Overview

Highfield’s Velox 420 is a ­welcome addition to the entry-level-­­boat segment. Priced at $36,000, this jet-powered RIB is intended to fill the compact runabout niche somewhat abandoned by popular boat brands. Highfield is pitching the Velox not only as a tender, but also as a family boat especially ideal for younger captains.

Engine

The 14-foot-7-inch Velox 420 features an aluminum deep-V hull surrounded by Orca Hypalon tubes. The powder-­coated aluminum hull incorporates the boat deck, an integrated 14.5-gallon fuel tank and the swim platform. The helm console and bow boarding step are molded fiberglass. The boat is powered by a 90 hp Rotax 900 ACE jet drive—the same reliable three-cylinder 899cc powertrain featured in the Sea-Doo Spark watercraft. A fiberglass insert forms the jet pump intake and the aft center of the running surface to provide efficient intake flow in a shape that would be challenging to form in aluminum.

Interior and Accessories

The aluminum hatch over the engine bay is also the base for the main seat, wide enough for two or a tight fit for three people. The pivoting seat backrest enables facing forward or aft on this seat. The deep boarding platform is covered with the same MarineMat material that covers the deck. There’s also a small seat on the forward helm console and a seat pad in the bow peak (useful at rest, not underway). Stowage space is limited to some room within the console, accessed by raising the forward seat. This is a 14-footer, remember.

The helm console holds a Medallion touchscreen display that can be used to select ­Rotax performance modes (Eco, Docking and Ski). Switches for lighting and the head for the optional audio system ($920) are to port of the wheel. There is a wireless device charger next to the display screen. The console is topped with a small windscreen and a robust grab handle.

Read Next: Highfield Sport 800

The 90 hp jet pushed this 1,060-pound vessel to a top speed of 38 mph with a light load. Performance is typical jet—strong acceleration starts at about 5,500 rpm; at speed in a hard turn, the radius tightens until the boat starts to slide a bit, but this is easy to control. Fuel economy is outstanding at better than 7 mpg at cruising speeds, for a range of about 100 miles. That’s a lot of fun per gallon.

How We Tested

• Engine: Single 90 hp Rotax 900 ACE jet drive
• Drive/Prop: Jet drive/144 mm x 15/19″ pitch stainless-steel impeller
• Gear Ratio: 1:1 Fuel Load: 6 gal. Crew Weight: 190 lb.

High Points

• Boat, fuel and trailer combined will weigh less than 1,400 pounds—an easy tow for compact vehicles.
• No prop, no trim, and minimal ­maintenance with a jet drive make for easy ownership.
• Beach this boat with no worries thanks to a rugged aluminum hull with keel guard.
• RIB offers excellent stability at rest and absorbs dock bumps.

Low Points

• High-rpm jet drive is very noisy and transmits significant vibration to the cockpit.
• Fuel fill below the bow seat cushion is challenging to reach and offers potential for spills within the boat.
• Minimal stowage space.

Toughest Competition

The 15-foot-9-inch Scarab 165SE (base price $45,460 with trailer) weighs about 1,600 pounds (2,300 pounds on its steel trailer) and is powered by a 170 hp Rotax 1630 ACE jet drive with up to 300 hp as an option. This is a very stylish jet ­runabout with more performance and ­storage space than the Velox.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

The post Boat Test: 2025 Highfield Velox 420 appeared first on Boating Mag.

The Highfield Boats Velox 420 is redefining what the boating industry knows to be true about jet boats. A sleek, reserved design combines Highfield’s renowned durability and lightweight aluminum hull with the cutting-edge performance of a jet propulsion system. A boat built for a day on the water spent surfing, diving and more has elevated the jet boat market with a brand-new approach to exploration.

According to the team at Highfield Boats, this model tops out around 39 mph and is powered by the BRP Rotax 90 HP engine, built to outfit the Velox 420 perfectly. Unlike most jet boats, this model capitalizes every inch of the vessel to ensure owners can seat up to eight people and bring along all their surfing, diving and fishing equipment on board for their next adventure. Uniquely designed to include a fiberglass platform to lounge and surf, the lightweight, buoyant and easy to tow Velox 420 has all the advantages of a rib while maximizing the thrill of owning a jet boat. Both visually and performance wise this model easily sets itself apart from the competition.

