what is yacht tender used for

A Guide to Yacht Tenders and Their Types

• by yachtman
• August 30, 2023 June 22, 2024

The world of yachting is captivating. Its vessels and destinations are breathtaking. To indulge in this opulence, one must learn about yacht tenders . These small boats ferry passengers and supplies between the yacht and shore. They can also be used for recreational activities like water sports or exploring shallow areas. Yacht tenders are accessories that enhance the luxury experience.

There are several types of yacht tenders. The most common is the inflatable tender . These are easy to store and transport as they can be deflated. They are also highly versatile and offer excellent stability. Another popular type is the rigid-hull inflatable boat (RHIB) . This combines a rigid hull with inflatable tubes, ideal for cruising or high-speed adventures.

For those who need more space, there are larger tenders such as limousine tenders or chase boats . These offer plush seating areas and onboard amenities. The global superyacht industry was worth $9.5 billion in 2020, showing the popularity of luxury yachting.

What are yacht tenders?

Yacht tenders are small boats used to transport folks and supplies to and from a bigger yacht. They’re an awesome means of transportation and can also be used for recreational activities. Here are some key points on yacht tenders:

• Types include rigid inflatable boats (RIBs), jet skis, and traditional dinghies .
• RIBs are popular due to their stability, versatility and durability .
• Jet skis offer speed and agility , great for water sports fans.
• Traditional dinghies are often used for auxiliary boats or life rafts.
• Yacht tenders come with engines for faster travel and storage compartments.
• Guests can access shorelines or explore secluded coves during yacht journeys.

When selecting a tender, consider: the intended use, passengers capacity, ease of maintenance, compatibility with the main yacht.

To make the most of the experience, here’s what to do:

• Pick a tender that fits your needs.
• Prioritize safety features: life jackets, navigation lights, emergency equipment.
• Optimize storage capacity.
• Consider ease of operation: user-friendly controls, manageable size.

By following these tips, you can make the most of your yacht tender. Then you’re ready to set off on your next yachting adventure!

Importance of yacht tenders

Yacht tenders are hugely important for a great yacht experience. They provide transport between the yacht and shore, allowing passengers to explore land-based activities. Without them, yachts would be stuck at sea, limiting the experiences available.

Let’s look at their types and functions:

Yacht tenders are multi-functional. They can be used for water sports, diving expeditions or exploring bays. Plus, they’re essential for safety. In an emergency, they can be used as lifeboats or to help with evacuation procedures.

When choosing a tender, consider size, capacity, needs, fuel efficiency, and ease of use. Prioritize these to get the right tender for your yacht experience.

Yacht tenders are necessary for luxury yachting. They allow passengers to explore, enjoy recreational activities, and keep everyone safe.

Types of yacht tenders

Yacht owners have many options for the perfect tender for their vessel. Let’s check out the types of tenders and their unique features!

RIBs (Rigid Inflatable Boats) offer stability and versatility. They have a rigid hull with inflatable tubes, great maneuverability, and are popular for watersports.

Jet tenders use jet propulsion, are known for shallow draft, and are great for exploring shallow waters.

Classic tenders have a timeless design, combining modern amenities with traditional craftsmanship. They offer a luxurious and comfortable experience.

Limousine tenders are the epitome of luxury. They feature opulent interiors, spacious cabins, and are ideal for entertaining or private transfers.

Other types of tenders include sailing yacht tenders that are powered by wind.

Choosing the right yacht tender is essential for complementing your yachting lifestyle. Factors like personal preferences, usage, and storage space onboard the yacht should be taken into account.

Picture this: on a superyacht, cruising along the French Riviera. Suddenly, it’s time to explore ashore. The captain deploys the sleek jet tender from its storage area near the stern. The guests gasp in awe as they embark on an exciting ride to discover hidden treasures!

Factors to consider when choosing a yacht tender

Choosing the right yacht tender involves many important factors. These can affect the tender’s performance and functionality during voyages. Here’s what to remember:

• Size and Capacity: Look at the tender’s size and capacity. Too small and it won’t fit everyone. Too big and it may be hard to manage.
• Performance and Speed: Check the power and speed. It should be enough to get between the yacht and shore quickly and smoothly.
• Storage and Accessibility: Consider storage on the yacht. Look at how easy it is to store, launch, and retrieve. Also, think about safety and convenience when it comes to boarding.

Functionality is more important than looks. Don’t sacrifice practicality for design.

Boat International has something to say. They recommend considering the boat’s purpose before making a decision. This guarantees the tender is perfect for your needs and makes sailing even better.

Popular brands and models of yacht tenders

Yacht tenders are popular for their reliability, functionality, and style . Let’s look at the top brands and models.

Williams’ Dieseljet 565 is known for speed and comfort. Novurania’s Chase 31 has luxury amenities for larger groups. ZAR Formenti’s ZF-5 is perfect for storage and transport. AB Inflatables’ Nautilus DLX is durable and versatile.

When choosing a tender, think about capacity, length, price , and features . Get the best boating experience!

Yacht tenders come in many shapes and sizes. Knowing which one is suitable for your yacht is essential. Options range from lightweight inflatables to rigid-hull inflatables . These tenders provide transportation to and from the yacht, and also act as recreational vessels. RIBs and jet tenders are popular, but there are lesser-known alternatives too. Amphibious tenders can move between land and water, giving access to remote places.

Picture this: sailing along the Mediterranean coast until a problem with the yacht’s engine arises. With the right tender onboard, you can reach shore quickly and safely.

By understanding the available tenders, yacht owners can make informed decisions. The right tender is vital for exploring hidden coves and enjoying water sports activities.

Additional resources and recommendations

Prioritize finding a reliable manufacturer with years of experience in creating top-notch yacht tenders. They’ll provide you with an enduring vessel that can handle various weather conditions.

Look for customization options so you can tailor the design and features. Also, make sure it has all necessary safety equipment such as life jackets, first aid kits, and fire extinguishers.

Find a dealer who can offer maintenance services to keep your tender in peak condition. Look for a substantial warranty in case of any manufacturing or design defects.

Moreover, consider the weight capacity of the tender to guarantee comfort and stability.

Invest in advanced navigation systems for accurate positioning and safe travels.

Check reviews and testimonials from other yacht owners to understand the quality and performance of different tenders.

Additionally, look for manufacturers who offer training programs to operate and maintain the tender safely and efficiently.

By following these steps, you can get the most out of your yachting adventures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is a yacht tender?

A: A yacht tender is a small boat used to transport people and supplies between a yacht and the shore.

Q: What are the different types of yacht tenders?

A: There are several types of yacht tenders including Yacht types and sizes like rigid inflatable boats (RIBs), center console tenders, jet tenders, and classic tenders.

Q: What is a rigid inflatable boat (RIB) tender?

A: A RIB tender is a popular type of yacht tender that has a rigid hull and inflatable tubes around the sides for buoyancy and stability.

Q: What is a center console tender?

A: A center console tender is a type of yacht tender with an open deck design and a steering console located in the center of the boat.

Q: What is a jet tender?

A: A jet tender is a type of yacht tender that is powered by a jet drive system, using water propulsion instead of an outboard or inboard engine.

Q: What is a classic tender?

A: A classic tender refers to a traditional-style yacht tender, often made of wood, with a timeless design and elegant features.

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What is a Superyacht Tender? (A COMPLETE GUIDE)

Are you considering purchasing a superyacht tender? If so, youve come to the right place.

In this complete guide, youll discover the definition of a superyacht tender, the types and amenities of tenders, the benefits of a tender, popular brands of tenders, how to maintain a tender, and the regulations surrounding superyacht tenders.

Read on to learn all you need to know about purchasing and using a superyacht tender.

Table of Contents

Short Answer

A superyacht tender is a small boat that is used to transport passengers and cargo from a larger yacht to a shore or another vessel.

They are typically smaller than the yacht itself and are designed with a shallow draft for navigating shallow waters.

Superyacht tenders come in a variety of sizes and styles, and they can be powered by gasoline, diesel, or electric engines.

They can also be equipped with luxurious amenities such as air conditioning , large sun decks, and sound systems.

What is a Superyacht Tender?

A superyacht tender is a small vessel used to transport passengers and goods from a larger yacht to land or other vessels.

Superyacht tenders are usually high-performance vessels, designed to be fast, luxurious, and reliable.

Commonly, they will be equipped with amenities such as air conditioning, entertainment systems, and wet bars, making them ideal for both recreational activities and for transportation purposes.

Superyacht tenders are typically smaller than the main yacht and have the ability to be deployed quickly and efficiently, making them ideal for exploring nearby areas while travelling in luxury.

They are usually powered by outboard motors, making them easy to maneuver and allowing them to reach higher speeds.

They can also be used for a variety of activities such as fishing, watersports, and sightseeing.

Superyacht tenders come in a variety of sizes, from smaller tenders designed for two to three passengers, to larger tenders that can accommodate up to ten people.

Some of the larger tenders are fitted with multiple cabins, bathrooms, and other amenities, making them ideal for overnight trips and longer journeys.

Superyacht tenders are a great way to explore the waters and experience the beauty of the environment around you.

They provide a safe and comfortable way for owners and their guests to explore their surroundings as they travel in luxury.

Whether you are looking for a way to explore the coastline or simply want to relax and enjoy the scenery, a superyacht tender is the perfect choice.

Benefits of a Superyacht Tender

Superyacht tenders offer a variety of benefits to yacht owners and their guests. These vessels are designed to be fast, luxurious, and reliable, providing a safe and comfortable way for owners and their guests to explore their surroundings as they travel in luxury. Here are some of the main benefits of owning a superyacht tender:

1. Speed and Performance: Superyacht tenders are designed to be fast and maneuverable, allowing for quick and easy transport from a larger yacht to land or other vessels. This makes them ideal for recreational activities such as sightseeing, fishing, or water sports.

2. Luxury Amenities: Superyacht tenders are often equipped with amenities such as air conditioning, entertainment systems, and wet bars. These amenities provide a comfortable and enjoyable experience for passengers, allowing them to relax and enjoy the ride.

3. Versatility: Superyacht tenders are available in a variety of sizes and designs, making them suitable for a wide range of uses. They can be used for recreational purposes, transportation, or utility purposes, giving owners the flexibility to customize them to their needs.

4. Safety: Superyacht tenders are designed to be reliable and safe. They are equipped with features such as navigation systems and communication systems, ensuring passengers are always connected and safe while on board.

Overall, superyacht tenders are a great option for yacht owners who want to explore their surroundings in luxury and comfort.

With their speed, luxury amenities, versatility, and safety, these vessels provide an excellent platform for recreational and transportation purposes.

