Tender At Heart

In about 1200BC, according to Homer, Odysseus taunted the Cyclops from the relative safety of a small boat, a tender if you like, that he launched from a much bigger one. Almost 3000 years later, on March 2, 1788, Governor Phillip, as he was then known, explored Broken Bay in his longboat. And just over a year later, William Bligh and 18 loyal men were abandoned in the middle of the Pacific in theirs. They travelled over 6000km until they reached Timor.

History, as they say, has a habit of repeating itself. Many years later we still can’t live without our tenders. The duckies we have come to love today have come a long way since the days of Capt Bligh and the Bounty.

No longer just an appendage to a mothership, today’s tenders have morphed into clever little boats with an identity all of their own.

Not only do we find our tenders a necessity for visiting fellow boaties and waterfront restaurants, walking the dog or toasting sunsets on shore, and entertaining the kids, today’s tenders have become trendy accessories to flaunt amid the weekend armada.

In researching this story we witnessed countless launchings of chic tenders from luxury boats and, as ever, people having fun aboard their tenders. And during our search, we came across tenders with five-star finishes and chic Euro styling, moulded centre consoles, jet power, built-in iceboxes and ski poles, even a handheld freshwater shower. Add some decent power – tenders are definitely getting more powerful – and an advanced quick-to-plane hull and you have a sports tender that will compete with the mothership for attention.

But we also ran across tenders for all budgets and bents. Naturally, given their soft sides, inflatables are where the most exciting advances can be found in tenders. And not just with the up-market, rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RIBs). Even the basic roll-ups are getting a lot smarter these days, with things like air floors for rigidity and much-improved handling. Made from the latest non-marking, highly durable materials, inflatable tenders, or duckies, are taking tender travel to new heights. Gone are the days when we were dealing with (pool) toys.

However, as with most purchasing decisions, you get what you pay for. That’s not to say cheap is necessarily bad. If you are going to paddle to shore on the odd occasion from your yacht or sportscruiser then a simple tender for under $1000 may be all you need. But if, as most people demand these days, you want more from your tender then take the following advice. There are so many tenders on today’s market that you need to shop smart. Here are some tips and a handy buyers’ guide.

TENDERS FOR ALL TYPES
Most manufacturers offer a range of tenders, starting with a basic roll-up number with no reinforcing on the floor, which is a bit like a pool toy, to the next in line; a slat-bottomed tender. Before the boat is inflated, wooden or plastic slats are inserted across the floor that, when inflated, provide a rigid base.

Slat-bottomed tenders offer the comfort and some of the sure-footedness of a reinforced floor, but there’s the inconvenience of carrying around the slats and assembling the boat. And the running surface of the tender remains unsupported.

This brings us to the air floor tender. Air floor tenders are the biggest thing to happen to roll-up inflatables in the last 10 years. The air floor is made of honeycomb-type cells that inflate along with the rest of the boat, resulting in a rigid matrix without the inconvenience of slats.

What’s more, the best of them also include an inflatable running surface with a vee-section in the bow for cutting through the wind waves and boat wake. Roll-ups are, of course, the easiest of all tenders to store aboard a yacht or compact sportscruiser.

But, for handling, nothing beats the RIB. Usually mounted proudly on the foredeck of a motoryacht, concealed cleverly in the mothership’s aft garage, or strapped on the submersible boarding platform for quick dispatch, RIBs range from basic shells to luxury models with built-in fuel tanks, contoured seating, and underfloor fuel tanks.

The rigid hull of the RIB is made of either fibreglass or aluminium. Choose the former where a smooth ride on a big city waterway matters most, however; aluminium has a greater degree of utility and is best for boating on backcountry waterways and regular beachings where rocks and oysters are common.

THE LOWDOWN ON MATERIALS
Inflatables are generally made from one of two materials: polymer (plastic) or the pricier hypalon (synthetic rubber). These materials will appear under various brand names, such as Polymar, Strongtex, and Duotex. Whatever name they go by, both materials are strong and hardwearing. The more affordable polymer is quite resistant to abrasion and normal wear and tear. It offers some resistance to UV light and chemicals. The more expensive hypalon is largely unaffected by extreme weather, strong sunlight, fuel, oil, and day-to-day abrasion.

