Highfield Ultralite 290 Tender PVC
Deeper V, 15hp rating. Still a 39kg lift.
Product Code: HFDUL290LG
All Prices Include VAT.
The Highfield Ultralite 290 is where the range starts to behave like a proper runabout rather than a tender. The dead rise increases to 15° for a noticeably softer, drier ride in chop, and the engine rating almost doubles to 15hp — yet the boat still weighs only 39kg and packs down to the same 105cm width as the smaller models.
What you are actually buying
Lightweight aluminium hull
High-tensile chromated and powder-coated aluminium — rigid enough to plane properly, light enough to lift, and it won't osmose or delaminate like GRP.
15° V deck
A deeper V than the 240 and 260, so it carries speed into a short chop with less slamming. This is where the range starts to feel like a proper runabout.
Fuel tank platform
A dedicated moulded platform keeps a portable tank secure and off the floor, so it isn't sliding around your feet on the run back to the mooring.
Ergonomic grab handles
Shaped handles and full-length lifting points mean two people can carry, launch and recover the boat without fighting for a grip on a wet tube.
Available finishes
Lighter tubes stay cooler and show less UV chalking over time; darker tubes hide scuffs and marina grime.
Full specification
| Overall length | 2.90m |
|---|---|
| Internal length | 2.14m |
| Overall width (beam) | 1.54m |
| Internal width | 0.77m |
| Dead rise | 15° |
| Tube diameter | 38cm |
| Air chambers | 3 |
| Maximum load | 320kg |
| Max engine weight | 56kg |
| Maximum people | 4 |
| Boat only weight | 39kg |
| Maximum engine | 15 hp |
| Engine shaft | S — short |
| Hull material | Chromated & powder-coated aluminium |
| Tube material | PVC, welded seams |
| Design category | C — Inshore |
| Packed size (l × w × h) | 250 × 105 × 36.5cm |
Maximum load includes crew and cargo - it does not include engine weight, fuel or water. Specifications are supplied by the manufacturer and may change without notice.
Which one is right for you?
Every model in this range side by side, so you can see exactly what the extra money buys.
| Model | 240 PVC | 260 PVC | 290 PVCYOU ARE VIEWING | 310 PVC | 340 PVC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall length | 2.40m | 2.60m | 2.90m | 3.13m | 3.37m |
| Internal length | 1.64m | 1.84m | 2.14m | 2.24m | 2.43m |
| Overall width (beam) | 1.54m | 1.54m | 1.54m | 1.72m | 1.72m |
| Internal width | 0.78m | 0.77m | 0.77m | 0.79m | 0.79m |
| Dead rise | 10.5° | 10.5° | 15° | 15° | 15° |
| Tube diameter | 38cm | 38cm | 38cm | 44cm | 44cm |
| Air chambers | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Maximum load | 240kg | 278kg | 320kg | 400kg | 438kg |
| Max engine weight | - | 50kg | 56kg | 56kg | 56kg |
| Maximum people | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| Boat only weight | 33kg | 35kg | 39kg | 50kg | 53kg |
| Maximum engine | 6 hp | 8 hp | 15 hp | 15 hp | 20 hp |
| Engine shaft | - | S — short | S — short | S — short | S — short |
| Hull material | Chromated & powder-coated aluminium | Chromated & powder-coated aluminium | Chromated & powder-coated aluminium | Chromated & powder-coated aluminium | Chromated & powder-coated aluminium |
| Tube material | PVC, welded seams | PVC, welded seams | PVC, welded seams | PVC, welded seams | PVC, welded seams |
| Design category | C — Inshore | C — Inshore | C — Inshore | C — Inshore | C — Inshore |
| Packed size (l × w × h) | 200 × 105 × 36.5cm | 220 × 105 × 36.5cm | 250 × 105 × 36.5cm | 270 × 105 × 36.5cm | 300 × 105 × 36.5cm |
| Price from | £2,045 | £2,145 | £2,445 | £3,145 | £3,045 |
| View 240 PVC | View 260 PVC | You are here | View 310 PVC | View 340 PVC |
What comes as standard
Included with every boat
- PVC tubes with welded seams
- High-tensile chromated & powder-coated aluminium hull
- Flush-mount non-return valves
- Anti-slip deck
- Lifting points and towing eyes
- Tow bridle points
- Full-length keel guard
- Lightweight rubbing strake
- Removable seat
- Under-seat bag with EVA
- Highfield dry bag
- Foot pump, oars and repair kit
Optional extras
- Extra seatOrder in
- Boat coverOrder in
- Dinghy wheelsIn stock
- Davit / lift systemIn stock
Not sure what you need alongside the boat? Call the shop and we will spec it with you - outboard shaft length, wheels, cover and a spare repair kit are the four people most often forget.
