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In the beautiful setting of Sibenik, Croatia, between Zadar and Split, we tested the new Highfield ADV7, the French-Chinese shipyard’s first fiberglass boat. A 7-meter wide 2.68 crossover designed as a dayboat for having fun and exploring coastlines such as Dalmatia.
To look at it, the tubulars identify it as a dinghy, but the spaces are those of a boat. This concept, now increasingly in vogue, is called a crossover. It combines the mooring convenience of an inflatable boat and the safety of a buoyancy reserve, even if there is water on board, with an incomparable width for the category: 2 meters, obtained thanks to very thin tubulars, just 32 cm.
Although Chinese production may make most people doubt, the quality of construction and details is really good. After all, the Highfield Boats yard produces only its own hulls, has a track record of more than 50 thousand units sold, and offers an international distribution network in 50 states. Also of note is the presence at the front of the console of a dressing room that can be fitted out with a bathroom: on this size it is always a welcome addition.
If it looks like an inflatable boat to the eye, once at the helm, there is a distinct sense of sailing far more like a boat. In fact, the tubulars are very high, never coming into contact with the water, so they do not give that effect of continuous stability typical of pneumatic boats. The handling however is very fun and sporty, fully embodying the DNA of this design. With the 250 hp outboard, with 3 people, we easily hold a cruising speed of more than 30 knots, with stable fuel consumption on 1.5 liters per mile between 22 and 36 knots. But we were able to reach as high as 44 knots, even with short wind waves. In this regard, ADV7 manages to stay very dry at all times, even aft and in crosswinds and seas, conditions that always make it difficult to avoid splashing on board.
Highfield ADV7 starts at €70,800 + VAT, in standard version with a 150-hp outboard, while the test version goes up to €88,000 + VAT, with a 250-hp Honda outboard and a few more accessories. Prices certainly not cheap, but justified by an already well-stocked standard equipment, good quality and a well-designed hull.
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