A third material is due to enter the RIB market, albeit in limited supply. Italian tender maker Aer Marine is starting to make RIBs with polyurethane tubes that are apparently lighter and more durable than the abovementioned materials, and impervious to boat fuel. These tenders will be available in Australia later this year. It remains to be seen how the polyurethane tenders are priced, but one supposes at a premium for the superior material.

As far as construction goes, hypalon is always hand-glued. Polymer, on the other hand, should be thermo-welded and not just glued to cope with the harsh Australian climate and our searing summer temperatures. Inflatables are made from both materials in Israel, China, Germany, Italy, France, Japan, and New Zealand.

Inflatable expert Peter Halloran from Waves Overseas in Sydney, who has been in the inflatable business for over 40 years and does warranty work for many tender companies says, “If it’s polymer and not fully welded, I won’t sell it. Beware those PVC boats that are only glued together. In our hot climate, they can heat up and the adhesive just melts.”

ALL POWERED UP
As far as propulsion goes, there are plenty of options, starting with oars or paddles, but be cautious as no tender rows well against tide or wind. If you feel the need for speed you can opt for a two or, even better, a four-stroke outboard motor. Stick to the manufacturer’s outboard rating or you will void your tender’s warranty (more on warranties later).

Generally, tenders can be powered by anything from a tiny, portable two to 4hp outboard that can be stowed below decks to up to a mid-range 40hp that can pull a skier. Remote fuel tanks are common and handy for refuelling from the waterfront bowser or garage. Keep your fuel tank three-quarters full to avoid condensation.

If you don’t like the thought of a whirring propeller around your kids’ feet and your boat and its davit can handle the load, consider a jet-powered boat. With an impellor rather than a propeller there are no sharp edges to worry about when the kids are around the back of the boat. What’s more, their shallow draft and jet engine lets you dash across skinny water and stage up-the-creek backwater adventures.

Don’t overlook the humble tinnie, which makes for a rugged but hardy tender. Most manufacturers make a tinnie in a suitable size which can be tricked up with the necessary after-market accessories.

Lastly, don’t forget sail power. A little sailing dinghy makes a fetching tender – we like the Walker Bay models with inflatables sides – and the wind is free. And the kids will learn a new discipline. These rigs tend to be compact and easily stowed, too.

LET’S GO SHOPPING
The type of tender you choose will depend on your budget, the size of your boat, and how you plan to use the little craft. If you intend to just ferry yourself and your mutt to the beach a soft or slat-bottomed tender will suffice. But if you want to leave your mothership on the anchor and pick-up passengers and their gear from across the bay then you’ll need something with a decent load-carrying capacity and, hopefully, dry storage and a dry ride.

Besides budget, the other limiting factor is weight. If you don’t have the luxury of a motorised davit you’ll need to keep it light. Make sure you can comfortably handle the tender and move it from the boat to the water and back again.

As far as size goes, as a rough guide a 40ft cruiser or cruising yacht needs a 3.1m tender. Either side of this benchmark the tender gets bigger or smaller. With superyachts, the sky’s the limit. America’s largest superyacht, the 452ft Rising Sun has three 40ft tenders, one specially made to carry a four-wheel drive vehicle! Importantly, inquire about warranties. Needless to say, the longer the better. Some manufacturers offer two-year warranties, but others guarantee their products for as long as 10 years. In Australia’s harsh and often hot conditions, warranties are very important.

To this end, you need to be very careful about buying second-hand inflatable tenders. You don’t know how they’ve been treated, whether servicing and repairs have been carried out in accordance with the warranty, or whether the boat is still covered by the warranty.

If the duckie does have problems you might have no recourse against the manufacturer or seller.

Finally, head to your favourite anchorage to check out what’s in vogue. Paddle around on a kayak and ask questions. Before long you’ll see a pattern emerge. It doesn’t take long for the word to get out about the latest and greatest tender. Here are some of the better ones.

BUYERS’ GUIDE
AER-MARINE: These funky tenders are made by prestige Italian boatbuilder Riva, constructed of laminated polyester and sizes start from about 1.85m to 3.2m in roll-up slatted, air-deck and fibreglass RIB forms. Features: Light weight and small, they don’t take up much room, they’re perfect for storing below deck or in other small storage holds.

Also, models are made from polyurethane, which is more durable and lighter than hypalon, and impervious to boat fuels. Warranty: Five years on material and seams. Price guide: The 2.4m roll-up costs around $1299. Details: Waves Overseas, 40 Parramatta Road, Summer Hill, NSW, 2130. Phone: (02) 9716 8555. Website: www.waves.com.au.

