2026 Highfield UltraLite 290

Overview

The Highfield UL290FD is a step up from the standard UL290 in the most practical way possible a flat floor design that transforms the interior into a genuinely usable platform rather than simply a means of getting from boat to dock. At 9 feet 6 inches, this is a tender with real versatility. The flat floor makes boarding and moving around the boat natural and confident, whether you are helping a child aboard, loading a cooler, or simply stepping off at the dinghy dock after a day on the water. It is the kind of detail that sounds minor until you have spent a season in a tender without it.

What sets the UL290FD apart from comparable tenders at this price point is the tube fabric. Rather than the standard PVC found on most entry-level dinghies, this boat is built with ORCA Hypalon tubes in Arctic White the same premium fabric used on commercial and military inflatables worldwide. Hypalon is categorically more resistant to UV degradation, saltwater, fuel, and abrasion than PVC, and it holds its color and structural integrity significantly longer in the kind of harsh New England marine environment that accelerates wear on lesser materials. The 10-year tube warranty that comes with registration is a direct reflection of how seriously Highfield stands behind the material. Like all Highfield Ultralites, the UL290FD is built on a corrosion-resistant powder-coated aluminum hull no gelcoat, no rot, no delamination.

Kirby Marine can pair the UL290FD with a Yamaha, Mercury, or Suzuki 9.9HP or 15HP outboard enough power to make brisk work of harbor runs and anchorage transfers while keeping the boat light, balanced, and easy to manage. Available in additional colorways beyond the Arctic White shown here contact Kirby Marine for current color options and to discuss the right engine pairing for your vessel.