Tornado 5.6 or a XS rib 600??

[Resque]

Hi guys,

I'm considering buying a new rib... I like driving Tornado boats, but how are the compared to the XS ribs?

I know Tornado boats are made in China nowadays, is there anyone who has bought a new chinees made tornado? Maybe a 5.6? How do they handle?

Are the people here owning a XS rib 600?

I would like to use the new rib for diving, wakeboarding and cruizing.

Thank you!

[Doug Stormforce]

Xs

[Ian M]

Not heard a lot about the chinese built Tornados, but early reports were not good. XS are good, and if the choice is a 5.6 Tornado, or a 6m XS, it would be a no brainer for me - go for the extra length (and better sea keeping, space etc.)

[ashbypower]

For me it's a one horse race.. XS all the way! Made in UK!!

[Resque]

Hi guys,

Thank you for your comments, i'm wondering what was not good at the Tornado ribs?

Originally Posted by Ian M

Not heard a lot about the chinese built Tornados, but early reports were not good. XS are good, and if the choice is a 5.6 Tornado, or a 6m XS, it would be a no brainer for me - go for the extra length (and better sea keeping, space etc.)

Ian, and what if you compare a Tornado 6.0 and a XS 6m? Are both hulls the same?

[BogMonster]

Is there any reason for limiting it to those two?

I am in the same process (have a look at recent threads) and my shortlist was Humber Destroyer, Ribcraft 5.85 and Osprey Vipermax 5.8.

If I can come up with the extra cash the Osprey is in the lead for 'gotta have one' factor but costwise the Humber is a clear couple of grand cheaper (new pricing structure just come in), Ribcraft and Osprey prices are pretty similar and both competitive.

[Doug Stormforce]

Originally Posted by BogMonster

Is there any reason for limiting it to those two?

Yes, they are the better than the rest?

[Ian M]

Originally Posted by Resque

Hi guys,

Thank you for your comments, i'm wondering what was not good at the Tornado ribs?

Ian, and what if you compare a Tornado 6.0 and a XS 6m? Are both hulls the same?

I heard of poor finishing within the Tornado, but it was an early Chinese one.
I cannot comment on Tornado 6.0 vs XS 6m. I have only ever driven the XS 6m, which I was quite happy with, it tracked true, with no discernable side slip in the turn, and a decent ride. When talking to Lawrence Lock about a 6.5 metre he was adamant that there was more internal space on the XS, and at the time he was marketing both marques. Hope that helps.

[eilean mor]

I haven't posted for a while, but cant resist the bite here -

you've got to be joking Doug - 'that they are better than the rest' - you obviously are not 'using' the range - and some people will take what you say as useful - cos usually what you post is very useful -

however - what you say there is just bonkers

I've got to leave it there and go and lie down and laugh

[Doug Stormforce]

OK, so everyone has their favorite RIBs and there is always going to be a certain amount of personal preference. If you research these boats on the forum both I and many others have posted about both several times before. I don't recall reading anyone who was upset with either brand

I've owned a Tornado and at the centre I used to run I bought/had 4 more of them. I have also owned/managed/run several other brands of RIBs at some time or other (inc. Atlantic, Avon, Ribtec, Valiant, Leeway, Ocean, Humber, Ribeye, Porters, BWM). My opinions on these RIBs are not simply based on having driven them they are based on working them hard and having to maintain them. My favorite boats of the whole lot were the Tornados. The reasons being

• Good build quality
• never had to worry about warrenty issues as nothing went wrong
• lower mainteance then any other boats i have had
• excellent service from the seller
• Very seaworthy boats
• look quite good
• top of the range parts and materials
• dry boat
• very manoverable at speed
• easy to plane
• good close quarter handling
• comfortable ride
• hold their value
  etc etc etc

Now all of the Tornados I have had experience of were built in the UK but I understand the hull design etc has remained the same. We don't however know much about the new builder, so cant really comment.

XS in the mean time were very influenced by the Tornado and live up to many of the same expectations. They are sold through Barnett marine who have proved their worth with 20 years worth of Tornados. These boats handle what we throw at them and the ones I have used have not let me down (more than can be said for most brands I have come across).

While I can't put down the newer builder of the Tornados (as I a have no experience of them) there is a question as to the quality (in that it has not been proven) so my vote goes to XS. This does not however mean there is anything wrong with a new Tornado, I just don't know.