ACHILLES: Favoured by surf and rescue crews, these hardy tenders are constructed of Dupont hypalon with overlapping thermobonded seams. The range includes small tenders, roll-ups with air floors and aluminium-slatted floors, and fibreglass RIBs from 2.4m. Features: They are the only tender with a roll-up air floor made from hypalon. Warranty: 10 years on the fabric and five on the seams.

Price guide: Prices start at $1990 for the LSI–77 (air floor) with full warranty. The most popular model is the LSI-88 (air floor), which is 2.65m long and sells for around $2400 or $2990 with 5hp Tohatsu outboard. Details: www.inflatableboats.com.au.

AQUAPRO: Aquapro has been well known in the Australian market for over 15 years and offers a range of tenders including slat floor roll-up models, alloy hull rigid floor models, and fibreglass hull models. Tenders come in polymer or hypalon. Aquapro also offers an up-market range, the Monaco series, which is made with hypalon tubes and fibreglass bottoms, ski pole and other accessories.

Features: Good value for money. The Monaco series’ superyacht styling will turn heads. Warranty: 10-year warranty on hypalon, six-year fabric warranty on polymar. Structural seam warranty is five years on tubes and inflatable keels, three years on air floors, six years on rigid hulls and fabric floors on soft floor models, two years on attachments such as handles, tow rings, rowlock blocks, and rubstrakes.

Price guide: The Sportmaster alloy hull tenders are the most popular models, closely followed by the Europa slat floor roll-up model. Recommended retail prices start from $960 for the Europa 200 slat floor through to $27,473 for the Raider 680 hypalon with fibreglass hull. The Sportmaster range starts at $2638. Details: www.rfd.com.au or phone 1800 646 086.

AVON: This is the top-of-the-range tender, made in the UK and France. These beauties have all hypalon tubes and are available in roll-up, airdeck, and RIB models with fibreglass hulls.

Avon is all about quality, sophistication and comfort. If you are looking for a premium tender for your motoryacht and you have a generous budget, this is the one.

Features: Made in top-quality hypalon, offers a first-class finish, good looks and plenty of features, and a good customer support network.

Warranty: 10 years on fabric and five years on seams. Price guide: From $3000 for a basic inflatable up to $50,000 for a state-of-the-art jet boat. Avon’s most popular tender is the SeaSport 320 Jet Deluxe retailing for around $41,000.

Details: Zodiac Australia, phone (02) 9688 0100, or visit www.zodiacmarine.com.au.

BOMBARD: Made in the same French factory as Zodiac from the same exclusive PVC (1100 Decitex) material, with thermo-bonded seams. Bombards offer a more basic layout than the Zodiacs but the result is a substantial weight and money saving. The range includes roll-ups, airdecks and RIBS with collapsible transoms and storage bags.

Features: Lightweight, well made and good value for money. Warranty: Five years on fabric and seams. The warranty is covered worldwide and is backed by Zodiac International. Price guide: Bombard AX model tenders range from about $1000 to $2500. The most popular model is the 2.4m AX2 with inflatable floor, which weighs 18kg and sells nationally through Whitworths for around $1099.

Details: Zodiac Australia, phone (02) 9688 0100. Visit www.zodiacmarine.com.au or www.whitworths.com.au.

BOSTON WHALER: American-made, foam-filled fibreglass tenders from 3.45m to 4.7m. Features: Unsinkable and no tubes to worry about. Price guide: The 110 Tender ($14,500) and 110 Sport with driving console ($18,500) can take four adults and gear. Details: See www.bostonwhaler.com.

CALYPSO MARINE: These are a well-priced, 2.3m inflatable boat. Calypso Marine is based in Queensland but will ship anywhere in Australia. They are made from cold-welded denier 1000 PVC fabric. The boats feature an inflatable keel for better tracking through the water and a standard three-piece aluminium floor.

They can be easily stowed and all inflatables come with a heavy-duty foot pump, a compliance plate, repair kit, two-piece oars and a carry bag. Price guide: Retails for $1495 but in November and December will be available for $1095. Details: Phone 0438 766 227, or visit www.calypsomarine.com.au.

