Highfield OM 420
words, photos & video by James Dumergue
Australian Progeny
Scott is very passionate about the Highfield Brand. You can understand why and it’s not because he is the Australian Distributor, it’s because the DNA from his brand went into creating Highfield Inflatables.
Swift Marine Australia builds robust and reliable boats for the commercial sector, including the Police, Rescue and Marine Parks. Meeting the harsh conditions in Australia with robust solutions in both manufacturing techniques and design, Swift’s philosophies have gone into these Chinese built Aluminium Ribs.
History
When the wave of Chinese built inflatables arrived in Australia last decade, it made it difficult for local manufacturers to compete on price. Chinese imports were significantly cheaper at the register, but the life expectancy was a great deal shorter. Reputable brands from New Zealand and Europe tried manufacturing inflatable boats in China to compete, but the results were mixed, and the quality was variable. Lesser quality fabrics, glues and painting techniques saw many manufacturing shortcomings revealed.
The mistakes of others were the foundation from which to build a solid plan to move forward with manufacturing in China. Existing relationships with materials suppliers mitigated the arduous task of finding the right manufacturer. From the ninety-plus inflatable boat manufacturers to choose from at the time, there was only one that came recommended, and that’s where the Australian connection to what would become Highfield began.
Established in 2011, Highfield is one of the newest players on the field. Still, the combination of durability and pricing has seen it take an oversized bite out of the global market for aluminium inflatables. It has also helped build a reputation for quality out of China.
Quick rise
The success is partly thanks to the Australian design and manufacturing techniques, but it also due to the structure implemented by the French owner. European management and distribution systems along with protected distribution networks have enabled Highfield to grow to be arguably one of the biggest manufacturers of Aluminium Ribs in the world.
Ocean Master 420
Todays Highfield review boat is the Ocean Master 420, it was special ordered for a customer and shows options that are available in this model. The significant differences to the standard are the standup bolster seat and the more vertical centre console. Both options allow for more floor space in the boat.
Construction
As part of the Ocean Master series, strength and durability are hallmarks. High tensile 5083 plate aluminium, two longitudinal girders and a solid 4mm plate aluminium floor give much torsional strength to the hull.
The oversized tubes and made from high-quality 1100 Dtex coated fabric, it’s glued to the powder-coated hull. This bond is only as good as the powder coat that attaches to it. According to Scott, this is one of the key elements that separates Highfield from other inflatables manufacturers in China. To ensure the high strength of the bond, essential compounds of the primer are still to this day, sent to the Highfield Factory from Australia.
Unlike many other manufacturers in China, the Highfield factory is a dedicated factory, building only Highfield boats. Having produced over 15000 vessels in their eight short years of existence is a validation of their design, manufacturing and distribution philosophies. Scott said every year they are continually upgrading the CNC machines for cutting Fabrics in their plasma cutters for cutting the Aluminium. Every year they take quantum leaps in their technology that they use.
Power & Performance
Inflatables have the advantage of requiring less power to get out of the displacement hole. Personal usage dictates the size motor required but anything from 30 horsepower right up to 60 horsepower, giving plenty of choice for your boating style. Fitted on the test boat is a powerful 60 hp Yamaha four-stroke outboard. It slingshots the Ocean Master out of the hole and onto a plane with ease.
The hull has 20-degree deadrise for wave cutting performance. Strakes are welded to the hull to give proper tracking and tight turns. The benign conditions denied the opportunity to put it to the test, but the grip demonstrated through high speed turns impressed. Stability from the aft section of the tubes making contact with the water is reassuring.
Layout & Functionality
The off-centre console layout lends its self to being a safer and easier boat to move around. You can get from the bow to the transom without disturbing the helm area.
If you’re doing water sports and using the tow point on the top of the Targa Arch, the spotter has a good handhold along the back of the bolster seat when facing aft. The Targa arch also offers a multitude of handholds plus the cleats that are standard on either side offer great tying off points in addition to the forward-facing bow cleat.
The factory cut and customise the anti-slip floor to each model; it’s comfortable underfoot and provides grip wet or dry. If water makes it way in then, two oversized clearing ports can have the bungs removed, and the decks can be cleared quickly underway. Flappers prevent the water from coming back in. If conditions prevent the use of the drive and drain system, the bung to the underfloor compartment can be pulled out allowing the floor to drain and the bilge pump empties the water overside.
Storage
Storage is excellent on this boat. It has five areas to stow items away from the weather. Under the bow seat is the handy fuel filler for the integrated under deck 40-litre fuel and a bow locker to store the anchor rode and more. The forward-facing seat has under the seat storage, but you’ve also got behind the backrest. The bolster space has been used well, right under the seat is a secure and generous sized well, it more significant than your average-sized gelato shop vendors offerings and makes a handy spot to keep the phone and wallet camera and many more quick-access items when underway. It saves things from flying around the dash. The addition of a waterproof gasket to make sure any water wouldn’t make it in and a limiter or gas strut to prevent over opening pressure on the hinges would be welcome.
The smaller footprint of this console and the Bolster seat combination have opened up this model to more options. The bolster creates another area of safe storage on the locker below. The space aft has been the winner giving enough space to store a drinks cooler/esky and tackles boxes or a wakeboard and tow rope so the rest of the stay clear of clutter.
Ocean Master hallmarks
There are decent welded lifting points, and a suitable tow point for ocean towing below the bow step, features like this and the number of handholds make this boat deserving of the Ocean Master Monkier. When the sea gets rough, you can never have enough handholds to move around safely or stay onboard. The solid handrails on the back of the bolster are perfect for a spotter to grip onto during towed water sports. The Targa arch is a solid piece of engineering, allowing a high tow point and cleats halfway down the outboard sides, have a multitude of uses including an easy tie-up to other boats and jetties with the addition of the bow cleat.
Incredibly practical is the handhold frame of the centre console. It frames and protects the windscreen, offering solid grab points for those standing or sitting, plus it protects the windshield from being grabbed and cracked by an unsteady occupant. For the wind in your hair hell-raising runs seated, there are even solid handholds down low on the sides of the forward-facing seat.
Fit and finish
The fit and finishes of the Highfield Ocean Master 420 are commendable. The powder coat finish appears to be to the high standard that Scott knows is needed on the hull, centre console and Targa arch. The Ctex material in a grey with double-diamond stitching gives this model a more luxurious feel, and the glued seams of the tubes and fitted accessories are exact.
A boat for who?
There are two clear owners for this boat, owners of a large boat with a decent davit or hydraulic swim platform to use it as their tender and day boaters who want a boat to handle all sorts of conditions and a multitude of uses. It’s stable and safe to be in open water for fishing or diving and has towed water sports written all over it. Being powered by a 60 hp motor and capable of hitting the 35 knot mark it does open up the day boating range, and when it’s time to explore faraway places, it easily trailers behind your average vehicle.
