Highfield… any regrets?

@Strecker25 take a hard look at the Suzuki EFIs. 9.9 / 15 / 20hp are all the same, just different ECU, intake restrictor plate and propeller...
 
b_arrington said:
Foot pump, oof. You'd think those are easier to use vs. a hand pump because your legs are big and strong. In my experience though, they are harder to use. The wedge-shaped bellows foot pumps are low volume per pump and just awkward all the way around. You need to stand up for any kind of efficiency and that's NOT easy in a bobbing dingy with no hand holds. Even on land it's a real chore. Just about the only benefit to a foot pump is that it's compact to stow.

Consider springing for a good quality dual action selectable hand pump (selectable to pump on push only, or push and pull. The kind that looks like a fat bicycle pump. Much easier to use when on the boat.

The rest of the options sound great!
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Yea, I have hand pumps for my inflatable paddle boards; they switch between high volume and high pressure and pump both with pull and push. Works perfectly with my current Mercury RIB so expect them to be useful on the Highfield as long as the interface connector is the same.
 
ttmott said:
Yea, I have hand pumps for my inflatable paddle boards; they switch between high volume and high pressure and pump both with pull and push. Works perfectly with my current Mercury RIB so expect them to be useful on the Highfield as long as the interface connector is the same.
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highfields have these
image.jpg


I actually just received the adapter from Amazon and plugged it into my little BP12 pump. I had previously used the foot pump to what I though was .25bar, and it wasn’t even close. This pump has an auto shutoff and you wouldn’t believe how much firmer the tubes are at the proper pressure versus what I thought was correct. It was a lifesaver for my 12psi air floor but just as critical on the rib as far as I can tell.

image.jpg
 
Strecker25 said:
highfields have these
View attachment 121549

I actually just received the adapter from Amazon and plugged it into my little BP12 pump. I had previously used the foot pump to what I though was .25bar, and it wasn’t even close. This pump has an auto shutoff and you wouldn’t believe how much firmer the tubes are at the proper pressure versus what I thought was correct. It was a lifesaver for my 12psi air floor but just as critical on the rib as far as I can tell.

View attachment 121550
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do you know if that is a standard Halkey Roberts interface?
 
ttmott said:
do you know if that is a standard Halkey Roberts interface?
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Looks like it. I have the same format on my AB RIB and Sea Eagle standup paddleboard.

I can confirm the utility of an electric high pressure pump. Had been using a hand pump for the SUP and got it to "eff it, good enough" pressure. Then got an electric HP pump last summer. The difference in performance when we got to the actual rated pressure was substantial.
 
ttmott said:
Confirmed that it (fct option) comes with 6 gal fuel cell plumbed and installed in bow locker, battery, center cross-beam seat, bilge pump, cross-beam seat cushion with storage compartments, really nice dry storage bag, foot pump, navigation lighting, electric trim, electric start, bow step, paddles, plastic keel protector, and optional boarding ladder.
Also was notified today that they are expecting up to a 30 day delivery/rigging delay. Now looking late in April rather than late in March. Very close to Bahamas departure; so, I think I'll hang on to my current dink until delivery.....
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While I probably know the dealer your using and they are WAY bigger that anyone up here in the northeast be aware that Highfield is notoriously late on delivery promises. The one dealer that let me order last year promised a June delivery, but I received mine in late October. The other dealer wouldn't take an order, he only sold from his stock. At the boat show I questioned him why hoe wouldn't take an order after relaying my delivery delay issues. His response: I have NEVER received a Highfield container on time so I don't want to let customers down.
 
swaterhouse said:
While I probably know the dealer your using and they are WAY bigger that anyone up here in the northeast be aware that Highfield is notoriously late on delivery promises. The one dealer that let me order last year promised a June delivery, but I received mine in late October. The other dealer wouldn't take an order, he only sold from his stock. At the boat show I questioned him why hoe wouldn't take an order after relaying my delivery delay issues. His response: I have NEVER received a Highfield container on time so I don't want to let customers down.
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I'm worried about that also. They have three in the showroom, three on trailers out back, two in the shop being rigged, and looked like five in boxes against the wall in the shop - various models and all sold.... He said one of the biggest problems is outboard engines which he had a small stock of the Tohatsu's.... One being rigged in the shop is the exact configuration I ordered. He said that one is sold to someone in Al.
 
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swaterhouse said:
While I probably know the dealer your using and they are WAY bigger that anyone up here in the northeast be aware that Highfield is notoriously late on delivery promises. The one dealer that let me order last year promised a June delivery, but I received mine in late October. The other dealer wouldn't take an order, he only sold from his stock. At the boat show I questioned him why hoe wouldn't take an order after relaying my delivery delay issues. His response: I have NEVER received a Highfield container on time so I don't want to let customers down.
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That's some good customer service right there.
 
GnrlPatton said:
Looks really good! How are you enjoying that new lift?

I can't tell from the last pic, how close to the water is your outboard when it's down like that? Do you run with it down or tilt up?
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Not a lot of mileage on the lift yet but it is a great solution and works great. You mean when the dinghy is up on the platform? It's probably 22 inches above the water and about three inches away from the edge of the swim platform. It looks to me that we could run with it down.
Here is a picture the Highfield folks took under the dinghy; you can just see the engine foot in the back, skeg and one prop blade -
Resized_Resized_20220303_102145.jpg
 
That looks great Tom... They make a nice product.
 
ocgrant said:
That looks great Tom... They make a nice product.
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Grant - from what I'm seeing Highfield is as good as any of the other premium RIB's. Rigged and delivered I'm into the CL360fct for $22K (incl. Fl sales tax, the glued registration placards and the boarding ladder). They did give me their "boat show" pricing whatever that is. Doesn't include a trailer which I'm going to add. There is more room in this RIB than other center console RIB's similar length. Floor space is always needed when we are doing day trips; coolers, spear guns, game bags, dive gear, dry bags.....
Highfield Invoice.jpg
 
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