Ukraine, now known as a centre for high-quality inflatable boats with solid hulls, is the home of the robust Aquaspirit RIBs. Major brands such as Brig and Grand are also represented here and continue to rely on this location. The shipyard has been successfully building boats here since 2017 and has established itself on the market over the years, giving the aforementioned competitors a run for their money.
AQS, the abbreviation for Aquaspirit, impresses with good materials and equally good workmanship: its underwater hull is made of stable marine aluminium, which offers greater resistance to grounding and mechanical collisions than glass fibre-reinforced plastic. Landing on the beach is therefore no problem. Experienced skippers will immediately notice the painted aluminium hull from the driving noise. It is significantly more muffled than a fibreglass hull, but also feels somewhat more stable, stiffer and therefore less flexible.
Aquaspirit creates customised products
Customised special designs are possible, which makes the boats attractive for both private and commercial customers. These include authorities such as the water police and rescue organisations such as the DLRG and fire brigade. All structural components - the hydrodynamically optimised hulls made of light metal, the hose system (optionally made of PVC or Orca-Hypalon) and the deck superstructures - are designed and manufactured in Kiev. During our test, we travelled on the North Sea and were able to drive several boats. The Aquaspirit S585 we have already presented.
Our test candidate, provided by Yachtcharter Hooksiel, is the top model and was presented at boot Düsseldorf in 2024. As is often the case with test boats, our test object is fully equipped. This includes, for example, a seadeck deck covering, an aluminium hardtop, a water ski bracket on the engine and, of course, the 250 hp Suzuki engine with drive-by-wire control. With all these options, however, the S700 has little to do with the entry-level price. The base price is around 75,500 euros including 19 per cent VAT. Fully equipped, it costs almost twice as much - an impressive 131,500 euros. Comparable alternatives such as a Brig Eagle 8 with 300 hp Mercury Verado and "fully equipped" also cost 125,000 euros. A Grand G680 HLF including a Yamaha F200XSA engine also costs 58,353 euros as standard, similar to the Aquaspirit S700.
The layout
But away from scary figures and back to the S700. The S700 offers plenty of space in the cockpit, with sunbeds in the bow and stern that can be folded out in a few simple steps. The sunbed on the foredeck measures 1.50 x 1.60 metres. In the stern, 1.90 x 1.36 metres await sun-seekers. What is striking is the amount of storage space, in our boat even with the deck covering inside the cockpit (410 euros extra). Of course, the optional aluminium T-top is also installed at the central helm station. The latter costs 2810 euros in the current surcharge list. For additional comfort, the cockpit is covered with elastic EVA flooring, which even adorns the interior walls. There is also a fixed bench seat for two people behind the driving position with a view to the rear. With this option, six people can sit comfortably at the small, fold-out table in the rear.
A chemical toilet is installed under the driving position. The small cabin is accessed via the bow seat. This can be folded up. The flap is then held in place by a gas pressure spring. Gas pressure spring is the right keyword here. Every hatch on the RIB is held open in this way. Of course, this is also an extra that costs just over 1000 euros. But we think it's worth it and makes the boat a little more luxurious. You also don't run the risk of the hatch falling on your fingers. The simple electrical system is professionally installed in the floor and makes a good impression on us. There is no water system on our test boat. Instead, there are plenty of handholds.
The test drive with the Aquaspirit S700
To drive: At low revs and with Depeche Mode singing "Never let me down again" from the loudspeakers, we leave the harbour of Schleuseninsel in Wilhelmshaven. It's cold, rainy and windy. Two things stand out immediately. The music system is really good and easy to hear even in the five-plus Bft wind. The second point is the seaworthiness. In front of the harbour, we are met by waves that are around 70 centimetres high and follow each other in quick succession. The 700 doesn't care and pushes further out into the North Sea. The foredeck remains dry. Up to 2000 rpm, the nose of the boat barely lifts and we head towards the LNG terminal at displacement speed. We accelerate with the wave.
At 2350 revolutions per minute, we start to glide and travel through the water at 17 knots. The hull feels grippy and sporty. It follows small steering commands immediately. The seven-metre RIB is unimpressed by cruising through the waves. Sure, if you hit the wave right from the side, it splashes a little over the 65 centimetre high freeboard, but that happens with every inflatable boat.
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In the shelter of a headland, we put the lever on the table and reach 43.0 knots. Even at these speeds, the dinghy continues straight ahead. Consumption rises to 82.1 litres per hour. When cruising in economic planing mode, the AQS consumes 21.9 litres per minute at 3000 rpm. The speed measured by GPS is then 19.2 knots. If the wave is a little sharper, the S700 uses it as a jump and flies over the next waves. It then starts smoothly again and stays on track.
Aquaspirit masters hectic manoeuvres
The hull makes less noise than would be the case with a GRP hull. No creaking, no cracking. When cornering, the boat does exactly what you want it to do. The outboard doesn't lose grip when the engine is trimmed all the way down. The Aquaspirit also handles snaking lines and hectic manoeuvres well. Compared to its little sister, the 585, however, it is a little more sedate and not quite as sporty. Nevertheless, it has nothing to hide. We rode almost exclusively standing up. If you want to sit, your thighs shouldn't be too long. For the test rider, the distance was fine, but our cameraman found it a little cramped.
Back from the test drive, we drive straight into the slipway and bring the S700 back ashore. As it weighs around 1800 kilograms including the engine and some petrol, it can also be trailered. But beware, the RIB is 2.88 metres wide with inflated tubes. So if you want to trailer it, you have to deflate it so that the permissible width is maintained.
Measurement results
Technical data
- CE category: C/11
- Length over everything: 6,99 m
- Width: 2,88 m
- Unladen weight: 1800 kg
- Hose diameter: 0,50 m
- Clearance height (with T-top): 2,15 m
- Fuel tank: 300 l
- Max. motorisation: 220 kW (300 hp)
- Test motorisation: Suzuki DF250 with 184 kW (250 hp)
Conclusion
The Aquaspirit S700 is built for every conceivable day trip. Be it for sporting activities or sunbathing in a bay. If you opt for tubes made of Orca material, a very long service life is guaranteed. The quality of workmanship is high.
Aluminium hull
Well-finished weld seams
Gas pressure dampers on the hatches
