tornado or lencraft?

marios · 19 May 2005, 19:19

i am thinking to buy an 8.5m rib and i have in mind the tornados and lencrafts because of price and that i can get it only tubes and hull....
any one has opinion on these boats or any other sujjestions?

Daniel · 19 May 2005, 21:14

I would have thought most people will sell you tubes and hull only - certianly they will in the UK. What other manufacturers are available to you?

Tornado are a well respected manufacturer here in the UK, propbabily not the best but dependable quality. They benefit from a good sales outlet here (Barnet Marine) - worth getting some first hand comments from people who have bought a Tornado from the outlet you are considering i would suggest. Their tubes are not made from Hypalon like most, which has various advantages and disadvantages. This has been discussed extensively on RIBnet previously.

I have no experience of Lencraft.

swginn · 19 May 2005, 22:59

Have plenty of experience of Tornados and Lencrafts, not as big as the 8.5m versions, but have driven plenty of 6-7m models.

To put it simply, I would choose Tornado hands down. Much better quality, better hulls and a soft dry ride. Build quality is exceptional and they are finished to a very high standard. PU tubes won't fade, scratch or wear as much as hypalon either although some say they can be harder to repair??

The Lencrafts by comparison are slow, heavy, wet and can give a hard ride. I know somebody who will be changing his Lencraft next year for a Tornado if you want it, but trust me you'll regret it!!

Go for the Tornado definitely ahead of the Lencraft!! Alternatively: Redbay, Osprey, Excalibur, Humber and I hear that XS-Ribs will be expanding their range to include 6.8, 7.4, 8, 8.5 and 9m models this Winter!!

JIY · 20 May 2005, 09:25

I've no experience of Lencraft, but I have had my 8.5m Tornado for over 2 years and I'm absolutely delighted with it. As previous posters have mentioned, it's a dry boat and eats big seas! The PU tubes still look new and the build quality is excellent.

Laurence Lock of Barnet Marine (see many previous threads) is highly attentive and has offered me much useful advice.

I have no hesitation in recommending a Tornado, I'm sure you would not be disappointed.

Daniel · 20 May 2005, 09:28

FYI marios is in Cyprus, what do we know about the Tornado dealership out there? Can you provide a little more information as to how you will be getting this boat and what the alternatives are?

RIB BOI · 20 May 2005, 15:15

I no its not the right make but i have see a few and thay look very good.

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F64831/ Dont no about this one but 4 that money its ok.

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/MRL051/ look good to me

RIB BOI

Tims Osprey · 20 May 2005, 16:58

go for tornado nice hull design and soft ride in lumpy seas even there smaller boats fair well, I had a 4.6 tornado and it felt better at sea than a 5m humber.

gavin · 20 May 2005, 20:44

Initally I felt Lencraft were great ribs, we have a few over here, some poorly fitted out, not such good quality finish, I know of a pretty recent one with hull blisters now, Tornado are serious boats, it would be my preference, that is if there wernt Redbays, but if you are considering a Tornado, it would be rude not to check out Redbay, cheers Gavin

mike · 21 May 2005, 06:05

Tornado.
4 reasons.

1. tubes better than hypolon for your area of use
2. the build very good quality and if you do get a query always sorted
3. Serious hull .we have used ours with clients in rough seas and the only thing that was complained about was that their faces hurt after smiling so much.
4. resale a used tornado will always sell,lencraft just are not in the same league in peoples minds and that affects buying confidence.

I am basing my lencraft comments on the two that come here, they look and feel less of a boat.

Ezgoing · 23 May 2005, 22:21

Lencraft = fiat

Tornado / Redbay = Mercedes/ BMW.

Do you drive a real car ?

Petrov · 24 August 2005, 21:34

Osprey = SUV

pepelepue · 11 February 2006, 12:04

If your choosing between a Lencraft or a Tornado, keep this in mind. I know several people with tornado boats, which had to be Re-tubed by Lencraft. Doesn't say much for a RIB manufacture that needs its tubes replaced every few years. I myself have a Lencraft 7.5 Intruder, my friend had a tornado, both boats were examined, compared and contested as best friends would do to each others boats. Lets just say he's ordered a Lencraft after nothing both grief from his Tornado. The hull and build quality is second to none, and I know the Irish Army, Inland waterways and other Government agencies, Dive clubs, and search and rescuce organisations would agree. Lencraft is a custom built and hand crafted, Tornado is mass produced. You figure it out. And anyone who disagrees doesn't know much about boats!

xpertski · 11 February 2006, 17:16

Humber = Land rover defender (tough as old boots)

donutsina911 · 11 February 2006, 17:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ezgoing

Lencraft = fiat

Tornado / Redbay = Mercedes/ BMW.

Do you drive a real car ?

are you taking the piss?

donutsina911 · 11 February 2006, 17:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by pepelepue

And anyone who disagrees doesn't know much about boats!

modest as well as the font of all knowledge then.

Swifty · 11 February 2006, 18:39

Searider (with its flooding hull) = Land Rover Discovery with its flooding sunroof

Manos · 11 February 2006, 19:52

Marie .... IMHO your best bet is to get either a Greek or Italian made boat

Tornado had a test in Thalassa mag ... have a look at it .... if you can't find it I can scan and post here .... The boat was also in the Greek RIB X and as far as I know didn't sell ... main reasons amongst others .... not a lot of storage space on the boat, not a splash well, not made for the med and the way RIBs are made for this part of the World etc.

The other one you say .... never heard of it ............