Highfield's Patrol 500 occupies the smaller end of its multi-use aluminium-hulled RIB range. At 5.10 metres overall, the manufacturer offers a flexible console and seat layout with a maximum 100hp outboard rating.
Choosing a working arrangement
The maker offers bolster or jockey seats and lists optional shock-mitigation seats, dive equipment and a tow post. Its design can therefore suit very different outings depending on how the individual boat is ordered.
A family sightseeing trip and a professional safety boat do not have the same equipment or supervision needs. Owners should select the configuration for the actual use rather than copy a photograph.
Dimensions and tubes
The official sheet gives 2.23 metres of beam, six air chambers and a 24-degree deadrise. A self-draining deck and powder-coated aluminium hull are included in the maker's feature list.
The RIB's usable internal beam is about 1.20 metres, making the position of seats and stored gear significant. An owner should walk the actual deck before committing to a large console or rack.
Load, fuel and road handling
Highfield lists up to ten people, an 800-kilogram maximum load and a 90-litre fuel tank. Quoted boat-only weight is approximately 436 kilograms with the defined standard fittings.
An installed engine, fuel, trailer and accessories make the transport weight considerably higher. The trailer and tow vehicle must be suitable for the complete combination.
A specific boat, not a general class
Compared with the 5.45-metre Patrol 540, the 500 offers a shorter hull and less deck volume. For some users that may be easier to store, while others will value the larger boat's additional working space.
These figures and the model-matched photograph come from Highfield's official Patrol 500 page. It is current-model coverage, not a fabricated recent launch.
Official reference: manufacturer model specifications. Independently written by Leisure Boat Guide.