CARIBE: This new range of 2.5 to 7.3m RIBs, made exclusively from hypalon, was launched at the Sanctuary Cove Boat Show earlier this year. Features: Funky boats with all the conveniences, including anchor wells, underfloor fuel tanks, iceboxes, and even freshwater deck showers. The MVP range has a clear inspection window for watching fish life below. Price guide: The average Caribe luxury tender package costs around $22,000. Details: Gemini Inflatables, phone (07) 5737 265 for dealers.

EXPLORER: These New Zealand-built RIBs offer aluminium or fibreglass hulls with huge polymer tubes on the small models and hypalon on the larger models. Features: Patented, slide-on tube system for easy storage and repair, and deep, seaworthy alloy hull with tread-plate flat floor. Warranty: Five years on materials and seams. Price guide: The 3.4m Scout alloy RIB costs around $5500. Details: Waves Overseas, 40 Parramatta Road, Summer Hill, NSW, 2130. Phone (02) 9716 8555 or visit www.waves.com.au.

FORCE 4: Another Kiwi company building solid tenders with heat-welded polymer seams in models from roll-ups (2.1 to 2.85m) to air-decks (2.55 to 2.85m) and RIBs (2.37 to 3.80m) with deep-vee aluminium hulls. Features: Strong build and value for money, removable inflatable tubes and alloy hulls with false floor. Warranty: Five years on materials and seams. Price guide: From around $2499 for the F2400 RIB. Details: Waves Overseas, 40 Parramatta Road, Summer Hill, NSW, 2130. Phone: (02) 9716 8555 or visit www.waves.com.au.

GEMINI: Gemini has been manufacturing inflatables since 1979 on the Gold Coast and supplies boats to surf life saving clubs, rescue, and government agencies. Features: Extensive range and most models are available in Pennel Flipo Hypalon and PVC. There’s an extensive dealer network and good customer support. Warranty: Three years on PVC and five years on hypalon. Price guide: The average tiller-steered hull retails from $2700. The 240 RIB costs $2285 in PVC and the 340 RIB costs $4000 in hypalon. Visit www.gemini-inflatables.com or phone (07) 5573 7265 for dealer details.

QUICKSILVER: Starting at 2m with a weight of just 20.5kg, Quicksilver has an extensive range of roll-up, Airdeck (with inflatable keel) and RIB tenders in Duratex and in hypalon on the models down to 2.4m. The boats have fully-welded seams, quicklift end cones for faster planing, and raised bows for seaworthiness and no spray.

All boats come with a double-action handpump and storage bag. A range of accessories is available. Features: Value for money and consistent quality backed by Mercury Marine. Warranty: Duratex models have a three-year warranty on seams and materials and hypalon models have a five-year warranty. Price guide: From around $1400. The best-selling models are the 270 Airdeck Duratex for $2540, and the 280 Rigid Dynamic Duratex for $2750. Details: Visit www.mercurymarine.com.au.

SEA PRO: This range of well-priced inflatables is available in soft bottoms and fibreglass hulls. Made from a 0.9mm 1000 denier polyester, with the fabric coated on both sides with PVC. Features: Soft hulls have inflatable keels and either ply or aluminium floors, large pontoons for safety and stability, and a range of colours. Warranty: Three years on hull seams and five years on fabric. Price guide: From $999 to $3300. The best-selling model, the HSR 2.4 fibreglass hull, retails for $2585. Details: Visit www.seapro.com.au or phone 0755 63 8288.

SIROCCO: These are budget inflatables from 2m to 5m. Available in polymer and hypalon, they include the Sirocco inflatables and the superior European-made Brig RIBs. The Sirocco inflatables are available with slat, air and RIB hulls. The company also has the Superlites, which start at just 10kg for the 2m model and are claimed to be the lightest inflatables in Australia.

Features: Lightweight range and competitive prices. Warranty: Two years on polymer boats including parts and fittings, and five years on hypalon boats. Price guide: Prices for a 2m range from about $790 for a slat floor, $1090 for the Lite, $1725 for an air hull and around $1975 for the RIB. The Brig RIB Falcon series is priced from about $10,500 for a 4m, and the Eagle series starts at $16,000 for 3.8m boat. Details: Visit www.siroccomarine.com.

WALKER BAY: These are made in America from injection-moulded plastic, with lap-strake or clinker sides for rigidity. They can be rowed, motored and sailed. The Walker Bay 8 (2.75m, 40kg) and 10 (3.10m, 67.5kg) RIBs have inflatable tubes to protect the mothership and provide exceptional stability. An optional sail kit is available from about $1000.

