These support crafts are bewilderingly varied. How do you choose the right one?

A yacht tender is a term given to any vessel that is used as a support for the main boat. They are tending to the main vessel, get it? Back in the day, before the rise of pleasure boating, large ships, for practical reasons, may not be able to dock and so a smaller craft would be sent back and forth to perform whatever service was necessary. This holds true today, and in the world of pleasure boating the size of yacht tenders really depend on the size of the main boat. Size notwithstanding, the tender will be the most fun boat you’ll ever have. It is freedom on water, without the worries that accompany boating.

With minimum maintenance, it will live a long life in service of you and yours. Let’s have a look at the different kinds of tenders, as well as how to choose one that will suit your needs. For the purposes of this article, we will look at smaller tenders, as megayacht tenders can quite literally be small boats, which are themselves a whole other conversation.

Rigid tenders

Smaller tenders, as seen on most pleasure boats today, can also be called dinghies. Perhaps the most traditional of them all is the rigid (or hard) dingy. We know the world today wants what is convenient and easy, and this is the major reason why rigid tenders for smaller yachts are rare. Those who do use them, praise their character. They keep you fit because they are relatively heavier, and some require rowing. A sail may be rigged for added propulsion. They are also cheap to buy and maintain. The shape of the hull cuts through water nicely for better control and more manoeuvrability, and due to the hard hull, there are no qualms to dragging them ashore.

Rigid tenders, however, have two major downsides – weight and size. Unlike the other types of tenders, they will not collapse or deflate and must fit onto the boat. This makes them much less flexible for stowage.

Inflatables

It’s easy to thumb a nose at inflatables when the topic of tenders is discussed. Even so, these crafts are highly talented. The biggest advantages inflatable tenders have on their rigid counterparts are space saving and weight. On large yachts, space is not an issue, but on a 40-foot cruiser, these highly stowable dingies are an excellent tool to have.

Without a rigid hull, they won’t cut through water as efficiently, which impairs their manoeuvrability, and beaching needs to be done with care. Not too long ago, inflatables were also considered less reliable on open water, but advances like utilising a catamaran hull design has made them much more stable now.

RIBs

These have the best of both worlds. Rigid inflatable boats are essentially inflatable tenders with a rigid hull. Pulling them ashore is easy due to the weight and safe thanks to the hull. Moreover, they are extremely seaworthy. The hull makes them quick on the water, and the inflatable parts makes them highly buoyant even in intense conditions. In our opinion, these are the best tenders out there right now. The inflated tubes also absorb some of the impact of the waves, giving everyone on board a more comfortable experience.

Choosing a tender

Picking a tender boils down to three questions, and in order of importance they are: what your yacht can hold, how many people can board the tender, and what activities it will see.

Usually, it’s easy to find out what tender a yacht can hold, especially if a garage is available. Specifications can be found or obtained with a quick phone call, but yachts with no garage can also hold tenders. Inflatable tenders can be deflated and rolled up to fit a small locker, but tenders with rigid hulls require more space. If the yacht does not have a dedicated garage, it can be lashed securely to any permanent fixture, provided there is space. You may even tow it along, but this is recommended only on very calm waters. If it is going to be kept onboard, get all the necessary measurements first before purchasing.

It goes without saying that a yacht that can carry more passengers require a larger tender. The space is not only for passengers either, as they will be carrying luggage and items. Also, take overall space and comfort into account. The tender is part of the overall yachting experience, after all.

Aside from the obvious practical use, yacht tenders are also fun! If watersports is a large part of your yachting life, then a craft with more power is needed for towing activities. Let’s say coastal exploration is the aim, then you may need one that is quiet so that local wildlife are not scared away.

If you’re wondering if the tender will ever be used, the answer is yes. In fact, it will be used regularly. After all, why would you bring the whole boat back to shore just for a few items, when you can send the tender for a quick supply run? What’s more, a small yacht tender is a great platform to teach younger children how to pilot a boat. The question then, isn’t really if you need a yacht tender, but which one to choose. Get in touch with us if you’d like some recommendations.