New boat XS-750?

Mark Babbe · 10 February 2009, 03:17

I am returning to the UK from Perth and am looking to buy a new Rib. I have previously owned a Tornado 7.5 which was ten years old which was my pride and joy. I always promised myself i would buy new or nearly new next time round to avoid all the little issues you get with an older boat.
I am currently thinking about an XS-750 from Barnet Marine but my judgement may be clouded by my Tornado experience.
What do you recommend? and do i really have to buy new?
Thanks in advance

Ian M · 10 February 2009, 11:44

As an ex XS owner, I think that you will certainly avoid the "little issues" by buying a new XS, I found the standard of workmanship from Barnett Marine to be very good, and Lawrence knows his stuff! Have a search on Ribnet, I remember someone raving about the ride/handling of the XS850, the big brother to the 750. But I thnk that it is fair to say that XS are not covering the prestige end of the market, and all that goes with such a market placement.
If you have the sort of money to be considering a 750 XS, there are quite a few good boats around at the moment, with I suspect many more to come on the market soon, with both the financial climate, and it being the time of year when the market usually wakes up, and thoughts turn to balmy days on the water.
If it was me, I would wait until I can put some time into looking at the UK market, and seeing what is available nearly new. Good luck.

mike-m · 10 February 2009, 11:57

Mark,
Got your e-mail and sent a reply, but it got bounced back? Will try again towards weekend, but am travelling abroad at moment, so limited in my time and details....

I also owned a tornado (5.8m) and really rated it for ride and performance. I looked at a number of options, but before i give any advice, would need to know what you are looking for from your new boat?

I will be using my RIB for rescue/mark laying and instruction as well as family days out. That rules out all the high end leisure RIBs as they are too vulnerable to scuffing and general wear and tear from chains and anchors etc. Also needed a beamy deep vee hull with good bow sheer plus a good internal freeboard - the XS ticked all the boxes. Essentially, I prefer the more traditional working RIB, but you may be in the market for something different?

Laurence is very knowledgeable and helpful - definitely worth a long chat with. Can I also strongly recommend Redbay RIBS (they were the other manufacturer on my short list) and RibCraft. All good guys.

Will e-mail you later

Regds

Mike

Jono · 10 February 2009, 12:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Babbe

I am returning to the UK from Perth .............What do you recommend? .....

Staying in Perth!.....................Hope that helps

K&S · 10 February 2009, 22:46

Hi, if i was in the market for a 7.5m rib the xs would be number 1 on my list.
We have just bought our second xs and have to say were very happy with them both.
I love the bow on the 750 and the extra beam should make for a very comfortable boat IMO

Mark Babbe · 11 February 2009, 03:03

Thanks for your replies,

The boat will be used for island hoping as i live in Guernsey. I want the boat to comfortably reach Jersey, Alderney and France but also be just as suited to a three mile blast to Herm for a pint after work or a spot of Mackeral fishing or an early morning wakeboard.

I like the ruggedness of the XS/tornado ribs and i do not want to be scared to damage the boat when i leave it against the harbour wall or get fish guts everywhere.

I am hoping the boat will be my escape from "The Rock" when i return.

The second hand market seems fairly inflated and you really do not get many 2007 or 2006 boats for less than $25k. Coming from Guernsey we do not pay VAT therefore i should be able to buy brand new for the price of a two year old boat. I assume VAT only paid once on boats?

The other plus is with interest rates so low i am hoping to get a screaming loan rate so may be able to afford more than i otherwise would.

I will single handedly stimulate our economy. Spend, spend, spend is Gordon Browns advice.

Tony · 11 February 2009, 09:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Babbe

Thanks for your replies,

The boat will be used for island hoping as i live in Guernsey. I want the boat to comfortably reach Jersey, Alderney and France but also be just as suited to a three mile blast to Herm for a pint after work or a spot of Mackeral fishing or an early morning wakeboard.

