RIB Int -Editorial and Reviews

[Phil]

Interesting link between Hugo's comments about reviewing equipment /advertisers in his editorial and then his review of the Tornado (mentioned in the threadd below)

In line with his thinking his comments on the Tornado were not in themselves sensationalist or headlined but what a sting in the tail.

I can't recall such a potential damaging comment in any other reviews particuarly as it was almost "hidden" at the end of the article.

I had to read it two or three times to think about what it really meant and what was not said

[swginn]

What exactly were the comments made about the Tornado?? Can't get the magazine over here?

Is it a review of the same Tornado 8.5/ Verado 250 that HMS was using here:
http://www.rib.net/forum/showthread.php?t=9519

[mike]

oxens wedding tackle.
What I should have said was that having used a similar product I have found it to be fault free through 350 hours of hard useage this year. Exhibiting no faults/tendancies at all other than rear spray occasionally.Still I suppose its just an opinion.

[Phil]

I'll quote from the article tomorrow

It was the comment on the hull flexing which I thought was scary

[Lawrence]

At the end of a very favourable review in which HMS states "I have not known a better 8.5m sea boat" HMS says that he has concerns over the hulls construction and its longevity due to the amount of flexing in the hull when driven hard (45mph) into head seas (force5/6).

It seems to me HMS was being consistent with his Foreword in which he states that when "a manufacturing shortcoming" or a "failing in ... design" comes to his attention his first duty is to his readers and is neither "sensationalising" or "tearing down" but just "telling it straight".

If, during a boat test, he becomes aware of problems he obviously has to report them. As a reader of Rib International I rely on their reviews of kit to help me make purchasing decisions and I wish to be fully informed.

Having said that though it isn't what you want to hear if you are the builder or an owner.

[Jono Garton]

Originally Posted by Lawrence

As a reader of Rib International I rely on their reviews of kit to help me make purchasing decisions and I wish to be fully informed.

Me To

[wavelength]

Haven't read it so can't comment BUT the usual criticism of magazine boat reviews on here and elsewhere is that they are virtually useless as publishers wont print anything detrimental as they might lose an advertiser or are afraid of some legal action against them, consequently boat tests end up as advertorials. So perhaps HMS has more b**** than he is credited with. When I read one of the first ever issues he reviewed kit they had used on some boat or another and it was refreshingly honest about the shortcomings of some of it on a rib. In particular a certain fluxgate compass that managed to read 180 degrees out on random occasions.

[hard1]

Good point. Can you imagine what Top Gear would have turned out like if it had been broadcast by ITV?

[Cookee]

All of the above is why manufacturers have demonstrators - so that buyers can compare boats in real life - any magazine review (and both of ours have been good) should be taken with a pinch of salt - good or bad.

[Lawrence]

Its interesting to read reviewers (hopefully) informed opinions of boats, plotters, VHF etc and of course it would be foolish not to check things out for yourself. However it would be very difficult in a short demonstration run to get the amount of experience of a boat that HMS has had with Tornado 1 in the course of a whole season.

So, when HMS says its a great boat but could do with a bit of longitudinal stiffening, based on his experiences with her, that seems to me to be fair comment.