Types of Superyacht Tenders

Superyacht tenders come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so its important to consider the type of vessel that best fits your needs.

The most common types of superyacht tenders are rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RIBs), high-speed tenders, and yachts tenders.

Rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RIBs) are lightweight, durable, and typically powered by outboard engines.

RIBs are popular for their maneuverability, speed, and affordability, making them a great choice for recreational use.

They are also a great option for transporting goods and passengers to and from a larger yacht.

High-speed tenders are designed for maximum speed and luxury.

These vessels are larger than RIBs and are typically powered by multiple engines, allowing them to reach speeds of up to 40 knots or more.

High-speed tenders are perfect for owners and their guests who want to explore their surroundings in style and comfort.

Yacht tenders are larger vessels that are designed to match the style and luxury of the main yacht.

Yacht tenders are typically powered by diesel engines and can reach speeds of up to 30 knots.

These vessels are perfect for transporting guests to and from the main yacht in luxury and comfort.

No matter which type of superyacht tender you choose, you can be sure that it will provide you and your guests with a comfortable and luxurious experience.

From recreational exploration to transporting goods and passengers, superyacht tenders can provide a safe and enjoyable experience.

Amenities of Superyacht Tenders

Superyacht tenders are designed to be fast, reliable, and luxurious, and they come with a range of amenities that make them a great choice for recreational and transportation purposes.

Depending on the size of the tender, you can enjoy features like air conditioning, entertainment systems, and wet bars.

These features allow you to explore your surroundings in comfort and style.

Air conditioning is a great feature to have on your superyacht tender, especially if youre traveling in warm climates or spending time on the water in the summer months.

An air-conditioned cabin can make your journey much more comfortable and enjoyable.

Entertainment systems are also a great addition to superyacht tenders.

You can share movies, music, and videos with your friends and family on board, or stream live sports events or shows.

Many superyacht tenders come with a flat-screen TV and high-end audio systems to give you the ultimate in entertainment.

Wet bars are a great way to entertain your guests, and they can be stocked with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to keep everyone happy.

Many superyacht tenders also come with built-in coolers and ice makers to keep your drinks cold.

Finally, some superyacht tenders come with built-in grills so you can prepare meals on board.

This can be a great way to save money while still enjoying a great meal.

For the ultimate in luxury and comfort, superyacht tenders are the perfect choice.

With their variety of amenities, you can explore your surroundings in style and comfort.

Popular Brands of Superyacht Tenders

When it comes to superyacht tenders, there are a few brands that stand out as being some of the most popular and reliable. These brands offer a wide variety of tenders that are perfect for any type of yacht, from smaller day boats to larger luxury vessels. Some of the most popular brands include: Allseas, Avon, Brig, Dariel, Jeanneau, Lower, Novurania, and Zodiac.

Allseas tenders are known for their luxurious interiors, sleek design, and powerful engines.

Avon is another well-known brand with a focus on performance and comfort.

Brigs tenders are known for their stylish and modern designs, as well as their powerful engines.

Dariel offers luxury tenders with high-end amenities such as built-in air conditioning, entertainment systems, and wet bars.

Jeanneau offers a variety of tenders with a focus on luxury and performance.

Lower tenders are known for their innovative designs and powerful engines.

Novurania is known for its range of luxurious tenders, from day boats to larger luxury vessels.

Finally, Zodiac is a well-known brand with a focus on performance and safety.

No matter which brand you choose, you can be sure that youll be getting a quality tender that is perfect for your superyacht.

Each of these brands offers something unique, making it easy to find one that meets your needs and budget.

Whether youre looking for a smaller day boat or a larger luxury vessel, youll be sure to find a superyacht tender from one of these popular brands.

Superyacht Tender Maintenance

When it comes to owning and operating a superyacht tender, it is important to stay on top of regular maintenance to ensure it is running efficiently and safely.

Superyacht tenders are typically designed to be as durable and reliable as possible, but like any vessel, they require a certain amount of maintenance and care.

When it comes to maintenance, there are a few important things to keep in mind.

First, the tender should be kept clean and free of debris.

This includes regularly cleaning and flushing the bilges and engine compartments.

Additionally, the fuel tanks should be checked regularly for any build up of sludge or water.

It is also important to inspect the hoses and wires for any fraying or other damage.

In addition to regular maintenance, it is important to make sure that the tender is properly serviced and inspected by a qualified professional on an annual basis.

This will help to ensure that the engine and other components are functioning properly, and any necessary repairs can be completed in a timely manner.

Additionally, all safety equipment should be regularly inspected and maintained, and any necessary repairs should be made as soon as possible.

Finally, it is important to ensure that the proper fuel and oil is being used in the tender.

Different engines may require different types of fuel or oil, so it is important to check the manufacturers specifications to ensure that the right type is being used.

By staying on top of regular maintenance and inspections, owners and operators of superyacht tenders can ensure that their vessels remain safe and reliable for years to come.

Superyacht Tender Regulations

When it comes to superyacht tenders, there are certain regulations that must be followed.

Generally, any vessel operating in international waters must adhere to the rules and regulations put forth by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).

In addition, many countries have their own national laws and regulations that apply to vessels operating within their waters.

The most important rule to remember is that all superyacht tenders must be registered and licensed.

Depending on the country, this may include obtaining a Certificate of Registry, registering the vessel and obtaining a navigational license.

In some cases, the vessel may also be required to obtain a Certificate of Compliance from the country it will be operating in.

All of these documents must be kept on board the vessel at all times.

In addition to the registration and licensing requirements, there are also safety regulations that must be followed.

Every vessel must have a certain number of lifejackets and fire extinguishers on board, as well as other safety equipment.

The vessel must also adhere to all navigation laws, such as keeping a proper lookout and avoiding areas with dangerous currents or weather.

Finally, there are certain environmental regulations that must be followed when operating a superyacht tender.

Depending on the country, this may include adhering to emissions standards and noise limits, as well as avoiding dumping of waste or pollutants into the water.

Adhering to these regulations is important in order to ensure the safety of the passengers and crew, as well as the continued protection of the environment.

By following the regulations, owners and crew can ensure that their superyacht tender is operating safely and legally.

Final Thoughts

Having a superyacht tender is a great way to explore the surrounding area in comfort and luxury.

With the variety of sizes, amenities, and brands to choose from, there is sure to be a tender that fits your needs.

Regular maintenance is necessary to ensure the safety and reliability of the tender, and it is important to be aware of any regulations that may apply.

With this information in hand, you are now ready to choose the perfect superyacht tender for your travels.

James Frami

At the age of 15, he and four other friends from his neighborhood constructed their first boat. He has been sailing for almost 30 years and has a wealth of knowledge that he wants to share with others.

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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.

Enquire now

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Choose the Right Tender

• By Eric Colby
• Updated: March 22, 2011

How to Choose a Tender

Tenders may just be the Rodney Dangerfields of the yachting world. They’re expected to start and run flawlessly on a moment’s notice and perform myriad tasks during a given trip — everything from ferrying passengers and gear to pulling kids on a wakeboard. And once someone owns a tender, he or she gives it the bare minimum of maintenance and care.

Disrespect notwithstanding, yachtsmen make more than their fair share of blunders when choosing a tender. Errors run the gamut from the wrong size vessel to improper propulsion to poor gear to material mistakes. We talked to the experts to ensure you’re better equipped when selecting your next tender — whether you respect the little boat or not is up to you. Here’s what we found. ** Measuring Up:** The first mistake people often make when choosing a tender is being lazy about taking measurements. They often don’t measure the space available on their boat or the height of the opening if the boat is to be stored in an enclosed area. Other dimensions should also be considered.

“It’s a much more technical sale than people expect,” said Skip Reisert, owner of Tender Care Boats in Fort Lauderdale, Florida ( www.tendercareboats.com ). “Someone tells a yacht owner he can fit a 13- foot tender on his boat, but it becomes 14½ feet as soon as he puts up the tilt on the outboard.”

Reisert and other dealers say that tender buyers often come in with the wrong size or even the incorrect brand in mind. It’s often recommended that a yacht owner have the company that installed the davits or hydraulic swim platform come to the boat to recommend a size for the tender.

While a tender might fit dimensionally, don’t forget about the possibility that it can restrict boarding access. If a boat with a beam of 14 feet has a transom door at about the 12-foot mark, having a 12-foot tender blocks that entryway.

You Get What You Pay For: If failing to measure is the first mistake people make during tender selection, being cheap or going too small is definitely the second. In many cases, the tender is one of the last decisions a person makes. Sometimes an owner doesn’t want to spend any more money, and other times he doesn’t want to have to make any more decisions, so he just takes the cheapest thing he comes across.

“There’s almost sticker shock when people see how much these boats cost,” said Jarrett Bryzek of International Yacht Network ( www.iynboats.com ).

Mission Possible: In addition to measuring, tender buyers need to think about how they’ll use the smaller boat. If it’s going to spend most of its time on the davit or swim platform and rarely be deployed, that’s one thing, but if you know that your tender is going to be in operation frequently, don’t just focus on price.

When a couple or family comes into his facility, the first thing Bryzek does is sit the wife down in a boat. “She says, ‘It’s too small. We can’t fit the kids and the luggage and the golden retriever.’” That way he doesn’t have to try to sell too hard. They see for themselves that they need to choose a boat that’s big enough to meet the requirements of their family.

Added Sunset Inflatables’ Mitch Bernardo of Huntington Beach, California, “I have to remind [owners] that once you get where you’re going, you’re going to spend all your time on your tender.”

Power Trip: With boat size addressed, the next likely mistake is the propulsion system, including the amount and type of power. Most owners want maximum power, which some dealers feel is just an American idiosyncrasy. Because fuel prices are higher in Europe, boaters on the other side of the Atlantic don’t automatically demand the biggest engine they can get.

The overpowering pandemic is especially rampant with new lightweight tenders such as those from Walker Bay and the Nano series by Nautico. On the 12-foot Widebody Nautico series, International Yacht Network recommends a 50-horsepower outboard, but the 12-footer in the Nano series is so much lighter that it needs only a 25-horsepower motor and planes in less time when so powered. On a 14-foot Nano with a towing arch, a 40-horsepower motor was actually faster than a 60-horsepower motor when tested because the bigger one weighed down the boat. Bernardo explained that putting the maximum-size motor on a boat might do more harm than good. “Put a 60-horsepower on a 14-foot tender and it’s well tempered,” he said. “Put on the 75 and the boat can become unruly.”

Conversely, underpowering a boat will make the engine work harder to ferry people back and forth between the mother vessel and shore. If you bought the tender because the dealer told you it has enough power to pull a wakeboarder and it can’t pull your kid up on a board, you’re going to hear about it from Junior.

