Sorry got cut off One way to get a slower steady speed is to lower the speed at which the boat stays on plane by adding a hydrofoil on the cavitation plate. Of course I'm not really how much loser a speed you can attain. The other way to lower the speed is to extend the transition period so that the boat will never get completely on plane by increasing the pitch of the prop. However please understand that the engine will be operating under extreme load irrespective of the light onboard weight. This load will not be transitory but prolonged. If in fact you do get on plane the speed will be even greater unless there is significant slipping of the prop. Of course you can go ahead and give it a try and let us know how it works out for you.
Pete, I believe I understood your issue. Planing boats like your highfield really only operate in two modes, displacement or planing. The 6 knots you see is the displacement speed and the15 knots is the planing speed. Anything between is the transition. During the transition the boat is pushing a lot of water and the engine is under a lot of load. Normally this is not much of a concern since its transitory. Now if your goal is to run slower at a steady speed than one way to
Before you buy a new prop I would install a hydrofoil to the cavitation plate. This should allow you to get and maintain plane at a lower rpm or speed. This should improve the performance of the boat both she fully loaded and when lightly loaded. Putting a 14 inch prop will put a real load on the Engine. Like operating a car in 4th gear at slow speed.
So how is it with your sharkskin? Still using it or did you return to your wetsuit? Which sharkskin do you use? Chillproof with or without Titanium? At which temperatures do you dive typically? Which was the lowest temperature in which you still felt comfortable in your sharkskin?
Unfortunately I can't answer that question. I live in Perth Western Australia and I would not have a source of cold water to test it. I suggest you visit Sharkskin's website and ask them. sharkskin.com.au
I hate it when people refer to internal combustion engines as motors but it seems like the modern online definitions conformed to what people have been saying.. I guess I'll try not to let it bug 😉 me
Hi Pete, thanks for your video. I have a question regrading sizing. I have read online people suggesting ordering one size up for sharkskin. It seems from your video that was not case for you as I see it fits you like a glove. Did it get lose in water or was it still tight? Thanks.
Hi Kamran, Yes sizing is what I said I didn't like about Sharkskin, I'm about to make my second video after using Sharkskin through summer. No, it doesn't get loose in the water.
Great review & yes no one else on RU-vid is making such a practical review. I am looking at this line as well for similar needs. Tossing around the idea of adding an automatic light when you lift the seat to see inside & changing out the lead acid battery to a smaller more powerful lithium unit ( much lighter as well ). Any troubles with the Suzuki ( my motor of choice as well at the moment )
Thanks Tom The only problem I have had with the Suzuki was a small crack in the plastic casing. I put this down to overtightening of the screw during production. I mended it with Super Glue and it is still OK. It has been (3 years now) and has been very reliable and, very quiet. I should do another video on what I have installed but, never considered an automatic light because at night time I carry a hand held torch.
Thanks Gerard. There is a local boat show here in Perth that I am going too tomorrow and I would be interested in seeing if the issues I have pointed out have been resolved.
Thanks Pete, this review really helps new buyers making important decision based on the practicality rather than just look of the boat. I think it would be wise for highfield to take your review onboard. All your points were very important and i did not expect highfield to perform poorly on these but they did. What other boat company would you recommend with good quality at a reasonable price? Thank you
Thanks T Jzz the best advice I can offer you is go to a boat show and have a look at the range of boats. Probably make a list of what you want in a boat. I am of the opinion that Highfield may have been caught on the back foot and not had a 3.8 metre console boat and quickly converted a standard 3.8 RIB to a console RIB. Hence the reason why it was still supplied with oars and the throttle control installed without thought, hence the reason why it is back to front. If you go onto the HIghfield website you will notice that the 3.8 metre Deluxe is different with some of the issues I pointed out rectified.
Can't remember. Next time I'm out I'll open her up and get back to you. When I first got it the instruction said I could only run it at 1/4 speed for so many hours and then 1/2 speed. When finally I got to the time where I could run it at full speed, it scared the crap out of me. When I thought I was running at 1/2 speed I was only doing 1/4 speed. I take the kids down to the Jetski area and they have fun chucking doughnuts, it's very stable on cornering.
