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11 Tenders That Might Be Even More Fun Than Your Superyacht

These tenders range from a classic wooden aquarama to limousine models to advanced electric hydro-foilers., julia zaltzman, julia zaltzman's most recent stories.

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About 60 tenders of all stripes and sizes were on display at last month’s Monaco Yacht Show , from Novamarine’s Black Shiver 160, stretching 56 feet in length (too large for most superyachts to carry on board) to the small 26-foot Lanéva Dayboat, built for performance with a responsive, electric drivetrain.

These days, most superyachts over 120 feet carry at least two tenders on board. Twenty years ago, when the average superyacht size was closer to 80 feet, that would’ve meant a RIB for the crew and a Boston Whaler for guests. Today, it’s not uncommon for gigayachts over 250 feet to have much larger, elaborate limousine tenders with a roof that slides over the cabin, an open sports tender for convenience, and even a Zodiac for heading into remote regions.

The 303-foot Tatoosh , built by Nobiskrug in 2000, was among the first yachts with a deck that carries two 39-foot tenders: a Hinckley motoryacht and a Frers daysailer. It also holds three other tenders, a safety boat and four Sea-Doos. Meanwhile, the 296-foot classic yacht Nero , also on display last month at the Monaco show, brings glamor to any occasion with its custom-built wooden Corsair tender. At the futuristic end, America’s Cup Emirates Team New Zealand last year launched a hydrogen-fuel-celled tender, Chase 0 , to show that emissions-free hydrogen fuel cells could be a viable alternative to fossil fuels.

“Many superyacht owners and project managers are looking to tender manufacturers to bridge the gap between performance and ocean preservation,” Mark Pascoe, founder of Falcon Tenders, told Robb Report, noting the company uses the latest hybrid and electric propulsion in its tenders.  Sustainability is indeed a big theme for tender manufacturers, and many new electric runabout builders are out to convince yacht owners that they can offer the same performance and comfort as a conventional tender, but without the emissions.

In the end, however, there are really just two types of tenders: Those designed to fit into a yacht’s garage, or those that serve as shuttles from the owner’s home port to the mothership.

That means styles and sizes are very much up to the owners. Here are 10 of our favorites, from the Tyde electric hydro-foiler to Riva’s iconic mahogany Aquarama.

Hodgdon Limousine

Heading for a shipyard in Northern Europe to be paired with a superyacht, Hodgdon’s new Limousine has accommodations for up 15, with both forward and aft outside seating areas, a wetbar, climate-controlled interior and a T-top that lowers for when the tender is stowed in the yacht’s garage. It also has gyro stabilizers to minimize motion sickness. The Michael Peters’ design looks more like a Downeast express cruiser than a traditional limo. The deep-V hull is fast and designed for stability in rough water, while the twin Volvo D4-320 engines deliver speed when necessary. The Maine shipyard’s dedication to quality is seen throughout the yacht, including the stainless on the exterior and custom upholstery inside. Even the Hodgdon signature flush anchor is custom fabricated.

Compass Limousine for Oceanco ‘H3’

Custom-built for the 344-foot Oceanco H3 (ex-Al Mirqab and listed among the 25 largest yachts in the world) this 36-foot limousine bears subtle styling characteristics taken from the mothership’s exterior design, including the window shape and hard-top detailing. The cabin features custom leather seating, stainless-steel trim, leather paneling, and a geometric teak floor. There is also an integrated AV system, ambient lighting and forward-facing cameras that display the tender’s journey on twin screens. Access to the cabin is through sliding glass doors fore and aft, while an electric sliding-glass roof opens the interior to the outdoors.

Falcon Project KD

Making its world debut in Monaco last month was Project KD from British builder Falcon Tenders . The custom 32-foot limousine tender was commissioned by the owner of a 210-foot Sanlorenzo yacht due to deliver next year. The fully finished exterior has fiber-optic light lines by Fibr8, powered by lasers to evenly emit light over long distances. The interior design remains under wraps until the unveiling next year. But if Falcon’s recent tenders, the Miss Wonderly and Miss Le Blanc, are anything to go by, the quality of build as well as features like the leather upholstery with its intricate hand-stitched seams, will make Project KD a tender worth waiting to see.

Brabus Shadow 300

Available in two models—a Cross-Bow or Cross-Top—the Brabus Shadow 300 is designed with powerboat enthusiasts in mind. Agile and easy to handle, the 25-foot sportster makes a good superyacht tender. The top speed of 50 knots, thanks to a Mercury 300R V8 racing engine, assures swift passage from the yacht to port. It’s also a great boat for watersports since it’s fitted with a pole for water-skiing, inflatable towing and wakeboarding. Not big enough? Its 38-foot Shadow 900 Black Ops Boat certainly provides a larger and very different look. 

J-Craft Torpedo ‘BaBeBi’

Turning heads at both Cannes and Monaco this year was J-Craft’s 42-foot Torpedo BaBeBi . The Swedish builder’s first Torpedo with a metallic-colored hull sports a beautiful brass and off-white interior enhanced by diamond stitching. It’s twinned with serious functionality, capable of sailing in open water and certified to withstand 13-foot waves. Taking over 9,000 man-hours to build and fitted with two Volvo Penta IPS 650s, BaBeBi delivers a top speed of 47 knots. Equipped with lithium batteries for a full day on the water with the engines off, it has a 280-nautical mile range, a convertible open cockpit with two sundecks, and sleeps up to four guests for weekend retreats.