Bernardo feels that a tender’s transom height also factors into how much power it should have, which makes sense. His rule is that a boat with a 20-inch-tall transom needs at least a 40-horsepower motor while a 12-foot or shorter boat with a 15-inch transom will work better with a 30-horsepower outboard.

If you’re not tied into a specific type of power based on the design of a boat’s garage (see “It’s Launch Time,” below), consider where you’ll be using the tender and what you want it to do when you select the propulsion. Jets are often faster, but they’re also no fun to drive at slow speeds and a little more difficult to get used to because there is no neutral. “You’re oversteering so much your arms are ready to fall off,” Bryzek said with a laugh. Additionally, most service technicians feel that they’re tougher to maintain than outboards or stern-drives. ** Material World:** Virtually all tenders on modern yachts are rigid-hull inflatables, and you need to know the differences in the materials that tubes are made from before making a selection. If you boat in the Northeast, Great Lakes or Pacific Northwest, you can buy a boat made with PVC tubes without worrying and save some money in the process. PVC is less expensive than hypalon, from which many RIB manufacturers make their tubes. If you live in or spend most of your time in a tropical climate, don’t buy PVC. It does not hold up well in strong sun and will cost you money in the long run.

It’s Launch Time: If your boat has a stern garage, certainly a popular design element on a new boat, you need to do a little homework. For example, Fairline doesn’t require it but strongly recommends a Williams jet RIB for its new Targa 50’s garage. If you’re looking for a new tender for a pre-owned yacht that you’ve recently purchased, don’t go to the dealer locked in on a specific tender because it might not be the best fit for your boat.

As with any purchase, a tender decision needs to be seriously considered. “The real key is giving some thought to what’s important,” Bernardo said. So is giving your tender some respect.

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• The Ultimate Guide to Dinghy Tenders: From Affordable Options to Luxurious Choices

Ever wondered how to get from your yacht to shore without the hassle? Or perhaps you're a sailing enthusiast looking for a compact way to venture into shallow waters? Dinghy tenders might just be the answer to all your needs. Let's delve into the fascinating world of these small but essential boats, and explore why having a good tender is more than just a luxury—it's a necessity.

Types of Dinghy Tenders

Small tender boat.

The small tender boat is the bread and butter of the tender world. Think of it as your go-to vehicle for quick errands; it's agile, easily maneuverable, and can be powered by rowing, outboard engines, or even sails.

Sail Tenders

Want a more traditional, wind-powered experience? Sail tenders offer just that. These tenders are equipped with a sail and provide a uniquely thrilling way to explore coastal areas.

Sailing Tenders

If you're looking for the ultimate sailing experience, sailing tenders take it a notch higher by combining the features of motor and sail tenders. These are ideal for those who want versatility on the water.

Yacht Dinghy

When you're cruising on a yacht, a dinghy serves as your secondary boat, allowing you to anchor offshore and still visit the marina, go fishing, or explore secluded beaches.

Affordable Options

Cheap tender boat.

Who says you have to break the bank to own a tender? Cheap tender boats are budget-friendly options that serve their purpose well, without the frills.

Blow-up Yacht

Inflatable boats, or "blow-up yachts," offer an affordable and portable solution. These tenders can easily be stored and are perfect for occasional use.

Read our top notch articles on topics such as sailing, sailing tips and destinations in our Magazine .

Check out our latest sailing content:

High-End Choices

Best cruising dinghy.

If you're in the market for something more luxurious, a cruising dinghy offers advanced features like more comfortable seating, better handling, and advanced navigation systems.

Best Yacht Tender

If you have a penchant for the finer things in life, choosing the best yacht tender to complement your yacht is crucial. These tenders offer advanced safety features, elegant designs, and premium performance.

The Role of Davits

Importance of davits for tenders.

Davits are essentially crane-like devices used for lifting your tender out of the water. They are integral in ensuring that your boat remains safe and secure.

Types of Davits

From manual to hydraulic, there are various types of davits each serving unique purposes and needs. Make sure to choose the one that fits your boat and lifting requirements.

Inflatable Sail: An Overview

What is an inflatable sail.

Imagine a sail that can be inflated and deflated at your convenience. Inflatable sails offer that flexibility, making them excellent for limited storage spaces.

Benefits of Using Inflatable Sail

Besides saving space, inflatable sails are generally easier to manage, making them ideal for beginners and pros alike.

Sailing Yacht A Tender

Exploring the unique sailing yacht a tender.

The Sailing Yacht A tender is a marvel of modern design and technology. With its distinctive features, it stands out as a symbol of luxury and innovation.

Special Features

From state-of-the-art navigation systems to luxurious interiors, the Sailing Yacht A tender offers a once-in-a-lifetime boating experience.

Choosing the Right Tender

Factors to consider.

From size to power source and additional features, numerous factors should be considered when choosing the right tender for your needs.

Maintenance Tips

Routine checks and proper storage are key to keeping your tender in tip-top shape. Don't forget to also inspect the sails, engine, and any other movable parts.

Places to Buy Tenders

Whether online or in-store, buying a tender involves careful research and consideration of various options available.

Online vs In-Store

While buying online offers convenience, purchasing in-store allows you to get a feel of the product.

Safety First

Don't skimp on safety measures. Always have life jackets and a first aid kit on board, and make sure to follow all maritime rules and regulations.

Popular Brands

Some of the well-known brands in the dinghy tender market include Zodiac, Walker Bay, and West Marine. Each offers a range of options to suit various needs.

DIY: Making Your Tender

If you're a hands-on person, consider building your own tender. It's not only cost-effective but also a rewarding experience.

Eco-Friendly Options

From electric engines to recycled materials, there are sustainable choices to consider when purchasing or building a tender.

Understanding Tender Sizes

While we've talked a lot about features and types, it's also important to note that size does matter when it comes to choosing a tender. How much room do you have for storage? Are you going to be the only person using it, or do you plan on having guests? Understanding your size needs is crucial to making an informed decision.

Accessories for Your Tender

To make your experience even more enjoyable, consider investing in some accessories. From built-in fishing rod holders to storage compartments and even Bluetooth speakers, accessories can elevate your boating experience. However, don't go overboard; only add accessories that you'll use regularly.

Marine Laws and Regulations

Don't forget to keep yourself updated on marine laws and regulations. Depending on your jurisdiction, you might need specific permits or licenses to operate a dinghy tender. It's always better to be informed and prepared rather than facing penalties later.

Weather Conditions and Tenders

Operating a tender in calm waters is one thing, but what about when the weather is less than ideal? Certain tenders are better equipped for rough conditions, with features like reinforced hulls and better stability. Be mindful of where and when you'll be using your tender to make sure it suits all conditions.

Community and Clubs

Joining a community or a club dedicated to sailing or yachting can be an excellent way to gain knowledge and share experiences. You'll find seasoned sailors who can offer advice, and you may even get a chance to see different types of tenders in action before making a decision.

Used vs New Tenders

When budget is a concern, opting for a used tender can save you some money. However, be sure to thoroughly inspect the boat for any signs of wear and tear or potential issues. On the flip side, new tenders come with warranties and are less likely to have problems, although they do cost more.

Resale Value

If you're viewing your tender as an investment, consider its resale value. Premium brands and well-maintained boats tend to hold their value better than cheaper or less-known brands. Do your research to ensure you're making a wise investment.

Test Drives

Just like you wouldn't buy a car without test-driving it, you shouldn't buy a tender without giving it a spin. Many dealers and private sellers will allow you to take the tender out for a test. This is a valuable opportunity to gauge its performance and see if it fits your needs.

Tender Training Courses

Are you new to operating a boat or just need a refresher? Consider enrolling in a tender training course. These courses teach you not only how to operate the boat but also important safety measures that could come in handy.

Seasonal Care

Last but not least, consider the seasonal care your tender will need. Will you be using it all year round, or only in specific seasons? Knowing this can help you plan for storage and maintenance, ensuring your tender stays in optimal condition for years to come.

Choosing the right dinghy tender is crucial for any sailing enthusiast or yacht owner. With options ranging from affordable to high-end, and from simple to technologically advanced, there's a tender for everyone. But remember, regardless of the type you choose, safety and maintenance should never take a back seat.

So what are you waiting for? Take a look at our range of charter boats and head to some of our favourite  sailing destinations.

FAQs about Dinghy Tenders

A dinghy tender is used for short trips from a larger boat to the shore or for exploring shallow waters.

Yes, inflatable sails are generally reliable and offer the benefit of easy storage and management.

Yes, with the right tools and skills, building your own tender is possible and rewarding.

Zodiac, Walker Bay, and West Marine are among the popular brands.

I am ready to help you with booking a boat for your dream vacation. Contact me.

Denisa Nguyenová

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Compass Articles

• December 1, 2023

What Are the Common Types of Yacht Tenders? – Tender Types by Fly Yachts

Yacht tenders are the indispensable companions of yachts, serving not only as lifeboats but also as logistical lifelines and gateways to onshore adventures. These versatile small craft come in myriad forms, each suited to specific tasks and owner preferences. Fly Yachts, adept in the nuances of oceanic leisure, unveils the various types of yacht tenders available, offering guidance to yacht owners in selecting the tender that best complements their sea-faring experience.

The Fleet at Your Fingertips: Tender Variety for Every Venture

Rigid inflatable boats (ribs): the sturdy staple, durability meets versatility.

RIBs combine the robustness of rigid hulls with the buoyancy of inflatable sides, offering:

• Enhanced Safety: Stability and seaworthiness make RIBs popular for crew operations and guest transport.
• Ease of Boarding: The inflatable collars provide a secure platform for boarding.

Dinghies: The Sailing Companion

Simple and spry.

Dinghies are the traditional choice, recognized for their:

• Portability: Generally lightweight and easy to launch or tow.
• Basic Design: Suitable for short trips and simple tasks.

Jet Tenders: The Speed Seekers

The thrill of thrust.

Jet tenders offer exciting performance with:

• High-Speed Operation: Capable of greater speeds for thrilling rides or swift shore connections.
• Shallow Draft: Jet propulsion allows access to shallower waters.

Luxury Tenders: The Affluence of Annexes

Opulence on Waves

Luxury tenders are designed with:

• First-Class Comfort: Elegant interiors and superior amenities for the ultimate guest experience.
• Custom Features: Often tailor-made to match the mother yacht’s design and specifications.

Sports Tenders: For the Active Mariners

Adventures assured.

Sports tenders are built for recreation, equipped with:

• Towing Capabilities: Ideal for water sports, such as wakeboarding or water skiing.
• Advanced Equipment: Often outfitted with fishing gear or dive compressors.

