I Bought a Boat on AliBaba - 2 Year Review

[@TR4zest]

I remember your excellent initial video, and this is a really useful, honest update. Your boat has indeed proven to be a bargain.

[@netnegryy]

I want a bargain haha do they sell to US?

[@Scubadan897]

Love to see some videos of this in action! Thanks.

[@artbobik3516]

have a prop shop put a double cup in the prop and it will stop any slipping or cavitation - I bought a 22-footer in mid 80's with two 15-inch motors on a 20-inch transom set wide - it took three trips to the shop to find the correct pitch - the second cup is the same as adding 1 pitch to the prop - you can move a prop back or forward two pitch's without hurting it and it is a lot cheaper than buying new ones - this was with Aluminum but you can do it with Stainless Steel as well -

[@idreamofdinghy]

Such a comprehensive breakdown dude, thanks for sharing!

[@massimoneri4669]

Thank you for your video,I will try to buy one this spring

[@bauconsult01]

Many thanks, will try next spring!

[@bobbuilder5362]

Try a different prop, often cavitation problems are prop related.

[@Gabrielb1]

Love ur videos hope u will post more type of vlogs and adventures. But i wonder so much would u prefer s motor with a long or XL shaft?

[@boatman9564]

I actually think a long shaft would do much better on this boat, and I’ve investigated an extension plate and new driveshaft for my engine but not economical. A 20 inch shaft is ok though, just not perfect.

[@mdfarhadhussain]

Could you please post more video with this boat showing how it handles waves...etc...

[@boatman9564]

Will do. My next video will be a summary of our trip around the Isle of Wight in choppy weather.

[@mikeruhland6928]

A 50mm ball as used in the EU is not the same as 1 7/8" or 2" used in the US. Don't interchange them.

[@kodachi619]

That being said, both Standard and Metric are available in England!

[@corkym6662]

The number plate and lights need to be on a lighting board at the stern.

[@searchingforsea]

Great review! Any comment on hypalon v. PVC longevity? I've found my PVC 360 cm from the same company a bit thin for fishing and have had to patch it a couple of times in only 6 months.

[@boatman9564]

I’ve got the PVC too so can’t comment on their Hypalon option. I’ve not had any holes yet, but I haven’t used for fishing. I actually have a second new boat on the way from the same manufacturer. A SIB this time, 3.3M. Full review to come…

[@searchingforsea]

Awesome, looking forward to your review!@@boatman9564

[@bauconsult01]

Hi, thanks for your helpful videos! I bought more or less the same boat this year and your previous videos helped a lot for my decision to decide for the 480 from Alibaba. We already used it in different condirions in the Adriatic sea. This boat is great value for the money and my experiences are quite the same. Teak floor is fantastic! However I wonder how you prevent water geting into the cockpit via the outflow tubes under the rear seat when there are more than two people on board. Any advices are very much apreciated. Kind regards from Austria

[@massimoneri4669]

Can you post the name of the producer or a link? thank you

[@boatman9564]

Sure, just added to the description

[@boatman9564]

Glad that you too have had a good experience with these boats. Yes my cockpit floods too when stationary or at very low speeds. I had considered fitting valves to the drain tubes, but as a temporary measure just used bungs in the drain holes in these situations. This temporary solution has become a permanent one now though and is working fine.

[@massimoneri4669]

Hello Boatman I got your information about the producer in the description,that is Qingdao yacht industry & trade but when I enquired I received a mail from Shadong Rebo boat co ltd is the same producer,organization?,I dont want to be scammed

[@boatman9564]

@massimoneri4669 I’ve dropped the manufacturer a message and they’ve confirmed that they have two outlets on AliBaba and this is one of them. So this is the same manufacturer, the person I dealt with there is called Claire Claire, she’s very helpful.

[@jamessunjaya21]

Is it just two air compartments in the pontoons (I.e. one left and one right) or are they divided into more compartments?

[@boatman9564]

3 compartments. The bow compartment with a safety valve.

[@marszbrowse2894]

Ise a jack plate for your spraying problem

[@stan9636]

What was the total cost delivered to the UK ?

[@janettemcdougall8499]

What was the total cost of you're boat delivered?

[@Michael239-h7u]

$400 usd

[@nuckfugget3415]

@@Michael239-h7u $421 usd with teak

[@neilw5198]

I would love a smaller one of these as a tender for my yacht, in Australia we need a HIN and ABP(hull identification number) (Australian builders plate) to register it, did you have any problems registering it or insuring it...thanks.

[@Senates]

would love some videos of it in the ocean in swell etc

[@pat4599]

Nice boat mate ....could use a wash / detail though ...

[@fermapandele]

Evening mate, nice meeting you in London yesterday. Hope u got home safe, looking to get an auxiliary outboard, what would u recommend for the boat? Tia

[@boatman9564]

Hi mate, yes good to meet you on Saturday and hear about your new RIB. Auxiliary outboards are tricky on my transom design at least because of the shape, there’s not much room so I’m not aware of an outboard that will fit properly. There’s not really room to fit an auxiliary bracket either. I have 2 aux outboards, and Honda BF2.3 and a brand new Suzuki DF2.5. The Honda is great because it’s air cooled (low maintenance and no worries if you run into mud) but it basically doesn’t fit on the transom. Suzuki DF2.5 just about fits, but the range of steering is very limited. Probably just about good enough to get you out of travel, so that’s the one I carry onboard. Maybe I’ll make a video on the topic at some point.

