COMPROMISE BOATING

Sustainability is a huge part of Highfield’s DNA. All hulls and structures are built in aluminium, which is infinitely recyclable. In addition, Highfield powder coat their hulls in an enclosed area to ensure that their environmental footprint remains low from the beginning of the manufacturing process through to the end of each product’s life. Therefore, a conscious decision to manufacture and distribute electrically powered RIB tenders made perfect sense to Highfield, and thus Julien Carussi, the CEO of Highfield since 2010, started a global search for suitable electric outboard and inboard propulsion units for Highfield’s brand. Having partnered with the Chinese company, ePropulsion for their outboard electric motors, Julien’s ongoing research led him to the New Zealand company ZeroJet, for their inboard electric propulsion units. He liked what he saw during his internet research and contacted Bex Rempel and Neil Mans, the co-founders of ZeroJet and the rest, as they say, is fast becoming history. Both companies recognised the obvious synergy, not only with their products, but in their philosophy of going greener with something which would counter the carbon footprint of fossil fuel powered watercraft. In rapid time, after a few initial meetings, Highfield shipped a 330 model RIB to New Zealand to be fitted with a ZeroJet propulsion system and batteries. After a bit of experimentation by both parties, and a few prototypes later, the current E Jet 330 was ready for market. Introduced earlier this year at the prestigious Dusseldorf Boat Show, and recently exhibited at

Highfield Boats, arguably the world's number one in the RIB (Rigid-hull Inflatable Boat) tender sector and a global player in the 5 metre plus sector, with over 27,000 boats delivered worldwide since the brand’s inception in 2011, has recently partnered with New Zealand company ZeroJet to create the Highfield E Jet 330 powered by ZeroJet.

BY RON CZERNIAK , MARINE CONSULTANT

the Auckland On-Water Show, Pacific Powerboat (PPB) magazine was subsequently invited to sea trial the boat and propulsion package.

About eighteen months ago, on behalf of PPB, I sea trialled the ZeroJet System fitted to an OCT 3.5 metre tender (ref March/April 2022 issue). At the time, I was mightily impressed, and my article concluded with the following statement: “There is little doubt in my mind that ZeroJet will soon see a massive international interest in their innovative Kiwi product. Watch this space”.

Well, on a cold, wet, blustery spring day in Auckland during the last week of September, I was able to ‘watch this space’ when time and conditions allowed me to conduct a sea trial of the new Highfield E Jet 330 RIB. My words from a year and a half ago turned out to be quite prophetic. The collaboration with Highfield proving that indeed there is massive international interest in ZeroJet. When last I wrote about ZeroJet, I had zero expectations. This time I had quite high expectations and I was determined to push both the boat and propulsion unit to the max to see if my higher expectations were going to be met.

From the onset the folks at ZeroJet had focused their sights on smaller boats in the 3m to 4m range. Thus, collaborating with Highfield to power their 3.3m RIB made perfect sense. An added bonus for ZeroJet is the fact that they indirectly become part of Highfield’s extensive global distribution network, assuring customers of ongoing back up and service no matter where in the world they are located.

on the boat compared to an equivalent outboard engine.

Having used, tested, and enjoyed small RIBs over many years of boating and diving, I fully expected the Highfield 330 to embody all the best that a RIB has to offer with minimal, if any, negatives. After all, a company only manages to sell tens of thousands

After launching and tying up alongside the boat ramp dock, Zane and I hopped aboard and headed out to sea. Zane briefed me on the controls, instruments and general features of the boat and jet drive as we silently navigated the channel out to open water. When it comes to actual operation, what’s different between this 3.3m RIB equipped with an outboard versus a

ZeroJet inboard unit? Not much as it turned out. In other words, if you are used to driving a small helm-station RIB with a conventional outboard, it doesn’t take much to learn how to operate a similar ZeroJet equipped craft.

Idling out to open water, one is amazed at the quietness of this vessel and, with time to look around the boat before opening her up once past the breakwater, several features impressed. Perhaps the most immediate is the FCT Console (a one-piece combination seating/steering console that secures to the aluminium deck), a Highfield concept with only a few changes made to suit the ZeroJet propulsion unit. This uniquely designed console allows for all controls and instrumentation to be housed in a module that seems to float independently from the rest of theboat. It is futuristic, unintrusive and ergonomically situated for intuitive use of the throttle and steering wheel, while also housing the simple to reach and use instrumentation, consisting of only two panels. One being the variable mode LCD electronic display. The Drive Mode shows the motor power in use, speed in knots (from a GPS) and the percentage charge of the battery. When the charger is plugged in, the Charging Mode is displayed, showing the estimated charging time. The other panel consisting of four simple buttons to control the bilge pump, navigation lights, deck lights and courtesy/mooring light. Seemingly Spartan but offering everything that is required. However, if you wanted to retrofit a GPS/Fishfinder unit for example, this could easily be integrated into the FCT unit, as there is ample space on the top of the console and volume aplenty inside the rounded oblong ‘box’.