Cockwells ‘Titian ‘Tender

The custom 34-foot Titian tender built by U.K.-based Cockwells is equipped with old-school features like specially cast stainless-steel fittings on the exterior and a Corian and copper galley belowdecks. Its advanced electronics include a virtual anchor and touchscreen digital switching system. Powered by a highly maneuverable twin jet drive, the Titian played a starring role in fashion brand Michael Kors’s 2022 advertising campaign called ‘The Thrill of the Chase’, which saw Bella Hadid aboard the tender on London’s River Thames with Alton Mason in hot pursuit. Finished to superyacht quality standards, Titian won the “Pre-1980s” category of the Concours d’Elégance at last year’s Cannes Yachting Festival. Cockwells also has other mutliple designs under its sleeve. It recently showed a 39-foot hydrofoil limousine that can theoretically cruise at 40 knots. 

Riva Aquarama

No tender round-up is complete without mentioning the Riva Aquarama —the most famous of all Carlo Riva’s designs. The Italian builder’s iconic luxury wooden runabout saw a limited run of 281 Aquarama Normals and Supers between 1962 and 1972, when Riva still owned the shipyard, and then 277 more, called the Special, were built in the next two decades. The Aquarama’s speed, grace, and craftsmanship make it a much-desired primary boat, not to mention the world’s most stylish tender. Prices for historically correct can range between $400,000 and $800,000, but much will depend on the actual model and number within the series.

Williams DieselJet 565

Williams is one of the perennial names in RIB tenders, with multiple yacht builders designing their garages around specific models. The DieselJet 565 has several advantages over competitors. First, it’s a jet drive so driving is reliable and maneuverability is excellent. Secondly, it runs on diesel, the preferred fuel for many owners who don’t want to carry the more flammable gasoline on the yacht if they don’t have to. Finally, this nine-passenger design should be able to carry owners and guests in one trip, two in a pinch. Williams paid attention to the details that matter, like ergonomic seating, decent storage, grab rails, and even an optional plate on the yacht’s stern that illuminates the name of the mothership. 

Lanéva Dayboat

The Lanéva all-electric dayboat is equipped with a lithium polymer battery designed for military operations, while the two axial-flow motors are used in aviation. It has a wood structure, a deck comprised of sustainable flax and volcanic fibers, a cork floor and a 100 percent recyclable leatherette upholstery. Sporting a cobalt-blue hull, the 26-foot boat brings performance to electric tender design.

The Tyde Icon is a wild-looking 43-footer, a wedge-shaped electric boat that foils to 30 knots. It’s definitely not designed to be loaded into a superyacht garage. But it can make a head-turning tender between an owner’s home and the mothership. Designed in collaboration with BMW, the yacht has large windows for vewing the water as well as lounge chairs across the enclosed cabin. A pair of 100 kW electric motors convert the 240 kWh of energy supplied by six batteries from the BMW i3 for a range of more than 50 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 24 knots.

Sacs Rebel 47

The Sacs Rebel 47 is a great example of a large rigid-hulled inflatable that can serve as both a tender and primary day boat for the owner. It has multiple seating areas across the exterior and a generous cabin below-decks for cooking or taking a nap. The boat’s offshore hull is designed to run at speed in rough water, and of course, the inflatable collar adds an element of buoyancy to the design. With two 440 hp Volvo D6 sterndrives, the boat has a top end of 38 knots. But with three Yamaha 425 hp XTO outboards, that jumps to 50 knots. 

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The Ultimate Tenders to Pair With Your Superyacht

The demand for high-end chase boats has increased tenfold in the past decade.

By Miriam Cain

From the classic mahogany Riva to Pascoe’s custom chase boats and even Damen Yachting ’s support vessels, the size and range of superyacht tenders is a wide-ranging term that is growing in tandem with the ever-increasing size of superyachts. While tenders remain a necessity for transport to and from the shore to your yacht , what kind of tender do you need when you want to go exploring?

The demand for chase boats has certainly increased tenfold in the past decade, as owners look to explore further afield while also expanding their toy list for increased fun. Whether your preference is for a custom-built chase boat to match the mother ship or a floating helipad to escort you to remote locations, there really is no need to settle for the middle ground when it comes to your superyachting experience.

[See also: The Best Luxury Hotels With Private Yachts]

Wallytender48, Wally Yachts

Best for: Avante-garde design

Back in the early aughts, when the flagship of the custom-built Wallytender was launched, it caused a stir for its avant-garde design and size. Many say it was the original Wallytender that was in fact responsible for a large tender-market segment that has grown in size. And it’s a stir that continues, with the Wally-Ferretti Group alliance revamping the Wallytender line with the Wallytender48.

An evolution of the now iconic Wallytender, the new model is even bigger and serves two purposes — chase boat and overnight cruiser. Practical and stylish, the Wallytender48 is powered by Volvo IPS engines and glides across the open seas with ease. Wally’s trademark vertical bow serves as both a wave piercer when cruising at speed and as a visual aesthetic that pays homage to Wally’s DNA.