[@fermapandele]

​@boatman9564 super tanks for replying, I'm thinking of getting a new one as well , so the suzuki 2.5 hp is good enough, right?

[@boatman9564]

Yes I reckon so, just enough to get you out of trouble although I’ve never actually used it at sea (luckily). I definitely wouldn’t get anything bigger to fit my boat. I reckon it might be worth waiting for the boat to arrive though, as if your transom is slightly different then you might be able to get an outboard bracket, then you may have other options.

[@TheNiksu]

Is that whit CE-mark?

[@reempire888]

Thanks for posting a 2 yr follow up video. Questions I have for you. In your opinion, how's the craftsmanship of the boat, quality of the seams, paint, etc? Lastly, are you confident this boat is capable of rough water? TiA.

[@boatman9564]

Absolutely. We’ve taken it on several offshore expeditions totalling 400 hours in fairly cruel conditions and it’s performed very well. I need to get some footage up of what we’ve done. I’m working on it and hope to have it up soon.

[@SoccerCenla]

Can you send me information on where to order the boat you have? I really like it. I want make sure I get the same model.

[@boatman9564]

Yes no probs. You might as well message Claire Claire directly on Whatzapp then she can send you a quote through AliBaba. Her number is [phone]

[@SoccerCenla]

Thank you

[@drben3]

Hi, i maid the step to also going to buy one for Belgium diving uses. 😇 Thanks to you

[@boatman9564]

Congratulations, you won’t regret it!

[@Clan501-Scotland]

What was the exact cost of buying this boat delivered to the UK? How much did you pay in total? Ive watched all the videos and checked all the comments and you havent mentioned it once. Very strange.

[@boatman9564]

The boat was about $2000, plus extras import costs.

[@Clan501-Scotland]

​@@boatman9564 Holy shit 🤯

[@cobbs]

Do you mind providing the total length from the back of the motor to the tow hitch? I want to see if it'll fit inside my garage. thank you.

[@boatman9564]

Yes no problem. 5.2m overall on the trailer. Fits in my standard UK double garage on one side

[@cobbs]

@@boatman9564 I think I might have a foot to spare, lol. Thanks!

[@boatman9564]

@@cobbs same as me!

[@mstawarz08]

Thanks for the info! Any pricing information?

[@boatman9564]

About $2k, highly recommend it!

[@freddenystrom453]

Where did you buy your enginge cover?

[@boatman9564]

I got it from Outboard Covers Australia. They sell worldwide and are the Suzuki recommended product

[@JCNY718]

Show as the boat in the water!

[@edwardmeeks1706]

Jimmy Carr does boating reviews

[@kodachi619]

I guess it didn't occur, that there's a nut you tighten on the hitch, accessible from underneath, to fit it to your ball. Every new trailer requires that, and every trailer you own, requires you to do that periodically; [some Blue Loctite isn't a bad idea, nor is a little grease on the ball]. Installing a new hitch, well, it coincidentally worked because the nut was set in the right ballpark, whilst the China one wasn't. That being said, the new hitch is of much higher quality, and one category above the original, but seriously overrated for the load and weight of the rig. The boat owner doesn't exactly look, nor sound, mechanically inclined in that sense. [Every American watching this, rolled their eyes during that part of the video]. Since we're on the subject, the hinges on the cubbies look incredibly flimsy, and there was no mention of it. Lastly, it would have probably been a cheaper option to buy the BOAT ONLY, and then get a trailer locally. The hundreds of dollars you save on that [shipping, dock fee, container fee, rented truck, new hitch, new electrics, etc] would have more than paid for a new or used trailer. For example, in the U.S., there's a folding trailer from Northern Tool & Supply for "cheaper than dirt". And, in many places, imported trailers require an inspection by Law Enforcement, and then another one by an Inspection Station, just to be able to register it. Not so if you buy it local. HUGE MISTAKE ON THE TRAILER! Other than that, I hope Nigel enjoys his boat in good health.

[@fermapandele]

Hiya, our boat is complete now, Claire been absolutely amazing, final photos been sent. Ready for delivery! So exiting i am! Can you please let me know what exactly you did , before arrival? They will contact you when is ready for collection at Felixtowe? Do i need to contact anyone before arrival? I already hired someone with a flat lorry. Tnks

[@boatman9564]

Congratulations! Yes the shipping agent will normally contact you when the ship is around a week from arrival, with an invoice for import. No doubt you’ll be following the ship carrying your boat on MarineTraffic so you’ll know when it’s near!

[@fermapandele]

Hello, first of all big thank you for your videos. I’ve just paid 30% deposit . I went for hypalon with aluminium hull but same setup. Claire is very helpful! I leave in Essex, so plenty places to take out. If i can please have your number if you don’t mind, i would like to ask some delivery questions . Tnks again

[@boatman9564]

Great, you won’t regret it. If you could give me your email I’ll send you my number

[@fermapandele]

Tnks

[@JS-bb3km]

Permission to come aboard Captain🫡 Great vid

[@rossr100]

There are the towballs the entire planet uses... And then there is the UK towball. Go figure.

[@OldHumbleDistillingCompany]

Jesus christ... Is your microphone down the street?

[@flamintasty]

What a turd 🙄

[@happymaui]

Wobbly

[@happymaui]

Gobley

[@happymaui]

Super fantastic