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The Best Tenders for Yachts in 2024

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Tenders in a nutshell

A tender is a boat that services a larger vessel (referred to as the mothership ). It can take many forms and deliver a wide range of conveniences.

Historically called ‘ship’s boats, ‘ tenders have supported large vessels for centuries. They have been used for guest transfers, refuge boats, landing crafts, stowed on deck or towed astern—little has changed! 

Whilst the vast majority of tenders employed by smaller yachts are typically rigid inflatable boats, the modern-day superyacht considers a multitude of vessels indispensable.

Hull categories

We’ve been specialising in building boat tenders for over a decade, yet with such a degree of cross-over and with a seemingly endless request for custom configurations, categorising tenders remains a challenge.

Nonetheless, at the top-most level, we categorise all tenders under one of the following three hull types:

Fully Inflatable A lightweight vessel relying solely on inflation for buoyancy. 

Rigid Inflatable A vessel with a hull constructed from rigid materials such as aluminium or fibreglass, supported with an inflatable or foam collar for added buoyancy in high seas. 

Rigid   A fully rigid hull without a buoyancy collar of any type.

Tender sub-categories

In addition to hull type, we can identify most yacht tenders under the following sub-categories:

⌾ Open ⌾ Chase ⌾ Classic ⌾ Foil ⌾ Catamaran ⌾ Dive

Compass Tenders for Superyachts

What is an open tender?

An open tender is principally a single-deck boat with no enclosed cabin. Chiefly a guest transfer boat with ample seating both forward and aft, open tenders are day boats without accommodation above or below deck.

While we see many open tenders dedicated to guest transfers, by their very nature, they can also incorporate centre console boats, some dive boats, landing crafts, and even limousines.

An olive green chase boat carving through the ocean with a woman on the bow

What is a chase tender?

As the name suggests, a chase tender—which can also be an open tender—follows the mothership.

Chase boats can take on many guises since their main attribute is size. As a result, they are generally not stored on board but instead towed astern.

Often very angular in design, with excellent seaworthiness, chase boats need to be able to withstand the rigours of being towed by the mothership. Whilst a lot of large chase tenders can be operated entirely independently, towing very long distances (such as transatlantic) is not advised.

Riva Classiche

What is a classic tender?

Tenders with the hallmark of classic design are styled with an exquisite, continuous line from the head to the heel.

Echoing the lacquered freeboards of a Riva Ariston or the flawless veneers of a Hinckley picnic boat, a modern classic from the likes of J Craft or Wajer will feature a gracefully tapered form, avoiding right angles altogether.

A small boat hydrofoiling across the ocean

What is a foiling tender?

Combining thrust with lift (as an aeroplane does), high-speed tenders have the opportunity also to become airborne.

Less drag, higher speeds and lower energy consumption are the key advantages, although from a guest comfort perspective, being elevated above a big swell scores very highly.

Linx 30 Catamaran Tender

What is a catamaran tender?

Largely associated with utility boats, catamaran tenders (not to be confused with catamaran sailboats) present superyacht owners with a number of major advantages over their mono-hulled counterparts.

Favoured as a utility vessel, a twin-hulled catamaran can be built much wider than an equivalent-length vessel with a mono hull. It offers increased stability and, therefore, a more comfortable ride in bigger seas. Thanks to a smaller surface area, there’s also less drag, which results in faster speeds and higher efficiency.

ROAM Adventure RIBs

What is a dive tender?

We build tenders optimised specifically for scuba diving, however, given the range of crossover in the market, the likes of amphibious boats, beachlanders, some centre consoles, landing crafts, open tenders, RIBs and utility boats can also work perfectly well for diving.

Storage, floor space and, most importantly, the convenience of easy access to the water are key attributes of a versatile dive boat tender.

Hodgdon Beachlander Tender

The right tender for the job

So far we’ve categorised our tenders — now to define which tender is best suited to which scenario.

Amphibious Tender

✓ Rigid ✓ Rigid Inflatable ✓ Open ✓ Chase ✓ Tow or stow

Sharp stones, steep drop-offs, inclement weather, and changing tides needn’t worry your crew when you have the luxury of an amphibious tender. Visit almost any secluded cove or spit with virtually no risk of becoming stranded or beached.

Go where other boats simply wouldn’t dare, landing on shorelines in rough breaks and on rugged terrain. Be sure to do your homework, though, as most beaches and marinas will require permission to stroll out the sea on an amphibious tender.

