Highfield PRT Julien Carussi Reveals New RIB Division

Highfield PRT Targets Patrol, Rescue and Tactical Operations

Highfield Boats launches the professional RIB division.

Julien Carussi (LinkedIn profile), founder, owner and CEO of Highfield Boats, explains why the company is launching Highfield PRT, a dedicated division for Patrol, Rescue and Tactical RIBs.

Over the past 15 years, Highfield has built boats used in more than 50 countries.

Professional operators have increasingly turned to the brand for work in demanding conditions.

According to Carussi, Highfield PRT is a natural response to that growing demand.

The goal is simple: build tough, effective boats that crews can rely on, maintain easily and keep working for years.

Those qualities matter when a mission leaves little room for delays or equipment problems.

But PRT is not just about developing specialist boats.

Carussi wants the division to provide practical solutions that match the real needs of professional crews at sea.

For Highfield, this marks a more focused commitment to the people who depend on their RIBs for patrol, rescue and tactical operations.


This video of the PRT division was published on the Highfield Boats YouTube channel

The company produces lots of videos. I’ve published many of them here.

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


Related reading: What Is a Rigid Inflatable Boat? · Deep-V Hull: Advantages and Trade-offs · Best RIB for Rough Water: What Really Matters? · Aluminium vs Fibreglass RIB · RIB Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Boat


Karel, RIB advocate @ RIBsONLY.com - Home of the Rigid Inflatable Boat

Karel, RIB Advocate
Karel Overlaet is owner, founder, and editor-in-chief of RIBsONLY.com, Home of the Rigid Inflatable Boat. A passionate RIB owner himself, he curates the web’s largest collection of RIB news and videos. What started as a passion project has grown into a knowledge hub with lots of news and 50+ in-depth guides for beginners and experts alike. He also created RIBManufacturerList, a unique global directory of all active RIB brands.


Yamaha 350 V6 Engine: See the BRIG Eagle 8 in Action

See the Yamaha 350 V6 in Action

This Yamaha promotional video captures a sun-soaked adventure on the open sea on a Brig Eagle 8 RIB powered by a Yamaha 350 V6 outboard.

It aims to bring adventure and excitement to those seeking a closer connection with nature through the thrill of open water exploration.

They pass a lighthouse before encountering playful dolphins in crystal-clear waters: a moment that lasts.

When picking up speed, it shows the boat’s smooth handling and responsive controls, including its digital dashboard and throttle.

As you can see, the Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) cuts effortlessly through the waves, carving sharp turns along a spectacular coastline of red cliffs.


This video was published on the Yamaha Motor Europe YouTube channel.

I’ve posted many videos here featuring RIBs powered by Yamaha outboard engines.

Related reading: What Is a Rigid Inflatable Boat? · RIB Buying Guide · How to Choose an Outboard for a RIB


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Salpa Soleil 37 Walkthrough & Sea Trial: Full Review

Salpa Soleil 37: a Double Berth, Wet Bar and Thrilling Speed

The Salpa Soleil 37 fills the gap between the brand’s 33- and 40-foot RIBs, combining family-friendly comfort with serious performance.

Its spacious cockpit features an electric table, wet bar, generous storage and wide aft platforms. Below deck, the double bed converts into a sofa, while the bathroom has a separate shower. A lightweight carbon-fibre superstructure helps keep the centre of gravity low.

Tested off Porto Venere with twin Yamaha 350 hp outboards, the single-step hull impressed in short, half-metre waves, delivering a remarkably soft and stable ride even at 30 knots.

Forward visibility from the helm could be better, especially for shorter drivers. But the performance speaks for itself: 48.3 knots, comfortably beating Salpa’s claimed 45 knots.

Sea Trial Results

RPMSpeed (Knots)Fuel Consumption (l/h)Fuel Efficiency (l/NM)
2,300Approx. 10333.1
4,00025883.5
6,00048.3Not stated5.3
source, data may vary

Test conditions: Twin Yamaha 350 hp outboards, short waves of approximately 0.5 metres, off Porto Venere, Italy.

Also check this review of the same RIB.

Speed converter

  • –knots
  • –km/h
  • –mph
  • –m/s

1 knot = 1 nautical mile per hour = 1.852 km/h. Indicative values, not for navigation.

RIBsONLY.com – Home of the Rigid Inflatable Boat


This video was published on the SalpaYachts YouTube channel.

The Italian company Salpa produces many videos. You can find many of them here.

Proud to share that ORCA Retail and ORCA Pennel & Flipo are good Friends of RIBs ONLY.