Features: Long-lasting polypropylene dinghies that offer hours of boating pleasure in their own right, be it sailing, rowing or just idling around.

Price guide: The Walker Bay 10 RIB retails for around $3500 with top-shelf hypalon tubes, plus $1465 for the sailing kit.

Details: Visit walkerbay.com, www.activewatersports.com.au, or phone Active Water Sports on (07) 5564 8077.

WILLIAMS JET TENDERS: These jet RIBs are new to Australia and are the only four-stroke jet boats available on the market.

Built to the highest standards in the UK, the hull and decks are rigid monocoque fibreglass and the removable tubes are made from hypalon.

There are two models available in Australia: The Turbojet 285 and the Turbojet 325. Both boats have a maximum speed of 48mph to 52mph and include as standard: Weber 104hp turbocharged engine, navigation lights, 12V auxiliary power supply/charging socket, bilge blower, fuel gauge, automatic fire extinguisher, freshwater adaptor, and a host of other items.

Features: The boats feature the German-made and built Weber MPE 750 104hp engine, a turbo-charged four-stroke. The engine is quiet, smoke-free and offers excellent fuel efficiency. The performance hull combined with the turbocharged engine offers brilliant handling, grip and a smooth ride at all speeds.

Warranty: The motors and tenders have a 12-month limited warranty. Price guide: The T285 starts at $39,500, delivered to most major capital city ports.
Details: Visit www.alliedmarine.com.au

ZODIAC: Zodiac has been in business for 100 years and has sold more than one million boats worldwide. The boats are made in France from the company’s exclusive Strongan thermo-bonded PVC material.

Models include roll-ups, air decks and fibreglass RIBS from the 2.2m Cadet tender to the 8.5m, 20-man dive boats, and a sexy Medline lifestyle series.

The Projet 350 is a two-stroke 80hp jet-powered tender capable of doing 70km/h. The 340 Yachtline Deluxe with 30hp outboard does it all, including the ability to pull skiers.
Features: Well-known brand, with a wide range of tenders available to accommodate all needs.

Warranty: Five years on fabric and seams and one year on accessories and spares. The warranty is covered worldwide and backed by Zodiac International. Warranties are fully transferable as long as the new owner’s details are sent to Zodiac within 30 days of sale.
Price guide: There are 30 models in the range from $1499 to $35,000. The most popular inflatable, the Cadet 240 with slatted floor, retails for $1699. The Yachtline 340 Deluxe is the best-selling RIB and is priced from $13,999.

Details: Visit www.zodiacmarine.com or phone Zodiac 1800 688 552.

ZOOM: This is a no-fuss spin-off of the Zodiac range offering basic, but quality, tenders at more affordable prices. Features: Constructed of quality materials with thermo-bonded seams, backed by the extensive Zodiac network.

Warranty: Five years on fabric and seams. Price guide: From $1000 to $3000. The most popular model is the 240 slatted floor which includes standard valves, safety line, two oar rests, reclining oar supports, all-around rubbing strake, bowhandle, two stainless steel towing rings, bench seat fittings, reinforced cone ends, aluminium oars, foot pump, and repair kit. It retails for around $1100. Details: Visit www.zodiacmarine.com.au, or phone 1800 688 552.

OF DAVITS AND DERRICKS
If your tender is hard to launch, you won’t use it very often, so it’s imperative to make sure you have a means to dispatch your duckie without busting your boiler. But unless you have an aft garage and submersible boarding platform, or a basic lightweight tender, you will need a davit to launch your tender.

Most davits have electric winches. Hydraulic cranes, which have a lift capacity of up to 1000kg, will put your tender in the water quickly. But you will pay for the convenience.
The capacity of folding deck davits starts ranges up to 400kg. It’s essential to make sure your davit can take the load of your tender. Davco Winches advises that a 135kg model will take a small inflatable with an outboard. A 200kg model will lift a tender up to 3.8m, but you will need a 350kg davit for a bigger RIB or jetboat. Visit www.davcowinch.com and www.gineico.com/marine.html.

Cruising yachties usually lash a basic lightweight tender forward of the mast. They might use a pair of transom-hung davits with a series of pullies and cleats, or use a spare halyard and bring the tender over the side. See www.weaverindustries.com.

Sea Pro has developed the new Lift and Lock Security System, which attaches to the transom and operates with any snap davit system. It is designed to keep your tender secured to your boat at all times. See www.seapro.com.au.