Highfield Dinks? Info/Opinions Wanted!

[Gerrycooper56]

Originally Posted by Boardshorts

We recently added a 340 with 15hp to our Lagoon 440. Easy up on the plane with 2-3 adults. Cruises along with 6-8 passengers and stays nice and dry. Step / storage at front is great .... but if you step onto them from bow, the boat does dip down disconcertingly as weight transfers. The double floor keeps everything nice and dry .... but it nevers drains completely as bung hole is a little high .... so gets grotty. Very slow to row with standard oars should you need to. All in all a good little tender.

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Did you get the additional bow step and roller?


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[Boardshorts]

Originally Posted by Gerrycooper56

Did you get the additional bow step and roller?


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We have the two steps ... first in is for anchor (even though there is no hole for anchor rode to pass through which seems silly) and then second step/seat for storage. They also have a good plastic seat which can go in 2 positions to hold lifejackets or other gear ... though I imagine it will not last too long as quite lightweight.

Didn't get a roller ... not sure I know anything about that option.

[Gerrycooper56]

Originally Posted by Boardshorts

We have the two steps ... first in is for anchor (even though there is no hole for anchor rode to pass through which seems silly) and then second step/seat for storage. They also have a good plastic seat which can go in 2 positions to hold lifejackets or other gear ... though I imagine it will not last too long as quite lightweight.



Didn't get a roller ... not sure I know anything about that option.

The aluminum bow step, cleat and roller (for anchor) we're being sold by a Highfield agent at the Ft.Lauderdale boat show. You have to glue it on yourself so need to buy the MEK etc but it adds the non skid step onto the bow.


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[ninaschumann]

billybyepolar - wondering how your highfield hypalon is holding up after 6 years. Looking to purchase one this Fall. Thanks

[bvander]

Know a few folks with them and the report good performance. Very similar in design to the AB Al line.
Did see one person who had some hull corrosion issues.

[BILLYBYEPOLAR]

Nina,

The dink is doing great! Still love it. Would buy another one in a NY minute. Original air was in it for several years. Would be still today I am sure, but I had to deflate it to move in a year ago.

Tubes are good, hull good, deck good, seats good, no issues at all. Boat is fairly dry for a small dink. It rides great, still comfortable.

If you are in the market for one, talk to Inflatable Boat Pro in Ft. Lauderdale. Tell them Billy on Bye Polar referred you. You won't regret buying one.

Happy sailing.....

[BILLYBYEPOLAR]

Originally Posted by BILLYBYEPOLAR

Nina,

The dink is doing great! Still love it. Would buy another one in a NY minute. Original air was in it for several years. Would be still today I am sure, but I had to deflate it to move in a year ago.

Tubes are good, hull good, deck good, seats good, no issues at all. Boat is fairly dry for a small dink. It rides great, still comfortable.

If you are in the market for one, talk to Inflatable Boat Pro in Ft. Lauderdale. Tell them Billy on Bye Polar referred you. You won't regret buying one.

Happy sailing.....

PS Inflatable Boat Pro, 1360D Hammondville Rd, Pompano Beach, FL 33069
954-712-1598

[Gerrycooper56]

highfield in PVC with chaps. 3 years old and no problem


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[belizesailor]

A friend just bought one...now I have dingy envy. Very good quality build. AL hull much lighter than glass.

Thanks for the informative posts. My tired old and crazy heavy double hull glass Carib is due for replacement.

[BILLYBYEPOLAR]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

A friend just bought one...now I have dingy envy. Very good quality build. AL hull much lighter than glass.

Thanks for the informative posts. My tired old and crazy heavy double hull glass Carib is due for replacement.

Yes, it is much lighter than its f/g counterparts. But one of the best features is the dry deck...no standing in water or wet provisions at all. The false bottom can hold many gallons of water that stays below the top deck. I have never had soaked groceries.

[S/V Antares]

We have the ultralite 290. My wife and the dog plane out with a 4hp. Nice accessories.

New last month....we will see this winter.

[Seman]

I have had 7 dinghies over the past 20 odd years. from roll ups to RIB's fibreglass & alu single & double floors to our present Tinnie. We are now shopping for a 2.9m ultralight Highfield.
We have found that the occasional wet floor is a small inconvenience for the weight saving, as we are usually at anchor & have to drag the dinghy up the beach. Every kg over 50 kg feels like another 10 kg, when you have to wrestle it through soft sand up the beach. For us light is most important.

[ErikFinn]

I have a 230 hypalon Highfield, about 6 years old, bought secondhand. It got a mold infection on the tubes after it sat 2 months upside up under a custom made sunbrella cover and I have not found a way to get rid of the mold other than using something so abrasive it damages the hypalon.
The glue is so poor quality it can not handle the tropical sun and the seams are opening up. Yes, the new prices appear tempting but there is a reason for it. I will never get another Highfield.

[boatpoker]

I bought a Highfield, aluminum bottom RIB early this year and have been quite pleased with it however ....... I recently lost an oar in Florida just before we crossed the gulfstream, went on the the Highfield site, got a list of their Florida dealers and sent an email to each one of them asking price/availability of an oar and if they could ship it to Bahamas.

No response, not one !

I then sent an email directly to the Highfield website asking if they could help or poke one of their Florida dealers.

No response !

Not a bad dink but be prepared for absolutely no customer service.
I would certainly not have any faith in a warranty claim.

[rougewave]

Been running a Highfield with a 40hp Yamaha. No complaints with the boat other than a poorly designed rear seat with way to much flex from the seat back. I attribute that to useing a peice of hard plastic for the seat bottom, thus no rigidity when leaning back on the seat back.

You are %100 correct on the "NO" customer service, just try and find a number to call the company.