Alex Smith sets out in the mould breaking Highfield ADV7, a clever fibreglass hybrid that swaps chunky tubes for massive deck space and sporty performance
Highfield has long been famous for its aluminium RIBs and rightly so, because they’re very effective at what they do. But like so many other builders, it has been tempted to stray from its established niche in pursuit of a parallel product line with the potential for broader market appeal. Their answer is this – the ADV (or adventure) line – and while a larger 9m model has since been launched in Düsseldorf, this 7m craft is the first in the line and a blueprint for the rest of the ADV platforms to follow.
It’s very pleasing then that the base principles are so clear. What we have here is a RIB/sportsboat hybrid built not from aluminium but from fibreglass. While it uses an all-round inflatable collar in the fashion of a RIB, that tube is much slimmer (just 32cm in diameter) and higher than normal, taking it well above the water’s surface, more in the style of a wraparound fender than a stabilising buoyancy aid. In tandem with the hull’s elevated freeboard, the idea is to free up more room for interior space. The dimensions back this up – the internal breadth of 2.0m is a good 30cm more than you would expect of a traditional 7m RIB.
The bow lounge has another day space for four
Making the most of the beam
The next step then is to ensure that the space this frees up is profitably used and the Highfield could hardly do a better job in that regard. Ahead of the twin swim platforms, the Honda BF200 and the aluminium A-frame with towing eye, the cockpit’s U-shaped dinette is a mightily impressive piece of work.
The central section of the aft bench hinges forward in its entirety, revealing the fuel and water fillers and creating plenty of space for the engine to trim right out at the end of a day. Better still, it creates a handy spot for a couple of swimmers to sit in comfort, facing inboard, so they can dry off before making their way forward into the main part of the cockpit. At the dinette, raised backrests all round create a really welcome sense of security for up to seven people to congregate around the fold-out table. LED deck lights and EVA foam decking give the whole thing a very modern and rather premium feel.
The compact wet bar provides a sink, a fridge and some storage plus space for a small hob
As you would expect, you can convert this section into a huge aft sunbed and, given that this is the primary seating zone, it’s also good to see that the two helm seats fold forward to reveal a wet bar, with a sink, a fridge, some storage and a section of worktop that can be specced with a small hob. This whole area is sheltered by a powder-coated aluminium T-Top with a stretched canvas roof and an extended sun shade over the diners.
As you move forward to the bow, that internal beam again plays its part, freeing up plenty of space for a central (rather than offset) helm console with symmetrical walkways on both sides. The bow lounge is also big enough for four people and, like the aft section, it can be converted into another sun bed. There’s storage up here too, both beneath the deck and inside the seats. And in addition to a good size of changing space with a toilet inside the console, there’s an electric windlass on our test boat, which is by no means a common feature on a boat of this size and type.
The test boat’s 200hp Honda sees us to around 38 knots
You might think that many of the more desirable features fitted to our test boat are expensive optional add-ons but that really isn’t the case. Even as standard, you get Hypalon tubes, hydraulic steering and grippy soft-touch EVA decking. You also get the T-Top, cushioned sundecks, table, fridge, windlass, sunshade and A-frame.
In fact, aside from a modest engine upgrade from 150 to 200hp, the only optional extras on our test boat are the overall mooring cover and the electronics – in this case, a Garmin 9in MFD, VHF and transducer, plus a Fusion Apollo stereo and four speakers. You can also replace the standard portable loo with a marine toilet – an option you would do well to take. But either way, if you have any ideas with regards to optimising the fit-out, Essex dealer, Morgan Marine, is keen to hear what you have to say.
Child’s play underway
With its short waterline length, raised hull sides and narrow collar, you might argue that this boat looks a shade ungainly in the water, but there’s nothing awkward about the way it drives. The directional tracking off the plane is good and solid and, while there’s a little bit of bow lift as you move onto the plane, it’s very easy to blip the throttle and leave your hump behind. In terms of pace, you find yourself passing 30 knots very swiftly before topping out at around 38 knots and, while we only have one or two-foot waves to play with on our test day, the ride also feels commendably soft and dry.
You can spec anything from 150hp to 300hp single outboard engines
In spite of the fact that there’s no analogue compass, the helm is strong too. You get bolstered seats with handy lateral support and fore-and-aft adjustability, paired with grippy foot braces and an adjustable wheel. There are useful T-Top grab rails on either side of the screen too and the screen itself is usefully elevated with little side extensions, providing really impressive levels of shelter, whether you decide to sit or stand.
Handling is also good fun. The arresting moment in the heel you often feel as the collar of a RIB nestles against the water’s surface is conspicuous by its absence here. You find yourself leaning in at an enjoyably acute angle but it still settles well and inspires plenty of confidence. Efficiency is also pretty solid, with a cruise from 20 to 30 knots seeing 1.5 to 1.6 litres per mile for a range in the region of 135 to 150 miles.
You could of course push the envelope with a 300hp outboard or you could save £3,000 or so with a 150hp. But even if you plan on inviting large parties of people on board or you want to enjoy lots of towed watersports, the test boat’s 200hp outboard seems like a perfectly practical solution.
The impressively secure full-beam aft dinette will happily seat seven
Highfield ADV7 specifications
LOA: 22ft 11in (6.98m)
BEAM: 8ft 10in (2.68m)
DISPLACEMENT: 1,300kg (light)
FUEL CAPACITY: 270L
WATER CAPACITY: 270L
ENGINES: Outboard from 150-300hp
PRICE: £87,995 inc VAT
CONTACT: highfieldboats.com
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Verdict
It would be as tough to describe the ADV7 as an adventure boat as it would a RIB. After all, it’s not built for long-distance offshore passages, for overnighting, for heavyweight load-carrying or for anything approximating to commercial work. But adventure is a distinctly fluid concept, which means different things to different people. So if you want a fun and affordable interpretation of a 7m RIB that drives well, is child’s play to use and comes with a level of inboard security, seating versatility and storage capacity way beyond those of a standard RIB, this pleasantly polished and neatly conceived boat ticks the boxes very nicely indeed.
