XS or Destroyer

[BassBoy]

Orca hypalon is French is it not? We're all dooooooomed!

[Pablo]

You wouldn't believe it but it cost my friend less to have his Tornado shipped back to the UK to have it retubed by Henshaw than to have it retubed at the Orca factory in France. Something wrong there me thinks.

[alystra]

Originally Posted by Polwart

mmm... not what I remember taking away from SL's numerous posts on his tubes. I am sure in his opinion it was poor design/construction of the tubes (and an unreinforced joint in a high wear/fatigue position) rather than the material itself. Or at least that was the message I got.

But if all French material is crap, then so in effect are virtually all ribs.

I can't remember ever letting the facts get in the way of a good story.

I still think that something unusual happened to Stephen's tubes in a life before he owned his boat. There are loads of RIBnetters with Humbers. AFAIK, no one else has had similar problems. I'm not convinced it's a design fault. Certainly there's no indication of failure on mine, and it's almost the same age as Stephen's.

Of course, if there was a problem during manufacture of the material, do you really think the French would throw the batch away when there was an Englishman to flog it to? Remember the stuff they used to sell us and call wine? Wasn't until the Chileans reminded us what real Cabernet Sauvignon should taste like that they sent us some half decent stuff.

Bruce is right about the Auld Enemy. That's why there are so many Yorkshire people here on the west coast, we empathise. The French never forget their Old Enemy either.

Mind you, there's a good few Mam'selles I could ravish - or perhaps just dream about ravishing these days. See, I'm not completely anti French.

Are XS RIB's made in France?

[Poly]

Originally Posted by alystra

I still think that something unusual happened to Stephen's tubes in a life before he owned his boat. There are loads of RIBnetters with Humbers. AFAIK, no one else has had similar problems. I'm not convinced it's a design fault. Certainly there's no indication of failure on mine, and it's almost the same age as Stephen's.

absolutely. And it would be unfair to suggest that there is a fundamental flaw in the design since clearly there are a lot of humbers (and probably other boats) around with tubes/joints of that style - that have no problem. Although there may be better joint designs which would be less prone to failure in this way.

Of course, if there was a problem during manufacture of the material, do you really think the French would throw the batch away when there was an Englishman to flog it to?

If they knew about it yes. Pennel warrant their material for 5 years. They are probably the world leaders at making tube fabric.

Remember the stuff they used to sell us and call wine? Wasn't until the Chileans reminded us what real Cabernet Sauvignon should taste like that they sent us some half decent stuff.

you were just buying the wrong stuff - you can't blame the french if the stupid british consumer use price as their main criteria for buying wine.

Are XS RIB's made in France?

no china I believe

[Pablo]

Originally Posted by alystra

Remember the stuff they used to sell us and call wine? Wasn't until the Chileans reminded us what real Cabernet Sauvignon should taste like that they sent us some half decent stuff.

Well, quarter decent. The only good wine i've drunk in England is the stuff i've brought over myself

[Pablo]

no china I believe

XS are not Tornado. Tornados are now made in China but I had the impression that XS where made at Barnets. I'll ask my friend whose just bought one.

[K&S]

Originally Posted by Polwart

no china I believe

I Know that Tornado moved to China. As fas as i know that was a factor in them being droped by BM.

Dont belive XS are from China unless its one of the better Sweat shops.

Wish the truth would come out about the manufacturer. I read somewhere that they had planned to announce Details in 2005 .....

Still waiting ....

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Pablo

XS are not Tornado. Tornados are now made in China but I had the impression that XS where made at Barnets. I'll ask my friend whose just bought one.

Ah - I stand corrected, I thought XS was just a new name for tornado.

[K&S]

Originally Posted by Polwart

Ah - I stand corrected, I thought XS was just a new name for tornado.

Nope on close inspection there are differences in the hull.
In terms of feel on the water i find mine to be similar to Tornado. Although im comparing it to the 6.5m at Cumbrae wich has twin engines and does feel a little heavier at the stern.

[Pablo]

http://www.xs-ribs.co.uk/info.php
http://www.tornado-boats.com/

[Mr Flibble]

Thanks for all the replies.
The build quality of XS doesn't seem in doubt. If they are based on the Tornado design then they should be great sea boats. Seems some mystery as to where they are built, if they are built in China (which I doubt due to build quality) then I definately won't touch. They are coming in at slightly less than an slighty smaller Destroyer but I'll need to see what comes as standard.

