Matching a inflatable non rigid Mercury 270 Sport 2011 against a inflatable rigid Mercury 350 Amanzi 2010 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Mercury 270 Sport 2011 at 8,8 ft versus Mercury 350 Amanzi 2010 at 11,4 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Mercury 270 Sport 2011 tips the scales at 111 lbs — 107 lbs more than the Mercury 350 Amanzi 2010 at 4 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 30 hp, the Mercury 350 Amanzi 2010 has a 20-hp advantage over the Mercury 270 Sport 2011's 10-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Mercury 350 Amanzi 2010 is rated for 4 passengers, while the Mercury 270 Sport 2011 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Mercury 350 Amanzi 2010 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Mercury 350 Amanzi 2010 comes in at 0 lbs per hp versus 11 lbs per hp for the Mercury 270 Sport 2011. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.
Bottom line: Choose the Mercury 350 Amanzi 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 4 passengers and at 11,4 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Mercury 270 Sport 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 3 that costs less to run day-to-day.