The Aquaspirit S350 C is designed to score points with its aluminium hull and high performance. 30 hp can be attached. We tested the small power pack on the Rhine.
Hardly any other segment in water sports is as large and vibrant as that of compact rigid inflatable boats (RIBs). Of course, for many people they are the perfect complement or alternative to a large boat.
Owners of larger cruisers use this type of boat as a tender to go to the beach, transport shopping or be mobile in the anchorage. Others use the boats for short trips on the water and some for fishing or working on the water. The manufacturer Aquaspirit, AQS for short, also produces many models for the German Life Saving Association (DLRG) or other organisations. The biggest advantage of the inflatable boats is their robustness and manoeuvrability. The Aquaspirit S350, a 3.48-metre boat with an aluminium hull and classic inflatable boat configuration, competes in this environment. With a maximum engine power of up to 30 hp and a payload of over 500 kilograms, the S350 aims to impress both beginners and experienced owners.
Details that immediately catch the eye with the Aquaspirit
The boat is still on the trailer when we arrive. Two details immediately catch the eye: firstly the flat underwater part of the hull and secondly the unusual bracket at the bow. This acts as a step with an additional cleat. The small box is made of aluminium - as is the entire hull. There is a small seat in the bow, under which there is storage space. Four thin mooring lines or a small anchor can be stowed there, although they are suitable for the size of the boat. The boat cover can also be stored neatly in the locker. The aluminium floor is equipped with an anti-slip coating. This works in the wet as well as in the dry with shoes without any problems.
There is variance for the steering position. Our test boat is the S350 C with light console. This version offers a bench seat for two people and a steering wheel, which is mounted on a tubular construction in front of the driver. At first glance, this looks a little wobbly, but we cannot confirm this in our test. Everything holds without play and stays where it should, even if you have to hold on tightly. The gear lever is mounted on the starboard side and is easy to reach. There is storage space under the seat for a bag or a six-pack of water. The battery and all electronics are also installed there. The battery is properly housed in a battery box and secured against slipping. That's how it should be.
If you don't like this version, you can also get it with two single seat cowls or as the AQS S350 SC. The SC version offers a sports console with a jockey seat. This version is particularly suitable for clubs or water rescue organisations, Alex Solz from Boats & more tells us. He sells the boats in southern Germany.
The technology and the material
Unlike many inflatable boats with a plastic or air floor, the S350 is made with a lightweight and, above all, robust aluminium hull. Compared to pure plastic or sandwich constructions, this design offers greater hull stability and therefore better handling characteristics. In this segment, the boat competes with models from Zodiac, Highfield and Quicksilver, whereby the aluminium hull gives the Aquaspirit a certain longevity and robustness that many purely leisure-oriented PVC RIBs lack. Simply driving onto the beach or mooring on a rock is no problem for the hull. Scratches also have little effect on the material.
The hull is made of the aluminium alloy EN AW 5083 H111. This material has a proven track record in professional shipbuilding: corrosion-resistant, relatively light and at the same time structurally strong. The panels are welded inside and out, creating a double wall thickness that increases rigidity and durability. Aluminium is corrosion-resistant, easy to repair and resistant to light or sometimes heavy collisions with webs or flat surfaces.
The hose bodies are made of PVC as standard. This is common in this price range and makes economic sense, but has well-known limitations in terms of UV resistance and ageing resistance. Hypalon hoses are available as an option, which should significantly increase the service life, but also lead to noticeably higher acquisition costs.
The processing of the Aquaspirit S350 C
The workmanship of the hoses is neat and the bonding appears even. There are scuff plates and reinforcements in exposed areas without being overly bulky. Anti-slip deck, lifting eyes, storage compartments and a mechanical Teleflex control are part of the basic equipment. The workmanship and choice of materials are functional and robust.
The workmanship of the aluminium hull is clean, the weld seams and edges are neatly executed and the fittings are properly fitted. The multi-layer structure of the hull is particularly noteworthy - an approach that is otherwise more familiar from professional work or police boats.
The test drive
On the water, the S350 impresses with its typical RIB characteristics: manoeuvrable, stable and easy to track, even in slightly choppy conditions. For a few weeks now, the boat can also be driven with a 30 hp outboard motor. A few changes have been made to the thickness of the material. The shipyard justifies the extension with increased demand. With the maximum engine, the boat can reach speeds of around 34.5 knots, or 64 kilometres per hour, which is more than enough for fun in between, day trips or as a tender.
The handling is intuitive, the steering is predictable and easy to master even for less experienced drivers. But: you have to get used to the boat. The shallow underwater section mentioned above tends to break away. The outboard motor still keeps the whole thing on track, but it feels like you're sliding over the water. In pictures or when viewed from the outside, this is true. But you don't lose control, it's just that the boat feels different at first. Once you get used to it, it's actually really fun. However, you should be more careful in higher waves. The alternative is to take a second person with you.
