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Category: Petter Martens

Highfield Sport 900 – Walkaround

Karel Overlaet, RIB Advocate

Highfield Sport 900 Details

it is not the first time this RIB came to my attention. It’s Highfield Boats’ flagship a this moment (specs below).

It’s always interesting to read other reviews of that same RIB: Highfield 900 Sport schowcases

Performance

The Highfield Sport 900 delivers serious punch with twin 300-horsepower V8s, achieving speeds up to 56 knots. A single 300 provides sufficient performance while reducing fuel use. Its 26° dead rise hull ensures confident handling in chop, making the ride stable, dry, and comfortable at speed.

Design

Built with an aluminum hull and Hypalon tubes, the Highfield Sport 900 is tough, lightweight, and ready for rugged conditions. A recessed bow anchor avoids docking obstructions, while the synthetic teak flooring improves grip and comfort. Four lifting points allow crane handling, ideal for seasonal storage or tender operations.

Comfort

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Big Highfield Sport 900 Test Drive

Karel Overlaet, RIB Advocate

A Wild Test Drive with a Highfield Sport 900

The Highfield Sport 900 combines rugged practicality with luxury performance, designed for adventurous boaters who demand versatility and reliability.

Weighing 1,780 kg, it carries twin 300-horsepower Mercury V8s and 380 liters of fuel, offering serious offshore capability.

Its 26° deadrise hull delivered a cushioned ride through confused seas, remaining stable where lesser ribs would struggle.

In calm water, cruising at 20 knots consumed just 30 liters per hour, proving the boat’s fuel efficiency.

Top speed reached 55 knots, though 53 knots is recommended for comfort and safe handling.

Mercury joystick control provided precise maneuvering, with responsive 360° spins, side-slips, and GPS-assisted Skyhook station holding.

The aluminum hull and tubes enhance durability, beaching capability, and practicality for water sports.

This video was published on the BoatLife YouTube channel.

Proud to share that Highfield is a good Friend of RIBs ONLY.

Specs

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Highfield Sport 900: Specs, Performance, Top Speeds

Karel Overlaet, RIB Advocate

The Aluminum Highfield Sport 900 Reviewed

The Rigid Inflatable Boat Highfield Sport 900 its the company’s flagship at this moment.

Highfield started off with a professional-grade craft. They optimized it for recreational use.

That’s what this video is all about.

The hull of this flagship is based on that of the famous Patrol 860.

Naval architect Petter Martens redesigned it. It offers better stability and performance.

Their 900 Sport RIB with an aluminum hull offers the ruggedness and reliability of a commercial vessel. It also provides the comfort and style of a leisure boat.

This video was published on the

Proud to share that Highfield is a good Friend of RIBs ONLY.

Highfield Sport 900: Specs, Performance, Top Speeds @ RIBs ONLY - Home of the Rigid Inflatable Boat
Highfield Sport 900 deck lay-out

Consummation Tests

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About the Enigma Hull Tech by Debbie Hood (CEO)

Karel Overlaet, RIB Advocate
It’s not Enigma hull but it demonstrates the hydrodynamic effect which is great to understsnd and view @ RIBs ONLY - Home of the Rigid Inflatable Boat
It’s not the Enigma hull but it demonstrates the hydrodynamic effect which is great to understand and view

>> 2 minutes read time

About the Enigma Hull Tech and Style

Earlier, I’ve written about this British built super RIB Enigma here on RIBsONLY.com but this article is more focused on the R&D (Research and Development).

Deep V-Hulls have always suited high-performance craft.

The hydrodynamic airflow through steps along the hull draws air under the boat. This creates the bubble effect that assists easier ride flow.

At Enigma Powerboats, founder Debbie Hood and her team have taken that technology to the next level.

Through years of endurance race-proven testing, Enigma has developed outstanding expertise.

Their passion for transferring supercar streamlining technology and design style to the super RIB market drives their innovation.

Enigma is proud to provide the safest, most comfortable, and easiest-to-handle high-quality built Super RIB to the market.

In addition, each build is tailored to the client’s specific sea environment, weather, and heat.

The team ensures every part of Enigma is hand-built for longevity in that environment.

Debbie Hood Shares the Following with Us

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The Enigma Powerboat Rocks!

Karel Overlaet, RIB Advocate
Enigma powerboat @ RIBs ONLY - Home of the Rigid Inflatable Boat

The Intriguing Enigma Powerboat

Do you know that persistent itchy feeling that won’t go away?

That’s how I felt when I first saw the renderings, images, and later the videos, of this British-built RIB Enigma powerboat.

I was completely overwhelmed. I’ve seen many RIBs in the past and have been impressed by several brands known for their excellent engineering.

The RIB looks slick, fast, and capable. The flagship model at this moment is the Enigma 38 Open Leisure. It’s a CAT B Offshore.

The hull design with a triple ventilated step was created by naval architect Adam Younger.

Petter Martens of Beserk Designs also joined the team. He contributed to delivering a great looking and functional RIB design.

Both are members of the RIBs ONLY community.

How I would love to get my hands on this powerboat.

Now, I finally have a compelling reason to renew my passport (since the UK is no longer in the EU).

It’s a stunning example of pure British craftsmanship, for which I have the utmost respect.

This is not the first post of this brand. You can find more about it here amongst others the specs!

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