A man is throwing a ball to a boat on the beach, while tending to the yacht.

Beachlander Tender

We are all about time spent on the water, but the sensation of stepping off a tender onto the warm sand is in itself a joy to behold. We don’t mean clambering over the side of a rib and bouncing awkwardly into the shallows. We mean stepping from a dry boat onto dry sand.

Whether you intend to spend the day in your swimmers or are off for an island excursion, getting wet feet before you begin should be a choice. 

We offer a beachlander option on all of our aluminium rigid inflatable boats .

Hodgdon Crossover Beachlander

Classic Daysailer

✓ Rigid ✓ Open ✓ Classic ✓ Stow

Strip back the layers of modernity that clothe large motor yachts and delve into a tactile sailing experience with a classic daysailer.   Built a short distance upriver from SYTT, the Spirit R30 is a daysailer that marries cinematic elegance with unparalleled craftsmanship.    Born from the same yard that graced the silver screen in iconic Bond films such as Casino Royale  and No Time To Die , this 9.2m yacht epitomises timelessness with its exquisite wooden construction.    Small sailing boats like the R30 can be de-rigged and stowed, nestled within a yacht’s garage or gracefully perched on deck.

A white boat with two motors, ideal as tenders for yachts, glides gracefully in the water.

Center Console

✓ Rigid ✓ Open ✓ Chase ✓ Tow or stow

Synonymous with the Florida Keys, the traditional centre console (or center console in the US), is typically a single-deck boat with the helm in the middle.

Geared towards recreational fishing, the centre console maximises the floor space while, crucially, allowing for full access around all sides of the boat. On smaller boats, seating is often sacrificed for floor space, while larger centre consoles fitted with cabins creep into the Sports Fisher sector.

Not intended to be an especially dry boat, both crew and guests are often exposed to the elements. The upshot is that centre consoles and, more so, sports fishers, tend to offer huge power, which is especially useful for long day trips from the mainland.

HCB Center Console Boat

High-performance

‘Go-fast’ boats, as the name suggests, are built exclusively for speed. More commonly known as ‘cigarette boats’ due to their shape, go-fast boats are not for the faint-hearted. 

A craze immortalised by the Cigarette Racing Team, modern-day cigar boats can achieve speeds of over 100 knots. Largely impractical as a conventional superyacht tender, the range of high-performance boats have thankfully branched more into Centre Consoles. In turn, this presents superyacht owners with a high-performance chase boat of an almost unimaginable spec.

Cigarette Boat Tirranna Hardtop

Landing Craft

✓ Rigid ✓ Rigid Inflatable ✓ Inflatable ✓ Open ✓ Chase ✓ Catamaran ✓ Dive ✓ Tow or stow

A vessel with a very military feel, a landing craft tender is designed to carry everything, including vehicles, from yacht to shore. 

With our ROAM Landing Craft, a button-operated super-strength bow ramp enables drive-on, drive-off capabilities, ideal for disembarking heavy items where lifting facilities are not available at shore.

Our landing crafts are built with a catamaran hull for enhanced stability. We also manufacture high-quality fold-up motorised boats.

Landing Craft Dark Blue Central Console

Limousine Tender

✓ Rigid ✓ Open ✓ Classic ✓ Foil ✓ Stow

Surely the ultimate statement of sophistication — the limousine tender is the pinnacle mode of guest transfer.

A range of 6-14m and accommodating up to eighteen guests in consummate luxury, a fully enclosed guest cabin will often mirror the furnishings of the mothership.

Compass Tender with Mothership

Picnic Boat

✓ Rigid ✓ Chase ✓ Classic ✓ Stow

If leisure cruising and lunching were your only pursuit, you’d surely have a picnic boat. The quintessential day cruiser, a picnic boat is unequivocally designed for rest and relaxation on the water.

Inspired by the lobster boats of Maine, where the sloping rails from bow to stern made it easier for lobstermen to haul in their traps, the symbolic Picnic Boat represents everything exciting and romantic about a day out on the water.

Hinckley Yachts Picnic Boat

Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB)

✓ Rigid Inflatable ✓ Open ✓ Dive ✓ Tow or stow

The workhorse tender of any yacht is the Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB). Robust, versatile, and highly manoeuvrable, RIBs typically offer speed, buoyancy, and good handling on high seas. 

A foam or inflatable collar provides extra buoyancy in the event of taking on water, while in the case of RIB boats —which have a high deadrise—also acts as a spray rail for keeping the deck dry. Popular with superyachts, RIBs can be towed or stowed and used for a wide range of purposes.

