Highfield Ribs aluminium hull

Kernow Liam · 15 August 2014, 20:49

Hey guys!

Has any one had one or had experience with buying them?

They seem good but not to sure on the build quality and the ride?

Cheeersss

ShinyShoe · 15 August 2014, 21:27

2 of them made it round the Round Ireland race cruise last year with no issues. Far better than the race winner highly modified, bigger better sponsored LinleySwann RibEye...

congerman · 16 August 2014, 06:58

Yep
Mates bought one new this year. 4.60 with 50hp Honda goes well. Hull seems strongly welded.

congerman · 16 August 2014, 18:34

We went out today. I'll try and post a video in the next few days

Kernow Liam · 16 August 2014, 20:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by congerman

We went out today. I'll try and post a video in the next few days

That would be great the 460 is what Im looking at for a new boat just with a 60 Suzuki!

Chunk · 16 August 2014, 23:16

Do a quick search on the forum, there's been a few comments so far on the Highfield's. I owned a OM460 for over a year and it performed really well, no issues at all. Good in most sea states on the east coast of Scotland. Honda BF 50 performs well with the lightweight hull.

Exe treme · 17 August 2014, 08:20

Hi
Here are a few things that might help your decision on the Highfield Ocean Master.

The RYA Youth Championship is using the Highfield OM460 this year, so not a bad endorsement.

The Highfield OM 590 is used for scenes and stunts in Expendables 3; check out Highfield Boats on Facebook for more info...

Before you ask, yes I do own a Highfield!
I bought an OM540 in February following its success at the Round Ireland challenge. The hull is holding up well and there are no quality issues. I am also really pleased with its smooth ride and sea keeping.

matt h · 17 August 2014, 08:52

Quote:

Highfield Ocean Master

Is it REALLY the ocean Master

Perhaps they should rename it the Quality rib co.. or the Highfield Pond Capable!!
I mean look how comfy and secure he looks!!
Spot the hull if you can. Looks more like something has has been knocked out in a sweatshop in the Far east!

Quote:

The RYA Youth Championship is using the Highfield OM460 this year, so not a bad endorsement.

Is that not because they are a sole Honda franchise? and Ribcraft are everything but.?

matt h · 17 August 2014, 08:53

Quote:

The hull is holding up well and there are no quality issues

Its only 6 months old.. are you expecting some issues??.

John Kennett · 17 August 2014, 09:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exe treme

The RYA Youth Championship is using the Highfield OM460 this year, so not a bad endorsement.

Surely that just means that Highfield gave the RYA a boat or two? It's not a particularly demanding role and anything other than a complete piece of junk should be up to the job.

I'm actually pretty impressed with what I've seen of the Highfield boats so far, but I don't think that you're doing them any favours with this sort of promotional puff!

ShinyShoe · 17 August 2014, 09:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Kennett

Surely that just means that Highfield gave the RYA a boat or two? It's not a particularly demanding role and anything other than a complete piece of junk should be up to the job.

Indeed our kids train on pieces of junk ;-)

I agree the course isn't something anything more than a tender should struggle with, although I have seen regional rounds happen in some decent breazes. As this is the first year it'll be interesting to see what the competitors who have used the rib craft in previous year make of it.

While one lap is not demanding the boat needs to be able to stand up to lots of spotty kids climbing all over it and possibly the odd slightly heavy approach to a jetty...

Quote:

I'm actually pretty impressed with what I've seen of the Highfield boats so far, but I don't think that you're doing them any favours with this sort of promotional puff!

The real advantage for Highfield is they get their boat taken round a load of clubs with loads of people from other clubs present so they get their brand out there. They also let people see it in action and perform well with an under size engine...

Undersize engine means less fuel. Fuel is a significant expense for clubs....

Exe treme · 17 August 2014, 10:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt h

Its only 6 months old.. are you expecting some issues??.

Perhaps you should change your bait; popcorn isn't getting any bites ;-)

Kernow Liam · 17 August 2014, 18:14

So people on here are abit anti highfeild?

ShinyShoe · 17 August 2014, 18:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kernow Liam

So people on here are abit anti highfeild?

I've not seen anyone specifically say they are. They are relatively new. They seem to think they are a big brand but not sure they are.

There is not exactly a lot of aluminium ribs out there so there is always a bit of unknown...

Not sure Highfield knows who they want to be their customers... Leisure boaters towing, sailing club market, endurance market. Maybe they can be all three. Maybe they can't...

You know where you stand with a five year old GRP hull... Where do you stand with 5year old aluminium....

MustRib · 17 August 2014, 18:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kernow Liam

So people on here are abit anti highfeild?

not me... most impressed with their Round Ireland performance.
Although one of them did have a problem - a blown bulb!
I broke a stainless steel tank.

ShinyShoe · 17 August 2014, 18:46

Seems odd that they pitch for the durability of the boat but punt it with PVC toons as standard too...

Exe treme · 17 August 2014, 18:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kernow Liam

So people on here are abit anti highfeild?

Hi Liam

I don't think anti-Highfield but everybody has their preferences. I think some of the responses were aimed at my comments and hindsight would probably result in me leaving out the Expendables bit and editing the post to:

"Highfield 460's are used by the RYA for this year's Youth Championships so a good reference if you can find a review from the users"

and

"In response to your original question, Highfield's performance over 1,100 miles in the Round Ireland Challenge would indicate good build quality and hull design"

and finally, here's the 5m version:

http://t.co/q0vMTvHMJJ

Best thing to do now is arrange a sea trial and compare it to similar packages of equal size and price. The lighter weight of the aluminium hull will certainly respond well to a Suzuki 60.

Poly · 17 August 2014, 18:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kernow Liam

So people on here are abit anti highfeild?

No. I don't think I've heard a bad word said about the boats or the company. Although they are still relatively new. People are just a bit cynical when owners of a brand preach that brand as being the best and take every possible story and try to say, "see I made a great choice" or "if I praise them it will keep my resale value up", it happens with all brands, boats, engines, electronics etc. Rarely have people tried all the alternatives to form a properly educated opinion - but so long as you understand this is normal behaviour on internet forums.

ShinyShoe · 17 August 2014, 19:03

What you need is a Willk clone to mossey in with Highfield and blag a free test run every other week. Then they don't own the boat and have no financial interest apart from blagging a discount if they ever part with cash. If boat turns out to be pants they will move to another manufacturer for their free blag...

John Kennett · 17 August 2014, 19:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShinyShoe

if they ever part with cash.

I don't think anyone here has a problem with Highfield. They're quite new but seem to be building up a good track record.