Highfield Sport 700 2023 Review

Highfield’s RIB range is large and diverse, ranging from inflatable tenders that can stow in the back of a car through to commercial workboats for heavy-duty applications.

In between are plenty of models available for recreational boating applications.

For family water sports, it is hard to go past Highfield’s latest Sport RIB range. Introduced in 2020, the Sport models stretch from 3.0m through to 9.0m in length.

The Sport models are designed with a versatile centre or side console interior layout to cover off a range of boating activities from mothership tender through to deep sea diving, social tow sports, day cruising, and entertaining.

The Highfield Sport RIBs include the Sport 300, 330, 360, 390, 420, 520, 560, 650, 700, 800, and the range-topping Sport 900.

Each Sport RIB is produced with a deep-vee aluminium hull ringed in inflatable tubes made from either Orca CMS Hypalon or Valmex PVC fabrics.

This rigid vee-hull/inflatable tube combination provides a smooth ride without compromising stability, as the inflatable tubes settle into the water when the boat comes off the plane and provide plenty of outboard buoyancy.

The Highfield Sport models are all quality RIBs, but for this review we have one of the larger offshore-capable boats, the Highfield Sport 700 paired with a 200hp Yamaha outboard engine.

Highfield Boats Australia has Highfield Sport 700 boat packages available from $135,845 when paired with a 150hp Yamaha extra-longshaft (25-inch) 2.7-litre with mechanical throttle/2.8-litre with digital throttle four-cylinder outboard engine with hydraulic steering.

Add $13,870 for a dual-axle Evolution galvanised steel trailer with electric-hydraulic break-away brakes.

Highfield has priced the trailer separately here because many buyers will likely keep this boat dry-stacked at a marina, ready to hit the water.

The Highfield Sport 700 can certainly be trailered, but it is over-width for Australian roads at 2.93m across the beam, and may be subject to towing restrictions.

Unlike some rival brands, Highfield does not skimp on standard features, so plenty of kit is included with the Highfield Sport 700.

Included is the centre console helm station with port side driving position; lean-seat post with helm chairs, cup holders and fold-out table; basic electrical pack; bow seating area with infill cushions and cocktail table; EVA foam rubber flooring throughout, including up on the front deck; LED interior lighting; rear boarding platforms with telescopic swim ladder; freshwater shower with 40L tank; transom targa bar/tow post; anchor well; and an EVA rubber-surfaced step up on the prow for disembarking. 

Our test boat package was paired with a larger 200hp Yamaha 2.8-litre four-cylinder outboard engine along with a Garmin Echomap Ultra 125sv multifunction display; Icom VHF radio; Fusion MS-RA770 stereo with speakers; bimini cover (not fitted); and underwater blue LED lighting, pushing the package price to $147,345, or $161,215 with the addition of the Evolution dual-axle galvanised steel trailer.

The Highfield Sport 700 is 6.99m long, 2.93m wide and weighs about 1020kg. On the trailer, the combined weight is about 2500kg.

All Highfield RIBs have a powder-coated aluminium hull with transom deadrise angles ranging from 20 to 26 degrees.

The Highfield Sport 700 has the latter, along with a flattened keel, two very wide lifting strakes and reversed-angle chines to stiffen the hull at rest.

The Highfield Sport 700 uses 565mm-diameter inflatable tubes encircling the hull with six sealed chambers to provide safety flotation.

The hull tubes also have an abrasion/impact-resistant external rubbing strip, two carry/grab handles at the bow, and four grab handles aft.

There’s also a full-length keel guard to protect the alloy hull bottom when it is hauled up on a beach or boat ramp.

The inflatable tubes on our test boat are made using top quality Orca Chlorosulfonated Polyethylene (CSM) coated fabric from French maker Pennel & Flipo.

The Highfield Sport 700 is also available with inflation tubes made using Valmex PVC from German company Melher Texnologies.

Locally delivered boats come standard with the Orca-Hypalon product as it is generally considered more durable and better suited to Australia’s harsh environment.

For mothership tender applications, the Highfield Sport 700 has a pair of welded double-eye davit lifting points on the floor at the bow, and two more aft, underneath the rear bench seat.

The Highfield Sport 700 is a smart-looking high-performance RIB with a double-wide centre console situated between bow and stern seating/lounging areas.

Up forward, there is a spacious V-shaped seating area as well as a forward-facing seat in front of the helm console.

Both have clip-on cushions with smart-looking, double-diamond-stitched vinyl upholstery.

The cushions are also made using a quick-drying reticulated foam and have an open weave backing so they won’t retain moisture.

For sun lovers, the front seating area can be converted into a large sun pad using an included cushioned infill board that is quite large and cumbersome. You’d probably leave it at home if it was unlikely to be used.

The front seat cushions are removable so anglers can use the elevated front platform as a casting deck. The platform beneath the cushions is surfaced with EVA foam rubber to provide excellent grip underfoot.