ROAM 8 Adenture RIB for sale

✓ Rigid ✓ Open ✓ Dive ✓ Stow

Nothing allows us to explore an affinity with water quite like the experience of wakeboarding, wake surfing and water skiing.

We specialise in wake boat customisation, supplying specifically to superyachts.

Woman wakeboarding on a Nautique S25

SOLAS Rescue Tender

✓ Rigid Inflatable ✓ Inflatable ✓ Stow

In accordance with the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), all ships over 500GT (typically 50m+) must carry at least one fully compliant SOLAS Rescue Vessel (and a complement of life rafts). The rescue vessel must be stowed onboard and cannot be towed astern or located on a support vessel.

SOLAS Rescue Vessels must be able to carry five seated persons and a person lying on a stretcher. They must also have an automatic self-righting capability and the engine must be restartable following a capsize. Stable in a seaway (and deployable when the mothership is doing 5 knots), rescue boats may be either rigid or inflated and need to be operable in water that is 1-30°C. They also need to be able to start in -30°C air temperature.

First adopted in 1914, the SOLAS Convention was initiated as a direct response to the Titanic disaster. The Convention in use today is often referred to as the “SOLAS, 1974, as amended”. 

For any help and advice relating to SOLAS requirements, contact our team who have a depth of knowledge on the subject.

SOLAS Lifeboats

✓ Rigid ✓ Stow Unlike a SOLAS Rescue Vessel that can be inflatable or rigid hull, a lifeboat must have the latter.

Painted bright orange—or Pantone 144—a lifeboat can have a LOA no less than 7.3m.

Pascoe SOLAS For Sale 01

Sports Fisher

✓ Rigid ✓ Tow

A close relative of both the Central Console and High-performance categories, a Sports Fisher is a dedicated recreational fishing boat. Despite the wide range of boats within this category, the Flybridge Sports Fisher is the most synonymous with the name. 

Large boats, often up to 25m, the archetypal fisher is perfectly suited to lengthy, deep-sea fishing trips. Typically built with berths, heads, a galley and a tower (perhaps even a live bait tank, too), a Sports Fsher is for serious big game fishing enthusiasts.

It’s quite a commitment for a superyacht when a large open or utility tender with rod holders would probably be just as effective if big game fishing was less of a priority.

HCB Sports Fisher

Utility Tender

✓ Rigid Inflatable ✓ Inflatable ✓ Open ✓ Chase ✓ Catamaran ✓ Dive ✓ Tow or stow

A utility tender is the most versatile boat on the list. Ticking almost every box, a utility boat is somewhat open to interpretation. As much an entire category as it is an individual tender, a utility boat could easily take the form of a landing craft or open RIB.

Both promote an open deck space and satisfy the needs of crew in all manner of tasks, including the general movement of equipment and vehicles, refuge and provision runs, and guest and crew transfers.

ROAM Landing Craft Deck

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WAYPOINT MARINE GROUP

Pre-owned boats for sale.

(206) 284-0200 Phone [email protected] Email

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Phone: (206) 284-0200 [email protected]

utility tender yacht

10′ Bullfrog yacht tender

utility tender yacht

The 10′ Bullfrog; Bullfrogs most affordable yacht tender, the virtually unsinkable utility boat is easy to maneuver at only 225 lbs. Available with 15″ transom for increased safety on the water. Oarlock inserts are standard for both motorized and non-motorized mobility.

Through-hull colors are UV protected and they resist fading and scratches. The hull, transom and lifting eyes are welded marine grade aluminum making this a extremely durable and tough utility boat.

MiniJet 280

40mph/64kph

BRP Rotax Ace 903 - 60hp

9ft 2in / 2.79m

5ft 1in / 1.54m

7.4 US gal/28 liters

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Good things come in small packages

The MiniJet, our unmatched performance distilled into a small but perfect package.

Highly durable

Hypalon tubes means the MiniJet stands the test of time.

Highly manoeuvrable

Experience pinpoint accuracy at low or high speeds.

Mini but mighty

The performance you’d expect from Williams in a size you might not.

Power limiter

Help new drivers learn safely by pressing the power-limit switch.

Detailed telemetry

The MiniJet’s BRP dashboard always keeps you in the know.