Workboats: The Utilitarian Brigade

Service with strength.

These are the workhorses, characterized by:

• Robust Construction: Built to handle heavy loads and demanding tasks.
• Functional Design: Focused on utility and durability over aesthetics.

Limousine Tenders: The VIP Voyage

Enclosed elegance.

Limousine tenders provide:

• Weather Protection: Fully enclosed cabin to shield guests from the elements.
• Upscale Interiors: Luxurious fit-outs for comfortable and stylish transfers.

Autonomous Craft: The Vanguard Vessels

The future in floatation.

Emerging technologies introduce:

• Unmanned Operations: Autonomous tenders offer potential for remote or programmable vessel deployment.
• Eco-Friendly Propulsion: Electric and hybrid tenders for environmentally conscious owners.

Tender Considerations: Aligning Choices with Needs

The Decision Drivers: Purpose and Practicality

Harmonizing with the mother ship.

Select a tender that:

• Suits Yacht Storage: Ensure the tender fits within designated storage spaces such as garages or deck space.
• Matches Operation Requirements: Whether for crew chores, guest excursions, or specialized outings like fishing or diving.

The Tender Touch: Expert Guidance by Fly Yachts

The connoisseur’s choice: tailored tender procurement, the right craft for the right reasons.

Fly Yachts assists owners by:

• Holistic Evaluation: Factoring in yacht size, cruising grounds, storage constraints, and lifestyle.
• Streamlined Selection: Offering a curated range of tenders from reputable manufacturers known for quality and reliability.

Navigate with the Notable: The Optimal Auxiliary by Fly Yachts

Tender to your needs: the fly yachts assure, setting sail with the suitable.

With Fly Yachts, you’ll find a tender that’s more than an accessory; it’s an extension of your yacht’s capabilities and style, chosen with discernment and care.

Voyage with Variety: The Marine Mosaic

The extensive ensemble.

With a multitude of tender types to consider, let Fly Yachts be your compass in selecting the perfect companion craft for your lavish seafaring expeditions.

Sail into the shores with a tender selected with Fly Yachts’ guidance – where each shore trip is an arrival in style, and every tender is as integral to sea life as the deep blue itself.

Tender Types by Fly Yachts

What are yacht tenders and why are they used.

Yacht tenders are small boats used to transport people and supplies to and from the yacht, especially when anchoring offshore. They serve as a vital link between the yacht and land, and can also be used for recreation.

What are the different types of yacht tenders available?

Common types include RIBs (rigid inflatable boats), dinghies, sports tenders, luxury tenders, limousine tenders, and tenders specifically designed for fishing or water sports.

What makes RIBs a popular choice for yacht tenders?

RIBs are lightweight, durable, and stable, with excellent performance and handling in various sea conditions. Their inflatable collars provide buoyancy and comfort.

How do I choose the right tender size for my yacht?

Consider the available storage space on board, the number of passengers you’ll typically carry, the tender’s weight capacity, and the types of activities you’ll use it for.

Are there electric or eco-friendly tenders for environmentally conscious yacht owners?

Yes, there are electric tenders that offer quiet and eco-friendly alternatives to traditional gas-powered engines. Options include fully electric models and hybrids.

What is a limousine tender, and what are its benefits?

A limousine tender is a luxury tender designed for comfort, with enclosed seating, upscale amenities, and elegant finishes. It provides a higher level of protection from the elements and privacy for passengers.

Can yacht tenders be customized?

Many tender manufacturers offer customization options to match the aesthetics of the main yacht, as well as to fit specific storage spaces and owner preferences.

How important is the engine power in selecting a tender?

Engine power affects the tender’s speed, handling, and ability to perform certain tasks like water sports towing or navigating strong currents. Match the power to the intended use of the tender.

What should I look for regarding safety features in a yacht tender?

Consider tenders with non-slip decks, ample grab rails, reliable flotation devices, effective navigation lights, and bilge pumps for added safety.

How can Fly Yachts assist in selecting the ideal tender for my yacht?

Fly Yachts can advise on the most suitable tender type based on your yacht’s capabilities, storage, and your lifestyle. They can also help match you with reputable tender manufacturers and assist with custom design choices.

Fly Yachts is your go-to destination when looking to buy or sell a yacht, where you can explore an impressive variety of  yachts for sale  that meet the highest standards of luxury. Our  homepage  is the starting point for discovering all that we offer, highlighting our dedication to the world of yachting. On our  About Us  page, read about our company’s background, our knowledgeable team, and how we stand out from others. If creating a custom yacht is your dream, our  Build a Yacht  page details how you can make that dream a reality. For travel adventures, the  Charter Destinations  page paints a picture of various beautiful locations to visit by yacht. Stay informed about yachting topics with our well-written  Compass Articles . If selling your yacht is your next step, learn how we can help on the  Sell Your Yacht  page. Chartering a yacht for a luxurious getaway is made simple with the options on our  Yachts Charter  page. For those who also appreciate the skies, our  Aircraft for Sale  page showcases top-end planes. Keep up with the latest yachting news by checking out  Gulfstream News . Lastly, for any inquiries or questions, our  Contact  page provides easy access to our team’s assistance.

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Dinghy Tender: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect Boat for Your Needs

by Emma Sullivan | Aug 16, 2023 | Sailboat Gear and Equipment

Short answer: A dinghy tender, also known as a yacht tender, is a small boat used to transport people and supplies between a larger vessel and the shore. It is typically lightweight, portable, and easy to launch or retrieve.

How to Choose the Perfect Dinghy Tender for Your Boating Needs

If you’re an avid boater, you understand the importance of having the perfect dinghy tender to accompany your vessel. A reliable and versatile dinghy can greatly enhance your boating experience and open up a world of opportunities for exploration and adventure. However, with so many options available, finding the right one for your specific boating needs can be quite challenging. But worry not! In this blog post, we will guide you through the process of choosing the perfect dinghy tender with a touch of professionalism and a pinch of wit and cleverness.

1. Assess Your Needs: The first step in selecting the ideal dinghy is to determine exactly what you need it for. Are you looking for a small auxiliary boat to transport people or supplies to shore? Or do you require a sturdy vessel capable of navigating rough waters during fishing or diving trips? Identifying your specific requirements will help narrow down your options and prevent you from investing in an ill-suited tender.

2. Consider Durability: Dinghies are meant to withstand various conditions, so it’s crucial to choose one that boasts exceptional durability. Look for materials such as fiberglass or reinforced PVC that are resistant to abrasions, UV rays, and impact damage. After all, nobody wants a flimsy boat that falls apart at the slightest encounter with rocky shores or energetic waves!

3. Portability Matters: Unless your idea of fun involves struggling with clunky equipment, opt for a dinghy that is lightweight and easy to transport. Inflatable tenders offer excellent portability since they can be deflated and stowed away when not in use – perfect for those who like their boats sturdy on water but compact on land.

4. Size Wisely: Size does matter when it comes to selecting a dinghy! Consider factors like passenger capacity, storage space, and how well it fits alongside your main vessel before making a decision. Remember, you want enough room for everyone and everything, but don’t go overboard (pun intended) and choose a dinghy that overwhelms your boat or compromises maneuverability.

5. Creature Comforts: While a dinghy’s primary purpose is functionality, it doesn’t mean you have to overlook comfort entirely. Look for features like cushioned seating, integrated cup holders, or even a sturdy canopy to shield you from the elements. After all, who says tendering can’t be luxurious?

6. Budget Wisely: Price is always an important consideration when making any purchase, and dinghies are no exception. Set a budget range beforehand so you can explore options within your financial boundaries while still ensuring quality and meeting your boating needs. Remember, the perfect combination of affordability and functionality does exist – all it takes is some research!

Choosing the perfect dinghy tender should not be a decision taken lightly. By following these guidelines, you’ll be well on your way to finding the right companion for your boating adventures – one that fits seamlessly into your nautical pursuits while providing utmost reliability, style, and comfort. So whether you’re exploring tranquil coves or embarking on thrilling fishing escapades, enjoy the journey with your picture-perfect dinghy by your side!

A Step-by-Step Guide on Rigging and Launching your Dinghy Tender

Title: Unveiling the Art of Rigging and Launching Your Dinghy Tender: A Masterclass Guide Packed with Wit and Cleverness

Introduction:

Ahoy, fellow seafarers! Are you ready to set sail on a thrilling journey into the realm of dinghy tender rigging? Today, we embark on an adventure filled with professional insights, witty remarks, and clever strategies to ensure your dinghy tender is primed for success. So grab your knot-tying gloves and prepare to dive headfirst into this step-by-step guide on rigging and launching your magnificent vessel !

Step 1: An Ode to Preparations – It’s All in the Details!

Before we can embark on our grand voyage, meticulous preparation is a must. Begin by conducting a thorough inspection of your dinghy. Look out for signs of wear and tear, check fittings and fixtures for damage or corrosion, and make any necessary repairs.

Witty Insight: Remember folks, a stitch in time saves nine ropes during the journey!

Step 2: Rigging Made Easy – Hallelujah for Clever Tricks!

First things first, let’s tackle the intricate task of rigging. Begin by attaching the mast to its rightful place using suitable fastenings. Ensure it stands tall and proud – after all, it’s the crowning glory of your dinghy!

Witty Insight: Just like finding your “true north,” aligning your mast is key; otherwise, you’ll be stuck singing sea shanties while going in circles!

Next up are those ever-elusive sails. Hoist them high with precision but don’t forget to secure those cunning lines called halyards properly. No one wants their beautiful canvas fluttering away like a seagull taking flight.

Clever Tip: To prevent jumbled-up messes dubbed “sail spaghetti,” label each line with colorful ribbons representing their purpose. Sail away from confusion, my friends!

Step 3: Knot While You Can – Mastering the Art of Knots

Ahoy, landlubbers! Brace yourselves for a knot-tying extravaganza! A sturdy bowline here, a clove hitch there – mastering these knots is the key to keeping everything snug and secure.

Witty Insight: Remember, the right knot transforms chaos at sea into boating symphonies. Don’t be caught fish-handed; get your knot game on point!

Step 4: Launching with Finesse – Prepare to Take the Plunge!

It’s time to bring your dinghy tender into its natural habitat – the water. Craftily maneuver it down to the launch area using ropes or assistive devices like davits or cranes. Be patient; precision in this final stage ensures a seamless entry into seafaring life.

Clever Tip: Harness gravity’s allure by letting your dinghy slide gently into its watery embrace while you bask in captain-like glory – Goldilocks would say it’s neither too fast nor too slow!

