Text by Barry Thompson
Images by Barry Thompson & James Dumergue
MULTI TASKING
Highfield built around 10,000 boats a year and lay claim to being the world’s biggest manufacturer of alloy RIBs, so chances are they know what they’re doing. When it comes to market prowess, in the RIB tender and sport boat market, Highfield is right up there with the world’s best
Highfield offers 38 models built on five platforms, from the 2m Roll-Ups to the 8.6m Patrol console RIBs. I got to check out one of their most popular models in the Sport range on a midwinter’s day on Gold Coast’s Broadwater. The SP330 is one of the smallest in the Sport range, comprising 12 sizes from 3.0m to 9.0m.
Interestingly, while retaining roughly the same beam, the trio of entry-level Sports models, SP300, SP330 and SP 360, are near identical boats apart from their overall length. The SP330 is 36cm longer than the SP300, and the SP360 is just 26cm longer than the SP330. You might wonder why they have almost identical models with minimal length differences. This is quite simple, and Highfield has been very smart in offering these boats. It’s about space in a tender garage when a few centimetres can make all the difference. Size is not so critical if you are parking your RIB on the deck or a swim platform, but size matters when it comes to tender garages.
Multi-Purpose
The SP330 is, however, not just a boat designed to be a tender. It’s a lot more. Firstly it has dedicated seating for five with a full-width rear bench seat. The aluminium back seat construction adds a real stiffness to the rear of the boat. Alongside the console is a mid-seat, with another seat in the bow. The rear seat cushion is mounted on air stays and opens to reveal a massive space. The space under the middle seat is for the battery. The foam used in the seat cushions is 100% reticulated, which means that water drains through it, so you are not left with wet soggy cushions.
Highfield also offers an optional infill which transforms the area ahead and beside the console into one large sunpad. There’s also an optional stainless ski pole for towing the water toys.
The Highfield 330 Sport fibreglass console is well positioned with ample leg room and a deep recessed area for your feet, so you can sit comfortably without feeling pinched for space. The 300, 330 and 360 all share the same console.
The dash is large enough for a small fishfinder, in our case a 7′ Garmin MFD, or you can bracket mount an MFD behind the low profile perspex screen. A sturdy powder coating alloy rail around the screen is a perfect handhold for the mid-seat passenger, and it is handy to grab when pulling yourself back aboard on the starboard side. I also used it to hold onto when standing to drive. The console has a large front hatch, and while there is some storage available, it makes access to the back of the dash very easy.
If you’re going to crane the boat onto the deck of your cruiser, then there are three lifting points strategically placed, offering the perfect balance while hanging in the strops. A single point forward is welded into the hull inside, with two more aft behind the bench seat. With an all-up weight with a 30hp outboard of around 285 kgs, you’ll only need a small deck crane for the job.
BLUNT BOW
The squared-off bow offers the maximum useable space in the given length, and Highfield has done it well. The foredeck comprises a grp moulding with a large flat foredeck complete with EVA foam decking. A pair of nav lights are recessed into the deck moulding, so they don’t get in the way when someone is stepping aboard. There are also a couple of fold-down cleats but no fairlead. The space under the middle seat is probably best for stowage if you need to carry an anchor.
If you don’t want your guests stepping onto the upholstered bow cushion, it can be removed to reveal a flat fibreglass surface covered with an EVA foam step pad. This is where you will also find the fuel filler, which comes with a spillage tray so that any excess petrol will drain overboard. The area under the bow seat is taken up with the 30-litre alloy fuel tank. The weight of the fuel in the bow also helps to balance the boat when underway. This is especially beneficial when there is only one person aboard.
PERFORMANCE
The Sport 330 is a nimble and agile little RIB and performs exceptionally well even in choppy water despite its size. It’s quick to plane (just under 3 secs) and very stable both at rest and underway. Even in a hard turn, I found that the boat remained relatively flat, which is surprising for such a deep vee and short overall length. No doubt assisted by the wide tubes which constantly stay in contact with the water.
An entire wraparound rubbing strip has a wide reverse lip that helps keep the water out of the cockpit. The hull has a fine entry forward with inverted chines. With the 30hp Tohatsu, we topped out at around 24 knots, and the calm water of The Broadwater ran sweet at around 20-22 knots.
The 3mm powder coated aluminium hull is fitted with a keel guard rubbing strip which helps protect the underwater surface when running up onto a beach. You have the choice of PVC or Hypalon tubes which are constructed from three separate air chambers.
BRING IT ON
The Sport 330 is a very versatile sport boat that has broad appeal. In the past ten years, Highfield has produced around 38,000 inflatables, and over that time, the quality has just gotten better and better. I was very impressed with the overall finish and presentation of the boat.
From the double stitched diamond pattern upholstery to the quality fittings, the Sport 330 is a classy little RIB. For a boat of its size, it also has a performance to match.
I am certainly looking forward to reviewing Highfield’s new 9m flagship later this year.
Lightweight tender
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Specifications
- Model: Highfield SP330
- Builder: Highfield Boats                                 Â
- Price As Tested: $35000
- Type: RIB
- Construction: 3mm Aluminium/ ORCA Hypalon                 Â
- LOA:Â 3.36m
- Internal Length: 2/04m
- Beam: 1.82
- Internal Beam: .90m
- Deadrise: 20 deg
- Hull Weight: 199 kg
- Rigged Weight: 285 kg
- Test Power: Tohatsu 30 4S
- Max Test Speed: 24 knots                     Â
- Power Options: Outboard
- Power Range: 25-30hp
- Flooring: EVA Foam                  Â
- Fuel Capacity: 30 litres Â
