RIB270
Stepping up from the RIB250, the Aquafarer RIB270 stretches to 2.7 metres with a wider 162 cm beam and larger 42 cm Hypalon tubes, offering noticeably greater lateral stability and a higher 350 kg load capacity. Rated for outboards up to 10 HP, this RIB delivers genuine planing performance for a modest power investment while remaining compact enough for garage storage, car towing, and davit lifting. It occupies a sweet spot in the Aquafarer small-RIB range — more capable than a 2.5 m tender, yet lighter and more manageable than a full 3-metre hull.
Standard Equipment
- Hull & tubes: Fully assembled fibreglass deep-V hull with 3-chamber Hypalon tubes
- Oars & pump: 2 aluminium oars with oarlocks, high-output foot pump
- Seating: 1 removable GRP seat with storage compartment
- Safety: Repair kit with PVC patches, valve tool, and adhesive
- Deck: Self-bailing anti-slip deck surface
- Hardware: Bow lifting handle, stern towing eye, grab lines, rubbing strake
Options & Accessories
- 3 kg galvanised anchor with 30 m nylon rode
- Life jackets (adult and child sizes)
- Custom-fitted boat cover (weather-resistant PVC)
- 12 V electric air pump with pressure gauge
- Beach launching wheels (folding, stainless steel)
- Seat cushion set (marine-grade foam, UV-resistant fabric)
- Bimini sun top / canopy (UV-resistant, quick-fold)
- Portable fish finder / depth sounder
- Navigation system / GPS mount
- Fender set (4x) with lines
- Dock lines (4x, 10 mm braided nylon)
- Battery box with 12 V battery and charger
- Spare propeller for 6–10 HP outboards
- Deluxe tube repair kit with Hypalon patches
Technical Features
- Hull: CE-certified hand-laid fibreglass deep-V hull cuts through chop efficiently while the generous 162 cm beam provides excellent lateral stability for boarding, fishing, and anchoring. At 64 kg net weight, the RIB270 is light enough for two people to launch and retrieve without a trailer. Hull colour options: white, navy, grey, black, or custom RAL finish.
- Tubes: 42 cm diameter Hypalon tubes deliver substantial buoyancy and impact absorption. Three independent air chambers provide triple-redundancy flotation — the boat remains operational if any single chamber is compromised. Fitted with continuous grab lines and four reinforced lifting points. Available in black, grey, white, orange, or blue; Hypalon or PVC material options.
- Deck & Layout: Open, uncluttered deck layout seats 3 adults comfortably with stowage space for fishing tackle, dive gear, or overnight bags. Self-bailing deck design keeps standing water to a minimum. Simple layout reduces weight and simplifies maintenance.
- Engine & Performance: Supports 2-stroke or 4-stroke outboard engines up to 10 HP. The RIB270 planes readily with 8–10 HP and a typical crew, offering a smooth ride in moderate chop. Estimated cruising speed 8–14 knots, top speed 15–20 knots depending on load and engine. Fuel consumption approximately 2–4 L/h at cruising speed.
- Safety: Three isolated chambers exceed basic flotation requirements. Non-slip deck surface, bow and stern lifting handles, towing eye, and high-visibility grab lines included as standard. Hypalon fabric naturally resists UV degradation, abrasion, and fuel spills.
- Manufacturing & Quality: Hand-laid fibreglass hull with vinylester resin for osmosis resistance. Tubes assembled using hot-air thermofusion welding for air-tight, high-strength seams. Every hull undergoes a 48-hour quality soak test and a 24-hour pressure-hold test before delivery.
- Certifications: CE certified under EU Recreational Craft Directive 2013/53/EU (Category C — coastal). ISO 9001:2015 quality management system. Hull warranty 5 years, tube warranty 2 years, buoyancy warranty 5 years.
- Customisation: Custom hull graphics, tube colours, console layouts, and private-label branding available for OEM and fleet orders.
Ideal Uses
Engineered for boaters, anglers, and commercial users seeking added capacity without sacrificing portability. The RIB270 is equally adept at:
- Lake fishing & angling: Stable enough for two anglers to cast from the same side, with room for a livewell, tackle boxes, and a small cooler. Trolling at low RPM is quiet and fuel-efficient.
- Yacht tender: The 162 cm beam provides a stable platform for crew transfers, while the 64 kg hull weight allows davit lifting aboard yachts up to 40 feet.
- Marina service & light workboat: Compact enough to navigate tight marina fairways, rugged enough for daily utility tasks — buoy maintenance, guest shuttling, equipment transport.
- Family recreation: Safe handling characteristics and ample beam make it a confidence-inspiring choice for families introducing younger members to powerboating.
The RIB270 bridges the gap between ultra-compact tenders and full-size RIBs, offering a practical upgrade path for growing families and expanding marina operations.