highfield ultralite rib

[Cutwater28GG]

Has anyone bought a highfield 240SS ultralite RIB for their boat? https://highfieldnorthamerica.com/boats ... ace-saver/

curious of any feedback

I owned a takacat for 5 years, but this past year, the glued seems just completely gave up.

Im going Hypalon this time, and the cost price for the takacat in Hypalon and an alu RIB is pretty close.

With a cutwater 28 Im still worried about weight on the stern, but the ultralite RIB comes in about 72lbs vs 55lbs for the Takacat. That seems close enough for me, especially as I now have trim tab fins giving me more ability to raise the stern.

 

[ALICE J]

An issue with the UltraLite is the floor. It is not level, but slants towards the "V" . Very awkward and uncomfortable if you stand, particularly when boarding or disembarking from the dingy. I have a regular 310 Highfield with a 15 HP engine, with a level floor, works great, and have towed it all through the Bahamas and Bras d'Or Lakes and the Canadian Maritimes with a double bridle, up close almost on the transom with little or issues. With it tight, backing is not an issue.

 

[Martin610]

Hi Gavin,
I have a Highfield 240 ultralite. Very happy with it. I've had it about a year and half now. Mine is the Hypalon version. Love how it fits on the swim platform. It doesn't catch any wake. It has a lot of attachment points built in so I can use several lines to tie it on very securely.

Hopefully, you can see this picture: https://photos.app.goo.gl/usfVt3z6zK4Yg8y4A

I have found the deck more stable than the roll up I use to have. Of course, everyone's preferences are different. I needed something light to make it easier to muscle around.

-martin610

 

[Cutwater28GG]

Thanks for the feedback both!

Martin have you suffered from the issue that AliceJ makes about the floor angle?

I have the weaver davies and I notice there is a grab handle quite near the stern on the outside. I hope my exisitng weaver attach points will miss this handle

Also how’s the weight on the stern? Nonissue?

 

[scross]

Gavin,
I am in the middle of fitting our new 82 pound Zodiac Cadet 270 Alu RIB to a weaver davit system. The Zodiac has the same vee hull shape as our last RIB. While I would prefer the flat bottom configuration, the extra weight was prohibitive.
The Cadet is 6” longer than the C-28’s beam and 12” longer than the width at the transom. We have tha same problematic handle near the rear of our dinghy tube. Its position dictated all the placement measurements. We ended up with the stern of the dinghy sticking out 2” past the widest beam on the port side and 4” past the widest beam at the nose of the dinghy on the starboard side. Add 3” to each overhang measurement to get the overhang at each side of the rear of the swim platform.
The davit heads are only 38” apart and not quite symmetrical on the swim platform. Should work I hope!

 

[Martin610]

Hi,

The floor angle has not been an issue with us. We transition out of the dingy and into the boat much easier with this dingy than we did with our old flat floor wooden slat dingy.

No issue with weight on the stern. I tie mine up right behind the swim step box so its not as far out as with weaver davits. However, the dingy is light enough that I don't see it being an issue.

-martin610

 

[Cutwater28GG]

Martin did you get the lt or ss model? Ie standard or skinny tubes?

 

[Martin610]

I had wanted the 17 inch tubes. I bought from Defender (before they were sold) and spoke with one of their advisor Captains. He said the 17 inch tubes were not available in the US. So I got the 15 inch tubes.

As it happened that might have been the best for me. The first mate is on the small side. Like 5' 2". She barely makes it with the 15 inch tubes so this worked out for us.

I have two outboards (whole story) and usually use a Suzuki 2.5 4 stroke. Pushes the dingy surprisingly well. Very easy to lift on and off. The Highfield RIB steers and handles much better than our old flat bottom dink.

I also have a Mercury/Tohatsu 3.5 HP. Nice power but significantly heavier to move on and off the dink.

-martin610

 

[Captmike]

Here is another idea, I purchased a true Kit Navigator tender last year and love it. Put weaver davits on it and I can pull it up by hand. Currently I leave it inflated on top of the boat so the stern is clear while underway. Weighs about 68 lbs. I run a torqeedo or and a epaddle. truekit.au.com.