold our souls <== edited by mods ==> & it's payback time

You could have a point there , the salomon boots are my daughters and she hates them , My lovely comfy scarpas are still made in italy.

Bought the salomons from a pikey stall at Goose fair last year , so didn't pay even a third of the price on net

[willk]

Originally Posted by ian parkes

Bought the salomons from a pikey stall at Goose fair last year , so didn't pay even a third of the price on net

A steal then.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by ian parkes

You could have a point there , the salomon boots are my daughters and she hates them , My lovely comfy scarpas are still made in italy.

Just traded my worn out Scarpas for Zamberlans, still hand made in Italy. Altberg make hiking boots in the UK, based in Richmond North Yorks.
Sorry to the OP for the thread drift

[mick]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Just traded my worn out Scarpas for Zamberlans, still hand made in Italy. Altberg make hiking boots in the UK, based in Richmond North Yorks.
Sorry to the OP for the thread drift

+1 for Zamberlans had some for years and get my work boots from the good old USA

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by ian parkes

Bought the salomons from a pikey stall at Goose fair last year , so didn't pay even a third of the price on net

Originally Posted by willk

A steal then.

That is a slur upon our travelling community, the implication that they continually steal, could be construed as borderline racist. Could it not?

Where's the man with the red pen? (am I allowed to say red?)