Rotax ACE 900 engine

Incredible performance, incredibly low emissions.

utility tender yacht

The MiniJet’s Hypalon tubes and tough marine vinyl upholstery means you can rest assured that your tender will stand the test of time.

Build my tender

Yacht Fitment

utility tender yacht

Manoeuvrability in all conditions

The MiniJet’s unique hull, control system, and jet pump deliver pinpoint accuracy at any speed. Handle small spaces and delicate manoeuvres with confidence. Or open up the throttle and feel the thrill of straight-line speed and precision turns.

utility tender yacht

The MiniJet, our unmatched performance distilled into a small but perfect package. Just 2.8m long and 1.55m wide, the MiniJet fits many garages and means owners of sub 45ft yachts can now experience the quality, comfort, and adrenaline rush of a Williams tender.

utility tender yacht

The MiniJet's power limit switch means those new to the world of high - performance tenders can learn in a safe environment - until they're ready to throw off the learner plates and really put the hammer down.

utility tender yacht

Always be informed

The MiniJet’s BRP dashboard tells you all you need to know, from speed, RPM, and compass heading to engine temperature and fuel burn.

utility tender yacht

Meaner and cleaner

The MiniJet’s BRP Rotax ACE 900 engine gives you improved torque and power-to-weight ratios, so you can roar across the sea, water skier in tow. Whilst its improved fuel efficiency and catalytic converter makes it one of the cleanest marine engines in the world.

Principle Specification
LOA 9ft 2in / 2.79m
BEAM 5ft 1in / 1.54m
Dry Weight 465lb/210kg
Overall Height 2ft 8in/0.83m (low profile 2ft 4in/0.71m)
Engine BRP Rotax Ace 903 - 60hp
Fuel Capacity 7.4 US gal/28 liters
Seating 3
Max. Speed 40mph/64kph
Typical Fitment Yachts 38ft+ / 11m+
Standard Features
Accessories

Build it your way

Make your MiniJet tender unique by customizing finishing touches and equipment.

MiniJet 280

An extension of your superyacht, the EvoJet is the world's most luxurious tender.

The ultimate combination of people-carrying practicality and rip-roaring performance.

A sensible tender or a thrill-a-second ski boat? Who says you have to choose?

The original icon, we didn't think we could improve on perfection. But we did.

Proof that the best things really do come in small packages.

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utility tender yacht

UTILITY TENDER 6.45m / 21.16'

Utility Tender in carbon / foamcore construction. Outfitted with Yanmar 6BY 260 diesel / Hamiltonjet propulsion. Build now completed, she will be a tender to a 60m Perini Navi sloop. Offered by Constellation Custom Tenders: www.cctenders.com

Click “MORE” for Designer’s Comments and Video.

Yacht Specifications

6.45m / 21.16'
6.34m / 20.80'
2.3m / 7.55'
0.29m / 0.94'
1000 kg / 2200# (lightship)
Al Fresco Composites / Custom Yacht Outfitters

The 21’ / 6.45m Utility Tender shares the same hull and foredeck as the Speedboat, with the cockpit and aft deck cut away for additional room and seating. In styling her, design engineer Ross Weene captured cues of classic speedboat and streamlined automotive design from the 30’s-50’s but focused on making her stand alone as an element of modern design. In short, the goal was to turn heads, to make people say “Wow”.

The design began as a sketch Ross did in 2006 of a “Retro Runabout” that was a style continuation of an “organically sculpted” powerboat he experimented with at the Landing School in 2001. Associates Niall Rafferty and Antony Rushton of Custom Yacht Outfitters remarked at the sketch on our wall, and thought we should develop her more as proposal for a speedboat tender for sloop Perseus3, a new build at Perini Navi. P3’s owner accepted our proposal, and asked that this second tender be built with the same hull, but with open deck and cockpit as a “Utility / Crew Tender.” Stewart Wiley and Ted Brown of Al Fresco Composites were chosen for the build, and “ Constellation Custom Tenders ” was born.

CNC milled molds let a designer translate very complex shapes from drawing board to production, with perfect accuracy – Mouldcam of Bristol, RI milled the molds 1.2m over-length, to allow a longer 7.7m “barrelback transom” version of the boat to be marketed. Carbon / foamcore construction was chosen for a high strength to weight ratio. The powerplant, a 260 HP Yanmar diesel, powers a Hamiltonjet drive for a top speed of 40 kts. Seating can accommodate 10, and side seats can be removed for additional space to haul yacht gear. A removable folding dodger system attaches to an athwartships arch. A bridle system with single-point pick is used to hoist her in and out of service. She can be MCA certified for use as a her mothership’s rescue vessel.

