Highfield Boats is America's Best-Selling Brand of RIBs
Published: Sunday, November 20, 2022 12:00 pm
By: Highfield Boats
In recent years, Highfield Boats has grown to become America’s best-selling brand of Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs). Now, for 2023, this durable aluminum-hull RIB company is introducing five of its biggest new RIBS ever to launch in North America: the Highfield Sport 900, Sport 760, Sport 700, Sport 660 and Sport 600.
“These new models are all in the upper size range of our Sport Series, including Highfield’s new flagship, the Sport 900,” said Highfield Boats President Christophe Lavigne. “We sell large RIBs all over the world, but we have focused primarily on marketing our smaller Highfield Boats in North America – until now. Following several years of meteoric growth in the region, we are excited to be launching these big new Sport models in North America. We designed their decks to meet the demands of American boaters with expanded seating and deck space, along with new eating and lounging areas including built-in sinks and refrigerators in the larger boats.”
Highfield’s Sport Series RIBs, which now range from 10’ to nearly 30’, are premium yacht tenders that double as day boats featuring upscale styling and amenities. Details like double-diamond-stitch upholstery, EVA brushed-foam faux teak decking and recessed stainless-steel folding cleats make them stand out from other RIBS on the water. Every boat in the Sport range, from the smallest to the largest, also is equipped with an integrated fuel tank, self-draining deck, and a low-profile helm console with dedicated space at the helm for at least one flush-mount chartplotter.
Designed to launch a wide variety of exciting water-sports adventures, these versatile RIBs also offer expanded seating options and maximized dry storage space. Their tubes are made of Orca® Hypalon for durability. Their tough but forgiving nature make Highfield RIBs the ideal craft to use as a yacht tender or tie up alongside other friends’ boats in a party cove.
While all Highfield Boats feature the builder’s signature high-tensile chromated and power-coated aluminum hulls with full-length keel guards, the five new Sport models for 2023 have military-grade hulls based on Highfield’s commercial Patrol series. This offers owners enhanced performance, stability, seaworthiness, and long life. There’s no need to worry about chipping the gel coat or damaging the hull while beaching the boat or putting it on a trailer. These heavy-duty metal-hull RIBs can take whatever punishment you put them through.
The 29'11" Highfield Sport 900 is the flagship of the Highfield fleet. Featuring a new, high-performance, 26-degree-deadrise hull with welded lift stakes, this rugged offshore RIB delivers speeds of up to 60 mph when powered by twin 300-hp outboards. The helm console has space for two 12” multifunction displays to aid navigation. Equally suited to serving as a high-end day boat or megayacht tender, the Sport 900’s standard amenities include a Sunbrella top, built-in on-deck galley with fridge, and large aft settee with table. The bow seating area converts to a large sun lounge and there is an additional sunpad aft. The swim platform extends the full width of the transom and features a handheld shower. A fiberglass hardtop and sunshade are optional. With the Sport 900, you can dare to explore away from shore with comfort and confidence.
The 25’ Sport 760 can serve both as a support vessel for a wide variety of water sports and a trusty tender that accommodates 16 passengers. Its high-performance hull with welded lift strakes delivers speeds of up to 55 mph when equipped with a 300-hp outboard. But the Sport 760 looks fast even when sitting still, thanks to the standard roll bar. The aft cockpit seating area with facing settees and pedestal table allows up to six adults to dine in comfort, shaded by an innovative optional bimini. A drawer-style fridge is standard. Forward, the bow seating converts to a sundeck. The helm console holds generous storage space and even has room for a portable potty. Aft, the swim platform is large enough to launch snorkeling and scuba diving adventures.
The 22’10” Sport 700 is built for sun and fun. It features a swim step on either side of the outboard engine to launch a host of water-sports adventures. A tow post is standard. The rear bench seat is runs the full, 4’5” width of the boat, with spacious storage underneath. It is served by drinkholders and fold-out table integrated into the back of the helm seating module. Both cockpit and helm area are shaded by a large, retractable bimini top. Forward, the bow compartment seating area can be converted to a huge dual sunpad. The helm console has an ergonomic footrest, dry storage within, and space for dual multifunction displays on the dash. Passenger capacity for the Sport 700 is 13 people.
The 21’4” Sport 660 also accommodates 13 adults, making it an ideal tender. The large rear seat lets passengers ride facing forward in comfort. the two adjustable helm seats incorporate flip-up bolsters so both sitting and standing positions are available. Above the standard carbon dash, the windscreen is tall for maximum protection. Forward, you can completely fill in the bow to make a huge sunpad, letting two people stretch out fully to soak up the sun. An extra-wide swim step on the bow makes this RIB easy to board. It also comes standard with dual swim platforms and ladder.
The 20’3” Sport 600 offers most the features of the Sport 660 and Sport 700 in a more compact, low-profile package that fits on many yachts’ swim platforms or in their tender garages. Its 8’2” overall beam combines ease of storage with elbow room on deck. Passenger capacity is an amazing 14 persons. The Sport 600 offers a full-beam aft seat and two-person helm bench. Forward is a large, comfortable seat mounted onto the front of the console, and a spacious bow seat that can be converted into a sunpad. The helm fits a 12” chartplotter; a carbon finish for the dash is optional.
Highfield Sport RIBs are easy to tow, launch and recover due to their light weight and standard integrated davit lifting eyes. Thanks to its durable aluminum hull, your Highfield Sport will not delaminate or absorb water over time, retaining the same performance in years to come as the day you take ownership of it.
To learn more, visit www.highfieldnorthamerica.com.
tags: New Boat Models, Rigid Inflatable Boats
