Highfield UL290

[Irie308]

Placed a deposit on a Highfield 290 last week at the NYC Boat Show. This is to be used on our 320. We went with this for a few reasons. We are a family of 5 (4,6 and 11) and I like the room the v shaped hull provides so the kids can hunker down if they want. It's also a powder coated aluminum bottom with a 2 year transferable warranty on the bottom and 10 years on the tubes. Max rating on a motor is 8 hp. I like that its 9'6' and weighs about 79 lbs and is a rigid bottom. I've read that pvc is not very desirable, but with a 10 year warranty could you go wrong. Cost is about $1750. Is this a good buy?

 

[Jeremygavin]

Dean, knowing your family a little I think this is a great choice for you. The rigid bottom is really nice. You have been in my dingy and it is a less stable with the air floor. I was looking at the high fields as well when I was trying to find a lightweight dingy. I liked the aluminum hull becasue of the lightweight. They seem to be a nice little boat. What are you going to use for a motor?

 

[Irie308]

Jeremy, I'm glad you chimed in. I was going to reach out to you on your experience with the Tohatsu. I believe you had their 6hp motor? From what I've read its one of the lighter 4 stroke in its class with good performance. I have zero room to store it so it would remain on the dinghy.

 

[390x]

Jeremy, I'm glad you chimed in. I was going to reach out to you on your experience with the Tohatsu. I believe you had their 6hp motor? From what I've read its one of the lighter 4 stroke in its class with good performance. I have zero room to store it so it would remain on the dinghy.

I have a 6hp Tohatsu that has only caused me one issue, but repeatedly, that I don't understand. Somehow I keep developing leaks in the plastic fuel tank. Other than that, it starts and runs great every time I need it.

 

[Jeremygavin]

Jeremy, I'm glad you chimed in. I was going to reach out to you on your experience with the Tohatsu. I believe you had their 6hp motor? From what I've read its one of the lighter 4 stroke in its class with good performance. I have zero room to store it so it would remain on the dinghy.

It is the most horsepower in the lightest size I could fine. The next size up brings you to a 2 cylinder and they weigh significantly more. The reason I need it light is becasue I store it in the bilge. If you are going to store it on the dingy on the swim platform it might be nice to have a 9.9 for the power. Would make landing easier. I used ithe 6hp all year this last season and it was great. Started every time and always ran great. It will plane with myself, and my 2 girls in a west marine PPP-275 air floor that weights 63 pounds. The rigid bottom i would think will help getting on plane easier.

 

[MasterFab]

You may want to consider propane. I made the switch, and couldn't be happier. No ethanol, no water in the fuel, no mixing oil for a 2-stroke, no choke, oil that stays clean, no gasoline to carry on the big boat, and no smelly fumes - just an elegantly simple design that works.

Dale

 

[Irie308]

You may want to consider propane. I made the switch, and couldn't be happier. No ethanol, no water in the fuel, no mixing oil for a 2-stroke, no choke, oil that stays clean, no gasoline to carry on the big boat, and no smelly fumes - just an elegantly simple design that works.

Dale

Propane is also on my list of ones to review. Glad to hear you are happy with it.

 

[Havana Shamrock]

Dean, Tohatsu makes the engine blocks for nissan,Mercury. They are all tohatsu' so's you can't go wrong with the brand, I too believe 6hp is not enough for the family i had the Mercury Airdek with a Mercury 6 hp and it was a slug with more than 2adults.
as far as priceit seems the price you paid was good as I paid just a little less for the Mercury airdek. You'll love the ridgid hull.
I can't speak for propane but dales opinions here are valued I'd listen closely. Nice find and good luck.

 

[Bop]

I have three friends with highfields and they all love them. Very light and great quality. I was so impressed I just ordered a 310 with 20hp Yamaha and fct steering console. It weighs around 280lbs rigged.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Smokeio]

I also went to the NY boat show and went shopping for a dinghy and motor. The Tohatsu dealer at the show gave me a great price but I spent some time and searched the web for that motor. I found the 6 hp for less money and no shipping. It's sitting in my garage right now!

 

[Irie308]

I also went to the NY boat show and went shopping for a dinghy and motor. The Tohatsu dealer at the show gave me a great price but I spent some time and searched the web for that motor. I found the 6 hp for less money and no shipping. It's sitting in my garage right now!

www.onlineoutboards.com ?

 

[Smokeio]

http://www.cumberlandwatersports.com/tohatsu-6-hp-outboards.html?SID=c5ggtdc8rvd37krgcnfer4lh15

 

[Havana Shamrock]

The reason I went with Mercury they where running a promo of an extended warranty 5 yrs I believe and I got a great price. Check Busters in Queens NY call don't go by the website. They beat everyone at the time.and was willing to ship to my house for free.

 

[Ricochet]

Just bought a 290CL at the Chicago boat show 108 lbs, should be a great boat, replacing a 2003 BoatUS inflatable floor which has been a good boat also.