Constellation Custom Tenders offers both the Speedboat and the Utility for new build, in length range 6.45m – 7.7m. Powerplant options include conventional diesel or electric drive.

VIDEO:  UTILITY SEATRIALS JANUARY 2014  ( Link to Youtube)

VIDEO:  UTILITY SEATRIALS ONBOARD JANUARY 2014   (Link to Youtube)

utility tender yacht

RS Electric Boats

ELECTRIC TENDERS

utility tender yacht

ELECTRIC TENDERS FOR SUPERYACHTS

Protect your playground and streamline deckhand errands with this eco-friendly, zero-emissions electric tender from RS Electric Boats.

Designed to make superyacht utility work a breeze and day-to-day maintenance minimal, the Pulse 63 delivers quick acceleration, ample range and strong construction. This smart electric tender is also quiet, discreet and compact so it’ll blend in seamlessly with your life at sea.

Eco-Freindly & Sustainable ICON

ECO-FRIENDLY & SUSTAINABLE

100% Electric Zero emissions propulsion Sustainable materials

Dynamic performance ICON

DYNAMIC PERFORMANCE

Quick acceleration Efficient Highly adaptable

Reliable technology icon

RELIABLE TECHNOLOGY

Real-time range Smart safety Featherlight control

utility tender yacht

UNIQUE TO YOU

Custom quality and style.

Customise your RS Electric Tender to suit your superyacht’s unique requirements. Not only can we change the colour of the RIB’s tubes, deck and upholstery to match the style of the mothership, you can also select the seat layout, canopy and battery configuration. Plus, if you need a single-point lift for simple garage stowage, or a post for towing, no problem.

AT YOUR SERVICE

Superyacht utility electric tenders.

Deckhands will love the simplicity of our electric RIB utility tenders. Quick off the mark and easy to manoeuvre, the Pulse 63 will zip to the dockside for supplies quickly and easily. Plus, the virtually silent nature of the electric drive provides complete discretion at all times. And there’s no need to store fuel onboard; simply give the decks a quick rinse, lift onto the deck or into the garage and plug in overnight ready for the next day.

utility tender yacht

COMFORTABLE

Excellent stability, plenty of space, and shock-absorbing materials make days onboard the Pulse 63 electric RIB super comfortable.

utility tender yacht

BRITISH MADE

All of our electric tenders are made in the UK , and we pride ourselves on building boats that are high quality, durable and dependable.

utility tender yacht

Virtually silent, even at max power, RS electric tenders are designed to carry out behind-the-scenes tasks without disturbing onboard guests.

OVER 25 YEARS OF BOAT DESIGN EXPERTISE

RS Sailing is internationally renowned for producing fun, durable and award-winning sailing dinghies. Drawing upon our passion for on-water activities, pioneering boat design and care for the environment, RS Electric Boats was born.

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We are cruisers just like you. We live aboard our catamaran full time as a family of five. 

Partnered with www.theyachtrigger.com , our mission with Gulf Nautical is to bring the offshore cruising tenders, marine air conditioners, and out board motors we love and use on our boat into the hands of other cruisers like us. The unique Gulf Nautical experience will ensure that our excellent products and services are backed with reliable and knowledgeable customer service.

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  • Gulf Nautical and The Yacht rigger; what is the relationship? In part, there is a co-ownership. But more importantly we share the same philosophy for quality products, customer service and customer satisfaction. For us it's more than a business, we are passionate about boating and finding the right products that work well in this harsh environment. With the many parts and systems on a boat, Gulf Nautical is an extention to The Yacht Rigger in offering different options to boaters. The result is a broader range of products and services under a team you can trust.
  • Where can I find information about ordering an OC Tender? Contact [email protected] or click here.
  • I have a Tender Ordered and on its way to Florida, what happens next." Your OC Tender can be picked up from The Yacht Rigger facility in St Petersburg florida at no additional cost. If you are unable to pick it up we offer a delivery service. 107 15th Ave SE, St Petersburg, FL 33701 Click on the map for a link ☞

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utility tender yacht

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Bullfrog Boats

The secret is out, there is a dinghy/yacht tender option that has been, up to now, somewhat exclusive to the Pacific Northwest. Introducing Bullfrog Boats, a special line of boats that have been built in the hundreds as yacht tenders since the 1990s. Now, Seattle Yachts offers this line of rugged boats to cruisers all around North America.

