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Random Quote: Fishing keeps us-part of us anyway-boys forever. Geoffery Norman
Anybody take a look or have any experience with this model? I saw at the NYC boat show, it kind of struck my attention. Just went back to the local dealer and they are asking 20K more then what the boat show offered. I realize that that proline is not Grady or Whaler, however, in general how would you guys rate this manufacturer?
This new 32 seems to have some nice features and if I can get the cost down to where I want it I may consider it but not until I do my homework becasue I really don't know much about proline. Thanks.
mumbler - we're on opposite sides tonight! - i like em - if you can buy them right I have several in the neighborhood that we fish with and they have held up well, there was some years that had some hull cracks but none I've seen in recent years. The only thing I don't like about them is the hardware is cheap. The 29 CC is a nice piece....IMO
gers,
the stringers look as if they were made from 1/2 '' plywood with a small strip of wood added along the top edge and then glassed in very sloppy.not level what-so-ever.when i stripped back the top floor glass i found 8''x8'' squares of 1/2'' plywood layed out with 1/4'' gaps in between with glass on top.
it looked like a puzzle.
where they needed to put the pvc pipe for wires,the cut out approx. 8'' deep into the stringer
for about 3 '. then a 1x1'' strip of wood nailed on top of that,no glass
i will get u some pics tommorrow.
this is a 23' cc
jesse
oh yea
3 cracked stringers,rotten floor
gas tank set on 1/2'' plywood glass on top only.(rotten)battery box 1/2'' wood glass on top,rotten
im replacing everything with new wood and biaxle cloth top and bottom.
jess
I have owned two now (a 1997 231 and a 1998 2950). Both have been solid boats for the money. No, they are not top of the liners like a Grady or Whaler but I defineately think you get your moneys worth. From my research of the brand prior to purchasing my boats I found that there were a fair amount of structural problems with their pre FIST constructed boats. (Fiberglass Integrated Structural Technology = FIST is what Pro-Line calls their wood free boats) I think they introduced the FIST construction in 1994 and all their models were woodfree with a few years of that. I really think over the past few years they have really stepped up the quality of their hard ware as well. Pro-line produces a large number of boats compared to most builders so you do hear of some dis-satisfied customers out there (like every company has). However, I from my experience most owners are very satisfied with their boats. To back that up, Pro-line even has been awarded the CSI award for customer satisfaction from NMMA the last three years in a row proving that most owners are more than please with their boats.
As far as the new 32 Express goes, I really dug it from my seeing it at the shows this year. It was really well laid out IMHO. It would make a great family fishing and cruising boat. Like I said, it appears they have really stepped up even the quality of their hardware too. The boat even had a deeper V than most of the PL's of the past. The thing I didnt like was the price tag. Their cost has really jumped. Then again I guess all boats have and compared to its competitors out there I guess it is still considered a fair value.
Most of you guys know I'm not a big fan of Pro-line after my hull cracked up and the way the treated me. However, I will give credit when credit is due. You might remember a guy posted on here about his friends 27 that also had a cracked hull. He happens to be a mutual friend who lives in NJ. The boat in question was a27 foot center console. Pro-Line fixed his boat, by giving him a new boat, and they paid him some sort of compensation. I guess they have some new people in customer service, Not sure, but it sounds like they are now backing their products
So lets see - Proline told us we could trust them before when they built really crappy boats with MAJOR flaws and then basically abandonded their customers when they asked the company to honor their warranty. And now Proline tells us we should STILL trust them because THEY say they've seen the light and are now going to treat their customers right and honor their warranties now ??
What makes their boats SO special that you feel you have to take a KNOWN risk just to have a boat ?? There are MUCH better builders out there who build quality boats for the same price and you can actually TRUST once the sale is over.
Listen to many of the stories found here and elsewhere from people just like you who believed this company and ended up getting a very inferior product and had to fight with this company BIG time to try and get them to honor their warranty. There is a disproportionately large number of people who got bad boats and bad warranty service from ProLine and Donzi. If it happened to them it can happen to you.
BOTTOM LINE: ProLine means NO-Line and Donzi means DONTzi.
I don't think that's fair - I have direct experience with two Donzi's bought brand new - no structural problems and when I had a windshield crack it was replaced no questions asked. I also found they built my second boat with many production changes with no additional charges....my problem was with the "extra" dealer charges , not the product.
You can find as many people here that have had good experience with prolines also...
I am on my second Donzi, and never had quality or repair problems. I run the boats real hard and have been thrilled with them. So much of the problems come when people on the boards get on a bandwagon and run with it, no knowing the real story.
I have several friends with Pro-lines and they all have had no significant problems and enjoy their boats. I have been on these boats several times, and they semm well built and designed. For the most part, any boat you ask about, you will find "bashers".
__________________ 2006 35 Donzi ZF with 300 XS Opti's
So lets see - Proline told us we could trust them before when they built really crappy boats with MAJOR flaws and then basically abandonded their customers when they asked the company to honor their warranty. And now Proline tells us we should STILL trust them because THEY say they've seen the light and are now going to treat their customers right and honor their warranties now ??
What makes their boats SO special that you feel you have to take a KNOWN risk just to have a boat ?? There are MUCH better builders out there who build quality boats for the same price and you can actually TRUST once the sale is over.
Listen to many of the stories found here and elsewhere from people just like you who believed this company and ended up getting a very inferior product and had to fight with this company BIG time to try and get them to honor their warranty. There is a disproportionately large number of people who got bad boats and bad warranty service from ProLine and Donzi. If it happened to them it can happen to you.
BOTTOM LINE: ProLine means NO-Line and Donzi means DONTzi.
I haven't seen any more stories here about Pro-Line problems than with any other brand.
What was your specific problem with your Pro-Line?
Thanks for all the input guys! Bottom line is I am not willing to take any chances when it comes to purchasing a boat upwards of close to 200K. I will stick with the manufactures that I know will stand behind their product both in the past and in the current day. I suppose for smaller models some may be willing to take that risk, with good reason, getting into a newer boat at less than extrodinary costs. Thanks again guys!
take a look at the sea swirl striper 2901. I think it compares favorably against the pro line. And I think the striper is a better looking boat. Just my opinion.
After my experience with a 2000 30'walk,I will never look at a Proline again.It had 225optis,that both blew,but that's not the story.The boat rode horrible ,pounded the daylights out of you in a small chop,and was the wettest boat I know of.At $120000(for the 30') there are far better boats than Proline.
The new Proline 32 Express 