Conclusion:

Bravo, dear seafarers! By following this meticulously crafted step-by-step guide on rigging and launching your dinghy tender , you have strengthened your nautical skills with finesse, wit, and cleverness. Remember, behind every sailing masterpiece lies careful preparation, precise rigging techniques, artful knotsmastery , and graceful launch tactics.

So go forth now! Embrace the challenges of owning a dinghy tender and let it be your floating oasis as you embark on adventures that only the vast sea can offer. Bon voyage!

Frequently Asked Questions about Dinghy Tenders: All You Need to Know

Are you considering purchasing a dinghy tender, but find yourself overwhelmed with questions? Look no further! We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions about dinghy tenders to provide you with everything you need to know before making your decision.

1. What is a dinghy tender? A dinghy tender is a small boat that is used to ferry people or supplies between a larger vessel (such as a yacht or sailboat) and the shore. Tenderness are essential for situations where it may be difficult or impractical for the main vessel to dock directly at the desired location.

2. Why do I need a dinghy tender? There are several reasons why owning a dinghy tender can greatly enhance your boating experience. Firstly, it allows for easy transportation from your main vessel to shore, providing convenience and accessibility. Whether you want to explore nearby islands, go fishing in shallow waters, or simply access amenities on land, having a tenderness makes these activities possible.

3. What types of dinghy tenders are available? Dingy tends come in various forms depending on your specific needs. Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs) are popular due to their durability and stability in rough waters. Alternatively, you might opt for an inflatable dinghy which offers easy storage and transportation when deflated. Additionally, there are hard-sided dinghies made from materials like fiberglass or aluminum which provide sturdiness and longevity.

4. How do I choose the right size for my needs? Selecting the appropriate size of your dinky tender depends on factors such as the number of passengers it should comfortably accommodate, its carrying capacity for supplies and gear, as well as how it will be transported and stored on your main vessel. Consider these factors alongside practicality and ease of use when deciding on size.

5. Do I need any special equipment or accessories? To fully utilize your new dingy-tender, you may require a few essential accessories. These can include oars or paddles for manual propulsion, an anchor to secure your tender in place, as well as safety equipment such as life jackets and whistles. Additionally, consider optional add-ons like motors or sails for enhanced maneuverability.

6. How should I maintain my dinghy tender? Proper maintenance will prolong the lifespan of your dinky-tender. This includes cleaning it regularly to remove dirt and saltwater residue, ensuring that all fittings are tightened properly, and storing it in a dry and covered area when not in use. Regular inspections of the hull and tubes for any damage are also important to address potential issues early on.

7. Can I customize my dinghy tender? Certainly! Many manufacturers offer customizable options for your new dinky-tender. From color choices to added features like storage compartments or seating arrangements, you can tailor your tender according to your preferences and needs.

8. How much does a dinghy tender cost? The cost of a dingy-tender varies depending on its size, material, brand, and additional features. You could find entry-level inflatable tenders for a few hundred dollars while more high-end RIBs can reach several thousand dollars in price range. Consider your budget alongside factors like durability and quality when making your decision.

Now that you have answers to these frequently asked questions about dinghy tenders, you are well-equipped to make an informed decision when purchasing one for yourself! Remember to prioritize factors such as size, durability, accessories, maintenance requirements, customization options, and price range when selecting the perfect dingy-tender that suits your boating needs. Happy boating!

Exploring Different Types of Dinghy Tenders: Pros and Cons

When it comes to choosing the perfect dinghy tender for your boating adventures, there are numerous options available on the market. From traditional rigid-hulled inflatables (RIBs) to lightweight foldable tenders, each type has its own unique advantages and disadvantages. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at some popular types of dinghy tenders along with their pros and cons.

1. Rigid-Hulled Inflatables (RIBs): RIBs have gained immense popularity among boaters due to their exceptional stability and durability. The combination of a solid fiberglass or aluminum hull with inflatable tubes provides excellent buoyancy, making them suitable for rough waters. RIBs also offer ample deck space for additional storage or seating arrangements. Nonetheless, their heavyweight can make them more challenging to transport and store compared to other tender options.

2. Soft-Sided Inflatable Boats: Soft-sided inflatable boats, also known as roll-ups or slat floor tenders, are lightweight and easily portable. Made from PVC fabric, these tenders can be deflated and folded compactly when not in use – ideal for smaller boats with limited storage space. However, unlike RIBs, soft-sided inflatables may lack the same level of stability during rough conditions due to their flexible bottoms.

3. Foldable Tenders: Foldable dinghy tenders provide a perfect blend of portability and stability. Constructed from sturdy materials like high-grade aluminum or composite fabrics, these tenders can be effortlessly folded into a compact size for convenient transportation and storage onboard larger vessels or even in a car trunk if needed. While foldable tenders offer ease of use in calm waters and moderate weather conditions, they may not be as capable in choppy waters compared to RIBs.

4. Sailing Dinghies: For sailing enthusiasts, sailing dinghies offer a fantastic option for both tender and recreational purposes. These tenders come equipped with sails and rigging systems that allow users to navigate through the water independently. While sailing dinghies provide unparalleled excitement and can be a great skill-building platform, they require more experience to operate effectively compared to other types of tenders.

5. Electric Dinghy Tenders: With the increasing interest in electric power, electric dinghy tenders have emerged as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional fuel-powered options. These tenders are powered by electric outboard motors or integrated propulsion systems, reducing noise pollution and carbon emissions. However, their limited range and longer recharging time may pose challenges during longer excursions.

Choosing the right dinghy tender ultimately depends on your specific boating needs and preferences. Consider factors such as transportation ease, storage space availability, stability requirements, and desired features before making your decision.

In conclusion, whether you opt for the stability of RIBs, portability of soft-sided inflatables or foldable tenders, versatility of sailing dinghies, or eco-friendliness of electric tenders – each type comes with its own set of pros and cons. Understanding these differences will enable you to make an informed decision in selecting the perfect dinghy tender that suits your boating adventures like a glove!

Maintaining and Caring for Your Dinghy Tender: Essential Tips and Tricks

Maintaining and Caring for Your Dinghy Tender: Essential Tips and Tricks to Keep Your Vessel Shipshape

Ah, the dinghy tender – an inseparable companion for avid boaters and seafarers alike. Whether you use it for quick trips ashore or as a trusty sidekick during your marine adventures, your dinghy deserves some well-deserved TLC to ensure its longevity and performance. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the essential tips and tricks to keep your dinghy tender in shipshape condition – all while sprinkling our advice with a dash of professionalism, wit, and cleverness!

1. Regular Cleaning: The Key to Sparkling Success Imagine hopping into a dirty dinghy – not exactly ideal, right? To keep your vessel looking smart and professional (and prevent any unwanted hitchhikers), regular cleaning is crucial. Armed with mild soap, water, and a soft cloth or sponge, gently cleanse your dinghy’s surfaces inside out. Don’t forget to pay extra attention to those nooks and crannies; dirt has an uncanny ability to hide in the most inconvenient places! So set sail on good hygiene practices – your dinghy will thank you.

2. Protection from UV Rays: Sunblock for Your Boat Just like us humans need sunscreen at the beach, our beloved tenders require protection from the sun’s harsh UV rays too! Prolonged sun exposure can take a toll on your dinghy’s material integrity over time. A clever trick is investing in UV protective covers or applying specialized sprays designed to shield against harmful radiation. Trust us; shielding your boat from these solar sneaks will help preserve its vibrant colors while preventing unnecessary wear and tear.

3. Patch It Up: Repairing Small Tears Like a Pro Accidents happen even to the most cautious sailors among us. So if you spot small tears or punctures on your tender’s fabric, don’t fret! Patching up those minor mishaps is easier than you might think. Firstly, locate the damage and thoroughly clean the area surrounding it. Apply a suitable adhesive or patch kit designed for your dinghy’s material – make sure to follow the instructions diligently. Now, that’s how you save your boat from feeling deflated!

4. Inflation Sensation: Maintaining Proper Air Pressure To ensure optimal performance, maintaining proper air pressure in your dinghy tender is crucial. Periodically check the pressure with a reliable gauge, as under- or over-inflating can drastically impact maneuverability and safety on the water. If your tender requires more puff to reach its desired pressure range, employ a good quality electric pump – saving huffs and puffs for blowing out birthday candles instead!

5. Outboard Motor Love: Nurturing Your Dinghy’s Heart For many dinghy owners, an outboard motor serves as the beating heart of their vessel – a trusty sidekick producing speed and reliability on demand! To keep this vital component in top-notch shape, regular care is essential. Flush the motor with freshwater after each use to prevent saltwater corrosion from wreaking havoc internally. Don’t forget to inspect fuel lines, spark plugs, and carburetor filters periodically; nurturing this relationship will pay off with smooth sailing .

6. Storage Strategies: A Cozy Place for Your Tender When not cruising through the waves, your dinghy needs a cozy home on land too! Proper storage helps extend its lifespan significantly. Choose a dry and shaded place away from direct sunlight whenever possible; excessive exposure can lead to materials cracking or fading prematurely – not exactly what we’re aiming for! Covering it with a sturdy protective tarp or utilizing purpose-built racks will help minimize dust accumulation while adding an extra layer of safeguarding against unforeseen environmental woes.

7. Routine Check-Ups: A Date with Diligence Lastly, but certainly not least, always remember to schedule routine check-ups for your beloved dinghy tender. Just as we visit the doctor for preventive health checks, your boat also benefits from some professional TLC. This can involve having a professional inspect the hull and steering system for any signs of wear or damage that may require attention before they escalate into serious issues. Prevention is the sailor’s secret weapon against unnecessary headaches!

And there you have it – our comprehensive guide to maintaining and caring for your cherished dinghy tender! By following these essential tips and tricks wrapped in a bow of professionalism, wit, and cleverness, you’ll ensure your dinghy remains shipshape for countless voyages to come. So go forth, fellow seafarers, and conquer the waves with confidence!

Tips and Tricks for Seamlessly Stowing and Transporting Your Dinghy Tender

If you’re a boat owner, chances are you need a dinghy tender for those times when docking isn’t an option. However, stowing and transporting your dinghy tender can often be a hassle. In this blog post, we’ll share some professional tips and tricks to make the process seamless, while also injecting some wit and cleverness along the way.

1. Size Matters: Before purchasing a dinghy tender, it’s crucial to consider its size in relation to your boat ‘s storage capacity. While you may be tempted by larger options for added comfort or stability, keep in mind that storing a massive tender might become an exercise in frustration. Remember the saying “bigger is not always better,” especially when it comes to dinghies!