With regard to storage, there is a small anchor well right up in the forepeak, and a second, much bigger storage bin beneath a gas-strut-supported hatch on the front deck.

In our test rig, this larger bin/compartment was used to stow the anchor, along with a couple of fenders.

There’s more storage space inside the centre console behind a large front-opening hatch with two gas strut supports in place to hold it open.

This front storage area also contained the batteries in the test rig and is used to access the wiring behind the helm station. The fascia panel can also open out to service the engine instruments and dash electronics.

The Highfield Sport 700 has a modern, dual-width centre console with a full-height, single-piece acrylic windscreen.

The console also has the steering wheel and controls offset to the port side to allow space for the front passenger to stand comfortably to starboard.

The skipper and first mate can stand or sit at the helm with a decent degree of comfort and security, as the helm leaning post incorporates two full-size bucket chairs with flip-up front bolsters.

When seated, the steering wheel and throttle fall nicely to hand for the skipper, and there is a well-placed, full-width footrest underneath.

The sight lines from the helm are pretty decent all round, although I did note some slight distortion at the edges of the curved windshield.

Above the steering wheel and throttle mounting box is a full-width carbonfibre-trimmed fascia panel with space for a pair of 12-inch multifunction displays.

Our test rig was optioned with a single Garmin Echomap Ultra 125sv fishfinder/chartplotter combination display, along with a Fusion audio system and Icom VHF radio.

The Highfield Sport 700 is rated to carry 14 people, so it made sense to outfit this model with plenty of seats.

As well as the bow seating/lounging area, and the two helm bucket chairs, there is a full-width fixed bench seat stretching across the transom.

The bench has a large storage space underneath, and a removable clip-on, matching vinyl-upholstered cushion overhead.

The two-piece padded backrest lifts outs to provide access to the large rear boarding platforms and the port-side telescopic boarding ladder.

There’s also a small table that unfolds from the back of the leaning post, conveniently positioned in front of the aft bench seat.

Other features of note include a freshwater shower, and a very sturdy looking transom targa bar with tow point and side plates for mounting aerials.

I expected excellent performance from the Highfield Sport 700, and I was not disappointed.

The Highfield Sport 700 is a first-class RIB with a high-performance deep-vee hull, flanked by tough Orca Hypalon tubes that settle down nicely into the water to provide exceptional stability at rest.

Underway, the Highfield Sport 700 is soft riding, nicely balanced and reasonably dry.

Inflatable boats and RIBs are notoriously wet at speed, but I found that the Highfield’s reverse-angled chines combine with the inflation tubes to suppress spray, deflecting it down and away from the boat.

Similar to other RIBs, you will take a bit of water over the Highfield’s front quarter in blustery conditions, but I was otherwise impressed.

I was also pleased with the balance of the Highfield and its excellent response to minor adjustments to trim angle and throttle speed.

Generally, the boat likes to run bow high, but at cruise speeds, the hull also works well with the bow pinned down so the finely drawn stem can cut through the chop.

The Highfield Sport 700 is a decent performer too, carving tight turns with ease and safety, the hull and engine gripping the water strongly through high-speed manoeuvres.   

The Sport 700 accepts extra-longshaft outboard engines between 115hp and 250hp.

Paired with the 200hp Yamaha outboard engine, we achieved a top speed of 41 knots at 6000rpm.

The hull proved to be quick and agile throughout the rev range, providing ample performance for most recreational boating applications.

If the boat was to be used regularly with its maximum 14 people onboard then I would opt for the 250hp engine but, for general applications, 200hp should be plenty.

Performance

Range on 95% of the 285L fuel supply: 295.4nm at 3500rpm

The Highfield Sport 700 is a versatile, high-performance RIB. It has the seating, features and fit-out to serve as an excellent super-yacht tender, combined with the ride comfort, speed, and performance required for social tow sports, day cruising, diving and more.

The Sport 700 is well-made, nicely finished and stacked with good gear and equipment. I rate it highly as a family sports boat, and as a mothership tender.

Specifications
Model: Highfield Sport 700
Length: 6.99m
Beam: 2.93m
Deadrise: 26deg
Weight: 1023kg (est)
Tube diameter: 565mm
Weight on trailer: 2500kg (est)
Maximum power: 250hp
Engine as tested: 200hp Yamaha 2.8L 4cyl
Fuel: 285L
Water: 40L
Flotation standard: Level
Maximum persons: 14

Maximum persons: 14

Priced from: $135,845 including a 150hp Yamaha extra-longshaft (25-inch) outboard engine with Ultraflex hydraulic steering. Add $13,870 for a dual-axle Evolution galvanised steel trailer with electric-hydraulic break-away brakes.

Price as tested: $161,215. As above but including the trailer; the upgraded 200hp Yamaha four-stroke outboard engine; Yamaha Command Link EX display; Garmin Echomap Ultra 125sv multifunction display; Icom VHF radio; Fusion MS-RA770 audio system with speakers; bimini cover (not fitted); underwater blue LED lighting.

Supplied by: Highfield Boats Australia