I realise that some are having issues with Humbers (Stephen's tubes and Bruce's completion dates), I think this is a symptom of their success. The bigger they get the poorer the customer services becomes. Having said that generally they do make good boats, my current 5m Humber inflatable is well made and very tough.

Not much between them but I'm sneaking more towards the XS as I feel I'd get better customer service from BM (the attitude Bruce seems to be getting from Humber really is shocking when you consider how much he is paying them). I've recently been really hacked off having to deal with company's who once they get your cash really couldn't care less.

One of the main differences in design is that Humber use Hypalon for their tubes and XS use PU. I've only ever had boats with Hypalon tubes and haven't had any issues. Is PU really as good?

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Mr Flibble

Thanks for all the replies.
The build quality of XS doesn't seem in doubt. If they are based on the Tornado design then they should be great sea boats. Seems some mystery as to where they are built, if they are built in China (which I doubt due to build quality) then I definately won't touch. They are coming in at slightly less than an slighty smaller Destroyer but I'll need to see what comes as standard.

please don't be put off because I mentioned the China word. I seemed to have got the wrong end of the stick. I new Tornados were made in China, and thought the similarity in hull shape, together with the fact its BM who sell them and that XS appeared on the scene around the time Tornado dissappeared - that they were just a rebranding.

One of the main differences in design is that Humber use Hypalon for their tubes and XS use PU. I've only ever had boats with Hypalon tubes and haven't had any issues. Is PU really as good?

Now thats just started a whole different debate!

[Andy]

We have an XS-600 as a dive boat with a 115.

Its a good enough boat and very good value for money. Overall build is good and handles well on the water.

On the downside:

The centre of gravity is high and it can rock from one tube to the other when at a stand still and when people move about the deck. There is also a lack of thought by the fitters when you look how throttle cables etc run, too many tight bends for those types of cable which means the cables will need replacing after a year or so. Interesting it was the same on my Tornado ....!! Same fitters.

I have used Destroyer and XS alot and my money would go to the XS. BMC provide good support during and after the purchase which counts for a lot these days.

My advice for a dive boat is buy as big as you can afford! the XS-600 would be the smallest I would find useful.

http://www.badviz.com/Galleries/XS600/index.htm

[Mr Flibble]

Originally Posted by Pablo

http://www.xs-ribs.co.uk/info.php
http://www.tornado-boats.com/

Interesting, the Tornado site seems to suggest that they are trading in Britain. I had thought that they had ceased production in the UK in 05/06 and had shipped to China and that new Tornados weren't available in the UK. Perhaps why XS came into being, previous builders using same or copied moulds to start up a new range under a different name. Both boats look identical. I do like Tornados, often give them an envious once over at slipways now and again.

[jwalker]

Originally Posted by Mr Flibble

Interesting,.... Perhaps why XS came into being, previous builders using same or copied moulds to start up a new range under a different name.

Oooo, wash your mouth out with soap and water....


I'd put a fiver on it.....

[BogMonster]

Not wishing to dig up the whole discussion again as it is there for anybody who wants to read it, just couldn't let a "they last forever" remark pass without observing that this is not always the case!

[Ian M]

Originally Posted by Mr Flibble

Interesting, the Tornado site seems to suggest that they are trading in Britain. I had thought that they had ceased production in the UK in 05/06 and had shipped to China and that new Tornados weren't available in the UK. Perhaps why XS came into being, previous builders using same or copied moulds to start up a new range under a different name. Both boats look identical. I do like Tornados, often give them an envious once over at slipways now and again.

Just to throw my lot into the debate - when I was collecting my XS550 from Barnet Marine back in 2005 I think it was, there was a new hull being delivered ready for fitting out, and the delivery lorry was from Scotland

[Mr Flibble]

Originally Posted by Ian M

and the delivery lorry was from Scotland

Ah so XS may just possibly be Clyde built. If so just about the only boats that are nowadays. :-)

[ashbypower]

I can safley say they are NOT built in Scotland. England is the place they built

[Pablo]

For info, Barnet was already selling XS ribs whilst they were still selling Tornado. Apparently the build quality is exceptional but the hull design is very different to that of Tornados.