Offshore Criising Tender

capnsensible

capnsensible

Well-Known Member
Joined
15 Mar 2007
Messages
49,543
Location
Atlantic
Visit site
Saw this rather neat boat down the marina the other day. Looks ideal for multihull and bigger yachts with davits.

Probably expensive, made in New Zealand and exported anywhere. But certainly fab for cruising. Their website has more details.

IMG-20250506-WA0001.jpg
 
Gone with the Wynns bought one and made several YouTube videos about them. From everything they showed they look excellent if a little overpriced. Very stable in the water and pretty quick with many propulsion options including built in electric jet drive (which they bought).
 
Hope it can be lifted higher out of the water, otherwise a liability in any waves.
All said, not much wrong with a RIB on davits, ideal mix of speed, stability, safety and rendering.
(Other than when off piste without dinghy docks, where lightweight and shallow inflatable floor dinghy best for carrying up wild beachescand shores)
 
dunedin said:
Hope it can be lifted higher out of the water, otherwise a liability in any waves.
All said, not much wrong with a RIB on davits, ideal mix of speed, stability, safety and rendering.
(Other than when off piste without dinghy docks, where lightweight and shallow inflatable floor dinghy best for carrying up wild beachescand shores)
Click to expand...
There is that. But generally the boats in cat alley here will tootle off across the Atlantic later this year. I reckon for a load carring tender from shops to boat, might just be a good investment.

Especially if you are spending 4 or 5 hundred k on the cat!
 
dunedin said:
. . .
All said, not much wrong with a RIB on davits, ideal mix of speed, stability, safety and rendering.
(Other than when off piste without dinghy docks, where lightweight and shallow inflatable floor dinghy best for carrying up wild beachescand shores)
Click to expand...

But every one else has a RIB or inflatable. How common! ;)

doug748 said:
About 7 grand UK? What the economists call - a considered purchase.
Click to expand...

You're buying exclusivity. It doesn't come cheap.
 
They're increasingly common, I see them all the time. Obviously they're designed for the full time liveaboard, blue water scene and compete with RIBs.
Speaking to friends who have them, there are pros and cons.
They have much more space inside, and are much better to row. They're robust and can be repaired quite easily, so should last much longer than any inflatable. There's an optional sailing kit.
Weight wise, they're about the same as a RIB, and lighter than many.

Downsides are obviously cost (but a £4k RIB lasts less than ten years in tropical sun and heat) and a hard ride- often mentioned by those used to sitting on the soft tubes of a RIB.

I've yet to see one under sail. I was told recently that the sailing option nearly doubles the cost, and you have to remove the engine to fit the rudder. They're generally using 15hp+ engines so that's not a small job.

I do like them. The inherent disposability of a RIB annoys me.

My own dinghy (Spindrift 11ft nesting) does a pretty similar job though, is easier to rig for sailing, and cost under £1000 to build. It doesn't take a big engine and plane under motor, but that's a compromise I'll just have to live with.
 
Pretty sure Vagabond sailed theirs and broke the mast mount almost immediately. They fixed it and it seemed to sail quite well.

Yes, we watch too much YouTube sailing. Less now we’re out sailing and living on board though…
 
I'm not sure people buy them to impress.
I think it's more about the extra space and longer lifespan, and easier repair.

The shows offs are going around in centre consoles, which offer few benefits other than more comfort on longer trips, and have vastly reduced load carrying capacity.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top