Text by Barry Thompson
HIGH CLASS
Big trailerable RIBs have been a mainstay of the boating market for many years. The useability and practicality of the RIB are what make them so popular. One company that has run with the RIB concept is Highfield Boats.Â
Highfield, a French-Chinese company, says they are the largest manufacturer in the world of alloy RIBs, and with 43 models spread over five styles, producing around 10,000 boats a year, it is easy to see why.
Highfield has been developing their luxury Sport range for over nine years and now offers sixteen models from 3.0m to 9m. The 2023 700 Sport is one of their newest models and has several differences over the previous Sport 700.
However, the same efficient, high-performance powder-coated alloy hull with Hypalon tubes has stayed the same. This gives the boat unrivalled performance and handling, especially in adverse sea conditions. The new model comes with an improved deluxe luxury fit-out.Â
HANDLING & PERFORMANCE
Few production boats on the market can boast such a deep vee hull. In fact, at 26 deg, I call it ultra-deep vee. That’s offshore race boat territory. This significantly affects how the boat performs in the rougher water, and when you run the Highfield Sport 700, it is very apparent. This boat eats the rough water and is built to take the conditions. It feels solid and stiff, and there is little noise from the hull when underway.
Certainly no ‘tinnie’ slap. It just feels right. Now you may have some concerns about stability at rest due to the extra deep vee. Well, don’t. Due to the rear sections of the tubes sitting on the water at rest, that issue is non-existent.
The reverse chines on the hull, the tubes’ wide down turned edge around the rubbing strip, and the steep fine bow entry makes the boat particularly dry. Considering there is no hardtop or wrap-around screen to hide behind, that’s an important consideration.
While the Highfield Sport 700 is rated from single outboards as low as 115hp through to a maximum of 250hp, the Yamaha F200 we had on the test boat was a perfect marriage. Flat out on the Broadwater, I saw 41 knots on the GPS, which is plenty for a boat like this. Fuel burn was around 75 lph, and the range was a reasonable 150 nm. Slip the throttle back to 4500rpm, the fuel drops to a very acceptable 35.8 lph and the range jumps to around 225nm. Plus, you are still cruising along at 30 knots.
MULTI TASKING
Centre console RIBs are a design classification all to themselves and are by far the most popular style when it comes to RIBS in the 5-10m range, regardless of brand. Highfield’s Sport range comprises eight centre consoles, each following a similar design trend, albeit the layout is determined by the internal area available of each model.
The Sport 700 has an internal beam of close to 1.5m and a length of 5m, so there is plenty of real estate to use.
To best utilise the space, the console is wide enough to allow room on either side to transit to and from the bow. The forward section features a V shape settee with a large storage locker under. Gas struts take the effort out of opening the large hatch. With a squab infill, you can transform the entire forward area into one big sunpad. However, if you are more interested in fishing than improving your tan, with the squabs removed, this transforms into an ideal casting platform. The soft squabs are replaced with brushed EVA teak flooring.
A centre seat is fitted to the front of the console, which hinges up for access to extra storage space. It is also ideally placed when you have the removable table in place.Â
There is a separate anchor locker with flush mounted fairlead, recessed lights and a drop-down cleat on the short foredeck. You will appreciate that small detail when using the foredeck as a boarding platform—no more stubbed toes.Â
While our boat was fitted with a single Garmin Echomap Ultra, there is enough space on the console for a pair of 12″ MFD screens.
Also included was a Fusion head unit, Yamaha Command link display, and ICOM VHF. I liked the position of the footrest and the fact that I could move the helm seat to suit my driving position. Seated or standing, you have the choice. Both are good, with the perspex screen affording plenty of wind protection. There was no bimini on our boat, but it is an option.Â
There is dedicated seating for five in the self-draining cockpit, with a pair of forward bucket seats and a full-width aft bench seat.Â
The aft seat hinges up for access to the technical space and extra storage. The Sport 700 has a fold-up table mounted on the helm seat console. Drink holders are plentiful.
. I was impressed with the diamond-stitched upholstery on all the squabs, internal LED convenience lighting and the EVA teak flooring. It gives a classy yet sporty look to the whole boat.
The aft deck features a pair of storage lockers and a robust powder-coated alloy tow mount, complete with a stern-mounted light. On either side of the outboard are small boarding steps with a drop-down stainless ladder to port. All Highfield Sport RIBs have davit lifting eyes, and they also come standard with a heavy duty rubbing strip and keel guard for all around protection.
The 2023 Highfield Sport 700 is a perfect example of how versatile RIBs can be. It is equally at home being used as a tender, towing water toys or simply as a day boat with the family. It’s reasonably light on the trailer to tow and has fantastic on-water performance. Plus, it is well-finished and appointed, with an impressive list of standard features. Certainly a premium RIB in its class.
Specifications:
- Boat Design Name: Highfield Sport 700
- Year Launched: 2022
- Price as Tested: $AUD161,215
- Builder: Highfield Boats
- LOA: 6.99m
- Beam (External): 2.93m
- Beam (Internal): 1.70m
- Deadrise (Transom): 26 deg
- Tube Diameter: 565mm
- Trailerable Weight: 2500 kg (approx.)
- Max Speed: 41 knots
- Construction: Aluminium/Hypalon
- Fuel Capacity: 285 litres
- Water Capacity: 40 litres
- Engine: Yamaha 200
- Max Power: 250hp
- Flooring: EVA
- MFD: Garmin Echomap Ultra
- Contact: www.highfieldboats.com.au /www.aakronxpress.co.nz
Performance
| RPMÂ | KNOTSÂ Â Â Â Â | LPHÂ Â Â Â | NM RANGE |
| 1000 | 4 | 3.1 | 349.3 |
| 1500 | 5.6 | 5.3 | 286 |
| 2000 | 7.5 | 8.4 | 241.7 |
| 2500 | 12.2 | 12.6 | 262.1 |
| 3000 | 16.3 | 15.1 | 292.3 |
| 3500 | 21.6 | 19.8 | 295.4 |
| 4000 | 25.4 | 28.2 | 243.9 |
| 4500 | 29.5 | 35.8 | 223.1 |
| 5000 | 33.5 | 50.1 | 181 |
| 5500 | 36.8 | 62.2 | 160.2 |
| 6000 | 41 | 75 | 146.6 |
