Dave:

I have the Xi2 and think it is great. Fish it in RI a lot. I have also fished with a friend's Winston on the same trip that I used the Xi2. A nice rod but the tip simply does not have the same "umph". When you want to really get after a cast the Winston just does not have it. You need to wait on the backcast to load it right. That may be okay sometimes but when on a boat and you need to get it there now the Xi2 is a better bet. At least for me.

e