Another what Tender Question

Generally on the small dinghy/large outboard combo. I would always install a 5º wedge. They make a huge difference. Keeping the nose down is not only good to get on the plane, it's also about using the bow to cut thru the chop. Once you trim all the way down you can feel the engine working harder pushing the bow down, bit what a difference in the ride in choppy waters. A total must.

What is a 5 deg wedge? Is it an aftermarket product or a design feature built into the hull. The latter would obviously make it difficult for users to retrofit, though not impossible I suppose.

I certainly agree that small tender/big outboard combos need something to get the bow down, though smart tabs have worked really well for me, and improve the ride at all speeds - easier and slower planing, huge reduction in bow lift, softer ride, and less skittish at WOT.
 
What is a 5 deg wedge? Is it an aftermarket product or a design feature built into the hull.
The former. It's just a thin spacer that you fit between the rear of the transom and the o/b mounting plate.
Being downward angled by 5 deg, it modifies the lower trim position of the o/b correspondingly - hence lowering the bow while riding, if and when appropriate, but still giving you the option of trimming out for faster speed/flat waters (as opposed to smart tabs, that add a bit of drag at all times).
A neat trick for small outboards, useful also for improving holeshot when loaded.
 
I'm late to this thread but I agree with JFM that the Walker Bay is a great boat - light and strong enough to over engine.
Remember you can buy at least 2 (probably 3) of these for the cost of a JetRib

Both JFM and I fitted 40hp Yamahas.
Boat weighs in at just over 100kgs and the engine at just under 100kgs so all up (with some man maths) at 200kgs.
We did a lot with ours - water skiing, ringos - just going out to restaurants - wake boarding etc....
A great all rounder.
And perhaps fit fins like this to the engine to help to keep the boat in the water!!
61m2ov%2BJELL._SX425_.jpg

Now, as someone who has pushed the limits with tenders, my advice is "go for the biggest one you dare".
Earlier this year, I felt that I was going to be the laughing stock of this forum by over specifying our upgrade.
I was expecting all kinds of "I told you so"s when we finally fitted it on our flybridge.
In fact, it fits really well - and doesn't look out of place either.
Did a 300 mile round trip recently on rougher water that we usually cruise in - and it was safe and sound - tucked away on the flybridge - just like our old dinghy.
So, my advice - is push for the biggest dinghy you can get and fit the biggest engine you dare.
 
Last edited:
Blimey M, for a minute I thought you went bonkers, while reading this.
I was already thinking to ask how many cans of petrol you had to carry... :D :rolleyes:
I Thought you could fill the tubes with petrol - well it is lighter than water. :)
Thanks Hurricane apart from all the man toy things SWMBO insists it must be easy to get in and once in support her back, so its comfort and speed. Again thanks to everybody you have certainly widened my search and offered great knowledge, which is after all why I asked the forum for advise.
 
Progress so far

The Zar ZF-0 is winning the votes at the moment SWMBO likes all the grab rails and well supported seats and the Italian style does look gorgeous. Its not expect to be ready until the end of the season though.

So with a 30hp outboard and fuel we are approaching 300Kg and we need a about a 300/400mm between the transom and the tender to squeeze by. So the tenders going to over hang the bathing platform some 600mm so now it time to seek out some experts on If the T44 and its bathing platform will support it and some aid to the passerelle lift like Hurley davits. Hurricane has given me some confidence of having a go however.
 

Attachments

  • zar-zf-0-tender-[2]-2517-p.jpg
    zar-zf-0-tender-[2]-2517-p.jpg
    48.8 KB · Views: 2
Last edited:
It's your call of course, but do you really want to use two different lifting methods together to launch and retrieve the tender each time? It sounds like a bit of a nightmare to me, especially in a rolly anchorage. Also check your dimensions carefully, length and height. The Zar tender has the transom as far aft as possible and takes a long-shaft outboard, so with the outboard tilted the total rig will be well over 3.5m long. Also with the high coamings either side of the helmsman and a deep V hull, you may find it sits so high on the bathing platform that you can't lower the passarelle to anything like horizontal.

