Two will make their North American debut at FLIBS 2022
Aluminium RIB producer Highfield Boats has announced the launch of five new models for 2023 – the Sport 900 and Sport 760, which will be making their North American debuts at the 2022 Ft Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) in October, and the Sport 700, Sport 660 and Sport 600.
Highfield’s Sport Series RIBs are premium yacht tenders and day boats ranging from 10ft-30ft featuring upscale styling and amenities. The five new models for 2023 also have new, military-grade high-tensile chromated and powder-coated aluminium hulls based on the builder’s commercial-quality Patrol series RIBs for enhanced stability, seaworthiness and durability.
“These new models are all in the upper size range of our Sport Series, including Highfield’s new flagship, the Sport 900, an offshore high-performance RIB nearly 30ft in length,” says Highfield 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,” he adds. “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.
The 29ft Highfield Sport 900 is the flagship of the Highfield fleet. Featuring a new, high-performance 26-degree-deadrise hull with welded lift stakes, the rugged offshore RIB delivers speeds of up to 60mph when powered by twin 300hp outboards. It is equally suited to serve as a high-end day boat or superyacht tender, with standard amenities such as 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 25ft Highfield Sport 760 serves as a support vessel for a wide variety of watersports or a trusty tender with seating for up to 10 adults. Its high-performance hull with welded lift strakes delivers speeds of up to 55mph when equipped with a 300hp outboard. Highfield plans to have sneak preview of the Sport 760 at the upcoming Southampton Boat Show in the UK.