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The functional and fashionable exterior also features an abundance of space, the highlights of which are the large sunpads located both bow and stern, and the flexible alfresco dining/helm station. The classic and modern interior is sumptuous, with luxurious finishes and a choice of color palettes used throughout its double bed and lounge area.

Not one to rest on its laurels, Wally goes into its 30th year with the launch of the Wallypower50. “The Wallypower50 is a key addition to the range, serving as a link between the Wallytenders and the Wallypowers,” says Stefano de Vivo, managing director of Wally Yachts. “As such, we have imbued it with everything that both ranges offer, and more besides — the Wallypower50 sets a new standard for being flexible, practical, dynamic and, of course, iconic.”

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Riva aquarama, riva yachts.

Best for: Owning a coveted classic

Emblematic of the glamour of yachting, the Riva Aquarama is possibly the most stylish superyacht accessory available. Launched in 1962, this wooden speedboat firmly cemented its iconic status just a few years later when it became the day boat of choice for the Hollywood jet set and European royalty alike — the likes of Brigitte Bardot and Monaco’s Grimaldi family were regularly seen riding the waves along the coastline of the French Riviera .

Over the next few decades, a total of 760 Aquaramas were built, 650 of which are still in use. This limited-edition number, combined with the quality of the original build, leaves the Aquarama as one of the most classic, sought-after tenders in the world. In fact, over the decades it has been named by the media as the ‘Best Runabout Ever’ and recently had an entire coffee-table book dedicated solely to the model (Riva Aquarama, published by Assouline ).

Riva even created a limited-edition Riva Anniversario in honor of Riva’s 180th anniversary in 2022, and as a tribute to the Aquarama. Taking cues from the beloved run-around, the Anniversario is a limited edition of just 18 models, making it almost as prestigious as its older sibling.

But back to the original: Aquarama’s appeal lies not only in its lofty status but its hand-built, highly varnished mahogany hull, curved lines, signature blue- and cream-colored leather upholstery, gleaming chrome, and well-thought-out detailing (for example, the transom slopes to allow for ease of access to the water, and the helm is oversized to assist fine steering at high speed — everything has been designed for hard use as well as good looks). It may be old, but the roaring twin engines still make it a fun and fast boat and one that, in good condition, can reach prices just shy of a million dollars.

Wajer 44, Wajer Yachts

Best for: Pocket yachting

In response to the growing popularity of superyacht owners using their tenders for day trips and extended journeys away from the mother ship, Wajer Yachts unveiled the sleek Wajer 44 day cruiser last summer. “The Wajer 44 has 50% more volume than the Wajer 38 and, at the same time, she’s more compact than the Wajer 55,” says Dries Wajer, managing director of Wajer Yachts.

The new model certainly packs a punch into its relatively small size — luxurious, fast, safe, dry, comfortable and ergonomic, she even has room for a double bed — and no creature comforts were jettisoned here. This Dutch builder is known for innovative design and technology, and the Wajer 44 features its Wajer Owners App concept, enabling owners to connect to their boat from an app. This means they can remotely check the anchor position, drop the hydraulic swimming ladder and prepare the air-conditioning — almost as if a crew member was preparing to welcome you back on board.

Aesthetically, the Wajer 44 also has a clean and timeless design that is instantly recognizable to anyone who knows her predecessors, in particular the Wajer 77, to which she bears the most resemblance. She’s not only good-looking, but incredibly capable: Powered by twin Volvo engines, the Wajer 44 can reach a maximum speed of up to 40 knots, has a comfortable (and very respectable) cruising speed of 26 knots, and boasts a 300 nautical mile range — so you can easily jump off the mother ship in Cannes and head down the coast to the golden isles of Îles d’Hyères for the day, returning to the gilded coastline for dinner. Just remember to download the Wajer Owners App before that champagne picnic lunch, though, or you might be struggling to get back on board.

Support Vessel, Damen Yachting

Best for: Over-the-top superyacht support

The benevolent and less glamorous older sister to the major vessel, the support vessel (or shadow boat, as it is often referred to) is designed explicitly for adventure and practicality. Whether required for long-distance cruising as a stand-alone vessel, or as a support vessel for carrying extra crew, aircraft and luxury toys, a support vessel is in effect a way to free up prime real estate on board the mother ship and offers owners more versatility.

On board a superyacht, luxury can cause functionality to be compromised, given that a yacht’s primary purpose is to cocoon its owners and guests in splendor. However, depending on the size of the vessel, this can come at a cost. It might seem that simply having a larger yacht to carry everything required in one space would be the solution for yacht owners looking to elevate the onboard experience, but the bigger the yacht, the bigger the equipment and crew requirements also — not only for operating the yacht’s critical functions but also for various toys and tenders. And the temptation is always there to use the extra space for larger, more comfortable cabins and saloons, or to add more features like spas and cinemas, which take up a lot of space.

Recognizing that a new generation of superyacht owners are looking to head off the beaten track while at the same time enjoying the option of more adrenaline-pumping activities, Damen was the first shipyard to create purpose-built luxury support vessels to boost and augment the capabilities of the yacht mother ship. The winning formula Damen created has resulted in the build of 22 unique support vessels to date. Damen calls this the “Smart Stretch,” referring to the fact that it is more economical to add a second yacht support vessel to an existing fleet than it is to upgrade, for example, from a 160-ft or 190-ft motor yacht up to a 295-ft one.

