Outboards
10th August 2026
Performance on the Atlantic Edge: Suzuki and Redbay Power AquaTerra Boat Tours
Exploring the Atlantic Coast
Out on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, where conditions can change rapidly from sheltered harbour to open ocean, safety and reliability are essential. For AquaTerra Boat Tours, operating along the exposed Skellig Coast, that reliability is delivered by Suzuki Marine outboards, integrated into a Redbay platform designed for offshore performance.
The Redbay 1150 Skellig Bounty, a purpose-built offshore platform powered by twin Suzuki DF300APXX outboards, is Ireland’s first petrol-powered P5 offshore-rated passenger vessel.
Brendan Curtin and Elizabeth McCooey are the husband-and-wife founders behind AquaTerra, an award-winning and recently Blue Flag-appointed marine tourism business, which offers an immersive and authentic way to experience the Atlantic coastline.
AquaTerra worked closely with Redbay Boats to design and build a vessel capable of handling exposed conditions more than eight miles offshore, far beyond the limits of traditional tour boats. Together, they’ve created a vessel combining capability, comfort and efficiency in a single platform that sets a new benchmark for offshore marine tourism in Ireland.
Proven Performance
AquaTerra’s relationship with Suzuki didn’t begin with Skellig Bounty. From the earliest days of the business, the team relied on Suzuki power.
“On our previous vessel, we ran a Suzuki DF300AP, which proved extremely reliable over extended use,” Brendan says. “When the time came to commission a next-generation offshore vessel, that experience made Suzuki the natural choice.
“The twin Suzuki DF300APXX outboard engines stand out in terms of efficiency, performance, and ease of maintenance. But it’s not just about the performance of the engines, it’s how they integrate with the overall design of the boat.”
A key part of that integration is a hydraulic bracket system, allowing the engines to be adjusted for optimal positioning. This ensures efficient power transfer, improved handling and fuel efficiency, and a smoother, more controlled ride.
Designed for Offshore Performance
For AquaTerra, the high-performance design of the vessel itself is just as critical as the engines powering it.
At the core of the Redbay 1150 is a deep-V hull, delivering a stable and controlled ride in exposed Atlantic conditions. The vessel has been designed with passenger experience in mind, incorporating shock-mitigating seating and a layout that allows for safe, easy movement on deck.
“We collaborated with Redbay from the outset to make sure everything worked exactly as we needed,” Elizabeth says. “Everything on board has been carefully considered, from the performance to the seating to visibility from the helm.
“More traditional boats can feel unsettled offshore, but the Redbay maintains balance and control. Its design gives us the flexibility to operate across sheltered or more exposed areas without compromising on comfort or safety, and that’s essential for the type of experience we want to deliver.”
Smooth, Quiet and Low Emissions
The combination of hull design, engine setup and overall configuration allows AquaTerra to maintain strong, consistent performance across all conditions.
“The Suzuki outboards produce lower emissions and are highly efficient. We cover long distances each day, but the engines’ responsiveness means we can adjust speed and movement quickly to operate in a more controlled way,” Brendan says.
“They also run incredibly smoothly and cleanly, with minimal vibration, and are much quieter than traditional diesel setups. That reduction in noise on deck makes a real difference to the guest experience.”
Sustainable Tourism
Operating within Ireland’s National Marine Park, sustainability is a core part of AquaTerra’s philosophy. Their approach has seen the business win the title of Best Sustainable Boating Experience 2026 – Republic of Ireland, and most recently have become the first marine tourism boat operator in Ireland to receive the Blue Flag award.
The Blue Flag award is a major milestone for AquaTerra, as this internationally recognised award reflects their commitment to environmental awareness, safety standards, sustainability, and wildlife-first tourism practices. Measures such as minimising emissions through controlled engine operation, reducing noise by using quieter Suzuki outboards and precise manoeuvrability all help minimise disturbance to the wide range of marine and coastal wildlife encountered along every trip’s route, which includes seabird colonies, dolphins and seals.
AquaTerra is also part of Fáilte Ireland’s Climate Action Programme and is the only Irish boat tour operator to be selected for the I-STARS Project (Innovation for Sustainable Tourism and Resilience in the Atlantic Area).
Trust
“Based on our experience, we would absolutely choose Suzuki engines for future vessels,” Elizabeth says. “For us, it comes down to trust. We know we can depend on the engines to perform without incident for over 750 hours per season in demanding conditions.
“Paired with a purpose-built Redbay platform, that reliability means we can focus on what matters most: delivering unforgettable experiences and contributing to a more responsible standard for offshore tourism.”
Thanks to Elizabeth and Brendan for speaking to us. You can find out more about AquaTerra Boat Tours and Redbay Boats at kerryaquaterra.ie and redbayboats.com
