Boat Review: Highfield Sport 700

Day boat, dive boat, towboat, super-yacht tender, the Highfield Sport 700 is a versatile, high-performance rigid hull inflatable boat (RIB).

Highfield Boats is one of the world’s largest volume

rigid inflatable boat

(RIB) manufacturers and a leader in the RIB tender market. This French/Chinese-owned company has a 30-plus strong boat range encompassing lightweight, car-stowable inflatable tenders, through to 9m sports RIBs.

The boat range includes the Classic, Ultralite and Roll-up tenders in the smaller sizes, the Patrol commercial workboats and the versatile Sport side and centre console models.

For mixed water sports, it is hard to go past the Sport range. These tough, deep-vee aluminium hull recreational models are available from 3m in length through to the flagship Sport 900.

The subject of this review is the slightly smaller, arguably more versatile Sport 700. Highfield Boats Australia presented this full-featured RIB, paired with a Yamaha 200hp four-stroke outboard and an Evolution tandem axle galvanised steel trailer.

Build and construction

The Highfield Sport 700 has a powder-coated aluminium deep-vee hull with noticeably reversed, almost stepped chines and a flattened keel for fast hole-shots.

The smaller Sport models have a 20-degree transom deadrise. The larger boats, including the Sport 700, have a very sharp 26 degrees of transom vee angle for the ultimate in-ride comfort.

Surrounding the aluminium hull are 565mm diameter, six chamber flotation tubes which provide stability and exceptional safety.

The flotation tubes have carry/grab handles at the bow and stern and external rubbing/abrasion strips for impact protection.

The inflatable tubes encircling the hull are made from high-quality Orca Chlorosulfonated Polyethylene (CSM) coated fabric from French maker Pennel & Flipo.

The Sport 700 can also be ordered with tubes made from Valmex PVC — but the more durable CSM material is specified for Australian models.

For mothership tender applications, the Sport 700 has double-eye davit lifting points well positioned at the bow and the stern.

Interior layout

The Sport 700 is best described as a bowrider centre console, given the fixed, welded aluminium seating/storage area located up front.

There is seating space up front for three adults and space for a fourth person on the padded seat in front of the helm console.

The front of the helm console has a gas-strut supported hatch which lifts up to reveal a large storage space and service access to the batteries and the wiring behind the instrument panel.

Back at the bow, the quality diamond-stitched vinyl seat cushions remove to reveal a large central storage bin and a small anchor locker in the forepeak.

There’s also a purpose-designed step right up at the stem (with a grippy EVA rubber surface) for disembarking over the bow.

Anglers will be pleased that the foam-rubber surfaced front seats are easily strong enough for the front deck to be used as a fishing platform.

Equally, sun lovers will be happy with the inclusion of an infill board and cushion which converts the front deck into a large sun pad.

Double-wide helm station

Importantly, the centre console is wide enough for two people to stand at the helm — or to sit in the twin bucket helm chairs which have flip-up front bolsters for added convenience.

The helm console is made of aluminium but is dressed with carbon fibre trimming to the console fascia and surrounds. There is ample flat panel space here for flush-fitted engine instruments and the Garmin multi-function display optioned on our test rig.

The steering wheel and throttle controls are offset to the port side to make it comfortable for the front passenger to stand or sit alongside the skipper.

Overhead, there is a curved acrylic windshield surrounded by a sturdy grab rail.

Beneath the steering wheel, there is a full-width footrest for added comfort and leg support.

The bucket helm chairs are mounted above a storage box which also has three built-in rod holders and a cocktail table which folds out to the rear cockpit.

There is a short but useful length of cockpit space behind the helm seat box, stretching aft to a full-width aluminium box bench seat with removable backrests to provide access aft to the twin boarding platforms and starboard side ladder.

A Targa arch over the stern is used as a tow point for water sports and for mounting radio aerials and navigation lights, etc.

Power and performance

The Sport 700 is rated to carry up to 14 adults, so it has a broad recommended engine/power range of 115–250hp.

A realistic minimum would be 150hp for a lightly laden craft. Conversely, for tow sports and heavy loads the maximum 250hp motor should certainly be considered.

Our test boat was paired with an in-between 200hp Yamaha four-stroke which delivered excellent performance, topping out at 41 knots at 6000rpm. That’s quick enough for most recreational applications.

The Highfield/Yamaha 200hp engine combination proved most economical at 3500rpm, cruising at 21.6 knots and burning fuel at the rate of 19.8L/ph. Given a 5 per cent safety reserve margin, this translates into a maximum boat range on the standard 285L fuel supply of 295.4 nm.

Handling and ride

The Highfield Sport 700 is fast, manoeuvrable and soft riding. This boat has a very fine entry at the bow combined with a 26-degree deadrise aft — so it slices easily through bay chop and ocean swell while remaining rock-solid and stable throughout.

In blustery, choppy conditions the boat will take a bit of spray over the front quarter, but it is otherwise decently dry.

Through the corners the hull hangs on tightly, turning sharply but safely and with minimal fuss.

The Sport 700 is a well-mannered, fun and sporty drive, making it ideal for mixed recreational water sports activities.

The wrap

The Highfield Sport 700 is a pretty cool and modern RIB with the seating, fit-out and performance to make it a very enjoyable day boat for big extended families — keeping in mind it can carry up to 14 people.

Many buyers will choose to dry-stack a boat of this size at a marina — but it is available to buy with a tandem axle trailer as tested. That said, the Sport 700 is over-width for Australian roads at 2.93m across the beam, so it may be subject to towing restrictions.

The Highfield Sport 700 has a starting price of $135,845 with a Yamaha 150hp outboard. A trailer adds $13,870 to the drive-away price.

With electronics and the more powerful 200hp Yamaha, the price of the test boat rises to $147,345 plus trailer.

Sea trials

RPM	SPEED (KT)	FUEL BURN (L/H)	RANGE (NM)
1000	4.0	3.1	349.3
1500	5.6	5.3	286.0
2000	7.5	8.4	241.7
2500	12.2	12.6	262.1
3000	16.3	15.1	292.3
3500	21.6	19.8	295.4
4000	25.4	28.2	243.9
4500	29.5	35.8	223.1
5000	33.5	50.1	181.0
5500	36.8	62.2	160.2
6000	41.0	75.7	146.6

*Sea trial data supplied by the author. Fuel range figures calculated leaving 5 per cent in reserve.

Specifications

Boat type	Aluminium RIB centre console
Hull length	6.99m
Beam	2.93m
Deadrise (transom)	26 degrees
Hull weight	1024kg
Weight on trailer	Approx. 2500kg
Hull tube diameter	565mm
Maximum power	250hp
Power as tested	Yamaha 200hp four-stroke
Fuel	285L
Water	40L
Flotation standard	Level
Maximum persons	14
Maximum load	1503kg