2. Weighty Woes: While lightweight tenders are more manageable during transport, they might compromise stability on the water. Finding the right balance between weight and stability is essential . Think of it as Goldilocks’ dilemma—finding that perfect “not too heavy” and “not too light” tender can make all the difference in your boating experience.

3. Folding Magic: Opting for foldable or inflatable tenders can be incredibly convenient when it comes to stowing and transportability. These innovative designs allow you to easily deflate or fold up your dinghy tender into a compact shape that won’t take up excessive space aboard your boat or during transportation.

4. Hitch It Right: If you plan on towing your tender behind your vessel while cruising, proper hitching techniques are vital to guarantee a secure tow without any unexpected surprises along the way! Ensure you have reliable towing equipment specifically designed for dinghies so that both safety and peace of mind accompany your every journey.

5. Storage Solutions: When it’s time to store your dinghy tender onboard, creativity is key! Utilize every available space on your boat—under the seats, on top of lockers, or even hanging from convenient hooks. Just like a game of Tetris, maneuvering your tender into unique spots will not only keep it secure but also showcase your exceptional storage skills to fellow boaters.

6. A Step Above: If you have a larger vessel with ample deck space, investing in davits can be an excellent solution for seamlessly stowing and transporting your dinghy tender. Davits act as mini-crane systems that hoist and suspend your tender above the water, protecting it from potential damage while freeing up valuable deck space for other activities or simply enjoying the view!

7. Cover It Up: Protecting your dinghy tender during transport and storage is crucial to ensure its longevity. Invest in a high-quality cover specifically designed for your particular model to shield it from harsh weather conditions, UV rays, and other elements that could potentially compromise its pristine appearance.

8. Maintenance Matters: Regularly maintaining and inspecting your dinghy tender contributes greatly to its overall performance and lifespan. Check for any wear and tear on the hull or inflatable chambers before each use, clean it thoroughly after each outing (especially if used in saltwater), and make sure all components are functioning correctly to guarantee a worry-free experience when you need it most.

By implementing these tips and tricks into your dinghy tender stowing and transportation routine, you’ll undoubtedly enhance both convenience and efficiency. Remember to embrace the witty side of boating because let’s face it—navigating this vast ocean we call life is always better with a touch of cleverness!

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Choosing The Best Yacht Tender

Being out on the water with your yacht is an unbeatable feeling. The warm sun and soft waves are the best way anyone could spend their weekend. However, if you want to have full freedom on the water, you’ll need a yacht tender in order to do so. A yacht will only be able to fit into so many places so you’ll need a yacht tender in order to reach each and every place you want to go. Owning a yacht tender also opens up different opportunities such as watersports, scuba diving, snorkeling, and cruising under the sun! Hysucat is here to help you with choosing the best yacht tender possible.

Your yacht tender should do more than just get you where you need to go. It should reflect the beauty and elegance of your yacht. There’s no better way to do this than with a RIB from Hysucat. Our luxurious yet rugged RIBs will make cruising the water more fun than being on the yacht. 

Having the right tender on your yacht will allow you to experience the water to the fullest. There are plenty of tender options out there but we want to help you find the perfect one for your yacht.

Benefits of Rigid Inflatable Boats

RIBs have become the go-to choice for yacht owners and there’s good reason for it.

When it comes to the water, safety is always the number one priority. There’s no telling what could happen so it’s good to have a tender that’s prepared for anything. A RIB will be ready for any condition thrown at it. This is why the United States Coast Guard, military, and police have been using RIBs for years now. These boats are virtually unsinkable and will keep you and your passengers safe at all times. 

Premium Stability

RIBs have some of the best stability on the water. This is thanks to the large inflatable tubes on the side and the hard hull which makes for incredible stability. The large inflatable tubes also increase the load capacity which makes it possible to fit more passengers and more equipment.

High Efficiency

Since these dinghies are inflatable, they weigh much less making them more efficient than their hard tender counterparts. This means you can pack more on the vessel and save fuel while doing it. 

Easy Operation

Unlike a hard yacht tender, inflatable tenders are extremely easy to use and operate. There’s no having to deal with fenders or collisions. Since the sides are inflatable and not hard materials, you never have to worry about colliding with another boat or the dock. You’ll simply bounce off of them with no damage done. 

Picking The Right Yacht Tender

Picking the right tender for your yacht comes down to three different things. These three things include:

• What size tender can your yacht support.
• How many people will be boarding the tender?
• How the tender will be used.

Tender Sizing

Making sure the size of a tender will fit on your yacht is obviously important. People will often buy a tender not doing the proper research or measurements, leaving them with a tender that doesn’t fit on their yacht. 

To make sure a tender will fit, look at the size of your storage area. This will give you a good idea of how large a tender can be. Contact your local dealer for specifications and a suitable range of tender sizes. 

How Many People Are Boarding The Tender?

If your yacht has a lot of room for passengers, it’s important to choose a tender that can support a lot of passengers too. You don’t want to make 5 different trips when going to the shore. Choose a tender that will support a majority of your equipment and passengers to cut down on unnecessary trips. 

What is the Purpose of Your Tender?

This is the easy part! 

Are you using the tender for watersports? Looking for a beach? Want to go on a joy ride down the shore? Whatever the case, a proper tender will help you get there. 

Once you have a better idea of what it will be used for, it will make the selection process that much easier. If you like water sports, choosing something bigger with more power will be the way to go. If you are using it for simple cruising, then a smaller, more efficient, tender will be the way to go. 

Who Makes The Best Yacht Tender? Choose Hysucat

We may be biased but we have good reason to be. Our RIBs are both luxurious and rugged. They’ll get you where you need to go and you’ll look good doing it. We have several different options available to help you find the perfect size for you and your yacht.

Everything You Need to Know About Tender Ports and Tender Boats on a Cruise

By: Author Carrie Ann Karstunen

Posted on Published: May 28, 2020  - Last updated: June 29, 2022

On a cruise, a tender port is one where the ship doesn’t dock at a pier. Instead, the cruise ship drops anchor offshore and passengers are ferried to land on smaller boats, called “tenders”.

Cruise lines usually specify which ports of call on each itinerary will be tender ports, and passengers have the opportunity to obtain tender tickets if they wish to go ashore.

When you’re planning a cruise, you might notice that some port descriptions will say, “ this is a tender port .” Or you might see that tender boats or “tenders” are mentioned.

Confused? Don’t worry. I’ll explain everything you need to know about tender boats and tender ports on a cruise.

Why do cruise lines have tender ports?

Some cruise ports have shallow harbors that don’t allow for today’s massive cruise ships to pull right up to a pier. Other ports only have a limited amount of berths at their piers, so any extra ships that visit just don’t have a spot available.

Or, as in the case of some cruise line private islands , they haven’t built a pier yet!

Why is it called a tender port?

Usually when we think of the word tender , it’s in the context of something being gentle and caring (a tender kiss), or soft (a tender cut of meat). But tender ports have nothing to do with being gentle or soft!

The word tender has been used nautically since at least the late seventeenth century , meaning a “small boat used to attend larger ones”. It actually comes from the Middle English verb  tenden , meaning “to attend to”.

On a cruise, “tender” can be used as a noun (“We’re going to take a tender to the island”), a verb (“We’re going to tender to the island”), or an adjective (“We’re going to take the tender boat to the island”).

In the most common usage with today’s cruise lingo , “tender port” is used as an adjective to describe a port that cruisers need to access via a small boat.

You might say something like, “Yesterday we had a tender port at Princess Cays , but thankfully this morning we can pull right up to the dock at Nassau “.

How do you know if a port will be a tender port?

Cruise lines will note in the itinerary if a port requires tenders. You’ll see this in your cruise planner on the cruise line’s website, or ask your travel agent if you’re not sure.

During your cruise, you’ll also get a reminder in your daily newsletter before visiting a tender port.

However, remember that cruise ports of call are always subject to change at any time. You might have a scheduled tender port changed to a docked port (or vice-versa).

Unpredictable weather can alter a cruise’s itinerary, causing the Captain to change ports or skip the port altogether.

What boats do cruises use to tender passengers?

Tenders on your cruise generally will be one of three types of boat:

• Lifeboats from the cruise ship
• Privately-owned boats from the port
• Tenders owned by the cruise line kept at the port

Maximum occupancy on most tender boats is generally between 100 and 150 passengers .

So on a cruise ship that holds thousands of guests, tender operations can take quite some time, even if they use several boats!

How do you get a tender ticket?

Years ago when I was researching my very first cruise, I noticed there were a few tender ports on our itinerary. Wanting to make sure that all of our major expenses were pre-paid before we left for vacation, I started searching for instructions on how to pay for our tender tickets.

Silly me, tender tickets are free! But you do need to get them on board for each port as soon as you can. Tickets are issued on a first-come-first-served basis.

On most major cruise lines, you’ll need to get one tender ticket for your group or each member of your party for each tender port.

Read your daily newsletter carefully each day! It will list times and locations to pick up your tickets. Tickets often will be available the afternoon before you’ll be tendering, as well as the morning of.

Many cruise lines will set up an area (often in the theater) where a crew member hands out tender tickets to passengers during specific times. Be sure to note the times listed in the newsletter. You won’t be able to pick up a ticket at these locations outside of those times.

Tip: Pick up your tender tickets the day before you visit the tender port if you want a popular tender time. Early tickets go fast!

Are there any restrictions for tendering?

Tender boats don’t have age or weight restrictions for cruise passengers. However, if you have mobility challenges , you might not be able to board the tender.

Some cruise lines require that guests be able to step on and off of tender boats with only minimal assistance. Most tenders have at least a couple of steps you’ll need to use to get on and off of the boat.

Wheelchair-accessible cruise tenders with roll-on capability aren’t very common. Often, passengers who use a wheelchair and are unable to walk won’t be allowed to board a tender.

Some cruise lines specify that their crew will only carry a passenger on board in a wheelchair if the total weight is less than 100 pounds (45.5 kg). That rules out most people (except for some children) because they include the weight of the mobility device in the total.

Tip: For wheelchair users, reach out to your cruise line before you sail. Ask what their specific rules are regarding boarding a tender in a wheelchair . It’s also a good idea to speak with a customer service manager on board at least a few days before arriving in port. A timely heads-up might make them more willing to help you if they’re able.

Can any cruise passengers get priority tendering?

Passengers who’ve booked shore excursions directly through the cruise line will have priority tendering to make sure the tour groups meet their guides on time.

Some cruise lines also offer priority tendering to passengers who are at a high level in their loyalty program. Some also extend this privilege to guests staying in a full suite.

If you’re sailing on a Carnival cruise, you can pay a little extra for this perk! They allow passengers who purchase their “ Faster to the Fun ” pass to have priority tendering as well.

