Seen these?

[CJL]

Try;

http://www.boat-finder.net/17858/info.php

Cheaper than a Tornado but same nice dry ride I assume.

Anyone had a go in one? What the flatter hull like?

Shame about the Poly tubes. Perhaps they should offer them in Hypalon and Poly?

Chris

[swginn]

I've got an X-600 on order with a Merc Opti 135 on the back, due end of May.

On the contrary, aside from the console and A-frame these boats have nothing to do with Tornado. They are built by a UK manufacturer who are expanding into the budget market. However they are remaining hidden at the moment until 2005 when their will be a full european launch of the ribs. The reason for this is that they already make larger more expensive ribs and a launch now may stir up some tension.

This manufacturer, no doubt has definitely taken a cue from Tornado with the A-frame and main console but that is where the similarities end.

As regards the ride with the flatter hull, I think you will find that the hull of the X-Rib is actually deeper towards the rear. I've compared measurements with my friends, Voyager 585. The hull on the X-600 and X-650 is very similar to that of the larger Tornados, the 645 and 695 with a newer triple spray rail design. The tornado 585s still have the old 2 rail design.

Funny thing about the polyurethane tubes, people either love them or hate them. Be sure that you're not mixed up with PVC tubes which are the type that crack in the sun, etc. See this link

http://www.wing.com/polyurethane.html

Read the bit in the Naval report at the end.

I know this has also been discussed before and PU tubes have been mistaken for PVC tubes which are in fact more closer to Hypalon than PU.

My boat should look like this, but with grey glass and a Opti 135.

Great boat for the price!! Package deal even better!

[jools]

Hmmm...... Doesn't look far off the price of my Ribcraft...

Look at the extras you have to add to the "package price"

Based on my Ribcraft 5.85m Mercury 90HP 4 stoke I get the following


£14990 - X-600 Value package
£1995 - Seat config
£595 - Fuel tank
£695 - A frame
£150 - nav lights
£395 - Windscreen
£125 - Bildge pump
£75 - Fire Extinguisher
£150 - Pressure valves
£95 - paddles


Total = 19,165

So - lots of things to add to the "package price" - then add your electronics!!

worth looking around still I'd say!

Jools

[swginn]

..........by the prices on the website.

The boat I have on order includes all the options you have detailed above but it has an additional:

Optimax Saltwater 135 instead of the 90 four
Full boat cover
Snipe trailer
Hydraulic Steering (x-deluxe package)
Under deck loom (x-deluxe package)


£17,500 total package price

We did do the deal at the LBS, but i'm sure you will still get a good package price from Laurence at Barnet Marine.

Had a look at Ribcraft as well when buying, lovely boats, didn't suit the budget though as I wanted an opti 135 as well.

Perhaps I'm being a bit enthusiastic, but when you compare the price to that of boats in Ireland they represent great value. Will always buy abroad from now on, even with the crappy exchange rate!!!

[simmons0]

Thats a pretty standard price for a 6m.

Humber, Prosport and Solent ribs will all offer you the same package for around that price. Humber very cheap untill you start adding extras. Solent are around the same price at that, 17k ish.