Brig/XS RIBS

Midger · 08 September 2011, 15:49

Afternoon All,
Currently have a Zodiac Pro 9 with an Evinrude e tec 60. Been a great RIB for the last 3 years but kids are getting bigger and I reckon I need another metre or so. To avoid paying 20 grand plus I have been looking at Brig and XS RIBS.

Brig (made in the Ukraine) seem to have a fairly good name esp in Australia where they are apparently out selling Zodiac, they also had a good review in RIB magazine last month having had a shocker 12 months ago when the hull was allegedly full of water !!

XS I know nothing of but seem to be very competitively priced.

Any comments on these two would be much appreciated, going to visit both stands at the boatshow next week so a heads up before then would be great.

Any other suggestions would also be very helpful.

Thanks All,
Midger

Poly · 09 September 2011, 00:21

XS are supplied by Barnet Marine. I believe they are UK built. They bear a lot of resemblance to tornado's (Barnet having previously supplied tornado's). Don't think I've ever heard a bad word about one from an owner. The only criticism you might hear is the tubes are Polyurethane (not to be confused with inferior PVC) rather than the more popular Hypalon. Those I have seen have all been very nice. Not driven one, but the tornado's I have driven handled well.

Can't comment on Brig as I don't recall ever seeing one in the flesh; but if I were constrained to picking between those two, that wouldn't change! Although there is nothing more than gut feel to base that on.

CoachRib · 09 September 2011, 05:27

XS now has Hypalon as a cost free option if you prefer that. Laurence at XS is firm on that PU is better though so I went for that on the XS 530 i just ordered.

Cookee · 09 September 2011, 08:30

My neighbour brings the Brigs in from the Ukraine and I have to say they are nice looking boats - go to the Southampton show, he's got some on display there. They have a lot of nice touches to them and the black tubes ones look great!