Tornado 5.6 or a XS rib 600??

Resque · 21 March 2010, 13:39

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 · 21 March 2010, 17:47

Ian M · 21 March 2010, 19:53

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 · 21 March 2010, 20:40

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

Resque · 24 March 2010, 09:19

Hi guys,

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

Quote:

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 · 24 March 2010, 09:45

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 · 24 March 2010, 12:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by BogMonster

Is there any reason for limiting it to those two?

Yes, they are the better than the rest?

Ian M · 24 March 2010, 23:15

Quote:

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 · 24 March 2010, 23:33

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 · 25 March 2010, 00:18

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.

eilean mor · 25 March 2010, 08:10

chewy · 25 March 2010, 08:49

Saw a late Tornado last year and it looked good, I never used the boat but first impressions were good.

Do you not fancy something with hypalon tubes?

Endeavour · 25 March 2010, 18:30

I come across this on the net. Are these the new builders of the Tornado??

http://www.lingbo-marine.com/en/prod...ail.asp?id=211

Downhilldai · 26 March 2010, 00:35

On a separate note, who builds the XS?

chewy · 26 March 2010, 07:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

On a separate note, who builds the XS?

Someone over near hull ain't it?

Resque · 04 April 2010, 12:57

Hi guys,

Thanks for your replies, i think i'm going to talk to the XS dealer here in the Netherlands.

The Tornados are nice but as Doug Stormface said, the XS ribs has more deckspace. And if the XS ribs drive as well or better as the Tornado ribs i go for a XS rib and dont take any risk of buying (maybe) a bad chinese build tornado rib.

Are there people here who own a XS 600 or the bigger XS650??? Can they tell me their experience with the XS ribs?

OceansportsAndy · 05 April 2010, 10:11

PM sent

Jizm · 06 April 2010, 05:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Endeavour

I come across this on the net. Are these the new builders of the Tornado??

http://www.lingbo-marine.com/en/prod...ail.asp?id=211

Certainly looks that way...

mark-f · 07 April 2010, 10:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Resque

Hi guys,

Thanks for your replies, i think i'm going to talk to the XS dealer here in the Netherlands.

The Tornados are nice but as Doug Stormface said, the XS ribs has more deckspace. And if the XS ribs drive as well or better as the Tornado ribs i go for a XS rib and dont take any risk of buying (maybe) a bad chinese build tornado rib.

Are there people here who own a XS 600 or the bigger XS650??? Can they tell me their experience with the XS ribs?

I have owned a XS600 for 4 years now and have thrown a lot at it and it has taken it all, the extra space is really usefull and for its size I have not driven a more sure footed RIb, like Doug I have owned and driven most of the usual suspects but this is the first RIB I have owned that if I had to replace it tommorow I would buy another one of the same type and size. the service from Barnet Marine has also been excellent, one point that has not been made on this thread re links between XS and tornado is according to the Barnet Marine Web site

""XS is a consortium of former Tornado staff headed up by Laurence Lock of Barnet Marine, We must emphasise that the XS range were all designed from scratch but obviously the style and apperance of the craft reflect the pedigeee of all the staff. The exstensive XS factory is "up north" but at this time we are not opening it to the public. This young company has approached the Rib market with the experience of 20 years in the field but the mind set of constant development "

regards

Mark

Jizm · 07 April 2010, 13:10

My 2p worth.

If the build quality of a chinese RIB is anything like that of a chinese motorbike or scooter then I wouldn't touch it....