Hendy Group named official RIB partner

Hendy will supply three high performance and bespoke aluminium hulled Highfield RIBS designed by Adam Younger.

Hendy will supply three high performance and bespoke aluminium hulled Highfield RIBS designed by Adam Younger.

Hendy Group has been appointed as official RIB partner to INEOS TEAM UK’s supplying bespoke Highfield RIBS to support the team’s 36th America’s Cup Challenge.

Hendy is the UK distributor for Highfield Boats with engines supplied by Honda Marine and this partnership will see Hendy involved throughout the America’s Cup Challenge.

As part of the partnership Hendy will supply three high performance and bespoke aluminium hulled Highfield RIBS designed by Adam Younger.

Chief executive of Hendy Group, Paul Hendy, said the company was delighted to be involved with such an exciting, high performance project.

“We are incredibly proud to have been chosen as an official partner for this challenge which culminates in New Zealand in 2021,” said Paul.

“There’s no doubt that the team has captured the imagination of the public with its America’s Cup programme and we are thrilled to be a partner in such an incredible challenge.”

The INEOS Rebels Highfield coach boat in use during the Extreme Sailing Series 2018.
© Sander van der Borch

James Stagg, head of operations for INEOS TEAM UK, “We are working closely with Highfield to design and build a fleet of bespoke high-performance support boats for use in our 36th America’s Cup campaign.

“The boats will be launched here in the Solent and will travel with the team on the America’s Cup World Series before relocating to Auckland for use in the AC36. The AC75 race boat will reach speeds 60+ mph and race in a number of different venues and conditions around the world, we needed to partner with a supplier who was reliable and efficient and with the boats powered Honda, we are confident our new vessels will deliver.” 

The RIBS are to be delivered in spring 2019 with Highfield branding and powered by Honda.