Aluminium is becoming harder to ignore in the tender market, and AquaSpirit's newest release lands right in the middle of that shift.
Inside the AquaSpirit 370
At 3.65m long and 1.89m wide, the AquaSpirit 370 makes its UK debut at the 2026 Southampton International Boat Show, with a launch presentation planned at AquaSpirit's berth on 18 September. The hull and deck are aluminium EN AW 5083 H111, a marine-grade alloy chosen for the weight and durability aluminium is known for. Dry weight is 340kg with a 543kg payload, and the cockpit runs to 1.2m wide, seating four.
AquaSpirit UK's Rob Cross says the boat's D-Tube design, a flattened tube profile in place of the usual round tubes, frees up more usable cockpit space than is typical for a 3.7m RIB. The fit-out covers a console with windscreen, perimeter handrails, stern sofa with cushions, bow platform with twin cleats, ski pole, towing eyelets, internal fuel tank, navigation lights and an automatic bilge pump. Buyers choose PVC or Hypalon tubes, and Suzuki outboards from 20hp up to the hull's 60hp maximum.
Specs at a glance
| Spec | Detail |
| Length | 3.65m |
| Beam | 1.89m |
| Cockpit width | 1.20m |
| Draft | 0.3m |
| Dry weight | 340kg |
| Payload | 543kg |
| Engine range | Suzuki 20 to 60hp |
| Hull material | Aluminium EN AW 5083 H111 |
Southampton spotlight
The 2026 Southampton International Boat Show runs 18 to 27 September at Mayflower Park. Organisers describe it as the UK's flagship boating and watersports festival, with more than 700 marine brands and 500 watercraft expected, and over 250 boats in the show marina.
Why aluminium is gaining ground
Fibreglass and aluminium are both widely used for rigid-hulled inflatable tenders, with PVC and Hypalon among the common choices for their inflatable tubes. Aluminium has become increasingly prominent among builders targeting yacht owners, particularly where low weight, beaching and durability are priorities. Manufacturers commonly cite a weight saving of around 10 to 20 per cent over comparable GRP hulls, and aluminium copes well with rocky landings and the knocks that come with regular tender use. It also suits the growing range of electric outboards available for tenders, where keeping displacement down can help efficiency. Lower hull weight is equally valuable when a tender must be lifted aboard or carried on davits.
Aluminium tenders were once seen as the purely practical option. The AquaSpirit 370's arrival, and the wider builder interest in the format, suggests that's starting to change.
