Inflatable, GRP or Aluminium Hull and floors ?

[digitalman]

Ah. Guessing you don’t make your own when they are full size!

Most times it was maintaining the tax payers multi million pound investment

[ChrisParish]

I don’t suppose they like you fiddling with those!

[digitalman]

I don’t suppose they like you fiddling with those!

It was never encouraged

[Andy]

@harrison
So what's your opinion of the Highfield Ocean Master 460, as this has an ali hull ?
Anyone got one, or used one ?
Any downsides with x2 side by side jockey seats up front ?





Looking for my next boat with a steering wheel

[harrison]

Nothing wrong with Highfields per se.
Aluminium hull (discussed at start of this thread) and pvc toobs as satandard...hypalon option available.
Reasonable 20 degree deadrise so should handle ok.
Look good in the grey hulls n toobs.
Not seen that layout but perhaps a bit narrow for side by side jockeys methinks.
New or secondhand?
What size motor?

[Andy B]

There are also flat airdecks with inflatable sausage keel under. Still nice and light with a flat deck, although possibly worst performing of all.

Couldn't agree more.
These things are terrible!
They have the worst qualities of all the classes of Sibs without any plus point.
The floors are prone to puncture due to things getting trapped underneath them.
The floor bulges up when the keel is inflated reducing the rigidity of the hull skin.
And they still have the inconvenience of having a 2 piece boat.

More suited to smaller sibs.

It would be a close call between an air deck and a slatted floor
But when you consider that i recently was able to buy a 2.3m SunSport with a high pressure V floor, it's hard to see any situation where an air deck would be the better choice???
.

[9-R]

Still considering the Highfield 460? I had been looking for a RIB in the past but was detoured only because of the very high cost here in the States. I was specifically looking for a Highfield because of all of the great reviews and recommendations. Would have loved to get one.

Our SIB was a 460 size and fit our family of 5 well but not sure how good it would have been with seating 'in the way'. Just a couple of adults and should be good to go. Very efficient in performance as well.