Highfield Boats just dropped a short recap video from its 2026 North American Dealer Meeting, and this year the crew moved the party to Chicago.
For years the event lived in Cadillac, Michigan, close to the factory. It simply got too big.
The video itself is quick and upbeat.
You see dealers and partners from the US and Canada mingling, checking out new RIBs, and generally having a good time on the water. Think networking, product demos, a dinner, and the usual competitive cornhole.
Nothing deep here, just a thank you to the people who sell their boats. Still, a nice look at a brand that keeps growing.
What Does “Friends of RIBsONLY.com” Actually Mean?
Rigid Inflatable Boats have something special about them. They combine a rigid hull with inflatable tubes, creating a boat that is stable, practical and capable in a wide range of conditions.
For people who share that passion, RIBsONLY.com has been dedicated to the remarkable world of RIBs since 2008.
Along the way, we have also built relationships with companies that know this market inside out. I call them Friends of RIBsONLY.com
You will find links to these companies in the RIBsONLY.com sidebar on the right. Pay them a visit.
Who Are the Friends of RIBsONLY.com?
They are not simply RIB manufacturers or marine suppliers.
What connects them is their focus on quality, specialist knowledge on the RIB market.
Friends of RIBsONLY.com may offer:
RIBs designed for leisure, professional or performance use;
Professional tube fabrics and materials;
RIB rentals and charters for B2B;
Specialist marine seating;
Equipment, accessories and technical resources;
Practical advice based on real experience.
A Focus on Quality
RIBsONLY.com has always placed quality above quantity.
The same principle applies to Friends of RIBsONLY.com. The aim is not to create the longest possible list of marine companies here on RIBsONLY.com. It is to highlight businesses that are relevant to RIB owners and serious about what they do.
That means looking at factors such as:
Product and build quality;
Materials and engineering;
Durability and safety;
Specialist knowledge;
Reputation and reliability.
If you’re curious about all active RIB builders worldwide, check my RIBManufadturerList.com. There are more than 200!
Good Service Still Matters
A good product is only part of the story. Good service and support after sales are at least as important. Solid companies understand that.
Buying a RIB, replacing tubes or choosing new seats often involves technical questions and important decisions.
Friends of RIBsONLY.com listen first and are client centred. They help customers find a solution that suits the way they actually use their boat.
That might mean helping a first-time RIB buyer or discussing specific technical requirements with an experienced owner.
Either way, useful advice matters more than a hard sell.
Finding the Right Companies
The RIB market has grown enormously, and there is no shortage of choice.
Friends of RIBsONLY.com are companies with a clear connection to the RIB world.
They know the products, understand the customers and share an interest in keeping people safely and happily on the water.
If you are looking for a RIB, the Friends of RIBsONLY.com network is a very good place to start.
Join the RIBs ONLY Community
RIBsONLY.com is about more than boats and equipment. It is also about the people who use them.
If you have a question, want to share your experience or simply enjoy talking about RIBs, join the conversation in the RIBs ONLY 2.0 Facebook group.
Advice from experienced owners can often be just as valuable as information from manufacturers and suppliers.
And there you can share all your knowledge, your boating trips, great looking RIBs, RIB meetings and so on.
The Twisted Scorpion 34T blends serious offshore performance with the comfort and finish expected from a high-end British leisure Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB).
At around 10.4 metres long and 3.1 metres wide, it offers a spacious layout suited to cruising and tender use.
A pair of 300 hp Honda outboards delivers strong performance, supported by joystick steering and a bow thruster for easier handling.
On deck, passengers get ample seating, a forward sunpad, a wet bar, refrigeration, a sink and protection beneath the hardtop.
Boarding steps over the tubes, a swim ladder, towing fittings and a private toilet compartment add useful practicality for longer trips.
With roughly 900 litres of fuel capacity, the 34T combines extended range with reported maximum speeds approaching 60 knots.
The Panamera Yachts 110 Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) was tested with triple Honda 350 V8 outboards after further setup work by Nautica Glem.
The goal was not simply higher speed, but better efficiency, smoother running and reduced engine load.
At around seven tonnes, the RIB planed at about 13 knots and became noticeably more efficient as speed increased. Between 23 and 25 knots, total fuel consumption dropped below 3.5 litres per nautical mile.
At 30 knots, the engines were still running close to their economical range. Despite short, confused waves of around one metre, sometimes reaching 1.5 metres, the hull remained composed and comfortable, according to the crew.
The Panamera Yachts 110 reached 54 to 55 knots at roughly 5,800 rpm. An earlier run reportedly produced 56 to 57 knots at 6,000 rpm.
Test Data of the Panamera Yachts 110
Test conditions: approximately 6,500–7,000 kg displacement, with short and irregular waves around 1–1.5 metres. Fuel figures refer to the three engines combined.
GALAXY RIBs Built for Patrol, Rescue and Commercial Work
GALAXY RIBs Pilot P6.5 and P7 are aluminium-hulled professional RIBs developed for rescue, patrol, diving, commercial work and other demanding operations.
The 6,5-metre P6.5 carries up to 12 people and accepts engines up to 250 hp, while retaining generous open deck space.
The larger P7 stretches to 6,95 metres, increases capacity to 13 passengers and raises maximum outboard power to 300 hp.
Both models use five-chamber inflatable tubes, robust aluminium construction and configurable consoles, seating and equipment tailored to specific professional roles.
GALAXY RIBs also offers 3D CAD visualisation before production, giving operators a clearer view of each custom layout before the boat is built.
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