The riding characteristics are much more pleasant with the additional weight. A heavier engine could also help. However, the S350 is not intended as an offshore or deep-sea boat anyway - it is rather designed for sheltered inland or coastal waters. In combination with a 15 hp outboard motor, the boat remains within the licence-free range and already reaches speeds that are more than sufficient for this size of boat.
What the Aquaspirit is used for
The S350 can be used in a variety of ways: as a leisure and holiday boat for day trips, as a tender for yachts or catamarans, for beginners without a boating licence or as a functional all-round RIB for light work or as a fishing boat.
In practice, the Aquaspirit shows its strengths above all in its robustness, driving safety and suitability for everyday use. Anyone deciding in favour of this boat or a Rib in general should consider where the boat will be used most of the time. A potential buyer should think about upgrading, especially in sunny areas. Although the standard PVC tubes are practical and inexpensive, they do not offer the durability of Hypalon.
Technical data
Boat
- CE design category: C / 4
- Total length: 3,48 m
- Width: 1,68 m
- Depth: 0,24 m
- Clearance height: 0,90 m
- Weight: 180 kg
- Motorisation: min. 15 HP
- Motorisation: max. 30 hp
- Fuel tank: 25 l
- Batteries: 54 Ah
- kilograms per hp: 6,0
- Price: from € 14,200
- Distribution test boat: boatsandmore.com
- Shipyard: aquaspirit.boats
Engine
- Manufacturer: Suzuki
- Type: DF 30 A
- Quantity: 1
- Performance: 30 HP
- Full load speed: 6,300 rpm
- Cylinder: 3
- cubic capacity: 490 cm³
- Fuel: Petrol
Standard equipment
- Mechanical steering system
- Double bench seat - side console
- PVC anti-slip covering
- Self-draining cockpit
- 12-volt battery
- Hot eyelets at the stern and bow
- Bilge pump
- Foot air pump
- PVC hose
Construction method
The boat is made of marine aluminium alloy EN AW 5083 H111. The weld seams look good and professional. The hull has a double bottom.
Internal dimensions
- Length: 2,62 m
- Width: 0,83 m
- Height: 0,42 m
Sound pressure
The three-cylinder engine is not too loud in normal use. It naturally gets louder at full throttle, but remains within the normal range.
Measurement results
| Speed rpm | Speed kn | Speed km/h | Consumption l/h | Range sm | Range km | Volume dB (A) |
| 1.000 | 2,2 | 4,0 | 0,9 | 52 | 96 | 58 |
| 2.000 | 4,1 | 7,6 | 1,6 | 54 | 101 | 61 |
| 3.000 | 5,2 | 9,6 | 2,65 | 42 | 77 | 68 |
| 3.500 | 9,4 | 17,4 | 3,4 | 59 | 109 | 69 |
| 4.000 | 14,2 | 26,3 | 4,6 | 66 | 121 | 70 |
| 4.500 | 16,3 | 30,2 | 5,4 | 64 | 119 | 74 |
| 5.000* | 22,3 | 41,3 | 6,3 | 75 | 139 | 76 |
| 5.500 | 29,4 | 54,4 | 8,4 | 74 | 138 | 82 |
| 6.200 | 34,5 | 63,9 | 10,5 | 70 | 129 | 88 |
* The most economical range here is a good planing speed. Measured during our test with two people on board, light swell and 8 knots of wind. 30 per cent petrol in the tank.
BOOTE rating
Overall, the Aquaspirit S350 is not a comfort boat, but an honest, robust work and leisure boat. Anyone looking for an uncomplicated, durable RIB will find a well thought-out model here. This is especially true if the owner invests in more durable Hypalon tubes.
Design and concept
Good workmanship
Robust aluminium base
Mobile with one chamber
Standard PVC hoses
Driving and steering
Sporty with 30 hp
Living and finishing quality
Sufficient storage space
Equipment and technology
Bilge pump as standard
Tarpaulin costs extra
Alternatives on the market
Zodiac Nomad RIB Alu 3.6
The counterpart from Zodiac. The Nomad Rib Alu 3.6 is similar to the Aquaspirit in many respects. Visually, however, it is somewhat softer and not as radical as the AQS. Price: € 7,963
Brig Eagle 3.5
The Brig Eagle 3.5 is equipped with a plastic floor. The boat is less radical and designed more as a pure tender boat. Nevertheless, it is a good compromise to the S350 C. Price: 24,500 €
Aquaspirit S370 GT
The S370 from the same manufacturer is the bigger sister, so to speak. Although it is significantly heavier, it can also be operated with twice the engine power, i.e. 60 hp. Price: € 27,800
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Jan-Ole Puls
Editor Test & Technology
