Humber Or XS

[phil richards]

If you were to purchase new, what would be the best buy a 5.3 Humber 0r a 5.4 xs. It would be very helpfull to me to make a decision. Is it allways best to get the manufactures to fit it out or go to an independant engine supplier?. Onboard tanks or external ones?.
Cheers

[ashbypower]

Phil you have a PM

[willk]

Originally Posted by phil richards

5.3 Humber 0r a 5.4 xs.

Which model Humber? Not the Assault. XS are not hypalon tubes IIRC.

Tanks depend on how far you want to go in a day. If you're not cruising, portable tanks have a lot going for them. Cheap, simple, easily filled, won't cost the earth if one fails, no electronics, etc etc.

I always liked the divers three thirds rule but for tanks - One out, one back, one spare.

[phil richards]

It was.....was the Destroyer. That makes sence rethe tanks thankyou. You will see from previous threads i have asked many questions, some twice! but I think i am getting near making a decision.Phil

[bosun]

Humber for me
Hypalon tubes,built like a brick outhouse,British made,a helpful friendly company who support ribnet and will do you a good deal.
(no I don't work for them but I have bought three)

[mike-m]

Just to redress the balance a little, I have owned a Tornado 5.8 and now an XS 750, both with PU tubes.... and, shock horror, have had no issues with either of them! I have also owned a 5.4m Searider and run a rescue fleet with both types of tubes, so have experience of both types of material.

Humbers are fine boats, but the ones I see do tend to look a little, well..."rougher" than the equivalent XS or Tornado of a similar age? Perhaps they are getting harder use or their owners are less fussy - I don't know, but just my observations. (Thinks... Oh Gawd, now you've gone and done it...!)

Now, as I hunker down in my tin hat, all I am trying to say is don't be put off by PU tubes - they are fine in my experience. Test drive the boats, check the layouts and see what suits you best.... PM me if you want anymore info.

Regards

Mike

[gotchiguy]

Originally Posted by mike-m

I have owned a Tornado 5.8 and now an XS 750, both with PU tubes.... and, shock horror, have had no issues with either of them!

PU is theoretically material of a greater standard, is it not? The only issue with it is that repairs (although less frequent than Hypalon) are more difficult to effect.

[Starovich]

I have owned both too, PU tubes from my experience dont seem to have the longevity of hypalon, not due to the material, but due to the glue, i have seen quite a few tornado s with replaced tubes due to failing seams (mine for one), but that is after 15-20 years. I have seen less Humber's of similar age with replaced tubes.

Would be interesting to hear from the tube guys, as to which tubes they replace most, including all makes?

[Doug Stormforce]

As with all tubes there are different grades, never had a problem with Tornado or Xs pv tubes in fact I've found them harder wearing than the hypalon tubes I've had.

I've never understood why so many people on this forum rate hypolon as better. Certainly you don't see the old tornado or Xs owners complaining on here about their tubes. Our boats work a couple of hundred days a year and the tubes that have survived best have been on the tornado and XS.

[Starovich]

ahh but your boats are not 15- 20 years old I would think.

I don't not rate the material as i have said. its the glue/construction that seems to be the issue. The tubes that came off mine had no wear related leaks but fix one seam and it went 10 cm further down.

This of course may well only be true for older boats, as with all things methods & materials change over time and it would not surprise me if newish boats would little or no difference between them. Like with all thisns there will be supporters in both camps.