Highfield 20" transom

[kevincook]

Hi Everyone,

I'm looking at a new Highfield 360. I can get a good price on a tender that is in stock but it has a 20" transom. I wasn't aware you could get a small tender with a tall transom.

I don't like the thought of the longer shaft just due to the extra effort to lift and store the engine. Although after looking at the size of all the new 4-stroke outboards I don't think I'd be inclined to lift the engine on off the dinghy anyway. All of my experience has been with two-stroke engines and they are considerably smaller and lighter than the 4 strokes.

I do like the idea of the taller transom to reduce the possibility of getting water over the transom.

The dinghy will spend most of it's life on a trailer under cover in New England. It will only be launched one the days I don't feel like waiting for the harbor launch to get out to the boat and will be used for a few weeks a year doing some coastal cruising in New England.

The main reason for looking at a new dinghy is to get something easier for my wife and daughter to operate. The dealer said the reason they order the tenders with the 20" transom is because engines with power tilt/trim are available and some customers are looking for that option.

I had always planned to keep this as simple as possible but am now considering getting the 20" transom so I can get the electric start and power tilt for my wife. If I have a battery I'd probably throw a small bilge pump in there as well.

What does everyone think? What am I missing.

Thanks,
Kevin

[kchace]

The Highfield Classic 360 has a 15” transom, the Sport model has a 20 so perhaps that’s what you’re looking at. Even starting at 9.8 you can get power tilt on 15 inch motors. If I were you, I’d get what I really wanted and not what somebody happened to have today. You’ll be living with it a long time.

Ken

[kevincook]

Originally Posted by kchace

The Highfield Classic 360 has a 15” transom, the Sport model has a 20 so perhaps that’s what you’re looking at. Even starting at 9.8 you can get power tilt on 15 inch motors. If I were you, I’d get what I really wanted and not what somebody happened to have today. You’ll be living with it a long time.

Ken

Ken,

The CL360 is now available with either transom. Take a look at the pictures below.

Thanks for everyone's input.

[kchace]

Ok, but my point was - get what you really want. It sounds like you didn't really want the 20" but might settle for it anyway. You don't need the 20" transom to be able to fit a motor with power tilt.

Ken