Ultralite 290 PVC in detail
Choosing an inflatable dinghy
Three decisions do most of the work: what the tubes are made of, what's under your feet, and how big a boat you can actually handle on your own. Everything else follows.
PVC or Hypalon?
PVC is lighter, cheaper and welded rather than glued — ideal for a tender that's deflated and stowed between trips. Expect 5–10 seasons in UK conditions.
ORCA® Hypalon (CSM) costs more and is hand-glued, but it shrugs off UV and heat. If the boat lives inflated on davits, on deck all season, or spends summers in the Med, Hypalon is the one that survives.
What's under your feet
| Floor | Best for |
|---|---|
| Slatted | Lightest and smallest packed. Rowing and short hops; won't plane. |
| Air deck | Light, rolls up, comfortable underfoot. The all-round compromise. |
| Aluminium / ply | Rigid, planes well, but heavy and slow to assemble. |
| Rigid hull (RIB) | Best ride and handling. No packing away — needs davits or a trailer. |
Size, weight and engine
Work backwards from where the boat has to live. Measure your foredeck, your davits and your car boot before you fall in love with a length.
Then be honest about the lift: anything over about 40kg stops being a two-person carry up a slipway. Match the outboard to the transom rating and the shaft length (short shaft on almost all tenders), and remember the engine's weight comes off your usable payload.
Frequently asked
The 290 is rated to 15hp and 56kg of engine weight. A 9.9-15hp short-shaft outboard will plane it comfortably with three aboard. Bear in mind a 15hp four-stroke weighs around 50kg - close to the boat itself - so think about how you will lift it on and off. Always use a short-shaft (S) engine.
Two reasons: the dead rise increases from 10.5 to 15 degrees, which means a noticeably softer ride in chop, and the engine rating almost doubles to 15hp. You pay for it in 4kg and 30cm of packed length. Beam and tube diameter are unchanged, so it still stows like the smaller boats.
Packed, the 290 measures 250 × 105 × 36.5cm and weighs 39kg. The aluminium hull is rigid, so packed length is fixed - measure before ordering.
Buy PVC if the boat is deflated or stowed between uses and lives in the UK. Buy Hypalon if it stays inflated on davits, sits on deck all season, or you sail somewhere with strong sun. We stock Hypalon in the 260; other sizes can be ordered in.
Length and weight restrictions apply, so it ships on a pallet courier rather than a standard parcel service. Delivery is calculated at checkout for UK mainland addresses. Highlands, islands and non-mainland addresses are quoted individually - call us before ordering, or collect from the shop.
Not sure it is the right boat? Ask us.
We have been fitting out boat owners since 1975. Tell us what you are tendering, where it has to stow and how far you are going, and we will tell you honestly whether this is the one - or whether something else in the range fits better.
Only 1 left
Only 1 left
Only 2 left
Only 1 left
Only 1 left
Only 2 leftDelivery & Returns
Inflatable boats are subject to length and weight shipping restrictions and travel on a pallet courier rather than a standard parcel service. UK mainland delivery on this item is calculated at checkout.
Highlands, islands, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Wight and non-mainland addresses are quoted individually - please call our online team on +44 (0) 1473 694725 before ordering so we can confirm the cost and lead time.
You are also very welcome to collect from the shop. Many customers prefer this so we can unpack the boat with you, check it over and run through the setup before you take it away.
Our policy is simple - you have up to 90 days to return your purchase if it is not suitable or you have changed your mind. Our hassle-free 90-day returns policy applies to most items and is offered in addition to your statutory rights.
Please note: boats must be returned unused, dry, clean and in their original packaging. A boat that has been inflated and launched cannot be returned as unwanted, though this does not affect your rights if the item is faulty.
Return goods purchased in-store
Simply bring your order confirmation or delivery note and the item you wish to return or exchange, unused and in its original packaging, to our till point in the shop. If you paid by debit or credit card, please ensure you also bring the payment card you originally used.
Return goods bought online
1. Start your return through the Returns Process in your Fox's Chandlery online customer account within 90 days of delivery.
2. Once approved, you will receive a Return Authorisation Number (RAN) and shipping instructions.
3. Package the item securely in its original packaging.
4. Use a tracked courier service and always obtain proof of postage.
5. Please allow up to 14 working days after we receive the goods for your return to be processed.
Because boats are large and heavy, please call our online team on +44 (0) 1473 694725 to arrange collection rather than arranging your own courier.
If you need to add or remove items from your order, change the details of your delivery address or cancel the order completely, please contact our Online Team for advice on +44 (0) 1473 694725 between 0900 and 1730 Monday to Friday or email us. Please quote your order number and order date. If your order has already been dispatched or delivered, then you will need to follow our Returns procedure in the event of any unwanted products.