[See also: Njord’s Sarah Colbon on Ripping Up the Superyacht Rule Book]

“We developed the Yacht Support concept to help clients achieve more from their yachting experience,” explains Sarah Flavell, marketing manager at Damen Yachting. “Designed to complement the primary superyacht, the Yacht Support facilitates fun and adventure, as well as providing a functional platform for a heli-deck and the stowage of additional tenders, water toys and even submersibles. For owners who want all-out superyacht style but do-anything capabilities, an accompanying Yacht Support vessel is the perfect solution.”

A hybrid between a support vessel and a stand-alone yacht, with grand saloons and guest accommodation, Damen Yachting’s support vessels offer the owner the versatility of a complete yachting solution. However, no matter how customized Damen Yachting’s support vessels are, what they do have in common is their capacity and practicality. First, Damen Yachting’s support models are based on the proven platforms of the patented axe-bow hull design, specifically developed to operate in the most challenging of environments.

Ranging from 148 ft up to 246 ft (to date), their carrying capacity and range away from the mother ship is immense. Large deck spaces provide storage for a multitude of watercraft, including various RIBs, day boats, whaleboats and dive tenders, fishing boats, sailboats, jet skis, and much, much more. And of course, not everything on board needs to be water-related. Owners can specify dive centers and carry everything from four-wheel-drive land vehicles, seaplanes and one (or even two) helicopters.

Damen’s support vessels can also carry extra provisions, including refrigerated goods and spare parts — ideal when cruising off the beaten track, where there is little infrastructure for reprovisioning. This kind of autonomy opens up a world of opportunities for adventurous cruising, allowing an owner’s yacht fleet to spend many months away from base.

Compass Limousine, Compass Tenders

Best for: Custom cruising

Over two decades have passed since Compass Tenders realized the gap in the market for the ‘mini-me,’ a custom-made tender. Its quintessential Limousine line can be found accompanying (and in some cases, being carried on board) some of the largest yachts in the world , serving as a chase boat for owners who wish to explore further afield, or stored in the vast garages and large tender bays that can often be accommodated on larger megayachts.

Whether nodding to the characteristics of the mother ship to which they belong, or echoing the design, each unique Compass tender exemplifies superyacht style. “The tender often makes the first impression for the superyacht experience, and we strive to ensure that design detailing, styling and level of finish are akin to that of the mother ship,” explains Richard Faulkner, founder and CEO of Compass Tenders.

The Limousine line, which currently ranges from 30 ft up to 46 ft, features a curved coach roof with central glazing for shelter either from the sun or inclement weather, while the aft deck seating area is equally luxurious for fun while racing over the waves. Other commonplace amenities include a spacious interior with custom leather seating, ambient lighting and forward-facing cameras, but the overall style is unique to the vessel, and just about every whim can be catered to. “Compass Limousine tenders are frequently specified with intricate teak flooring, integrated premium audiovisual systems and everything you need for exceptional onboard comfort,” says Faulkner.

J Craft Torpedo, J Craft

Best for: Style and substance

Designed in a similar style to Riva’s Aquarama, J Craft’s Torpedo is a stylish chase boat, handcrafted for the most sophisticated of superyacht owners. But the looks are really where the similarities end. With as much emphasis on performance as there is on vintage aesthetics, beneath the highly varnished, mahogany exterior is a modern fiberglass- and resin-infused planing hull, designed specifically to house a pair of powerful and hi-tech Volvo Penta engines. The latter allows the Torpedo R (with a maximum speed of 42 knots) and the speedy Torpedo RS (with a maximum speed of up to 47 knots) to handle a wide range of offshore conditions — which is especially reassuring, considering the first test drive is in the rough waters of the Baltic Sea.

Additionally, thanks to modern engineering at its finest, the Torpedo also provides the mother ship with a smooth and comfortable support vessel — and when first impressions count, how better to escort guests to the yacht for the first time? This is where the J Craft Torpedo excels. Its long, lean lines are finished in an abundance of lacquered wood, while the upholstery, handmade cabinetry and luxurious finishes are a tactile style triumph.

What’s more, the J Craft Torpedo has been designed to double as a self-sufficient mini-yacht, with accommodation space for up to four guests and a captain to stay on board — a dream for those who long to experience adventure on the high seas. One day you could be chasing your own yacht along the coastline of the French Riviera, while the next you could be heading off for a long weekend jaunt to Sardinia.

“From St Tropez to Mallorca , Sardinia to Ibiza , J Craft provides all-around customer service, including transportation and crew provision,” says Johan Halen, J Craft’s chief technology officer, who is also head of production and sales. “If a client wants to use his J Craft on the Venice canals, for example, or Lake Como, it can all be arranged and supported by the shipyard.”

It seems that a bespoke and personal service really runs throughout the J Craft DNA. For example, it takes more than 8,000 man-hours to build a single tender; it’s an unhurried and exacting artisanal method by talented J Craft craftsmen that guarantees the kind of exclusivity and quality demanded by superyacht owners. Since the Torpedo’s debut in 2009, J Craft has delivered 19 Torpedo Rs and three Torpedo RSes — so that is more than 176,000 man-hours in total just for these models. And if you want one, you’ll have to get on the waiting list. But it will be well worth the wait.

