Highfield Boats: Inside Its RIB Production in China

September 25 2026September 25 2026 Karel Overlaet, RIB Advocate

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.

Pirelli 44 Ducati Edition Limited to Just 26 RIBs

September 24 2026September 25 2026 Karel Overlaet, RIB Advocate

Pirelli 44 Ducati Edition: 1,500 hp RIB Revealed

The Pirelli 44 Ducati Edition brings Ducati into boating for the first time, combining the existing Pirelli RIB platform with several Ducati-inspired details.

The project uses triple Mercury Racing 500R outboards, producing 1,500 hp, while Ducati engineers contributed to aerodynamic elements around the engine installation.

Developed from the Pirelli 42 platform, the 44 gains additional length and introduces revised exterior lines, together with changes intended to improve stability.

Its Ducati connection includes a dedicated matt red finish inspired by the Superleggera Centenario, unique graphics, specific materials and several details developed for this version.

Production will be limited to 26 boats, reflecting the collaboration between Pirelli, SACS Tecnorib and Ducati around performance-focused design and engineering.

This video was published on THE BOAT SHOW YouTube channel.

If you favor this Italian brand, here are more videos for you to enjoy.

Interested in all active RIB brands in Italy, check them out on RIBs Manufacturer List.

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Nuova Jolly Prince 33 CC Indeep Test – The Sea Team

September 21 2026September 24 2026 Karel Overlaet, RIB Advocate

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 data	Value
Engines	2 × Mercury Racing 400
Engine configuration	V10
Displacement	5.7 litres each
Fuel load	50%
Water tank	Full
Equipment	Normal summer cruising equipment aboard
Hull condition	Three months continuously in the water
Wave height	Approximately 70 cm
Wave period	Approximately 6 seconds
Trim system	Mercury Active Trim
Steering	Steer-by-wire

Performance Data

RPM	Speed	Fuel consumption	Fuel economy	Notes
650	3.3 kn	3.9 l/h per engine	—	Displacement speed
1,200	6.9 kn	8.2 l/h per engine	—	—
1,700	8 kn	—	—	Not yet planing
2,100	12.8–13 kn	18 l/h per engine	—	Transition onto plane
2,500	18 kn	21 l/h per engine	—	Consumption initially around 24 l/h
—	22 kn	26 l/h per engine	Slightly above 1 l/nm	Full-load condition
3,500	28 kn	—	1.3 l/nm per engine	Faster cruising speed
3,700	32 kn	44 l/h per engine	1.4 l/nm per engine	—
4,000	34 kn	55 l/h per engine	—	Turning through the swell
4,450	38 kn	—	—	—
4,800	41 kn	83 l/h per engine	—	—
5,000	43 kn	100 l/h per engine	—	—
—	44 kn	100 l/h per engine	—	Beam sea
—	47 kn	120 l/h per engine	—	Full throttle
—	49–50 kn	121 l/h per engine	—	Trim increased
6,000	54 kn	122 l/h per engine	—	During acceleration
6,000	56 kn	123 l/h per engine	—	Standing-start acceleration run
6,600	63 kn	—	—	Owner-reported speed in calm water

Acceleration Run

Sequence	Recorded speed
Start	0 kn
1	12 kn
2	20 kn
3	25 kn
4	30 kn
5	35 kn
6	40 kn
7	43 kn
8	50 kn
9	52 kn
10	53 kn
11	54 kn
12	55 kn
Final	56 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.

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Press Release: RIBsONLY.com Launches New RIB Rental Feature for Europe

September 18 2026September 26 2026 Karel Overlaet, RIB Advocate

RIBsONLY.com press release@ RIBs ONLY - Home of the Rigid Inflatable Boat

RIB Rental Feature for Europe

Specialist RIB platform helps boaters find rental opportunities across European destinations

BELGIUM, 20 September 2026 – RIBsONLY.com, the independent platform dedicated to Rigid Inflatable Boats since 2008, has launched a new RIB Rental section covering rental opportunities across Europe.

The new resource helps visitors find RIBs for hire without relying solely on general boat rental websites. It covers popular destinations across the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and Scandinavia, as well as Poland and Turkey, with links to selected operators and established rental platforms.

Supporting guides also cover practical topics including licence requirements, bareboat versus skippered rental, and the differences between renting and owning a RIB.

“Renting allows people to experience different RIBs, explore new cruising areas and discover what type of RIB suits them best,” says Karel Overlaet, founder and editor-in-chief of RIBsONLY.com.

Rental can also help prospective buyers gain practical experience with different sizes, layouts and configurations before purchasing.

The new feature extends RIBsONLY.com beyond news, boat tests, technical information and buying advice by helping visitors move from researching RIBs to experiencing them on the water.

Rental operators and companies active in the European RIB charter sector can contact RIBsONLY.com regarding inclusion.

About RIBsONLY.com

RIBsONLY.com – Home of the Rigid Inflatable Boat was established in 2008 as an independent online publication dedicated exclusively to Rigid Inflatable Boats.

It is a knowledge platform that covers RIB news, boat tests, new models, technology, buying and ownership information, industry developments worldwide and many guides.

RIBsONLY.com is a realisation of Medianaut – Nautical News Media, established in 2003.

RIBs. Passion. Lifestyle.

Media Contact
Karel Overlaet
Founder & Editor-in-Chief RIBsONLY.com
press@ribsonly.com

Twisted Scorpion 36GT: 11-Metre Grand Touring RIB

September 17 2026September 17 2026 Karel Overlaet, RIB Advocate

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.

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