Related reading: What Is a Rigid Inflatable Boat? · Why Do RIBs Have Inflatable Tubes? · RIB Buying Guide · What Size RIB Do I Need? · How to Choose an Outboard for a RIB


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Salpa Soleil 37 Sea Trial: 48 Knots!

The New Soleil 37 Performance: RPM, Speed and Fuel

The Salpa Soleil 37 brings serious cruising comfort to an 11.3-metre Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB).

Below deck, there’s a double bed, an optional third berth, useful storage and a bathroom with a separate shower. The convertible double bed also becomes a dinette.

Outside, the cockpit seats eight to ten around a U-shaped sofa.

An electrically adjustable aft section transforms into a huge sunpad, while the bow offers another space to relax.

A galley, sturdy carbon hardtop and well-designed helm complete the package.

During the sea trial, twin Yamaha 350 hp outboards pushed the Soleil 37 to around 48 knots.

The hull felt stable through waves and sharp turns, with little vibration.

At normal cruising speeds, fuel use stayed close to 3.5 litres per nautical mile.

Sea Trial Results

RPMSpeed (Knots)Fuel Consumption (Liters / Nautical Mile)*Notes / Operating Regime
3,100183.4 l/NMRelaxed cruising speed; Redan (stepped hull) working minimally.
3,50022–233.0–3.3 l/NMRedan starts working; efficient planing speed.
4,00026–273.4–3.5 l/NMAir cushion generated under the hull for optimized efficiency.
4,500⁠–⁠4,80030~3.0–3.3 l/NMOptimal cruising range; excellent speed-to-efficiency ratio.
5,00038–403.8–4.0 l/NMExiting cruising range; high-speed performance with great stability.
5,50043.5–455.0 l/NMFast cruising / sporty driving.
6,000⁠–⁠6,10047.5–485.0 l/NMTop speed / Full throttle (WOT); “racing mode”.
source, data may vary

* Fuel consumption is combined for both engines.

Speed converter

  • –knots
  • –km/h
  • –mph
  • –m/s

1 knot = 1 nautical mile per hour = 1.852 km/h. Indicative values, not for navigation.

RIBsONLY.com – Home of the Rigid Inflatable Boat


This video was published on the NonsolomareTV YouTube channel

The Italian company Salpa produces many videos. You can find many of them here.

Proud to share that ORCA Retail and ORCA Pennel & Flipo are good Friends of RIBs ONLY.


Related reading: What Is a Rigid Inflatable Boat? · Why Do RIBs Have Inflatable Tubes? · RIB Buying Guide · Buying a Used Rigid Inflatable Boat? Free Download!


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Nuova Jolly Prince 30 Exclusive: Real World Test

Prince 30 Exclusive With 600 hp: How Does It Handle?

The Nuova Jolly Prince 30 Exclusive faced a demanding sea trial off Catania, powered by twin 300 hp Mercury V8 outboards.

With 70 cm waves, cross seas and strong wind, the RIB stayed composed, even through tight turns. Its sharp bow softened impacts, while the tubes provided stability and helped keep the deck remarkably dry.

Mercury’s Active Trim automatically adjusted engine trim, allowing the driver to focus on steering.

The test boat carried a full water tank, half a fuel tank and cruising equipment, with a hull uncleaned for three months.

At 26.6 knots, consumption was approximately one litre per nautical mile per engine. The crew reached 49 knots despite challenging conditions.

A flexible layout and optional changing compartment with toilet add everyday practicality.

Prince 30 Performance Test Results

Engine configuration: Twin Mercury V8 300 hp (600 hp total)

RPMSpeed (knots)Fuel consumption (l/h)
6002.53
1,0004.55
1,2006Not stated
1,9001011.6
2,4001414
2,8002018.8
3,40026.626
3,9003134
4,40037Not stated
5,2004455
5,30046Approx. 60–70
5,80049–5089

Important: Fuel consumption figures are per engine. Multiply by two for total consumption.

Test conditions: Waves averaging 70 cm, strong wind, crossing seas, approximately 50% fuel, full water tank, cruising equipment and a hull uncleaned for three months.

Speed converter

  • –knots
  • –km/h
  • –mph
  • –m/s

1 knot = 1 nautical mile per hour = 1.852 km/h. Indicative values, not for navigation.

RIBsONLY.com – Home of the Rigid Inflatable Boat


This video was published on The Sea Team YouTube channel

You can enjoy more videos of this Italian brand in RIBsONLY.com.

I like the very detailed reviews of RIBs doen by The Sea Team. Therefore you will find more videos of them here.


Related reading: What Is a Rigid Inflatable Boat? · RIB Buying Guide · How Much Does a RIB Cost? · Are Rigid Inflatable Boats Safe?


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