Priority access is only available for ship-to-shore tendering. When returning to the ship, all passengers wait in the same line.

Tip: Booked an independent shore excursion at a tender port? It’s a good idea to get the earliest tender ticket you can. Tender operations can run behind schedule, and your tour operator won’t wait very long if you’re late to the meeting point. It’s better to have some time to kill on land than to miss your excursion entirely!

Do you have to pick up a tender ticket to return to the ship?

You’ll only need a tender ticket to travel from the ship to shore. On the way back, you won’t need a ticket to return to the ship. However, you’ll need to wait in line, and those lines can be long at peak times!

Plan to return with plenty of time to avoid missing the last tender. Final tender times are published in the daily newsletter, and are also on signs as you’re leaving the cruise ship.

Tip: You might need to stand in a long line in full sun while waiting to board your tender. Reapply your sunscreen, and carry a hat and a lightweight layer to avoid a late-day sunburn. Some cruise lines will offer water while you wait, but don’t rely on that at every port.

What is open tender on a cruise?

If you missed getting a tender ticket or you overslept and missed your tender time, you’ll still have a chance to get to shore. (If you miss your tender time I’d still recommend asking if you can board with another group, but there are no guarantees.)

After all the scheduled tender groups are called, the tendering process will change to “ Open Tender “. From this time on, passengers without a tender ticket will be allowed to get off the ship.

Often, a specific time for Open Tender is posted, but this schedule can be pushed back if tendering takes longer than expected.

If you decide to wait for Open Tender, just know that you might have to wait for the remaining passengers with scheduled tender tickets to board their boats.

Will you get seasick on a tender boat?

Modern cruise ships, with their vast size and high-tech stabilizers, usually don’t cause passengers to feel much of the sea’s motion—except in stormy weather.

But small tender boats don’t have those things going for them, so they definitely can rock on the waves!

Some ship’s tenders are pontoon-style, which are known for their stability. But if the conditions are choppy, you’re going to feel it!

If you have a tendency to seasickness or motion sickness, be sure to take an OTC remedy (lots of cruisers swear by Bonine ) at least an hour before boarding the tender boat.

Or see your doctor before your cruise to find out if you might need a scopolamine patch or other prescription meds.

Most cruise tender rides last only about ten to fifteen minutes, so at least it won’t be a long, rough journey!

Read more: How to Avoid Getting Seasick on a Cruise

Why are tender ports skipped more often than docked ports?

If it’s stormy or the seas are rough, your Captain may choose to change ports or skip a tender port completely. Transferring thousands of passengers in and out of smaller boats in bad weather just isn’t a risk that the cruise lines want to take!

For passenger safety, the Captain is more likely to cancel a stop at a tender port compared to a docked port if the weather isn’t cooperating. If the weather is really bad, docked ports can also be canceled. It’s not only tender ports that can be nixed!

Weather conditions can change rapidly at sea. When you choose a cruise itinerary with tender ports, there’s a higher risk that your stop will be canceled or changed to another location.

Have a question that I haven’t answered about tender ports of call or tender boats on a cruise? Ask me in the comments below!

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Related posts:

Monday 1st of April 2024

how deep must a channel be for 100 passenger tender boat be to go thru

Carrie Ann Karstunen

Saturday 6th of April 2024

Hi Al, I can't give you an exact number, mainly because tenders aren't always the same type of craft. However, they're often lifeboats - which usually don't have a very deep draft.

Friday 25th of August 2023

I've been all over the internet and can't find the answer. Perhaps it's glaringly obvious but...how do you know what tender to take back when returning to the ship?

Saturday 26th of August 2023

Hi Kevin, you just return to the spot where the tender from the ship dropped you off, and get in line for the next boat to go back to the ship. The cruise line will have signs and crew members there, and there's often a sizable line of passengers waiting, so you can't miss it! Hope this helps, and happy cruising!

Lynette Smith

Saturday 10th of September 2022

Do you know how high the tender steps are to get down and up. My husband has a hard time with steps do to his knees

Hi Lynette, thanks for the question. Tender boats on cruise ships can really vary. Even at the same port, you might be faced with a different type of boat at different times of day! I wish I could give you a solid answer to your question, but with variations from boat to boat I can only give you a general answer (I also don't know the degree of your husband's knee issues).

In general, to get on and off of most cruise ship tender boats, you'll have a short step or two up, then a few steps down. The steps going down into the tender (and back out again) are generally a bit steeper. It's usually not more than 2-3 stairs going in and out.

If he's fine with walking up or down a few (steep-ish) steps in potentially rocky wave conditions (with handrails and a crewmember lending a hand from the gangway to the landing), I'm guessing he'll be fine.

The one issue on some tenders that could pose an issue is if the lower level of the boat is full and you have to head to the top deck. Some tenders have a full flight of steep metal stairs (with railings) to access the top level.

My advice? If the boat looks full, let the crew know he can't climb the steps to the top deck before you board the tender. Best case scenario is that they ask for volunteers to move upstairs to make room on the lower level. Worst case is you'll need to wait to be the first guests on the next tender. Hope this helps!

Monday 5th of September 2022

Are there port fees at tender ports? If the ship manages to drop anchor but then is unable to run tenders due (for example) to bad visibility, are the port fees refunded?

Hi Dave, thanks for the question! Yes, at tender ports (just like docked ports) port taxes and fees are assessed. You'll have pre-paid these fees by the time final payment is due for your sailing. If any port stop is canceled, the cruise line will refund you the taxes and fees for that specific stop.

If (like in the scenario you asked about) your ship drops anchor but no tenders go out, guests will still be refunded for those fees. But usually, the captain would make the call for weather-related reasons well before approaching the port to drop anchor.

When foul weather causes the captain to cancel the original port and head to a different one, guests are responsible for taxes and port fees at the new port. So you might find yourself paying a little more at the new port, or a little less. Or you might just have an extra sea day if a replacement port isn't practical!

Wednesday 17th of August 2022

I had a stroke about a year ago, and am unsteady walking. Will I be able to board a tender?

Friday 19th of August 2022

Hi Rick, when you're boarding a tender, there's always a crew member or two there offering a hand to help steady you as you're transitioning from the gangway to the smaller boat. You'll often have to step up on a small portable stair before you step onto the tender, but you can mention that you need a hand on the steps as well so you don't lose your balance.

If the water is choppy during tendering, it can be a bit challenging to make the transition to and from the tender boat, even for those of us who are usually pretty steady on our feet. Some tender boats also have a second level, and I've had to go up some pretty steep stairs to find a seat if the first level is full!

I'd advise chatting with Guest Services at least the day before your tender port if the weather looks iffy or if you're worried about getting on and off, climbing stairs, etc. I've been on hundreds of tenders and they're all a bit different. Crowds and weather can also make a big difference in your tender experience, so asking ahead could really help you decide if the assistance that the crew can offer will work with your level of mobility. Hope this helps!

Yachting Monthly

• Digital edition

How to use a tender safely

Chris Beeson

• January 17, 2017

Are you kitted out for tender travel? Chris Beeson reminds you what you need and why

Bring a few essentials on every tender trip and you’ll be ready for anything Credit: Colin Work

Trips in the tender are usually brief and uneventful, but some are longer.

If you decide to pack a lunch and explore upriver, you may want extra kit, like the grapnel anchor and short chain and warp we see in the bow of the tender above, but most are short ferry trips.

That being the case, it’s easy to become blasé about them but if, for whatever reason, something goes wrong, you’ll need a Plan B.

This is just a quick reminder about what you need to do to ensure you arrive safely.

Fit a long painter

A long painter leaves space for others

Dinghy docks can get very busy.

A long painter allows you to tie up your tender and let it drift out so others can do the same.

It’s also handy, as seen above, for securing the tender’s bow and stern, which makes it safer to board or disembark via the transom.

Check your tube pressure

An in-line pressure gauge costs less than £20

Pump up the tender to the correct pressure, as recommended by the manufacturer.

Few tenders are sold with a pressure gauge included but you can buy one in the chandler’s.

Don’t forget to take the pump with you too, just in case.

Dip the fuel tank

Check your fuel level before you leave

You’ve spent too long shopping, the ebb’s started and you’ve got to get half a mile upriver.

You fire up the outboard, zip off and the engine dies, leaving you with an energy-sapping row back to the boat.

Check the tank and it could save you a back-breaking hour.

Use an outboard lanyard

A lanyard could save your outboard

When transferring the outboard from boat to tender, and vice versa, the person not holding the engine grabs the lanyard.

That way, if someone drops the outboard, you can stop it sinking.

When it’s on the tender’s transom, tie the end to a strongpoint onboard.

Tighten the clamps

Spin them up tight to make sure it stays put

Once the outboard’s in position, twirl up the clamps tight.

Check them now and then during the trip to make sure the engine’s vibration hasn’t loosened them.

Outboard theft isn’t uncommon, so, if you’re leaving her for a while, padlock the clamps together.

Bring the oars

You can row your way out of most scrapes

Whether it’s the mercurial nature of outboards, or just a peaceful evening in an anchorage that you don’t want to spoil, a good pair of oars is essential.

If you can’t row a fair distance with the ones that came with your tender, buy a decent pair.

Rig the killcord

It takes seconds to fit. Don’t forget it

No-one needs reminding why this is absolutely essential.

This wriggly bit of plastic with a clip at either end is an unlikely looking lifesaver, but that’s exactly what it is.

Don’t go anywhere without it.

Stow it away from UV when not in use, it will last longer.

Bring spare fuel

Bring spare fuel and secure the can

You’ll be glad of it if you’ve got a long chug ahead.

It’s also easier to take the humble jerrycan to the petrol station.

Tie it to the thwart with a bit of gash line so it won’t bounce out if you hit a wave, and fill the tank in gulps. Don’t pour fuel or it could overflow.

Wear a lifejacket

It’s a simple enough rule, don’t break it

If you’ve never tried scrambling from the water into an inflatable tender, worse still a rigid tender, you should give it a go.

See how you get on.

Perhaps then you won’t need convincing to wear a lifejacket for every tender trip, no matter how short.

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Take a torch

Head torch or hand, it’s a must-have at night

As well as allowing you to do at night all the things you do during the day, from checking your footing to rigging the killcord or finding your elusive yacht in an anchorage, a torch also acts as an emergency nav light, which means you can see and be seen, too.

Bring a handheld VHF radio

Always have some means of two-way comms

Maybe you’ve fallen overboard, maybe you’re lost and need talking in, maybe you’re in a shop standing before a bewildering array of baked goods with ‘bread’ on your shopping list?

Whatever the reason, a VHF, or a mobile phone in a waterproof case, will get you heard.

