New toy

[sydneyribber]

Hi everyone

So originally I was looking to import to Australia from the UK. After much research, and advice from the forum (much appreciated) I decided to buy local, mostly for dealer support and secondly because I got a great deal on a 1 year old demo boat.

Highfield Ocean master 640 delux with Suzuki DF175

Have had it out in a range of conditions in Sydney harbour and have been incredibly impressed with the handling so far. Also first Aluminium hull.

[TorontoDiver]

Congrats! Got a 590 myself two years ago. Pretty happy with it, wish it was the proper dl version though

[Romeo34]

Nice work mate. How much did that set you back if you don't mind me asking?

[sydneyribber]

It was actually privately owned for 1 year but mainly used by the original dealer for demo and sailing clubs so it's incredibly clean.

The outboard is an ex maritime authority Suzuki so it's a bit older

Paid $34k Australian dollars.

To be honest the DL version in my mind only really adds the rear transom bench seat which Id rather have the deck space but it is a tidy unit and better suited for the family.

How have you found the 590, that's what I was originally looking at but felt like the 640 was a good offer.

[MatFromPoland]

You have Highfield dealer in Australia so you can go and check range:

https://swiftmarine.com.au/om-590-dl/

640 is the biggest from OM series I suppose.

There is new PATROL range having hypalon tubes as standard:

https://swiftmarine.com.au/pa-660/

[jonp]

Congratulations, hope to see a few of your exploits posted on here in the future. I can highly recomend using it down here around Montague Island if you don't mind towing. I'm towing mine up to 1770 next school holidays to head out the Lady Musgrave island for a few days of exploring.

Why were you considering buying from the, are you also from there?

Watch out on the water as there are a few whales about.

[BigE]

May I ask why you were originally looking to import from the UK? Is it because you wanted a right hand drive version?

[sydneyribber]

I'm from Belfast originally. Grew up with RedBay ribs in the family and couldn't find anything that came close in OZ.

I live in drumoyne about half way up sydney harbour. Gonna take a run up to palm beach at the weekend weather permitting.

We also have Lejen marine in Pittwater who is the dealer this was purchased from.

[sydneyribber]

Originally Posted by BigE

May I ask why you were originally looking to import from the UK? Is it because you wanted a right hand drive version?

Right hand drive here in Oz too mate lol

[TorontoDiver]

Originally Posted by sydneyribber

How have you found the 590, that's what I was originally looking at but felt like the 640 was a good offer.

With the caveat that it's my first boat I am loving it. Handles great, good space for the family when we are out, and pretty good for deck space with my dive team.

I have a 115 on it and reasonably gets up to about 55 kph. Not sure how that compares to others but it gets me to dive site at reasonable pace.

Mine seems to be bit of hybrid. It is not dl, but has the integrated rear well rather than flat transom. I had bench installed but wish it was the integrated version you have simply because I need tiny hands to get at the various drain plugs sandwiched between transom and bench!

I have it on a non braked single axle trailer given the weight so pretty compact and easy to haul around.

FYI my dealer showed me the 8ish meter patrol model they had in and it was quite nice! 90k with twins on it, nog wife approved splurge purchase!

Because of the 2015 pan am games I got mine at a good discount with two weeks of use on it at 27k. 34k for your seems a good rate. My shop had new 640 with 175 on it for around 50k I believe?

[sydneyribber]

A few more pics

[Orwell boy]

[QUOTE=sydneyribber;748184]I'm from Belfast originally. Grew up with RedBay ribs in the family and couldn't find anything that came close in OZ.

Nice too see you chose Highfield to fit your requirements ,a lot of rib for your money I think ,very happy with mine ,enjoy

[matt h]

[QUOTE=Orwell boy;748275]

Originally Posted by sydneyribber

I'm from Belfast originally. Grew up with RedBay ribs in the family and couldn't find anything that came close in OZ.

Nice too see you chose Highfield to fit your requirements ,a lot of rib for your money I think ,very happy with mine ,enjoy

[sydneyribber]

Yeah let's be clear. I can't compare it to a RedBay, last one we had was a 7.4. But inevitably the cost of importing was way out of my budget once I factored in a horrible exchange rate and shipping to oz plus customs tax.

The highfield I'm very happy with and serves its purpose well as a family day boat in Sydney area.

One thing that I miss greatly is PR valves especially with our climate here