Pro sport ribs

allegria · 23 August 2005, 17:04

Has anyone got or tried a pro sport rib. Would you recommend them?. Or has anyone got any views on the boat?.

Any help much appreciated.

codprawn · 23 August 2005, 17:47

Will let you know in a few weeks time!!!

Rodan · 23 August 2005, 18:13

So it is prosport then?!?

Daniel · 23 August 2005, 18:27

I've not been to sea in one but have had the opportunity of a thorough inspection. IMHO they are keenly priced and it shows in the finish, and lack of attention to detial during fitting out. Their tubes seam to "feel" cheap, i'm not sure if they use thinner material?

When i enquired they were limiting their market by only offering certian engines (not Mercury) this may have changed, but also put me off.

I've heard conflicting reports about the customer serivce they are able to offer - which is a concern, but may be unfounded.

I think they offer value for money, and as such have a market place, but are a long long way from the quality of Osprey (i would say that would'nt I) Scorpion (Of course, i hear you shout) etc. and still not up to that of more sensiably priced manufacturers such as Ribcraft and Humber. I don't think they are any cheaper than a Solent, which in my experience are a better built boat with a proven hull and renound customer service.

As i've said - this is all my opinion, of course. I await the numerous replies from happy ProSport owners!

codprawn · 23 August 2005, 19:14

Cheap tubes??? Don't think Paul Tilley would be very please about that - he is considered to be one of the very best!!!

Prosport did have a lot of probs in the past as do many new companies but they seem to be behind them now.

As to quality the boats I have seen have been as good as any other I have looked at - time will tell.

When I went out to guernsey I was amazed to see so many RIBs in a small area - and most of them were ProSports - if they were so bad i don't think the locals would buy them - word travels fast in Guernsey!!!

codprawn · 23 August 2005, 19:15

And some more

Rogue Wave · 23 August 2005, 19:42

Codprawn

Paul Tilley has not been making tubes for Prosport for a long time, and yes he is a craftsman. However Daniels comments were mostly based on the quality of the material and not the craftsmanship

Daniels comments about the Prosports re finish I would amplify and his synopsis of what alternatives are available is factual!

I have been involved in the collection of three prosports that have been delivered from guernsey by sea and always some of the fittings haven not made the journey. It is my impression that Prosport would never use a nut and bolt where a self tapper could fit and I dont like that sort of thing.

The finish on them is not firstclass and they look like they are built in a hurry

Having said that they are cost effective so cheep and cheerful wins in the end. but it is a long wayto go to get a fitting sorted out!

codprawn · 23 August 2005, 20:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

Codprawn

Paul Tilley has not been making tubes for Poport for a long time, and yes he is a craftsman. however Daniels comments were mostly based on the quality of the material and not the craftsmanship

Daniels comments about the Prosports re finish I would amplify and his synopsis of what alternatives are available is factual!

I have been involved in the collection of three prosports that have been delivered from guernsey by sea and always some of the fittings haven not made the journey. It is my impression that Prosport would never use a nut and bolt where a self tapper could fit and I dont like that sort of thing.

The finish on them is not firstclass and they look like they are built in a hurry

Having said that they are cost effective so cheep and cheerful wins in the end. but it is a long wayto go to get a fitting sorted out!

The last time I spoke to Paul he WAS making them but that was a little while ago now.

I looked at several that were being constructed and didn't see any self tappers - I have instructed them that I want proper bolts everywhere - we will see.

Daniel · 23 August 2005, 20:33

Same as what i said using different words then Stu!

Does anyone know what thinkness of hypalon ProSport use and what other manufacturers use?

Daniel · 23 August 2005, 20:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

I have instructed them that I want proper bolts everywhere - we will see.

That, i beleive, is the first admision that HMS Codders is a ProSport.

Rogue Wave · 23 August 2005, 20:39

Codprawn,

You could not have been looking too closely!

I did not say Paul Tilley did not make the tubes I said he has not been doing it for long

are you `Jon Fuller having a larf?

Pete7 · 23 August 2005, 20:51

I sincerely hope this boat isn't a Prosport because the finish was appalling. Martin, Paul and I were shocked to see the boat on its trailer close up 2 weeks ago. The tubes were falling off, transom cracking, console cheap and nasty as was the rest of the boats fitout. More worrying however was the hull had the same chines as a ring or balistic hull in that they were deaply scalloped. a copy? possibly but I am sure that Prosport would want to distance themselves from this boat.

Pete7 · 23 August 2005, 20:53

The green tubed rib is in guernsey by the way folks.

Pete

The Garfish · 23 August 2005, 21:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

some of the fittings haven not made the journey

dat wazunt mi fult yew shagwitt. yew tuk orf beeforr de fkin botes waz finisht

gArf

codprawn · 23 August 2005, 21:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

Codprawn,

You could not have been looking too closely!

I did not say Paul Tilley did not make the tubes I said he has not been doing it for long

are you `Jon Fuller having a larf?

Think it must be your strange version of inglish got me all confuessed.....

"Paul Tilley has not been making tubes for Prosport for a long time"

Means to me that he no longer does them!!!

As to the other remarks re fabric etc I believe that nearly all the makers use the same stuff - from Pennel Industries - so quality will be down to the tube maker themselves!!!

codprawn · 23 August 2005, 21:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete7

I sincerely hope this boat isn't a Prosport because the finish was appalling. Martin, Paul and I were shocked to see the boat on its trailer close up 2 weeks ago. The tubes were falling off, transom cracking, console cheap and nasty as was the rest of the boats fitout. More worrying however was the hull had the same chines as a ring or balistic hull in that they were deaply scalloped. a copy? possibly but I am sure that Prosport would want to distance themselves from this boat.

Maybe it isn't - not too sure on that one. Can't see their stickers on it - just stuck in some general shots of ribs from St Peter Port to show a large proportion are ProSports.

Martin · 23 August 2005, 22:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete7

I sincerely hope this boat isn't a Prosport because the finish was appalling. Martin, Paul and I were shocked to see the boat on its trailer close up 2 weeks ago. The tubes were falling off, transom cracking, console cheap and nasty as was the rest of the boats fitout. More worrying however was the hull had the same chines as a ring or balistic hull in that they were deaply scalloped. a copy? possibly but I am sure that Prosport would want to distance themselves from this boat.

I'll second that an absolute shocker!

M

Jono · 23 August 2005, 23:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

Codprawn

Paul Tilley has not been making tubes for Prosport for a long time,

mmmm... but what about one of his employees though? Didn't he used to work for the chap who used to tube Prosports?.... Funny old world...

Rogue Wave · 23 August 2005, 23:43

Yep you be right Jono

re my English you are correct it is not an area of expertise for me Same way that Ribs is not an area of expertise for yourself, I suspect!

codprawn · 24 August 2005, 02:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

Yep you be right Jono

re my English you are correct it is not an area of expertise for me Same way that Ribs is not an area of expertise for yourself, I suspect!

Never claimed it was - but I do have a love of good engineering so they better get it right!!!