Chinese/asian company Ribs

[James21]

While looking for a center console RIB I came across many listed by people selling them from china/asia. I realize that many of the main stream companies have their boats made over there, but they are imported/sold in the U.S.. Are these boats of any quality? Some state that it'll take 15 days to ship, not sure if that's shipped to their neighbor's house or what, but is that true? Does anyone have experience with these? They are listed cheap, but that's not always good...

http://www.boatxchange.com/pboats/detail.html?boatId=149373
That's one, I'll try and find more. I'm assuming these can actually be imported practically...

http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/302891692/BQ_B330_rigid_inflatable_boat.html

Thanks, James

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Chinese/asian company Ribs

They are reliable quality, well built and priced, better buy from US dealers that stands for warranty issues, manufacturer's warranties could take very long to apply. Rib companies ships FOB ex work prices, will need to contact a shipper company, customs agent for paperwork, tax fees, delivery from port to your house, and these babies are huge and weight more than any comparable same size sib.

Generally these Asian companies works by 100% money wire transfer well in advance, takes 2-3 weeks to make your order, generally nobody stocks them, space savings issues and small warehouses. Most companies buys complete hulls made by other hull manufracturers and personalizes them at their shops with different fabrics materials, colors, accesories and whatever you want to place inside a rib.

Quote : "They are listed cheap, but that's not always good...", what's not good is the huge prices you have to pay for traditional reputed brands ribs that discourage good fun boating at affordable prices.

What size are you planning to buy ?

Happy Boating

 

[James21]

Re: Chinese/asian company Ribs

They are reliable quality, well built and priced, better buy from US dealers that stands for warranty issues, manufacturer's warranties could take very long to apply. Most big rib companies ships FOB ex work prices, will need to contact a shipper company, customs agent for paperwork, tax fees, delivery from port to your house, and these babies are huge and weight more than any comparable same size sib.

Generally these Asian companies works by money wire transfer well in advance, work with your money and takes about 2-3 weeks to make your order, generally nobody stocks them, space savings issues and small warehouses. Most companies buys complete hulls made by other hull manufracturers and personalizes them at their shops with colors, accesories and whatever you want to place inside a rib.

Quote : "They are listed cheap, but that's not always good...", what's not good is the huge prices you have to pay for traditional reputed brands ribs that discourage good fun boating at affordable prices.

What size are you planning to buy ?

Happy Boating

So are you saying not to go with them? The price is very very good, and that's attracting.

The ones I have been looking at are around a 12-15 foot center console RIB. I'm assuming that a 15 footer will be a lot better then a 12? It will be used on lake michigan in traverse bay mostly, but can be driven out of the bay to do some adventures. I will mainly be going by myself, or with one or two other people and maybe two dogs. There will be the occasional time of course when there's more people then that, but I don't feel to account in size for those odd times. Do you know of any non-outragiously priced new ones/used ones? I'm open to any suggestions

thanks, James

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Chinese/asian company Ribs

Go for them, not on your own though, that is, importing them directly by you for the stated different importing steps involved, but if you want to go along with them it's entirely up to you. Have you checked local Asian rib importers ? Compare prices and see.

A 400 size rib would be perfect for 3-4 mates & dogs, having a central console & seat uses too much available interior space as you already have a bow locker to deal with, must add the extra cost of the central console, seat, remote engine control box, cables, securing hardware to engine and hand labor to install, increasing rib cost quite a bit, these items are not cheap specially remote engine controls. Bear in mind that when going to next longer segment, you are also going for wider with thicker tubes and heavier bulky overall ribs.

Usually 350 to 400 mt sizes are 1.70 my wide, next segment are 420/440/470rib sizes for long tail engines. Would recommend a max 400 mt size along with a trailler without central console and related remote hardware. Check a 400 mt size.

Cannot recommend brands or second hand ones as don't live in US.

Happy Boating

 

[James21]

Re: Chinese/asian company Ribs

Wont having a center console/bench seats and seating be useful for having a more comfy ride though? I am not as worried about it taking up space because I'm sure that there will be enough of that available with it. I feel for longer trips and the fact that you'll have seating and the remote controls it will be more practical.

Thanks, james

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Chinese/asian company Ribs

Confort will depend on the boating application, water use ; sea, lake, pond, whatever and how many hours cruising seated, up to 400 mt ribs, center consoles are generally jockey type ( 2 in a row) + side tubes + bow locker seat, or straight 2 seat console + side tubes + bow locker seat. Pick the best configuration that suits your boating needs.

Happy Boating

 

[James21]

Re: Chinese/asian company Ribs

It will be used exclusively on lake michigan, and I tend to go out whenever I please and not give a damn about the weather, and lake michigan can get pretty rough... I am leaning towards a non-jockey and to go with a bench seat since that seems more practical and comfortable. It will mostly be used to go out to islands, hang around there for a day, and then come back. As well as the odd water sports outing and long day trips to other harbors. What length do you feel would be the best as to be not to expensive, yet useful and safe? I'm leaning towards 400,450,480 or around there

Thanks, James

 

[Luvinflatableboats]

Re: Chinese/asian company Ribs

Hi,

I import from China all the time but not boats. The extras include paperwork, brokerage, bonds, etc. You will need to pay the factory before you get the unit and you takes your chances. We have our goods inspected before we ship them and make sure they conform. Your end result will either be a great boat at a cheap price with no warranty or an awful boat with no warranty. The other thing is that a large importer will bring in 10-20 or more units and get full containers. You will need to go LCL (Less than Container Load) which is a bit more expensive. The other thing is the brokerage fees and other fees are spread over the whole shipment.

I would advise you to buy from a good local supplier who gives a good warranty and you see what you are buying. I myself would not buy a Chinese boat unless I happened to be in China and see what I was buying. Even then with an office in HK I am still hesitant.

Also when it comes to design do you know how well the boat handles? etc.

Good luck on your purchase.


Darryl

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Chinese/asian company Ribs

Most of the companies that are selling Chinese "no names" are small time importers without the resources to warranty anything more than a few miles from their tin shed warehouse in Canada. You roll the dice and you take your chances with those.

I can't think of any circumstance where an individual, buying direct from China, would feel comfortable about throwing money at a product where they have zero recourse. Seriously, they foist crap on companies they have contracts with. Do you really think that some round eye over here is going to matter to them?