This article appears in the 04 Mar 2024 issue of the New Statesman, Spring 2024

Miriam Cain

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The Best Tenders for Yachts in 2024

Tenders in a nutshell

A tender is a boat that services a larger vessel (referred to as the mothership ). It can take many forms and deliver a wide range of conveniences.

Historically called ‘ship’s boats, ‘ tenders have supported large vessels for centuries. They have been used for guest transfers, refuge boats, landing crafts, stowed on deck or towed astern—little has changed! 

Whilst the vast majority of tenders employed by smaller yachts are typically rigid inflatable boats, the modern-day superyacht considers a multitude of vessels indispensable.

Hull categories

We’ve been specialising in building boat tenders for over a decade, yet with such a degree of cross-over and with a seemingly endless request for custom configurations, categorising tenders remains a challenge.

Nonetheless, at the top-most level, we categorise all tenders under one of the following three hull types:

Fully Inflatable A lightweight vessel relying solely on inflation for buoyancy. 

Rigid Inflatable A vessel with a hull constructed from rigid materials such as aluminium or fibreglass, supported with an inflatable or foam collar for added buoyancy in high seas. 

Rigid   A fully rigid hull without a buoyancy collar of any type.

Tender sub-categories

In addition to hull type, we can identify most yacht tenders under the following sub-categories:

⌾ Open ⌾ Chase ⌾ Classic ⌾ Foil ⌾ Catamaran ⌾ Dive

What is an open tender?

An open tender is principally a single-deck boat with no enclosed cabin. Chiefly a guest transfer boat with ample seating both forward and aft, open tenders are day boats without accommodation above or below deck.

While we see many open tenders dedicated to guest transfers, by their very nature, they can also incorporate centre console boats, some dive boats, landing crafts, and even limousines.

What is a chase tender?

As the name suggests, a chase tender—which can also be an open tender—follows the mothership.

Chase boats can take on many guises since their main attribute is size. As a result, they are generally not stored on board but instead towed astern.

Often very angular in design, with excellent seaworthiness, chase boats need to be able to withstand the rigours of being towed by the mothership. Whilst a lot of large chase tenders can be operated entirely independently, towing very long distances (such as transatlantic) is not advised.

What is a classic tender?

Tenders with the hallmark of classic design are styled with an exquisite, continuous line from the head to the heel.

Echoing the lacquered freeboards of a Riva Ariston or the flawless veneers of a Hinckley picnic boat, a modern classic from the likes of J Craft or Wajer will feature a gracefully tapered form, avoiding right angles altogether.

What is a foiling tender?

Combining thrust with lift (as an aeroplane does), high-speed tenders have the opportunity also to become airborne.

Less drag, higher speeds and lower energy consumption are the key advantages, although from a guest comfort perspective, being elevated above a big swell scores very highly.

What is a catamaran tender?

Largely associated with utility boats, catamaran tenders (not to be confused with catamaran sailboats) present superyacht owners with a number of major advantages over their mono-hulled counterparts.

Favoured as a utility vessel, a twin-hulled catamaran can be built much wider than an equivalent-length vessel with a mono hull. It offers increased stability and, therefore, a more comfortable ride in bigger seas. Thanks to a smaller surface area, there’s also less drag, which results in faster speeds and higher efficiency.

What is a dive tender?

We build tenders optimised specifically for scuba diving, however, given the range of crossover in the market, the likes of amphibious boats, beachlanders, some centre consoles, landing crafts, open tenders, RIBs and utility boats can also work perfectly well for diving.

Storage, floor space and, most importantly, the convenience of easy access to the water are key attributes of a versatile dive boat tender.

The right tender for the job

So far we’ve categorised our tenders — now to define which tender is best suited to which scenario.

Amphibious Tender

✓ Rigid ✓ Rigid Inflatable ✓ Open ✓ Chase ✓ Tow or stow

Sharp stones, steep drop-offs, inclement weather, and changing tides needn’t worry your crew when you have the luxury of an amphibious tender. Visit almost any secluded cove or spit with virtually no risk of becoming stranded or beached.

Go where other boats simply wouldn’t dare, landing on shorelines in rough breaks and on rugged terrain. Be sure to do your homework, though, as most beaches and marinas will require permission to stroll out the sea on an amphibious tender.

Beachlander Tender

We are all about time spent on the water, but the sensation of stepping off a tender onto the warm sand is in itself a joy to behold. We don’t mean clambering over the side of a rib and bouncing awkwardly into the shallows. We mean stepping from a dry boat onto dry sand.

Whether you intend to spend the day in your swimmers or are off for an island excursion, getting wet feet before you begin should be a choice. 

We offer a beachlander option on all of our aluminium rigid inflatable boats .

Classic Daysailer

✓ Rigid ✓ Open ✓ Classic ✓ Stow

Strip back the layers of modernity that clothe large motor yachts and delve into a tactile sailing experience with a classic daysailer.   Built a short distance upriver from SYTT, the Spirit R30 is a daysailer that marries cinematic elegance with unparalleled craftsmanship.    Born from the same yard that graced the silver screen in iconic Bond films such as Casino Royale  and No Time To Die , this 9.2m yacht epitomises timelessness with its exquisite wooden construction.    Small sailing boats like the R30 can be de-rigged and stowed, nestled within a yacht’s garage or gracefully perched on deck.