I like the ruggedness of the XS/tornado ribs and i do not want to be scared to damage the boat when i leave it against the harbour wall or get fish guts everywhere.

I am hoping the boat will be my escape from "The Rock" when i return.

The second hand market seems fairly inflated and you really do not get many 2007 or 2006 boats for less than $25k. Coming from Guernsey we do not pay VAT therefore i should be able to buy brand new for the price of a two year old boat. I assume VAT only paid once on boats?

The other plus is with interest rates so low i am hoping to get a screaming loan rate so may be able to afford more than i otherwise would.

I will single handedly stimulate our economy. Spend, spend, spend is Gordon Browns advice.

Hi Mark
There is a couple of large XS ribs in the marina. I've had a look, and they seem really good. A crossover between work and play. I wouldn't recommend anything less than 7-8m for hopping over to Jersey or France ..The price ex Vat looks attractive and for around that figure you may get a 300 verado on it!

Tony (Guernsey)

JIY · 11 February 2009, 17:53

Hi Mark,

I own an XS850 with twin 200hp Mercury Verados, the boat was delivered new in Jan 2008. I have previously owned a 7.5 Tornado (single outboard) and an 8.5 Tornado (inboard diesel).

I am a great fan of Tornado and was very disappointed that they had ceased production in the UK. Laurence Lock (Barnet Marine) offered to demo the XS850 (single 275hp Verado) on the Solent, so I went for a look, expecting a good boat, but not something up to the Tornado standard. Well to cut a long story short, I was blown away by this RIB, the handling was quite superb and the build quality was even better than Tornado. I had no hesitiation in "digging deep" and ordering my own XS850.

I guess we all have allegiance to whatever RIB we own at the time, but believe me when I tell you the XS850 (the same hull as the XS750 and XS950) is a superb boat. I'm still driving 10m Quinquari Humbers and 11m cabin Redbays commercially, but on a rough day I would choose my own boat first every time, which I think says something about the XS.

These are not, in my opinion "Mediterranean" RIBs, they are commercial build boats that will handle the rough stuff (and rough weather) in the UK with ease.

Good luck!

JIm

matt h · 11 February 2009, 18:55

JIY, your set up look awesome!! nice boat,,

Downhilldai · 11 February 2009, 19:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt h

JIY, your set up look awesome!! nice boat,,

Why LHD?

jwalker · 11 February 2009, 19:29

Why not?

Downhilldai · 11 February 2009, 20:04

No reason why not, just curious as to why - it is unorthodox.

JIY · 11 February 2009, 21:02

Why LHD? Well the engines are a contra-rotating pair, so it makes no difference which side the helm is on. I'm in the aviation business, so the helm is on the left to keep my airline captain friends happy!

Heart-trouble · 12 February 2009, 06:20

Smashing boat you got there JIY, i love the xs ribs. i said this in a previous thread and i'll say it again. these boats are so good i would give it ten thumbs up! I did about 4000 hours last year and not one problem!

comfy · 05 May 2009, 21:45

Hi Mark,

Just wondering if he new XS850 that has turned up on k pontoon is your new ride?

If so it looks awesome.

Rob

Heart-trouble · 06 May 2009, 17:01

just reading my last post, i didn't do 4000 hours, i did 4000 miles! still love the boat tho!

Mark Babbe · 07 May 2009, 09:19

My 7.5m XS is going to have to wait for a few months. Still thinking about getting one built but not this year.

In the mean time i have just bought a Prosport 7.5m with a 200hp Yam which is ready to go. All i need is a couple of life jackets.

Prosport ribs have had a bad rap on these forums but this one is perfect to get me on the water this season. It has a really narrow beam so it does chine walk a bit but goes like stink.

On the test run got up to 48 knots and that was in a pretty choppy sea. The owner then found the travel trident wake and i thought we were going to die. The boat handled it all well though.

Plan is to use the prosport this summer then sell at then end of the year and then go see Laurence at Barnet Marine. The Mrs wants to move house this summer so this was a compromise.

thanks for all your replies

Mark