Highfield 380 CL

kaman · 28 April 2016, 07:35

Been emailing around trying to locate someone who has in stock a Highfield 380 CL so that I can see one in person before I commit to buying one.
The reviews I've read online have been good for this boat.
However one major marine supplier who shall remain nameless - emailed me back saying that they didn't stock Highfield as they were not very good.
"There's not a lot good said about Highfields in the trade that's why we don't sell them".
They then listed similar products that they did stock and said I was welcome to come and view those.
Just wondering if anyone on here has any experience of the classic highfield range which I believe are built in China.
I've even spoke to Hendy's in Southampton who import them and basically told me that I'd need to order one and pay the deposit and they would get one shipped in for me.

Chris Caton · 28 April 2016, 08:39

have you tried Madog Boat Sales in Portmadog, they sell Highfields and are Honda main dealers, worth a try

kaman · 28 April 2016, 09:37

Cheers Chris.
I hadn't called them.

Just tried though without success.
They have never sold a 380 - the smallest being a 460.
Looks like I'm gonna have to stump up the cash and buy it blind.
Just looking for some feedback from any Highfield owners out there..?

seadogdave · 28 April 2016, 10:34

Dunno if it helps but the Highfield bottom is pretty much identical to the Ribeye TS series. I have one of them and it's a great little boat. If i were a gambling man Id say they are made in teh same factory in China.

Seaswift Marine nr Exeter sell Highfield. Not sure where you are based?

Dave

kaman · 29 April 2016, 07:58

Cheers Seadog.
During my telephone enquiries yesterday I established that there are 12 dealers UK wide registered to sell the Highfield range - all honda franchise's.
Most are concentrated in the south of England.
Not too handy as I'm in Scotland.
None of the dealers have a 380 cl in stock UK wide at the moment at all

Hendy's near Southampton are taking receipt of an order at the end of May.
It's a 8 hr drive to Southampton from me.
When the time comes I think I'm just gonna have to stump up the cash and buy it blind:what:

seadogdave · 29 April 2016, 08:12

Yes, I saw your location somewhere else in the forums after posting. Tricky one. I also noticed you were at one time considering a Ribeye. I can definitely vouch for the TS370 which, despite what it says on the ribeye site can now carry up to 30HP if you speak to them but if you've your heart set on the internal layout of the Highfiled bow I'm sure you'll be happy with that too. It probably adds a little weight though. The hull shapes are identical though and as I said somewhere else, I believe them to be one in the same from the same builder.
Like someone else said, I do prefer the look of the pointy sponsons of the Ribeye, but that's just aesthetics. What I dislike the most about Ribeye is that they have a deal with Yamaha and they put a big "Powered by Yamaha" patch on the side which makes my Suzuki confused :-)

Cheers

Poly · 29 April 2016, 09:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaman

Cheers Seadog.
During my telephone enquiries yesterday I established that there are 12 dealers UK wide registered to sell the Highfield range - all honda franchise's.
Most are concentrated in the south of England.
Not too handy as I'm in Scotland.
None of the dealers have a 380 cl in stock UK wide at the moment at all

Hendy's near Southampton are taking receipt of an order at the end of May.
It's a 8 hr drive to Southampton from me.
When the time comes I think I'm just gonna have to stump up the cash and buy it blind:what:

Flybe GLA to SOU return (possible in a day with a useful amount of time at the other end) was about £100 last time I did it. Depends if you think its worth it.

Or I guess you could get an independent local from here to go and take lots of pictures and ask questions when they get it in.

For what it is worth I'd happily buy a boat without seeing the exact model if I was happy with the overall quality/feel.

I'm always suspicious of a dealer who rather than sell that product promotes an alternative. Either xyz is giving him a bigger cut than Highfield, or possibly they are supporting him better (e.g. longer payment terms, demo stock, faster response...). I certainly wouldn't be rushing to order it through him!

treerat · 29 April 2016, 09:57

Speak to Dave or Steve at Sea Swift boats.

I've bought and sold boats via them and always been good and honest with me.

