Yachting Art Magazine

At the Swedish Öppet Varv 2026 boat show, BateauScopie visited Orust Marin to discover the brand-new Nordkapp Airborne 5.4. Measuring 5.44 m in length, this RIB is the smallest model in the Norwegian manufacturer’s Airborne range, imported into France by Kevin Pitet’s company, Brand ID Boat. Compact, yet featuring a particularly well-thought-out layout, it combines a polyester hull with unusually designed floats and is fitted exclusively with Mercury engines ranging from 80 to 115 ch. A detailed tour of this new Scandinavian model with Robin Eriksson, Nordkapp’s sales director in Sweden.

The Nordkapp Airborne is now available in a 5.44 m version

With theAirborne 5.4, Nordkapp has applied the principles developed for the larger models in its range to a rigid-hulled inflatable boat under 5.50 m. Unveiled in Sweden at Öppet Varv 2026, the newcomer measures 5.44 m in length and 2.40 m in width.

ActuNautique discovered the boat at Orust Marin, a well-established player in this region of the Swedish west coast where the boating culture remains particularly strong.

At first glance, the new Airborne retains Nordkapp’s stylistic hallmarks, but its appeal lies above all in the way the manufacturer has made the most of its relatively compact dimensions.

Because on a RIB of this size, every centimetre counts. The hulls inevitably take up a significant portion of the available width and can quickly reduce the interior space. Nordkapp has therefore refined their geometry to free up more space on board.

Hulls that taper towards the stern

This is one of the most interesting features of the Nordkapp Airborne 5.4.

The floats have a large diameter at the front, then gradually taper towards the stern. This design serves several purposes.

Firstly, it preserves the qualities expected of a RIB, particularly in terms of stability, whilst freeing up more usable space in the aft cockpit.

It also influences the boat’s dynamic behaviour. With less floatation near the stern, the hull can work more effectively when turning. Nordkapp is thus aiming for handling characteristics similar to those of a small, traditional sports boat made of polyester, without sacrificing the advantages of a RIB.

This quest for balance between the hull and the floats is one of the Airborne 5.4’s defining technical features.

A small RIB designed to maximise space

On board, Nordkapp has opted for a relatively classic yet practical layout.

The forward section features a bench seat that can be extended to form a proper sunbathing area. Several storage compartments have been incorporated beneath the seats to accommodate the equipment needed for a day at sea.

The centre console is kept compact so as not to restrict movement alongside the boat.

The windscreen also features a practical design: it can be folded down. This feature reduces the boat’s overall height, making it easier to store, overwinter or transport on a trailer.

Nordkapp has also added plenty of handrails and grab points. On a 5.44-metre boat likely to be used by families, this detail directly contributes to safety when moving about.

At the stern, access to the swim platform has also been designed to remain straightforward. All of this reflects a fairly clear aim: to maintain a compact boat without giving the impression of being in a cramped cockpit.

A clearly family-oriented design

The Airborne 5.4 is not marketed as a radical RIB or one designed exclusively for speed.

Its intended uses are broader: family outings, swimming, coastal cruising and water sports.

Its size plays an important role here. At under 5.50 m, the boat remains in a category where it is relatively easy to transport it on a trailer and store it on land.

This size is also well-suited to day trips, which make up a significant proportion of how small RIBs are used in both Scandinavia and continental Europe.

The cockpit’s modular design thus allows the boat to be switched from a cruising configuration to one more suited to mooring and relaxation.

From 80 to 115 ch, exclusively with Mercury

When it comes to propulsion, Nordkapp has made a very clear choice: the new Airborne 5.4 is available exclusively with Mercury outboard engines.

Power output starts at 80 ch and can reach 115 ch.

This range allows the boat to be adapted to the owner’s requirements. A mid-range engine will be better suited to family use and fuel economy, whilst the 115 ch engine will make better use of the hull’s sporting potential.

According to information provided at the launch, the top speed can exceed 30 to 35 knots depending on the engine and configuration chosen.

When cruising, a speed of around 22 to 25 knots is more in keeping with the boat’s intended use, striking a balance between cruising speed, comfort and fuel economy.

These are already impressive performance figures for a vessel measuring just 5.44 m.

A customisable boat

Nordkapp does not restrict the Airborne 5.4 to a single configuration either.

The owner can choose from a range of equipment and trim options to tailor the boat to their needs. This scope for customisation allows the manufacturer to maintain, on its smallest Airborne model, an approach similar to that offered on the larger models.

The aim is therefore not merely to offer an entry-level RIB, but to bring the Nordkapp range down to a more compact size.

This strategy is particularly appealing in a market where the prices of new boats have risen sharply in recent years. As a result, 5–6-metre boats are regaining a certain appeal: they offer access to a new boat whilst limiting engine power, fuel consumption, mooring constraints and storage costs.

A compact Airborne, but not a simplified one

The Nordkapp Airborne 5.4 ultimately illustrates a fairly clear trend in the European market: offering more features on boats of reasonable dimensions.

Rather than systematically seeking to increase size, Nordkapp has focused on making the most of the available space. The distinctive design of the floats, the compact console, the storage compartments, the forward sun deck and the folding windscreen all contribute to this approach.

The result is a rigid-hulled inflatable boat that remains easy to handle thanks to its dimensions, whilst incorporating some of the features and attention to detail found in the larger models in the range.

This new episode of BoatScopy by Yachting Art, filmed at Orust Marin during Öppet Varv 2026, offers a detailed look at the Nordkapp Airborne 5.4, accompanied by Robin Eriksson, Nordkapp’s sales director in Sweden.

It’s a particularly fascinating tour that sheds light on how the Norwegian manufacturer has sought to pack the DNA of its Airborne range into just 5.44 metres.