Ideally you could do with trying one on your platform before you commit to buying, though I have to say that IMHO the weight makes it a non-starter anyway if you only have a 200 kg lift capacity.
 
Nick H is being more scientific than me ... to me it just looks like a big tender for a 44ft boat!

Its 3.05m long, you will have the outboard out the back and it looks quite "high" in the pics.

We have a williams 325 on the back of a 65 - no outboard etc. Sure we have plenty of room for it, but I would not ( could not) get a bigger tender and still use the paserelle.

We are 5.2m beam, you are 4.0m.

I would insist on a try before you buy as I would be sceptical ....
 
Progress so far

The Zar ZF-0 is winning the votes at the moment SWMBO likes all the grab rails and well supported seats and the Italian style does look gorgeous. Its not expect to be ready until the end of the season though.

So with a 30hp outboard and fuel we are approaching 300Kg and we need a about a 300/400mm between the transom and the tender to squeeze by. So the tenders going to over hang the bathing platform some 600mm so now it time to seek out some experts on If the T44 and its bathing platform will support it and some aid to the passerelle lift like Hurley davits. Hurricane has given me some confidence of having a go however.

Lovely little dinghy.
My SWMBO wanted one of the bigger ones.
However, it was the weight that ruled it out in the end.
Also, I didn't like the finish inside the hatches etc - bit rough.
Nick's point about length is very valid.
Lots of RIBS have the transom aft making the engine stick out.

Having said all that - go with your own gut feeling.
First check that the bathing platform is strong enough.
Then the size issue can be resolved in many cases.
In our case, we also made sure that the tender can be towed by the mother ship in case it is difficult/time consuming to launch/recover.

But, I'm sure you can imagine - "when your plan comes together" and others have been saying tut tut tut - it feels great!!
 
http://www.zar-tender.com/eng/tender-zf-0/

These pictures show the issues well. Top left picture, you can see how much higher the coamings are than the tubes, even more with the grab rail. The passarelle will be in line with these because it obviously can't be in line with the console. We often have the passarelle almost resting on the tender tubes to get off our boat, which is why I question whether the Zar may be too high.

Top right picture you can see just how far aft the transom is. You will have almost the entire shaft length of 20", plus the lower gearbox and skeg sticking out behind the tender, almost a metre in total. Even at 45 degs tilt it will add c. 700mm to overall length.
 
Jumping in on this one. We have a 43ft boat and a 3.66 tender with a 30 hp, around 250kg wet. What's important with "big" tender on a "small" boat is IMHO:

1) swim platform structure. If it isn't hydraulic and the platform is deep enough for halve the beam of the tender I would highly recommend having two supporting struts under the platform.

2) launch and retrieval. We are using 3 tilting davits and an atv winch on the flybridge to lift it. I have yet to see an easier way to stow your tender at a cost of around 1k£.. Even with the boat swinging and rocking we can lock the tender against the davits and then it's only a matter of pulling it up.

3) on the subject of the engine sticking out slightly on the side we haven't had any problems even in high seas. The leg will get some wake but never dives.

4) strapping. It took me a while to find the right way. We use 5 straps. Now it doesn't move even in bad following seas. If you need more info let me know.

As already mentioned before, just go with the biggest you can, you won't regret it.
 
The Story end for those interested.

All now fitted and operational, Thanks to BoatSmart the Walker Bay and Outboard, Rapid Marine [Spottydog] lifting straps and tie downs, Desty Marine for fitting it on the platform.

We are very please with our new toy so time to add some extras now :)

IMG_8767_zpshabmu4a1.jpg
 
Looking good! What size engine? How many adults can you take and still be on the plane?
Its certified for 5 (or IIRC 800kg) that would be OK back across the river from the pub etc but for further adventures 4 max, cannot tell the outright performance yet as being a good boy and running in the engine (Suzuki 20hp) as per the manual ie no more than half throttle, but it does go on the plane with 2 at that setting.
 
Williams! Don't look back 40knots to anywhere.

Or AB tender with 20hp Yamaha and 5 blade prop. Missing Newport RI right now :-( forget the jokey seat! Till steering (extension) is the way to see the world.
 
Last edited:
Top