Highfield Boats: Inside Its RIB Production in China

Inside Production in China

Highfield Boats gives a behind-the-scenes look at its headquarters and RIB production operation in Weihai, China.

The video shows the people, facilities and manufacturing processes behind one of the best-known names in the rigid inflatable boat market.

Highfield’s Weihai base plays a central role in the production of its aluminium RIBs, bringing key stages of construction and finishing together at one location.

Rather than focusing only on completed boats, the video offers a broader view of how Highfield Boats operates behind the scenes.

It connects RIB manufacturing with the teams responsible for production, organisation and worldwide distribution.

For anyone interested in how modern aluminium RIBs are built, this provides a useful look inside Highfield’s production base in China.


This video was published on the Highfield Boats YouTube channel.

Inside RIBsONLY.com I’ve share more videos of this brand. Find them all here.

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


Related reading: What Is a Rigid Inflatable Boat? · What Size RIB Do I Need? · Aluminium vs Fibreglass RIB · How Much Does a RIB Cost?


Nuova Jolly Prince 33 CC Indeep Test – The Sea Team

Nuova Jolly Prince 33 CC Test With Real Speed and Fuel Data

Off Catania, the Nuova Jolly Prince 33 CC was tested with twin Mercury Racing 400 V10 outboards in realistic summer operating conditions.

The boat carried half a tank of fuel, a full water tank, normal equipment, and a hull that had already spent three months afloat.

A 70 cm long swell, with roughly six seconds between waves, provided a useful test of ride behaviour, stability, acceleration, and fuel consumption.

The Nuova Jolly hull stayed composed through head, following, and beam seas, while the tubes supported the boat and the sharp bow reduced impact through the swell.

During the acceleration run, the Nuova Jolly Prince 33 CC reached 56 knots at 6,000 rpm, while the owner reported 63 knots at 6,600 rpm in calm water.


Test Conditions

Test dataValue
Engines2 × Mercury Racing 400
Engine configurationV10
Displacement5.7 litres each
Fuel load50%
Water tankFull
EquipmentNormal summer cruising equipment aboard
Hull conditionThree months continuously in the water
Wave heightApproximately 70 cm
Wave periodApproximately 6 seconds
Trim systemMercury Active Trim
SteeringSteer-by-wire

Performance Data

RPMSpeedFuel consumptionFuel economyNotes
6503.3 kn3.9 l/h per engine—Displacement speed
1,2006.9 kn8.2 l/h per engine——
1,7008 kn——Not yet planing
2,10012.8–13 kn18 l/h per engine—Transition onto plane
2,50018 kn21 l/h per engine—Consumption initially around 24 l/h
—22 kn26 l/h per engineSlightly above 1 l/nmFull-load condition
3,50028 kn—1.3 l/nm per engineFaster cruising speed
3,70032 kn44 l/h per engine1.4 l/nm per engine—
4,00034 kn55 l/h per engine—Turning through the swell
4,45038 kn———
4,80041 kn83 l/h per engine——
5,00043 kn100 l/h per engine——
—44 kn100 l/h per engine—Beam sea
—47 kn120 l/h per engine—Full throttle
—49–50 kn121 l/h per engine—Trim increased
6,00054 kn122 l/h per engine—During acceleration
6,00056 kn123 l/h per engine—Standing-start acceleration run
6,60063 kn——Owner-reported speed in calm water

Acceleration Run

SequenceRecorded speed
Start0 kn
112 kn
220 kn
325 kn
430 kn
535 kn
640 kn
743 kn
850 kn
952 kn
1053 kn
1154 kn
1255 kn
Final56 kn at 6,000 rpm

This video was published on The Sea Team YouTube channel.

Are you interested in this Italian brand? Then this is where you need to go: Nuova Jolly Ribs

The Sea Team always reviews the RIBs in a catching way. That’s why you will find more videos of them here.

There are a lot of Italian RIB builders. On the RIBManufacturerList you will find all the active ones, also per country.


Related reading: What Is a Rigid Inflatable Boat? · What Size RIB Do I Need? · How to Choose an Outboard for a RIB · Are Rigid Inflatable Boats Safe?,


Specs

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Twisted Scorpion 36GT: 11-Metre Grand Touring RIB

Twisted Scorpion 36GT Brings Scorpion Performance to a Touring RIB

The Twisted Scorpion 36GT combines Scorpion’s offshore hull design with Twisted Marine’s more individual approach to styling and finishing.

Its layout is clearly aimed at fast day boating and longer coastal trips. A substantial hardtop protects the central cockpit, while the helm area uses wrap-around protection and supportive seating.

Forward, passengers get a sociable seating area around a convertible table. Aft seating adds more space for guests without making the cockpit feel crowded.

The vacuum-infused GRP construction is paired with ORCA Hypalon tubes, keeping the design firmly within traditional offshore RIB territory.

Overall, the 36GT is positioned as a performance-focused cruising RIB, with comfort and practical deck space playing a larger role than on a pure offshore machine.


This video was published on the Twisted YouTube channel.

A lot more videos of this British RIB brand for you to enjoy: click here.

And if you’re intersted to know all active RIB brands in the UK, get your knowledge here: RIBManufaturerlist.


Related reading: What Is a Rigid Inflatable Boat? · Why Do RIBs Have Inflatable Tubes? · What Size RIB Do I Need? · RIB Buying Guide


Specs

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Technohull Cannes 2026 Debut With Alpha 50 and 45

Technohull Cannes 2026 Marks a New Step in International Growth

Technohull reached a new milestone in its international growth with its debut at the Cannes 2026.

Over six days, the Greek performance boat builder presented the Alpha 50 and Alpha 45 across two different locations at the show.

Both models gave visitors a close look at Technohull’s approach to combining high-speed performance, distinctive design and onboard comfort.

The Cannes 2026 appearance marked an important step for the brand as it continues to strengthen its presence in the international yachting market.

With two of its latest models on display, Technohull used one of Europe’s leading boat shows to introduce its Alpha range to a wider audience of owners, buyers and industry professionals.


This video was published on the TECHNOHULL YouTube channel.

Interested in more 15+ meter RIBs, read this blogpost: Maxi RIBs for Maxi Wallets: the 15+ Meter Range.

Plenty more Technohull content waiting for you to enjoy!


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


Specs

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Friends of RIBsONLY.com Boost Your Boating Experience

Friends of RIBs ONLY @ RIBs ONLY - Home of the Rigid Inflatable Boat
Friends of RIBsONLY.com think client centred

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.

Join the RIBs ONLY 2.0 Facebook group.


Related reading: What Is a Rigid Inflatable Boat? · RIB Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Boat · Buying a Used Rigid Inflatable Boat? Free Download!