Question regarding RIB build quality

[lightning]

Originally Posted by chewy

Just don't buy Chinese and you'll be fine, RIB's that is and not food!

I'm not sure the OP knew it was made in China when he bought it, as it was a branded/known make purchased from a UK dealer?
I bought a fairly high end tracking telescope a few years ago, and was disappointed to find that it was made in China, despite being one of the best known brands.
It soon developed a fault with the star tracking hardware and I sent it back.

[willk]

Originally Posted by lightning

I bought a fairly high end stalking telescope a few years ago, and was disappointed to find that it was made in China, despite being one of the best known brands.
It soon developed a fault with the star tracking hardware and I sent it back.

What, you set it for Kylie but it insisted on following SuBo?

[thomas]

Hate to be the bringer of more bad news but you reckon the hull is bad, just wait for the tubes to start failing.

On the plus side, I believe they've moved production to eastern Europe and they know a thing of two about moulding stuff over there so hopefully these horror stories stop

[Bobalong]

Good news is that I got a refund in the end. I had to write a series of strongly worded letters, including warnings of legal action and trading standards involvement if a refund was not forthcoming, and that worked.

The key to it all was that the boat was registered under the EU Recreational Craft Directive, Category C. This meant the importer could self-certify the boat's design and compliance with the regulations, but had to maintain a technical file showing the relevant compliance documents, calculations, etc. I demanded to see this and threatened trading standards involvement if it was not forthcoming; needless to say, the importer did not (or could not?) produce the necessary compliance documents, and the refund came rather quickly after that.

I have to say, what is the point of a CE mark and the Recreational Craft Directive if an importer (and member of the British Marine Federation) can bring over substandard items from overseas, register them in accordance with the EU RCD, whack a CE mark on them and sell them as if they met the RCD standards, even through they do not? Talk about a massive loophole! For the protection of consumers I think this loophole should be closed and will be writing to a few people about it, not least the British Marine Federation and my MP...

[Pikey Dave]

The "CE" mark always was & always will be a load of meaningless bo110cks.
Well done on the refund, another salutary lesson about Chinknese built RIBs.

[Ian M]

Originally Posted by Bobalong

The key to it all was that the boat was registered under the EU Recreational Craft Directive, Category C. This meant the importer could self-certify the boat's design and compliance with the regulations, but had to maintain a technical file showing the relevant compliance documents, calculations, etc. I demanded to see this and threatened trading standards involvement if it was not forthcoming; needless to say, the importer did not (or could not?) produce the necessary compliance documents, and the refund came rather quickly after that.

Love it In my line (nothing to do with the marine industry) I have always hated having to put together the technical file, just more paperwork To hear of a technical file actually being useful to one of us in this way is great

[boristhebold]

Surely you can name the brand now ?

[paul tilley]

With regards to chinese build quality it should not all be dismissed as rubbish .I have just retubed a 5mtr rib which i am now selling and the tubes were not that clever but they had had a hard time in Malysia ,the grp work was far better than a lot of ribs i have seen . My son and daughter both had 50cc chinese scooters a 125cc motorbike and an offroad bike and the only problems were a faulty spark plug and a broken battery box on the off roader , both easily repaired .I hate to say it but the quality is getting better . The problem lies with unscrupulous importers buying the cheapest and selling as higher priced better quality

[kerny]

Avoid anything with Seapro on it.

[gtb]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

The "CE" mark always was & always will be a load of meaningless bo110cks.

You do have to be careful for sure.

The usual CE mark, taken to mean Conformité Européenne, shows the item has undergone a European conformity assessment to EU regulations and the technical file is available. Unfortunately, some Chinese manufacturers put a confusingly similar mark on their goods which, it is claimed, relates to a "China Export" designation.

You may want to look closely at any CE mark on goods to check that it matches the required form, and be suspicious if it does not!

[Rogue Wave]

fkk me is that logo is a sprash?

I guess the refund came with a non disclosure clause?

[kerny]

Was it a Seapro then ?

[hadd]

Originally Posted by kerny

Avoid anything with Seapro on it.

I'd put my money on it being a seapro

[kerny]