Offer I couldn't refuse. Highfield 310

[The Gurnard]

the UK highfield site appears to stipulate 20hp max

Hi Martin.

I think you will find this is the official Highfield UK website .. it was supplied to me by Bosuns Locker who are the local Highfield dealer in Scotland.

http://www.highfieldboatsuk.com/cl310.html

Cliff can confirm as it will be stamped on the CE plate of his boat

[Martin]

That’s really bizarre Donny, I’ll see if I can locate the page I read and do a link. It deffo said recommended 15hp and max 20hp.
Tbh, I was quite surprised it only took a 20hp max.

[Martin]

I see what I’ve done,
I typed in Highfield Boats UK, but the link I clicked was Highfield Boats .COM

Here’s the page.
http://www.highfieldboats.com/classic-310/

It does look conflicting and as you say correctly Donny, it’s what the CE plate stipulates

[The Gurnard]

Hi again Martin..I know the web page you are referring to ..and it is the world wide Highfield site probably in China ?

Below the line that says 15HP recommendaed Max 20HP there is a link to the manual. It states 15HP Max too.. I suspect the Chinese sell another version with a consul that will be rated to 20 Max..however that option is not available for UK boats

I noticed it from experience ..I knew the Ribeye 310 which is almost identical is MAX 10HP (They also do a consul version Max 20)
The Frib 330 is 15 Max..which is why a figure for a small lightweight boat of 20HP seemed a bit OTT to me. The good news is Cliff is happy..but also aware it will be a tiger by the tail if not careful.

I guess as a comparison for yourself..and I know you enjoy speed .. is the Frib 375 is MAX 25 HP ..you have a 20 HP on it..so imagine what it would be like if you had a 30HP on it for your first year.

Yup..you posted as I posted..that is the site..now download the manual ..from the same page..its Max 15

[DouglasW]

Hi Cliff, I think your dealer might have been right. My neighbour bought a Highfield 310 from Bosun’s Locker last year to use as a tender for his yacht. When I first saw your post I asked him to check the CE plate. He was down at the marina at the weekend and has confirmed both the paper manual and the CE plate on the boat is for 15max. He runs a 9.9 4st on it and says it will easily handle more. He is very pleased indeed with it and I hope you will be too.

As others have said, you will have a heap of fun but do be careful with weight distribution as short boats are very sensitive to this when used with big engines (I mean power output rather than weight). I have an F-Rib 330, recommended outboard size is 5-10 max is 15hp. I have used mine with 2.5, 6, 9.9 and 15. With the bottom 3 there really is no issue with weight distribution and safety but if I have my weight too far back and open the throttle full from a standing start, the power of the 15 is enough to sink the stern and flood water over the transom. Also if going for it in rough conditions, I have experienced a few dodgy steering moments with the 15 that I haven’t with the six at planing speeds. This is despite having used small boats with outboards from 2 to 40hp since 1970 and being on the water with the F-rib over 150 times in 2017.

With regard to insurance you will need to get an individual quote as your motor is above the CE plated size. I would recommend contacting someone like John Friendship at Allan and Thomas. For various reasons I needed an individual quote and Craftinsure would not cover me. I filled in the details on Allan Thomas website but did not meet their requirements either. John then contacted me, confirmed my circumstances and then went back to the underwriters. I got the cover I was looking for. Yes it cost me more than the “standard” risks policies but I was very pleasantly surprised by how little more it cost.

I hope you and the family have a very great deal of fun in your new boat.

Douglas.

PS Allan and Thomas take money off if you are a member of the RYA and even more if you are a Gold member.

[Martin]

Hi again Martin..I know the web page you are referring to ..and it is the world wide Highfield site probably in China ?

Below the line that says 15HP recommendaed Max 20HP there is a link to the manual. It states 15HP Max too.. I suspect the Chinese sell another version with a consul that will be rated to 20 Max..however that option is not available for UK boats

I noticed it from experience ..I knew the Ribeye 310 which is almost identical is MAX 10HP (They also do a consul version Max 20)
The Frib 330 is 15 Max..which is why a figure for a small lightweight boat of 20HP seemed a bit OTT to me. The good news is Cliff is happy..but also aware it will be a tiger by the tail if not careful.

I guess as a comparison for yourself..and I know you enjoy speed .. is the Frib 375 is MAX 25 HP ..you have a 20 HP on it..so imagine what it would be like if you had a 30HP on it for your first year.

Yup..you posted as I posted..that is the site..now download the manual ..from the same page..its Max 15

NOW YOUR TALKING !!!!
30hp on a frib 375, i'll have a bit of that please

On a serious note, i get where you're coming from completely... Perhaps the Highfield Sites could be a little more explanatory for the country they cover if restrictions apply to the limits of outboard size,power,weight.

Cliff... I have an F-Rib 375, It was the first single skin frib in the UK, The possible speeds of my craft with a 20hp on took it well out of the standard SIB insurance bracket but it didn't really suit the power boat bracket.
Having had a quote from Allan and Thomas Insurance (A RHIBs facebook group member i know of is the man there for such) quoted me. It wasn't cheap but it was thorough!
I then rang Craft Insure and explained what i had, Myself and Paul had a good chat with craft insure some years ago as the fribs were a new concept into the UK. Craft insure were also very thorough with the quote and came in a little cheaper than A&T Insurance. Will Craft Ins be the company that honour the insurance if the unquestionable actually happened, I would hope so, but in reality i really don't know.
I do however feel with the knowledge and experience at A&T Ins, they're probably likely to be the one to honour what they quoted for... So what I'm saying is.. If your craft is overpowered i really would consider talking to John or Peter at A&T Ins and explain exactly to the letter your circumstance.

As said above, that thing is going to go like the bloody clappers... sooooo, please take it easy when you get out for the first run... also - can i have a go

[DouglasW]

I think the Gurnard and Martin are being far too kind to whoever wrote the Highfield website. I am pretty sure the reference to 20HP is just a simple typo error on that single page. A quick shifty round various Highfield distributors' web sites in non EU areas (which will therefore not carry a CE plate) such as Asia, North America and South America produces the same recommendation as for the EU market: "recommended 10HP maximum 15HP".

This is from the Australian distributor:

It just goes to show, you can't believe everything you read on the internet! Note the disclaimer "Errors and Omissions excepted".

Douglas

[Cliff]

Thanks for all the advice chaps, but I'd rather be able to throttle up when conditions allow.
With regard to the rib purchase, bit of a problem... Both myself and the local dealer assumed that the ex demo model was a 2017. Shortly before collection this week, we find out it is a 2016 model, so had a bit more use than expected. I stipulated originally that I wanted a 2017 model, so after voicing my concerns, I was offered a brand new 2018 Highfield 310 at a good discount, so that is now what i'm getting as soon as the dealer can arrange to pick it up... So bit of a delay, but all's well that ends well.

[Martin]

Awesome !!!!
Looking forward to seeing this
Is the 2018 model still plated as a 15hp cliff ?

[Cliff]

As said above, that thing is going to go like the bloody clappers... sooooo, please take it easy when you get out for the first run... also - can i have a go

I will proceed with caution your honour . With regard to the plate, the consensus is that it is 15hp max, I haven't seen it, so I can't say yet. but probably. I''ll have to get an individual insurance quote, I suppose.

As to having a go Martin, course you can, first time we meet up, no problem