Question regarding RIB build quality

Bobalong · 14 September 2012, 08:40

All,

I have been in an ongoing wrangle with a company regarding a RIB of substandard build. Suffice to say I have since discovered the RIBs are made in China and then imported to the UK where they are sold under a UK brand name with a CE mark. How I wish I had known that before I bought one...

The original hull, purchased new, suffered from 2 problems: water ingress between the hull and deck mouldings due to a badly installed hull drain plug at the rear; then after a few more hours use nasty cracks appeared around the transom knees and bottom inside edge of the transom. The hull and deck mouldings also started to separate at the top of the transom where they join. Needless to say, I returned the hull and, after much delay, the company conceded that the build quality was substandard and that they would replace the hull with a new one.

Having waited over 6 months, the new hull arrived and I went to collect it. On arrival I found water sloshing around between the deck and hull mouldings, due to a poorly installed drain plug, and then was staggered to discover the hull and deck mouldings had not been finished at the transom. There was bare fibreglass at the mould edges with no gelcoat, and there were obvious voids in the compound that joins the hull and deck mouldings together at the top of the transom. At one point you could peer through the gap to see inside the transom! Needless to say, I rejected the new hull as substandard and wrote a very strongly worded letter to the company.

Their response is to assert that the unfinished transom is "normal practice" and that the firbeglass in that location is normally finished as part of the engine installation. I think I am being fobbed off! If anyone who constructs RIB hulls could give an opinion on this it would be much appreciated! Also, what to do next? Get trading standards involved?

clydeoutboards · 14 September 2012, 08:51

since when is an unfinished transom common practice? Thats like selling an outboard with an unfinished gear box!

Does it not have warranty?
Can you not get a refund from the dealer?

oh and just for the record we have never " finished a transom off as part of fitting an outboard.

a very amazed

Dave

kerny · 14 September 2012, 09:00

It wouldn't happen to be a Seapro would it ??

Nick Hearne · 14 September 2012, 09:03

I would run a mile, ask for a refund & walk away! Yes thing can go wrong but then to try & fob you off with a substandard replacement is just not on.
How did you pay? If with credit card tell them if they will not refund your money you will be taking it up with the card company.
Good luck

Maximus · 14 September 2012, 09:17

Disgusting!!..Tradeing Standards-Refund-..Start again with the expensive (in Time and.. no doubt money!)
experiance gained! In NO way get Fobbed off again!
And it won't hurt to Name Names either...

Dhf · 14 September 2012, 09:43

The company I used to work for would go over everythink with a fine toothed comb..so to...pass what I think is called the Lloyd's A1 cert.
Get your money back, and tell them their taking the proverbial.
All the best

hadd · 14 September 2012, 09:45

[QUOTE="kerny"]It wouldn't happen to be a Seapro would it ??[/QUOTE Sounds like the first Seapro I had , it's all the same problems ( cracks at the transom - drain plug

Starovich · 14 September 2012, 11:23

Yea i know many can do both, but a mechanic, is not required to know about gel coat.

someone is talking bo11ox.

Pikey Dave · 14 September 2012, 13:00

Chinese RIB, sub standard! Who'd have thought it

Get your money back & RUN

lightning · 14 September 2012, 13:19

Are you going to disclose the make of the RIB? I wouldn't want to end up buying one!

chewy · 14 September 2012, 17:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by lightning

Are you going to disclose the make of the RIB? I wouldn't want to end up buying one!

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

Chris Caton · 14 September 2012, 17:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy

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

I don't think the Chinese can be blamed for all of the poor quality ribs out there

Good luck with getting a refund, seems an expensive way of getting experience

rocknrolla · 14 September 2012, 17:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobalong

All,

I have been in an ongoing wrangle with a company regarding a RIB of substandard build. Suffice to say I have since discovered the RIBs are made in China and then imported to the UK where they are sold under a UK brand name with a CE mark. How I wish I had known that before I bought one...

The original hull, purchased new, suffered from 2 problems: water ingress between the hull and deck mouldings due to a badly installed hull drain plug at the rear; then after a few more hours use nasty cracks appeared around the transom knees and bottom inside edge of the transom. The hull and deck mouldings also started to separate at the top of the transom where they join. Needless to say, I returned the hull and, after much delay, the company conceded that the build quality was substandard and that they would replace the hull with a new one.

Having waited over 6 months, the new hull arrived and I went to collect it. On arrival I found water sloshing around between the deck and hull mouldings, due to a poorly installed drain plug, and then was staggered to discover the hull and deck mouldings had not been finished at the transom. There was bare fibreglass at the mould edges with no gelcoat, and there were obvious voids in the compound that joins the hull and deck mouldings together at the top of the transom. At one point you could peer through the gap to see inside the transom! Needless to say, I rejected the new hull as substandard and wrote a very strongly worded letter to the company.

Their response is to assert that the unfinished transom is "normal practice" and that the firbeglass in that location is normally finished as part of the engine installation. I think I am being fobbed off! If anyone who constructs RIB hulls could give an opinion on this it would be much appreciated! Also, what to do next? Get trading standards involved?

They who eva they are snd like a bunch of fkn IDIOTS to me son, get you money back and tell them to FO, is it bonanza they was cowboys good cowboys thogh, if diplomacy fails go down and hit him that hard and fast he thinks he is surrounded then ask for your money back

chewy · 14 September 2012, 17:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Caton

I don't think the Chinese can be blamed for all of the poor quality ribs out there

Good luck with getting a refund, seems an expensive way of getting experience

No but if you avoid em then your limiting the chances of buying a duff.
Would you buy a chinese built RIB?

mick · 14 September 2012, 17:25

I like your tactics Dean

Sent from my soon to be old iPhone using Rib.net

Chris Caton · 14 September 2012, 17:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy

No but if you avoid em then your limiting the chances of buying a duff.
Would you buy a chinese built RIB?

no, I wouldn't buy a Chinese rib, but there are also a few closer to home that need a good looking at before parting with the hard earned dosh

all I was getting at is don't just blame the Chinese for poor quality and service

Chris Caton · 14 September 2012, 17:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocknrolla

They who eva they are snd like a bunch of fkn IDIOTS to me son, get you money back and tell them to FO, is it bonanza they was cowboys good cowboys thogh, if diplomacy fails go down and hit him that hard and fast he thinks he is surrounded then ask for your money back

seems all them years in the diplomatice service wasnt wasted on you Dean

tony t · 14 September 2012, 20:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Caton

seems all them years in the diplomatice service wasnt wasted on you Dean

Nope that's how we deal with robbing fookers here .. Hit them once and hit them hard a it Deano son

Cookee · 15 September 2012, 08:10

I would be interested in the photos of the finish of raw GRP on the transom - often that is where the floor and hull mouldings join and then trimmed but it should be bonded and watertight obviously!

Bobalong · 15 September 2012, 17:56

All,

thanks for your comments, advice, etc. I will post pictures of the problem bits of the boat in due course. As for the make, I don't want to go public at the moment in case I have to take legal action against the company concerned. However, if anyone is contemplating buying a new RIB in the UK that seems to be a bargain price, PM me with the make and I will tell you whether or not it is the make I have had so much trouble with.