Two American-built RIBs in the Fort Lauderdale spotlight
Highfield's Escape range brings a distinctive pair of family-oriented rigid inflatable boats to the North American market as the 2026 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show puts new designs in front of coastal boaters. The Escape 650 and Escape 750 combine a fibreglass deep-V centre-console hull with the buoyant perimeter tubes associated with a RIB. Their emphasis is on usable deck space, practical seating and uncomplicated outboard propulsion rather than the stripped-out layout of a purely commercial inflatable.
The Escape series itself was announced ahead of this year's show, so the Fort Lauderdale appearance should be understood as a show display of an existing new-generation range, not the first time the boats have been revealed anywhere. Highfield describes the models as built in the United States and reserved for the North American market. For buyers comparing familiar production centre consoles with a RIB, that combination offers a useful point of difference.
Fort Lauderdale's five-day exhibition runs from 28 October to 1 November, when visitors can compare construction and comfort in person. An exhibition appearance does not establish a final retail price or delivery slot, and Highfield's current range pages direct interested owners to its dealer network for quotations. The better reason to examine the boats is to see whether their deck layouts genuinely suit family outings, swimming stops or coastal exploring.
Escape 650: 7.17 metres with 250hp capacity
The smaller model measures 7.17 metres overall, with a beam of 2.60 metres and a quoted maximum capacity of 13 people. Highfield lists a 140-litre fuel tank and a maximum recommended engine output of 250hp; its introductory material refers to 225hp and 250hp outboard choices. These are manufacturer specifications, not a promise that every engine and passenger combination will deliver the same speed, range or economy.
Its 26-degree deadrise and six separate air chambers reflect the Escape's hybrid character: a shaped fibreglass hull beneath the boat and inflated tubes around the sides. The distinction matters because a prospective buyer may want the ride characteristics of a deep-V centre console while retaining the protective collar and boarding attributes of a RIB. Actual ride comfort will still depend on loading, sea state, trim and how the boat is driven.
Highfield quotes a boat-only weight of 1,013kg for the 650, but specifies that this figure covers the boat, console, standard seating, sundeck and platform rather than every item required for an operational package. Engine weight, fuel, equipment and crew must therefore be considered when selecting a trailer or planning towing capacity. An attractive dry weight should not be mistaken for an all-up road weight.
Escape 750: more beam, fuel and room aboard
Moving up to the Escape 750 adds 90 centimetres of overall length, bringing the boat to 8.07 metres, and increases beam to 2.90 metres. The published maximum is 15 people, with a 250-litre fuel tank and up to 300hp from a single outboard. Highfield's model introduction identifies 250hp and 300hp power options, allowing the choice to be considered against the boat's intended load and operating waters.
Despite the larger dimensions, the 750 is designed around a broadly similar use case. It combines the helm position with seating both forward and aft, storage incorporated into the boat and space to move between social areas. The additional beam and fuel capacity can be valuable for day trips with a larger party, although legal loading rules, safe operating conditions and adequate reserves still take precedence over the headline passenger count.
The 750's stated bare-boat weight is 1,068kg on Highfield's defined basis, only modestly above that of the smaller model. The published figure should be read with the builder's caveats rather than used as a ready-to-tow number. Highfield also specifies an anchor windlass as standard on this version, an especially useful convenience for a boat that may spend much of a summer anchoring off beaches and sheltered bays.
A family layout with genuine working-boat details
Both Escapes have a centre-console arrangement with helm seating, bow and stern relaxation areas and stowage built into the layout. Highfield's introductory description includes flip-up helm bolsters, spaces for large multifunction navigation displays and seating that can support either travel or time at anchor. An optional hardtop provides a more permanent form of shade without requiring the side decks to be closed in.
The published standard-equipment lists include hydraulic steering, self-draining deck, lifting points, towing eyes, a substantial rubbing strake and a keel guard. They also list boarding platforms and ladders, sundeck equipment and shower kits. Some details vary by specification and region, so a buyer should obtain a signed build sheet rather than assume that every photograph shows the basic configuration.
Highfield offers inflatable tubes described as ORCA Hypalon or PVC, which makes material choice part of the purchasing conversation. Tubes have an important role in dockside contact and flotation, but their lifespan and appearance depend on exposure, use and maintenance. The builder's brochure and warranty terms are the appropriate sources for what a particular material or finish will cover, rather than any general assumption about RIB durability.
What prospective buyers should check at the show
For an owner stepping aboard at Fort Lauderdale, the most useful comparison is between the two models' actual floor space and sightlines. It is worth sitting at the helm with the bolsters raised and lowered, walking from the console to the bow, inspecting access to stowage and checking how someone would return aboard after swimming. A paper specification cannot show how comfortably a particular family moves around a loaded deck.
Performance claims also warrant a careful reading. Highfield has said that maximum-power configurations are projected to reach speeds in the 50mph range, but a projection is not a controlled test of each engine option, load and sea condition. Prospective customers should request performance data for the exact configuration they are considering, together with fuel-use figures, service access and local dealer support.
The Escape 650 and 750 therefore represent two different scales of the same idea: fibreglass-hulled American-built RIBs aimed at everyday boating rather than a niche tender-only mission. Their appeal will depend on how the owner values protective tubes, flexible social seating, simple outboard servicing and manageable dimensions. The Fort Lauderdale display gives buyers an opportunity to evaluate those practical qualities without mistaking marketing figures for independent sea-trial results.