bullfrog offshore ranger 22

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BULLFROG 22 OFFSHORE RANGER TENDER

Bullfrog 17 Sport Utility Boat

BULLFROG 17 SPORT UTILITY TENDER

bullfrog tender 15

BULLFROG 15 SPORT UTILITY BOAT

11 foot boat tender

BULLFROG 11.5 UTILITY YACHT TENDER

bullfrog boats 10 yacht tender

BULLFROG 10 YACHT TENDER

bullfrog boats dinghy

BULLFROG 10 UTILITY TENDER

utility tender yacht

Bullfrog Boats LISTINGS

utility tender yacht

Quick Facts about Bullfrog Boats

  • Bullfrog Boats offer inflatable utility boats, tenders, and support boats.
  • The Bullfrog Boats factory is located in Anacortes, Washington.
  • Bullfrog Boats was first founded in 1997.
  • Bullfrog models range from 10 to 22-feet.

Bullfrog Boats VIDEOS

As every cruiser knows, a dinghy is the vital link between one’s cruising boat and the rest of the world: shoreside services, provisioning, transferring crew, visiting other boats, getting to the best dive spot, even working on the mothership. The tender is also used for fishing, crabbing, and exploring creeks and interesting local sights. They operate quite well in shallow water; many can be beached.

By far the most popular are inflatable boats, from the most basic, made up of inflatable tubes glued together, with either an inflatable or fabric floor with wood slats, to the latest generation of RIBs, with large diameter inflatable tubes glued to a fiberglass or aluminum hull.

Hard rowing and sailing dinghies are another option but are not nearly as practical. While they row much better than inflatable boats, they are not particularly stable, and don’t allow for outboard propulsion except at the lowest available horsepower.

Despite their popularity, every cruiser soon learns that inflatables and RIBs have serious issues. The glue and seams of the fabric of the tubes eventually leak or break down, and the harsh UV in the tropics destroys the fabric and seams.

The brochures of new inflatables and RIBs handed out at boat shows picture beautiful people running these white boats around luxury yachts in a marina or anchorage, crew dressed in the latest nautical fashion or swimwear. And the inflatable boats are always tied up nicely at a floating dock or anchored in crystal clear water.

Unfortunately, that is not the real world of cruising. And that is where Bullfrog Boats excel. Using hulls constructed of marine grade aluminum, they are bolted to indestructible, roto-molded polyethylene collars that are filled with foam. The foam makes the boats unsinkable, and the roto-molded collars have five time the impact resistance of fiberglass. They also will not mar the finish of the yacht when tied alongside.

Think of the safety factor of the Bullfrog concept when reading some experiences where inflatable boats did not stand up to the harsh realities of cruising. A Bullfrog tender will handle or eliminate these challenges without concern:  

  • A couple explores the picturesque back creek shoreline of the Chesapeake Bay’s Eastern Shore in their dinghy but are suddenly stranded when they run over an oyster bed, which shreds their fabric floor and holes one of the tubes. They are able to wade ashore but have no way to get back to their boat until they hail a local fishing boat some hours later
  • Voyagers arrive in Hiva Oa in the Marquesas Islands from Mexico, only to find their brand new, shiny white RIB is no match for the barnacle-encrusted concrete bulkhead they must use to get crew ashore. The beaches are too rocky and abrasive for the fiberglass hull of the pristine tender. In no time, the RIB is covered in muddy footprints and the tubes are scuffed and scraped 
  • In the Bahamas, Mexico, and Caribbean, crews routinely land ashore on sandy beaches, but unless the tender has a solid fiberglass or aluminum floor, abrasive sand gets in between the tubes and floor, and is impossible to keep clean until they get home and deflate the boat
  • Cruisers come to see the bear activity from the famed observation post in Anan Bay, Alaska, but they need to land their dinghy on the rocky shore. It is not for the faint of heart in an inflatable boat, so one crew decides to stay with the tender as it is too fragile. He will go back to the yacht and wait for their call to come get them
  • A family heads south on the ICW to winter in Florida, but as they proceed through the Carolinas they find there is a slow leak in one of the tubes near the transom. After dinner ashore they have to sit with wet shoes and shorts for the return trip back to the big boat so they can bail out the water and pump up the tube once again. When they get to Florida, they will need to get the dinghy repaired yet again
  • A senior couple buys a RIB to enjoy cocktail cruises from their waterfront home, but the wife finds it difficult and dangerous to step over such large diameter tubes to get aboard. She can’t step on the tube and is deathly afraid of falling, with nothing to grab to steady herself
  • A well-known professional sailor prepares to take his boat on an extended cruise. He deflates his 11-foot inflatable to transport it to the service shop for a thorough inspection and detailing. The repair shop tech later calls him and reports that deflating the boat broke the seals of the tube materials and the pieces fell apart, the glue long since expired. The boat is not repairable, and it is just one month out of warranty. They have to throw the expensive tender in the dumpster.