Watch as the editors of Boating Magazine take you behind the scenes for a first look at this luxury jet boat at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.

The post Introducing the Highfield Boats Velox 420 appeared first on Boating Mag.

Overview

Hit the throttles, and Highfield’s Sport 800 goes zero to 30 mph in 4.9 seconds. In fact, at 30, 35 or even 45 mph, the boat will firmly push you back into the leaning post when you lay on the gas. Do hold on.

Rigid inflatable boats—RIBs—such as the Sport 800 are up to 50 percent lighter than similar-size ­conventional boats. This superior horsepower-to-weight ratio is made even better in Highfield’s case because its aluminum hulls weigh even less. This is why the Sport 800 accelerates and attains the speeds that it does.

Handling matches the speed and acceleration. With the wheel locked over, even approaching 50 mph, the boat never let go, tracking around sharper, and with more G-force, frankly, than any normal boating scenario you are likely to encounter. In more-sedate maneuvers, it’s a joy responding and ­recovering instantly to input at the wheel, trim and throttle. The Sport 800 delivers a slam- and ­bam-free experience in chop.

The Sport 800’s hull is narrow, with deep deadrise, more so in both respects than a conventional boat’s hull. This accounts for the smooth ride. Furthermore, the tube provides stability, and, when the boat comes off a wave, it ­attenuates vibration.

Interior and Accessories

The layout and features should please those in the market for a center-console dayboat. Certainly, one can fish or dive from this rugged, seaworthy performer. Two swim platforms with boarding ladders, plus a transom shower and ski pylon, serve for watersports. The aft lounge converts to a sun pad, and a cockpit table and a standard drawer-­style refrigerator ensure entertaining prowess. In the bow, find a sun lounge and a console seat. The T-top provides weather protection, and a concealed anchor windlass hauls the hook.

We noted many indicators of a quality build aboard the Highfield Sport 800. For instance, there’s a drip edge molded into the console to keep gear from sliding off. Hatches are finished on the underside, their hinges through-bolted, and gear stowed within kept dry by deep gutters. Wiring is tidy and secure.

Running a RIB such as the Highfield Sport 800 is a different experience than running a conventional boat. Book a demo ride and see for yourself.

Read Next: The Ultimate Boat

How We Tested

• Engines: Twin 150 hp Mercury FourStroke
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/15.3″ x 19″
• Gear Ratio: 1.92:1 Fuel Load: 50 gal. Water on Board: 10 gal. Crew Weight: 450 lb.

High Points

• Aluminum hull provides excellent ­power-to-weight for thrilling ­acceleration and performance (or ­leverage the same feature for economy by going easy on the throttle).
• Planes using a single 150 hp outboard.
• Comfortable aft cockpit makes lounging and entertaining as viable as fishing and diving.
• Inflatable tube serves as a giant fender, while also adding stability and attenuating vibration, rattling, and banging.

Low Points

• There’s no head in the console of this boat, which you would likely find aboard a similar-size conventional boat.

Toughest Competitor

Check Brig’s Eagle 8 ($153,450; single Suzuki DF350 with contra-rotating props). It’s a single-engine boat, whereas the Highfield can use single or twin power. Its large console houses a head.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

The post Boat Test: 2024 Highfield Sport 800 appeared first on Boating Mag.

Highfield’s Sport 800 RIB Boat is the first of its series. Highfield’s construction, design, and in-house fabrication lead to a very well-built boat that looks great. It reached over 52 mph and got us nearly 3 miles to the gallon. Most boats of this size, traditional fiberglass boats, don’t get this type of efficiency or speed.

The helm and nice built-in drip edge help keep things in place and provide some relief for drainage. Some notable features include two swim platforms, two swim ladders, a cockpit table with dedicated storage for it, and a standard drawer-style refrigerator that slides out of the bench. The deep V-hull allows it to be stiff and light, and boy is this light! With twin 150 Mercury, it weighed 3600 pounds, which is half the weight of a competitively-sized fiberglass boat.

Learn more at: highfieldboats.com/boats/sport-800/.

The post 2024 Highfield Sport 800 appeared first on Boating Mag.