Luxury Yacht Tenders in 2021
Definition
A luxury yacht tender is a support vessel. Which is used for service and entertainment. They provide transport for yacht owners and crew. And can be used for high-speed entertainment and pleasure. They are used to transport supplies or to service the main yacht.
Tenders used to be relatively simple, such as an inflatable boat or a rigid hull inflatable. But they are getting more complex nowadays.
With large yachts using custom-built limousine tenders or special purpose catamaran tenders.
Smaller tenders are often inflatable boats. Which have outboard engines or are propelled by an inboard/water jet combination. But the more complex tenders have large engines. And can reach top speeds of more than 30 knots.
Tenders are uses for water skiing, dive trips or dragging floating toys. They are also used for support with berthing or to bring guests from and to shore.
Submarine
Some large yachts have a helicopter or even a private submarine as an additional tender. Some very large yachts also use chase boats, which follow the yacht on their own power. The 104 meter superyacht Lady Moura for example has a US$ 10 million Mangusta 92. She also carried a very large Sikorsky helicopter.
Paul Allen’s Octopus has a 19 meter dive tender and a large submarine. Both float into the inside hangar.
Graeme Hart’s 116 meter expedition yacht Ulysses carries a 21 meter Princess 68 yacht on board.
The larger yachts need these luxury tenders. Because their size prevents them from entering smaller areas with less water depth.
Tender Garage
Nowadays almost every large yacht has a dedicated hangar or garage for the tenders. Some float in, or some are craned on the deck or in a dedicated tender storage inside the hull.
Roughly we can distinguish the following types of tenders:
Simple lightweight tenders
Such as an inflatable dingy or a rigid hull Zodiac. This kind of vessels are mostly used on smaller (< 30 meters) yachts or sailing yachts. Which have less space available for storage. They are often powered by an outboard engine.
Limousine Tenders
Limousines are used for the transport of owners and guests. These are fully enclosed high powered and high-speed vessels. They transport passengers in full comfort and high luxury.
In a custom build interior. They are equipped with air conditioning, a fridge, a drinks cabinet and a full leather and wood interior. Limousine tenders offer complete privacy when underway or in port. Hodgdon is an example of a well-known builder of these luxury vessels.
Open Tenders
These are the most common. Often the tender is an open, rigid inflatable, fast boat with inboard engines. They can operate in shallow waters and have easy access.
A Castoldi 21 is a nice example of this kind of vessels. It has a 240hp inboard engine and can reach a top speed of more than 30 knots.
Fast Tenders
Fast tenders are used for fast transport and entertainment. They are used for water skiing and towing inflatable toys. The X-Craft is an example of a fast high-performance yacht tender. She is powered by a 400 hp engine and reaches a top speed of 60 knots.
Workboats
The larger (100 meter+ ) yachts have dedicated workboats. They are only used for (technical) service of the mother vessel. They transport equipment and supplies. The yacht Eclipse has a large catamaran. And Sailing Yacht A has a catamaran workboat built by Lloyd Stevenson.
Classic Vintage Tenders
Some yachts carry classic tenders like a Riva Aquarama. Richard Duchossois’ yacht Blue Moon carries a restored Riva Aquarama. Which was built in 1972. The yacht Ace carries a vintage J Craft Torpedo.
Rescue Tenders
Larger yachts carry SOLAS approved rescue tenders. Yachts larger than 85 meters even have to carry dedicated lifeboats.
Eclipse for example carries a custom-built lifeboat tender.
Superyacht Tender Manufacturers
Pascoe International
Pascoe International was established in 2004 in the UK. The company builds a wide range of tenders, including limousines, open guest tenders, beach landing tenders and SOLAS approved rescue tenders.
The company works together with famous yacht designer Ken Freivokh. Freivokh is also a director and shareholder at Pascoe.
Novurania
Nuvorania is a leading manufacturer of luxury yacht tenders. Based in the USA the company builds high-quality boats. Their products are hand-built to precise specifications.
Models range from small sports ribs with outboard engines to the custom line and even catamaran tenders.
Nuvorania’s largest tender is the Chase 38, a 12 meter / 38 ft high-performance sports boat. The boat is capable of carrying 21 passengers.
Compass Tenders
Compass Tenders creates hand build custom tenders. Many of the world’s largest and most luxurious yachts carry Compass Tenders.
Examples of custom projects are the tenders of Madame Gu and Lady Lara, both styled similar to the mother vessel.
The limousine tender of the yacht Madame Gu seats up to twelve guests in complete luxury.
Williams Jet Tenders
Williams is a jet tender specialist. The company builds the Mini Jet, for a small yacht. The Turbo Jet and Sport Jet for larger yachts. And the diesel jet for large superyachts.
The company was founded by two brothers who have been building boats since 1997.
The Min Jet is just 9 ft (less than 3 meters) and seats max 3 passengers. Its 50 hp engines can bring a top speed of 32 knots.
The Sport Jet seats 5 to 7 passengers. It has a large aft platform and a bathing ladder. Which makes it easy to get in and out with your gear. It also has a removable ski pole. The top speed of the large Sportjet 520 is 45 knots.
NEBULA, support vessel for Jan Koum’s superyacht MOONRISE
NEBULA support vessel • Astilleros Armon • 2022 • Owner Jan Koum
Yacht Owners Database