Center Console

✓ Rigid ✓ Open ✓ Chase ✓ Tow or stow

Synonymous with the Florida Keys, the traditional centre console (or center console in the US), is typically a single-deck boat with the helm in the middle.

Geared towards recreational fishing, the centre console maximises the floor space while, crucially, allowing for full access around all sides of the boat. On smaller boats, seating is often sacrificed for floor space, while larger centre consoles fitted with cabins creep into the Sports Fisher sector.

Not intended to be an especially dry boat, both crew and guests are often exposed to the elements. The upshot is that centre consoles and, more so, sports fishers, tend to offer huge power, which is especially useful for long day trips from the mainland.

High-performance

‘Go-fast’ boats, as the name suggests, are built exclusively for speed. More commonly known as ‘cigarette boats’ due to their shape, go-fast boats are not for the faint-hearted. 

A craze immortalised by the Cigarette Racing Team, modern-day cigar boats can achieve speeds of over 100 knots. Largely impractical as a conventional superyacht tender, the range of high-performance boats have thankfully branched more into Centre Consoles. In turn, this presents superyacht owners with a high-performance chase boat of an almost unimaginable spec.

Landing Craft

✓ Rigid ✓ Rigid Inflatable ✓ Inflatable ✓ Open ✓ Chase ✓ Catamaran ✓ Dive ✓ Tow or stow

A vessel with a very military feel, a landing craft tender is designed to carry everything, including vehicles, from yacht to shore. 

With our ROAM Landing Craft, a button-operated super-strength bow ramp enables drive-on, drive-off capabilities, ideal for disembarking heavy items where lifting facilities are not available at shore.

Our landing crafts are built with a catamaran hull for enhanced stability. We also manufacture high-quality fold-up motorised boats.

Limousine Tender

✓ Rigid ✓ Open ✓ Classic ✓ Foil ✓ Stow

Surely the ultimate statement of sophistication — the limousine tender is the pinnacle mode of guest transfer.

A range of 6-14m and accommodating up to eighteen guests in consummate luxury, a fully enclosed guest cabin will often mirror the furnishings of the mothership.

Picnic Boat

✓ Rigid ✓ Chase ✓ Classic ✓ Stow

If leisure cruising and lunching were your only pursuit, you’d surely have a picnic boat. The quintessential day cruiser, a picnic boat is unequivocally designed for rest and relaxation on the water.

Inspired by the lobster boats of Maine, where the sloping rails from bow to stern made it easier for lobstermen to haul in their traps, the symbolic Picnic Boat represents everything exciting and romantic about a day out on the water.

Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB)

✓ Rigid Inflatable ✓ Open ✓ Dive ✓ Tow or stow

The workhorse tender of any yacht is the Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB). Robust, versatile, and highly manoeuvrable, RIBs typically offer speed, buoyancy, and good handling on high seas. 

A foam or inflatable collar provides extra buoyancy in the event of taking on water, while in the case of RIB boats —which have a high deadrise—also acts as a spray rail for keeping the deck dry. Popular with superyachts, RIBs can be towed or stowed and used for a wide range of purposes.

✓ Rigid ✓ Open ✓ Dive ✓ Stow

Nothing allows us to explore an affinity with water quite like the experience of wakeboarding, wake surfing and water skiing.

We specialise in wake boat customisation, supplying specifically to superyachts.

SOLAS Rescue Tender

✓ Rigid Inflatable ✓ Inflatable ✓ Stow

In accordance with the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), all ships over 500GT (typically 50m+) must carry at least one fully compliant SOLAS Rescue Vessel (and a complement of life rafts). The rescue vessel must be stowed onboard and cannot be towed astern or located on a support vessel.

SOLAS Rescue Vessels must be able to carry five seated persons and a person lying on a stretcher. They must also have an automatic self-righting capability and the engine must be restartable following a capsize. Stable in a seaway (and deployable when the mothership is doing 5 knots), rescue boats may be either rigid or inflated and need to be operable in water that is 1-30°C. They also need to be able to start in -30°C air temperature.

First adopted in 1914, the SOLAS Convention was initiated as a direct response to the Titanic disaster. The Convention in use today is often referred to as the “SOLAS, 1974, as amended”. 

For any help and advice relating to SOLAS requirements, contact our team who have a depth of knowledge on the subject.

SOLAS Lifeboats

✓ Rigid ✓ Stow Unlike a SOLAS Rescue Vessel that can be inflatable or rigid hull, a lifeboat must have the latter.

Painted bright orange—or Pantone 144—a lifeboat can have a LOA no less than 7.3m.

Sports Fisher

✓ Rigid ✓ Tow

A close relative of both the Central Console and High-performance categories, a Sports Fisher is a dedicated recreational fishing boat. Despite the wide range of boats within this category, the Flybridge Sports Fisher is the most synonymous with the name. 

Large boats, often up to 25m, the archetypal fisher is perfectly suited to lengthy, deep-sea fishing trips. Typically built with berths, heads, a galley and a tower (perhaps even a live bait tank, too), a Sports Fsher is for serious big game fishing enthusiasts.

It’s quite a commitment for a superyacht when a large open or utility tender with rod holders would probably be just as effective if big game fishing was less of a priority.

