Yacht tenders and jet boats!

A luxury yacht tender is a transport used to service and to provide support and entertainment to a private or charter yacht. Known commonly as the 'yacht's tender' a luxury yacht tender will often be a rigid inflatable (RIB) which features cushioned inflatable rubber inner tubes around its rigid hull to protect the yacht when in close contact.

Other types of luxury yacht tender include inflatable boats, which are almost completely synthetic rubber or plastic; center console boats, and also rigid inflatable boats (RIB's) which are usually constructed from materials such as fiberglass, wood, steel or aluminum with inflatable synthetic rubber or plastic pontoons. Multifunction dinghies have recently become available as yacht tenders. These dinghies can be rowed, motored, or sailed, and they also function as proactive lifeboats. Tenders are usually powered by outboard motor engines or inboard engines burning either gasoline or diesel. They use either propellers or more recently impellers as utilized by water jet boats.

Luxury yacht tenders like other types of ship's tender, often used to transport supplies and personnel, are also used for the entertainment and pleasure of the yacht's passengers. Accordingly, the tenders will be employed as pleasure craft or speed boats and for water skiing, wake boarding and also to transport and service leisure scuba set diving.

A jet tender entering the yacht garage.

Yacht tenders are also used as safety boats in case of an emergency, they will not substitute the life raft but it is a nice addition to the safety equipment on board.

In recent years there has been increased development in the luxury yacht tender market. There is now greater importance given to whether a yacht includes a large tender which boasts all the latest features. Private yachts are being built with stern garages which house the tender and also other associated 'water toys'. Powerful davits are installed on the yacht’s decks to mechanically lift increasingly heavier tenders.

Going to the wedding with a tender!

There are many companies which specialize in the design, construction and distribution of luxury yacht tenders. Some of the more established, and well known, suppliers for production and semi production tenders then others.

The increasing trend towards large custom tenders such as limousines, landing craft and chase boats is supported by classic boat builders. Because there is now a large and established tender industry, yacht tenders are also increasingly being used more widely by those who do not own or use yachts, but wish to enjoy their tender as an entertainment in its own right.