Home

kaman · 29 April 2016, 12:04

Cheers guys - success.
Heard from Bosuns in Edinburgh earlier they've sold a Highfield 380 CL to another customer.
They will be receiving it in the coming weeks and preparing it to go out.
They're going to call me when it arrives so I can have a butchers.
I'm only 1hr 45 mins drive from Edinburgh.
Fook me that was hard work:banghead:

Chris Caton · 29 April 2016, 12:18

nice one, good result in the end

Merseyboy · 27 June 2016, 15:01

Hi Kamen, have you had a chance to have a look at the Highfield 380CL. Would be good to hear what you think.. Cheers Dave

kaman · 27 June 2016, 15:22

Hi Merseyboy.
I went and looked at the Highfield about 4 weeks ago.
I was well impressed with it.
It was awaiting fitment of a console and engine etc for a commercial fish farmer in the north of Scotland.
The boat was very well made and very sturdy looking.
My mate and I got an end each and easily lifted it from the trailer it was sitting on.
Cracking piece of kit which weighs about the same as a Sib but will easily outperform any Sib out there.
I am absolutely sold on it and intend getting one early next year.
Here are a few pics.

Merseyboy · 27 June 2016, 15:52

Many thanks Kaman for the info and pics. It looks exactly what I'm after, how much for the basic boat do you know? Cheers..

kaman · 27 June 2016, 16:14

RRP for the basic PVC tubed boat is £2799.
In my eyes that is very reasonable considering the price of some Sibs and the Fribs.

Merseyboy · 27 June 2016, 16:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaman

RRP for the basic PVC tubed boat is £2799.
In my eyes that is very reasonable considering the price of some Sibs and the Fribs.

Not a bad price, it's definitally one I will consider. Looks spot on to me.. Cheers

kaman · 27 June 2016, 16:46

I've already got the cash sitting to the side earmarked for the Highfield purchase along with an indespension mini roller coaster trailer. Gonna use my short shaft Tohatsu 20hp 4 stroke to propel it. Decent upgrade on my trailered Honwave 3.5ae that ain't gonna break the bank☺

Stevem · 28 June 2016, 06:46

Hi Kaman.
Do you know how these ride in chop. Im looking for a future upgrade, around 4m on trailer and want something a bit more capable but still able to drag a little bit up the beach. Also do you know if launch wheels can be fitted. Cheers

kaman · 28 June 2016, 14:21

Stevem I don't know how they ride in a chop personally as I've never used one.
By all accounts they are very decent - much better than an equivalent sized Sib.
With regards to launch wheels the dealer I spoke to has fitted previous 380s with Honda (Trem) launch wheels.
He said they use nylon blocks to mount them to avoid contact of different metals and to build them out from the transom so they do not get fouled by the transom lip.

Stevem · 28 June 2016, 17:03

Be very keen to see an honest review of one.
Could you hurry up and get one and give an in depth review please.

chipko · 28 June 2016, 19:26

Hi Stevem,
I've also more or less decided to go for a CL380 and like most have never seen one in the flesh, so very grateful to Kaman for his photos and info.
While I'm OK making a decision based on spec sheets, I expect these boats will be fast and efficient but give a bone jarring bouncy ride in any swell/chop. No 71kg 3.8m rib with a shallow V (15 deg dead rise) will be anything other than harsh and lively when pushing on in these conditions. To be more seaworthy/forgiving you really need the weight and deep V of something like the small Seariders.
The Ribeye TS370 & 400 are very similar to the Highfield and I did consider these as well.
If your OK with more weight then the next step up would be something like the Mercury Quicksilver Ocean Runner 420 & 460. At around 120/130kg and deeper 20 deg dead rise these should be slightly better in chop. Getting too heavy to haul up the beach though and also need long shaft motors (up to 40/60hp - nice). I was also tempted by one of these but practically take you firmly into the fully trailered launch and retrieval category.
Personally, if you don't need to roll/fold up your boat then the lightweight aluminium hulled Highfield & Ribeye ribs provide real performance advantages over similar sized sibs, while still retaining the ability to be hand launched on transom wheels if required.