These real incidents are typical of the inflatable experience. Visit any RIB service center and you’ll see RIBs lined up for tube replacement, which is an expensive, ongoing repair. None of these issues would occur with a Bullfrog product.

Bullfrog boats come in five lengths and six models to fit the needs of most any trawler and motoryacht with a crane or davit system. Bullfrog Boats inventor Craig Henderson was keen to develop a rugged, seaworthy, and unsinkable utility boat that could handle rough weather, and the conditions of boating and cruising in the Pacific Northwest. In fact, his design was so unique it received a U.S. patent for an aluminum polymer boat that incorporates an aluminum hull with a foam-filled roto-molded collar. 

Bullfrog boats are the ideal tender for the cruising and workboat communities around North America. It is a classic case of form follows function. And the larger models are great utility boats as well, that serve law enforcement, workboat companies, and other commercial uses. Rugged, unsinkable, stable.

The boats come standard with outboard power matched to each model. The polyethylene collars can be stepped on without worry as the stability of the boat makes it easy to get on and off without having to deal with large diameter tubes. Sturdy handrails are strategically located around the boat for added security. The marine grade aluminum hull allows one to safely beach the boat on sandy, pebble, or barnacle-encrusted shores without worry, and there are no hidden corners to trap sand and gravel inside the boat.

One can easily stand in these boats, which makes them an ideal platform for fishing.

At an additional cost, the foam-filled collars can be ordered in high visibility colors, making them perfect tenders for high latitude cruising and exploring remote wilderness areas. 

Made in Bellingham, Washington, Bullfrog Boats are the Humvee of yacht tenders, just what an owner needs when cruising and the dinghy must perform without compromise. For the yacht owner who wants to be self-sufficient and not worry about the safety of his family and crew, a Bullfrog boat is the right choice.

And they look mighty fine tied up in that luxury marina as well. Contact your nearest Seattle Yachts dealer to find out more and see how you can put your crew in the safest and most versatile tenders around. 

Bullfrog Boats by Seattle Yachts. The best yacht tender for the real world.

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Bullfrog Boat's logo - no inflating, no deflating, dinghy

15' Sport Utility Boat

Pickup truck for the sea.

The 15' Super Sport Utility Boat - One of the most rugged and durable utility boats ever produced! This "Pickup Truck for the Sea" is a great dive boat, fishing boat, utility boat, or just fun boat for exploring.

The three compartment polyethylene tubes with 30% flotation foam will never scratch your fiberglass yacht. Through-hull colors are UV protected and they resist fading and scratches. The hull, transom and lifting eyes are welded marine grade aluminum making this a extremely durable and tough utility boat.

Specifications

LOA (without motor): 15' 4"'

LOA (with motor): 17'

Beam: 7' 4"

Weight (w/ 60hp Honda): 1300 lbs.

Maximum Horsepower: 60

Weight Capacity: 875 lbs

Maximum Capacity (persons): 5

Fuel Capacity: 25 gal

Standard Equip ment

25 Gallon Fuel Tank

Windshield and Fiberglass Console

Bow Rail & Stern Rails

Running Lights

Non-Skid Floor

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COMMENTS

  1. 10' Utility Tender

    Our most affordable yacht tender, this Bullfrog utility boat is easy to maneuver at only 225 lbs. Oarlock inserts are standard for both motorized and non-motorized mobility. Through-hull colors are UV protected and they resist fading and scratches. The hull, transom and lifting eyes are welded marine grade aluminum making this a extremely durable and tough utility boat.

  2. Bullfrog Boats

    Bullfrog Boats - Whether you want an inflatable style utility boat for fishing, are in need of a yacht tender or just want to have fun zipping around on the water, with multiple sizes and configurations to choose from, there's a Bullfrog Boat to meet every need!