Utility Tender

✓ Rigid Inflatable ✓ Inflatable ✓ Open ✓ Chase ✓ Catamaran ✓ Dive ✓ Tow or stow

A utility tender is the most versatile boat on the list. Ticking almost every box, a utility boat is somewhat open to interpretation. As much an entire category as it is an individual tender, a utility boat could easily take the form of a landing craft or open RIB.

Both promote an open deck space and satisfy the needs of crew in all manner of tasks, including the general movement of equipment and vehicles, refuge and provision runs, and guest and crew transfers.

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Top 10 Luxury Tenders For Superyachts

To begin with, as far as stereotypes go, the typical superyacht tender is a long, slender boat that offers a limousine-style experience. The bench seats and covered tops are designed to carry as many guests as possible while ensuring they arrive at their destinations perfectly coiffed, rather than windblown and covered in salt water. These days, the desire to personalize tenders has followed other trends in the realm of superyachts. Styles range from mini-me limousines to full-throttle sport boats, with sunbeds doubling as seats. Here are five new tenders for both traditionalists and nonconformists.

Evo T2: It is a seven-meter custom tender originally commissioned by the owner of a new 46 meter Sanlorenzo superyacht but its success has led to Evo Launches launching a new range of day boats for superyachts. The tender was designed by Valerio Rivellini, who followed the owner’s brief for a “luxurious, elegant and high-performance” tender. Key features include space and charging points for two Seabobs, a table for eight people and a towing hook for water skiing. A 300hp inboard engine provides a cruising speed of 28 knots and a top speed of 36 knots.

• Draught: 2.55,m
• Top Speed: 36 knots
• Fuel Capacity: 150 liters
• Designer: Valerio Rivellini
• Engines: 1x300hp
• Passengers: 8

48 Walytender: An evolution on the 118 Wallypower first introduced in 2002, the 48 Wallytender is the first Wally product to be revealed following the brand’s acquisition by the Ferretti Group. This standalone runabout is intended for day or overnight cruising and features general interior volumes, with an owner’s suite down below. A key exterior feature is the fold-down bulwark sections that increase the swim platform while at anchor.

• Displacement: 11,500kg
• Top speed: 38 knots
• Draught: 1.2m
• Range: 305 nautical miles at 32 knots

Sunseeker Hawk 38: This new performance day boat from Sunseeker sees the yard “return to its performance roots” and “draw on the company’s racing heritage,” the yard said. The 11.85-metre boat has been designed in collaboration with Fabio Buzzi Design and has a top speed of 62 knots thanks to twin Mercury R400 outboard engines. Described as “the ultimate superyacht chase boat”, the Hawk 38 is available in a number of paint finishes and upholstery meaning that two boats are unlikely to ever be the same.

• LOA: 11.85m
• Beam: 3.01m
• Displacement: 5,000Kg
• Top Speed: 62 knots
• Fuel Capacity: 700 litres
• Designer: Fabio Buzzi Design/ Sunseeker
• Engines: Twin Mercury R400 outboard engines
• Passengers: 7

Custom Sense Tender for Stella di Mare: The 7.5-meter custom Sense tender was designed specifically to accompany its mother ship Stella di Mare, the CBI Navi 39.67 meter superyacht delivered earlier this year. Both Stella di Mare and her Sense tender were designed by Hydro Tec. Designed with three generations in mind, the Sense tender had to be stable and comfortable for the 75-year-old owner while being speedy enough to cater to water sports, such as water skiing. Accessibility to and from the tender was key. It features opening bow access directly to the shore and aft embarkation built to the same height as the swimming platform of Stella di Mare.

• Beam: 5.95m
• Top Speed: 40 knots
• Fuel Capacity: 260 liters
• Draught: 0.57m
• Passengers: 11

Aerobat S6: At 19.83 meters LOA, the Aeroboat S6 is larger than most superyacht tenders, indeed only the world’s largest superyachts would be able to carry one on board. However, as a classy chase boat, she is a truly tempting proposition. Developed as part of a collaboration between British design studio Claydon Reeves and Rolls-Royce, the Aeroboat boasts a unique transforming transom system called Aerostairs that can lower into the water or rise up to pontoon level.

• LOA: 19.83 meters
• Beam: 4.99 meters
• Displacement: 37,000kg
• Top speed: 48 knots
• Fuel capacity: 5,750 litres
• Draught: 1.15 meters
• Air draught: 3.66 meters
• Passengers: 12

Folier: Offering the ultimate in head-turning style, the Foiler from UAE yard Enata Marine is at the forefront of a new wave of foiling superyacht tenders. Smooth cruising at speeds of up to 40 knots is offered via twin 320hp BMW hybrid engines and a retractable foiling system that lifts the hull up to 1.5 meters above the surface of the water. Guests can enjoy the thrill of rising above the waves from a pair of bowrider bucket seats, and the transparent prow makes the experience even more spectacular.

• LOA: 9.6 meters
• Beam: 3.3 meters (7.2 meters when foiling)
• Displacement: TBC
• Top speed: 40 knots
• Fuel capacity: 300 liters
• Draught: 0.6 meters (1.9 meters when foiling)
• Air draught: 2.3 meters

Mazu 38 : Turkish yard Mazu only made its debut in 2016, but it has made a big impression in the months and years since, with its aggressive styling by Halit Yukay. Adding to its credentials as a superyacht chase boat is a completely customizable interior and deck layout, as well as a removable bimini.

