Overview
Highfield’s Velox 420 is a welcome addition to the entry-level-boat segment. Priced at $36,000, this jet-powered RIB is intended to fill the compact runabout niche somewhat abandoned by popular boat brands. Highfield is pitching the Velox not only as a tender, but also as a family boat especially ideal for younger captains.
Engine
The 14-foot-7-inch Velox 420 features an aluminum deep-V hull surrounded by Orca Hypalon tubes. The powder-coated aluminum hull incorporates the boat deck, an integrated 14.5-gallon fuel tank and the swim platform. The helm console and bow boarding step are molded fiberglass. The boat is powered by a 90 hp Rotax 900 ACE jet drive—the same reliable three-cylinder 899cc powertrain featured in the Sea-Doo Spark watercraft. A fiberglass insert forms the jet pump intake and the aft center of the running surface to provide efficient intake flow in a shape that would be challenging to form in aluminum.
Interior and Accessories
The aluminum hatch over the engine bay is also the base for the main seat, wide enough for two or a tight fit for three people. The pivoting seat backrest enables facing forward or aft on this seat. The deep boarding platform is covered with the same MarineMat material that covers the deck. There’s also a small seat on the forward helm console and a seat pad in the bow peak (useful at rest, not underway). Stowage space is limited to some room within the console, accessed by raising the forward seat. This is a 14-footer, remember.
The helm console holds a Medallion touchscreen display that can be used to select Rotax performance modes (Eco, Docking and Ski). Switches for lighting and the head for the optional audio system ($920) are to port of the wheel. There is a wireless device charger next to the display screen. The console is topped with a small windscreen and a robust grab handle.
Read Next: Highfield Sport 800
The 90 hp jet pushed this 1,060-pound vessel to a top speed of 38 mph with a light load. Performance is typical jet—strong acceleration starts at about 5,500 rpm; at speed in a hard turn, the radius tightens until the boat starts to slide a bit, but this is easy to control. Fuel economy is outstanding at better than 7 mpg at cruising speeds, for a range of about 100 miles. That’s a lot of fun per gallon.
How We Tested
- Engine: Single 90 hp Rotax 900 ACE jet drive
- Drive/Prop: Jet drive/144 mm x 15/19″ pitch stainless-steel impeller
- Gear Ratio: 1:1 Fuel Load: 6 gal. Crew Weight: 190 lb.
High Points
- Boat, fuel and trailer combined will weigh less than 1,400 pounds—an easy tow for compact vehicles.
- No prop, no trim, and minimal maintenance with a jet drive make for easy ownership.
- Beach this boat with no worries thanks to a rugged aluminum hull with keel guard.
- RIB offers excellent stability at rest and absorbs dock bumps.
Low Points
- High-rpm jet drive is very noisy and transmits significant vibration to the cockpit.
- Fuel fill below the bow seat cushion is challenging to reach and offers potential for spills within the boat.
- Minimal stowage space.
Toughest Competition
The 15-foot-9-inch Scarab 165SE (base price $45,460 with trailer) weighs about 1,600 pounds (2,300 pounds on its steel trailer) and is powered by a 170 hp Rotax 1630 ACE jet drive with up to 300 hp as an option. This is a very stylish jet runabout with more performance and storage space than the Velox.
Pricing and Specs
| Price: | $36,000 (base MSRP without trailer) |
| LOA: | 14’7″ |
| Beam: | 6’9″ |
| Draft: | NA |
| Displacement: | 1,060 lb. |
| Transom Deadrise: | 22 degrees |
| Fuel Capacity: | 14.5 gal. |
| Max Horsepower: | 90 |
| Available Power: | Single Rotax 900 ACE jet drive |
Speed, Efficiency, Operation
Highfield Boats – Cadillac, Michigan; highfieldnorthamerica.com