Check your elbow room

Your crew won’t thank you for a black eye

I can’t be the only one who’s yanked the pullcord and knocked someone clean off the tube and into the drink.

Not a popular move.

Have a quick glance behind and make sure you’ve room to swing the cat.

Don’t wear your backpack

Fall in and it’s Davey Jones’s locker for you

What happens if you encounter a steep wake and end up in the oggin?

The backpack will float at first, pushing your head under, then it’ll flood and take you down.

Buy a waterproof one and put it on the sole.

Don’t overload the tender

It’s tempting, but don’t. Make a second trip

Labouring across an anchorage with an inch of freeboard is likely to end both damply and unhappily.

Make two trips: safer, simpler, probably quicker too.

With a rigid tender that can be swamped, it’s properly dangerous.

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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.

Dinghies & Tender Boats

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Survivor of Yacht That Sank Off Sicily's Coast Recalls How She Used 'All My Strength' to Save Her 1-Year-Old

"I held her afloat ... my arms stretched upwards to keep her from drowning,” Charlotte Golunski said

Charlotte Golunski/Instagram

A mom aboard the luxury superyacht that sank after what officials called a "violent storm" off the coast of Sicily this week is speaking out about how she was able to save her young daughter from being swept away by the water.

The mother was identified to PEOPLE by local authorities as Charlotte Golunski — who, along with her partner, was so shocked about how bad the weather had gotten that they went above board just before disaster struck the Bayesian early on Monday, Aug. 19, the sources say.

After going into the water, Golunski lost her grip on her 1-year-old daughter, Sophie, when a wave smashed against them, taking the child out to sea, according to the local sources.

The same wave returned the girl a short time later in what was described as something of a miracle.

In an interview with Italian newspaper la Repubblica , Golunski said that she briefly lost her daughter for about two seconds due to the intensity of the sea but was then was able to retrieve the child. 

"I held her afloat with all my strength, my arms stretched upwards to keep her from drowning,” Golunski told the newspaper, according to a translation.

She added: "It was all dark. In the water I couldn't keep my eyes open. I screamed for help but all I could hear around me was the screams of others."

The Italian coast guard said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE that the Bayesian , a 56-meter yacht flying the U.K. flag, sank near Poritcello around 5 a.m., local time on Monday after the storm.

According to Italian news service ANSA, Golunski and her child were safely rescued via a lifeboat, per the Associated Press . 

Salvo Cocina, an official with Sicily's civil protection agency, said that the baby’s father, James Emsley, survived the incident, according to Sky News. 

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 

Vincenzo Pepe/Getty 

The Guardian reported that a doctor with the hospital in Palermo where Sophie and her mother were taken in, Domenico Cipolla, said, “The baby is doing well. The mother is also in good condition, albeit with some minor abrasions. The father will also be discharged from the hospital soon.”

BBC News reported that Golunski is a colleague of Mike Lynch, the British tech entrepreneur who is one of the people — including his 18-year-old daughter Hannah — who is still missing following the sinking of the 184-foot yacht. 

Also among the disappeared are two Americans.

Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares, was one of 15 people saved out of a total of 22 who were originally aboard the Bayesian , the Italian coast guard and local sources said. Eight of the rescued were taken to local hospitals

According to Italian media outlets, a man's body was found after the sinking and later identified as the yacht’s chef, per Reuters . 

Witnesses said the yacht was moored in front of a port in Porticello when the storm hit, the local newspaper Giornale di Sicilia reported. 

"That boat was all lit up," a man in Porticello told the outlet. "At about 4:30 in the morning it was gone. A beautiful boat where there had been a party. A normal day of vacation spent happily at sea turned into a tragedy.”

Search and rescue efforts continue, the coast guard said, as does an investigation into the incident.

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Perdue recalls frozen ready-to-eat chicken nuggets and tenders for possible metal contamination

Perdue recalled hundreds of thousands of frozen ready-to-eat chicken breast nuggets and tenders for possible metal contamination, the Food Safety and Inspection Service said.

The affected items are the 22-ounce Simply Smart organics breaded chicken breast nuggets, the 29-ounce chicken breast tenders, and the 22-ounce Butcher Box organic chicken breast nuggets. All of the bags have a “best if used by” date of March 23, 2025, FSIS, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, said in a news release on Friday.

The recall includes about 167,171 pounds of the frozen ready-to-eat products.

“FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ freezers,” the agency said. “Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.”

Perdue Foods LLC said in a news release that “a foreign material was identified in a limited number of consumer packages.” FSIS said metal was found in the products and was discovered after consumer complaints about metal wire embedded in the food.

“We determined the material to be a very thin strand of metal wire that was inadvertently introduced into the manufacturing process,” said Jeff Shaw, Perdue’s senior vice president of food safety and quality. “Out of an abundance of caution, we decided to voluntarily recall all of these packages of products.”

There have been no confirmed reports of illness or injury, FSIS and Perdue said.

Minyvonne Burke is a senior breaking news reporter for NBC News.

How did divers manage to blow up the Nord Stream pipeline? We went down to the spot to find out

German network ard chartered yacht and divers to see how sabotage occurred.

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It was an event that rocked Europe and shook world affairs. 

Early in the morning on Sept. 26, 2022, a series of powerful undersea explosions damaged pipelines under the Baltic Sea near Denmark that carried Russian natural gas to Germany. 

Fingers were immediately pointed at Ukraine, which had been at war with Russia since the latter invaded in February of that year. Ukraine denied involvement, and in the absence of reliable information, conspiracy theories proliferated about who attacked the Nord Stream pipeline.

Did a Russian submarine intentionally destroy it in order to cut off the gas supply to Germany, a country allied with Ukraine? Was it the CIA, as famed U.S. investigative journalist Seymour Hersh wrote? 

The German government has been tightlipped about the affair for two years, but this week, German media outlets ARD, Sueddeutsche Zeitung and Die Zeit jointly reported that federal prosecutors obtained an arrest warrant against a Ukrainian man. A Polish government spokesperson confirmed it.

The German reports identified the man as Volodymyr Z., a diving instructor who last resided in Poland. In a brief telephone conversation on Tuesday with reporters from ARD, Sueddeutsche Zeitung and Die Zeit, Volodymyr Z. expressed surprise at the accusations and denied involvement.

A report this week by the Wall Street Journal also pointed to Ukraine, suggesting the operation was carried out by Ukrainian soldiers and civilians with diving expertise and under the direction of Ukraine's then-commander-in-chief, Valerii Zaluzhnyi.

Journalists at ARD, Germany's public broadcaster, have been hot on the trail since the shocking explosions took place. I was one of the reporters who was part of the team that spent months piecing together what may have occurred. 

To understand what happened to the Nord Stream pipeline that day, ARD chartered the very yacht the perpetrators allegedly used and sent divers into the roiling waters of the Baltic Sea to see how the pipeline might have been attacked.

Group chartered sailing yacht

Several outlets have reported that in early September 2022, a sailing yacht called Andromeda set sail from the port of Hohe Düne in Rostock, Germany. According to the ARD investigation, the commando that was to destroy the pipelines was on board the Andromeda. The group is said to have consisted of six people — five men and one woman. Among them, it is suspected, was Volodymyr Z.

After stops in Rügen, Bornholm and Christiansø in Denmark, Sandhamn in Sweden and Kołobrzeg in Poland, the boat returned to Rostock. 

At some point during the trip, investigators believe the crew dove from the yacht down to the seabed and, in the darkness of the Baltic Sea, attached the explosive devices to the pipeline at a depth of around 80 metres. 

What happened later is well-known. At 2:03 a.m. local time on Sept. 26, 2022, the first explosion damaged Nord Stream 2. Approximately 16 hours later, three other explosions damaged Nord Stream 1. Investigators later found residue of the explosive HMX, also known as octogen, on board the Andromeda.

• Germany issued arrest warrant for Ukrainian diver in Nord Stream pipeline attack
• Denmark, like Sweden before them, ends probe into Nord Stream pipeline 'sabotage'

During our investigation, we wondered just how hard it would have been to carry out such a mission. 

The Andromeda is a charter yacht. Anyone can rent it — so we rented it, too, and took three divers with us.  

As with many charter yachts, the Andromeda was not in the best condition — our skipper called it "one of the worst boats I've ever sailed with." 

He said several electrical components were broken and that the yacht didn't move well in the waves. Then there was the swim platform, which the divers would need to get on and off the boat. If the swell is high, the platform moves up and down, punching into the sea. A diver trying to get back on the boat could be slammed on the head by the platform, causing serious injury. For us, this risk was too high. 

So we returned the Andromeda and chartered a professional diving vessel with a crew that usually recovers Second World War explosives from the bed of the Baltic Sea. 

We then drove to the exact spot where the first explosion happened — 120 kilometres off the German coast, with the Danish island Bornholm in sight.

Trained divers required

We arrived at 6 a.m. to witness a symbolic moment in the Baltic Sea. 

A Russian military ship appeared. Through our radio, we heard, "Russian warship delta echo, U.S. warship Yankee." The U.S. Navy was trying to make contact with the Russian Navy right before our eyes. How could a sabotage operation have gone on undetected in this environment?

The burst pipeline lay almost 80 metres beneath us, a depth not every diver could handle. 

You need to be trained as a tech diver. At that depth, you have to breathe a special mixture of oxygen, helium and nitrogen, and that means carrying about 220 pounds of equipment. 

It is also pitch black at the bottom of the sea. The multiple scuba tanks gave the divers about 40 minutes to find the pipeline, which means they needed to know precisely where to look. A sonar device was required to locate the pipeline beforehand. The Andromeda did not have this kind of device on board, but our new vessel did. 

Our tech divers found the burst pipeline on their second try and filmed it. 

The difficult part for the divers was returning to the surface. The pressure is so intense that if the ascent is not done correctly, divers could experience serious symptoms like paralysis or damage to their lungs. Doing proper decompression from such a depth — which requires divers to switch to a different gas mix — takes about two hours. 

Conducting a complex mission like that from the Andromeda would have been difficult and dangerous. According to the German investigation, it's plausible Volodymyr Z. was trained for dives like that.

Everyone who has examined the Andromeda agrees it's not the vessel anyone would choose to secure a mission. 

As our tech diver Derk Remmers put it: "I would use the Andromeda for a vacation, but not a sabotage mission."

Yet this could be precisely why the saboteurs used it. To stay undetected and unaccountable — which they managed to do until the charges were made public this week.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lea Struckmeier is an investigative journalist and presenter at ARD, Germany's public broadcaster. She is currently spending her Arthur F. Burns Fellowship with CBC.

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