• LOA: 11.9 meters
• Beam: 3.7 meters
• Displacement: 8 tonnes
• Top speed: 45 knots
• Fuel capacity: 1,000 litres
• Draught: 0.6 metres
• Air draught: 2.1 meters
• Passengers: 10

T/T Scout : This eight meter tender, instantly recognizable for her striking sunshine yellow hull, has been specifically designed by Cockwells to mimic the exterior design detailing of her mothership, the 63-metre Hakvoort explorer Scout. The convertible limousine tender can transport a total of 10 guests and two crew and has been described as a “touchscreen heaven”, with electric doors that can be tinted at the touch of a button to offer protection from the sun.

• LOA: 8 meter
• Beam: 2.53 meter
• Max speed: 37 knots
• Displacement: 3325kg
• Engines: 2 x Volvo D3 – 220 HP

Riva Aquariva Super: The queen of the dayboats, this 10-meter is a stylistic and historic evolution of the iconic Aquarama and the most covetable tender around. Left the Iseo entering j’ade.

• LOA: 8,45 meter
• Beam: 2.6 meter
• Draft: 0,9 metre
• Displacement: 2940kg
• Engines: 2 x Riva crusader-320 HP

Silver arrows Gran Tourismo: Fourteen meters of Mercedes Benz cl.ass and spirt make this one of the coolest mega tenders on the market.

• LOA: 14.17 meter
• Beam: 3.97 meter
• Max speed: 38 knots
• Displacement: 13.00 tonnes
• Engines: 2 x Yanmar 6L440-440 HP

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Superyacht tenders that set the trend

First impressions are vital, and for those about to meet an awaiting superyacht, a tender is the all-important first experience of what is yet to come. 

A company that understands this only too well is Compass Tenders who, to date, has completed over 55 custom tender projects with an average length of 11 metres. Looking at more recent years, one trend is clear – tenders are getting bigger. The average size of open tenders built by Compass has increased by just over 20% from 8.6m in the period 2016 – 2018 to an average of 10.5m in the period from 2019 to 2021.

This increase is largely attributed to the general increase in size of the motherships, but it’s also due to the more versatile role a superyacht tender is required to play. A perfect example of this comes in the four tenders Compass are currently discussing for a 150-metre new-build. All four tenders for this brand new superyacht measure in excess of 10.5 metres and comprise two 12.5-metre tenders in sport and limousine configurations, a second 11-metre limousine and a 10.5-metre open tender with beach landing capability.

“At the moment, there is a surge in demand for sports/utility tenders as clients look for their tender to deliver a greater scope of ability and fulfil a longer list of requirements. Owners want to be able to enjoy a wider array of activities, whilst remaining in close proximity to the mothership. Tenders are becoming a satellite platform for water sports, as well as supporting on-shore excursions,” said Company Founder and CEO, Richard Faulkner.

By sharing an example of an 11.6-metre tender, Faulkner suggests what else will soon be hitting the water and setting the next trend. These unseen sketches and bespoke designs are of similar tenders under development at Compass and feature a foredeck area that can be electronically retracted to offer an additional seating area for a larger group or closed to provide space to sunbathe or maintain the flush profile. “We always strive to incorporate each client’s unique requests and we can; that’s the benefit of being a custom tender builder,” added Faulkner.

The custom creations that come from the firm’s UK-based design studio and shipyard are all built to finitely fit the onboard stowage space, achieve the desired speed and range for use, meet the needs of the owner and, often, complement the aesthetics of the mothership.

“Working with the mothership’s exterior stylist on the design of the tender ensures that the design characteristics of the parent superyacht are echoed and the result is a completely unique vessel that, quite literally, operates in perfect partnership with a united aesthetic as well as optimum performance and usability,” said Faulkner.

Compass’ in-house design team have also been working on this 11.6-metre limousine tender, which features functions and design aspects that were originally drawn in pencil. “I don’t think hand sketching will ever be completely replaced,” commented Faulkner. “To draw the tender’s lines, sometimes in front of an owner, is wonderfully creative and I think gives a feeling that design changes can be made very easily. When you put a rendering in front of a client without this exploratory creative process, it often seems more rigid,” Faulkner explained.

Having worked with almost every design studio from Sinot to Disdale, Compass are well experienced in incorporating intricate interior details to their tenders such as pattern stitching on the seating, custom material selections and stylistic lighting recessed into the hull topsides, deck and seating. “Replicating the look and feel of the mothership in the tender is something we’ve been doing for 10 years now,” said Faulkner. “One of the first projects to do this in a significant way was Madame Gu , and she undeniably set a precedent for other tenders that followed.  It’s a design trend that has become integral to every project we’re asked to present for,” explained Faulkner.

Compass Tenders has many notable projects to its name, including two 10-metre custom tenders for Feadship’s 110-metre Anna , an 11.6-metre limousine tender for Lürssen’s 91-metre Lady Lara , four tenders for Lürssen’s 123-metre Project Jupiter, as well as a pair of tenders for Oceanco’s 90-metre DreAMBoat .

To get the best results, Compass encourages owners, captains and project managers to start thinking about their tender requirements at the earlier stages of the design process. For more details on how to start a tender build and Compass’ support services, contact the company directly by clicking here.

Sponsored content created for Compass.