  3. The Best Tenders for Yachts in 2024

    Classic Daysailer. Rigid Open Classic Stow. Strip back the layers of modernity that clothe large motor yachts and delve into a tactile sailing experience with a classic daysailer. Built a short distance upriver from SYTT, the Spirit R30 is a daysailer that marries cinematic elegance with unparalleled craftsmanship.

  4. Bullfrog 10 Utility Tender & Dinghy

    Bullfrog 10 Utility Tender Details. Our most affordable yacht tender, the virtually unsinkable utility boat is easy to maneuver at only 225 lbs. Available with 15" transom for increased safety on the water. Oarlock inserts are standard for both motorized and non-motorized mobility.

  5. Models

    Whether you want an inflatable style utility boat for fishing, are in need of a yacht tender or just want to have fun zipping around on the water, with multiple sizes and configurations to choose from, there's a Bullfrog Boat to meet every need! ... 10' Yacht Tender; 11.5' Yacht Tender; 15' Sport Utility Boat; 17' Sport Utility Boat; 22 ...

  6. 10′ Bullfrog yacht tender

    The 10′ Bullfrog; Bullfrogs most affordable yacht tender, the virtually unsinkable utility boat is easy to maneuver at only 225 lbs. Available with 15″ transom for increased safety on the water. Oarlock inserts are standard for both motorized and non-motorized mobility. Through-hull colors are UV protected and they resist fading and scratches.

  7. Bullfrog 17 Sport Utility Tender Boat

    The 17' Super Sport Utility Boat - One of the most rugged and durable utility boats ever produced! Totally unsinkable, this "Pickup Truck for the Sea" is a great dive boat, fishing boat, utility boat, or just fun boat for exploring. The tender's 22-degree deep "V" Aluminum Hull gives you a soft dry ride, even in inclement weather conditions.

  8. Bullfrog 11.5 Utility Yacht Tender

    Bullfrog 11.5 Utility Yacht Tender Details. This rugged, dependable yacht tender provides plenty of space for fishing or simply having fun on the water. Virtually unsinkable and constructed with non-abrasive materials so it won't damage your yacht's finish, this tender is the perfect choice. Learn more about the Davit Systems you get with ...

  9. Pascoe International

    Pascoe International has been building award-winning tenders for the world's most iconic superyachts for 20 years. Each individual craft is meticulously tailored to meet the Owner's individual requirements whilst perfectly complimenting the style and detailing of the main yacht. Working with the Owner's Team and their appointed designers ...

  10. MiniJet

    Just 2.8m long and 1.55m wide, the MiniJet fits many garages and means owners of sub 45ft yachts can now experience the quality, comfort, and adrenaline rush of a Williams tender. The MiniJet's power limit switch means those new to the world of high - performance tenders can learn in a safe environment - until they're ready to throw off the ...

  11. UTILITY TENDER

    Yacht Specifications. The 21' / 6.45m Utility Tender shares the same hull and foredeck as the Speedboat, with the cockpit and aft deck cut away for additional room and seating. In styling her, design engineer Ross Weene captured cues of classic speedboat and streamlined automotive design from the 30's-50's but focused on making her stand ...

  12. 10' Yacht Tender

    This lightweight yet rugged, dependable Bullfrog 10' yacht tender provides plenty of space for fishing or simply having fun on the water. Constructed with non-abrasive materials that won't damage your yacht's finish, this tender is the perfect choice both on the water and off.

  13. Luxury Yacht Tenders in 2024

    A luxury yacht tender is a support vessel. Which is used for service and entertainment. They provide transport for yacht owners and crew. And can be used for high-speed entertainment and pleasure. They are used to transport supplies or to service the main yacht. They are also known as dinghies or chase boats.

  14. Electric Tenders For Superyachts

    Protect your playground and streamline deckhand errands with this eco-friendly, zero-emissions electric tender from RS Electric Boats. Designed to make superyacht utility work a breeze and day-to-day maintenance minimal, the Pulse 63 delivers quick acceleration, ample range and strong construction. This smart electric tender is also quiet ...

  15. Bullfrog 15 Sport Utility Boat

    The Bullfrog 15' Super Sport Utility Boat - one of the most rugged and durable utility boats ever produced! Totally unsinkable, this "Pickup Truck for the Sea" is a great dive boat, fishing boat, utility boat, or just fun boat for exploring. The Super Sport's 22-degree deep "V" Aluminum Hull gives you a soft dry ride, even in inclement weather ...

  16. Gulf Nautical

    Your OC Tender can be picked up from The Yacht Rigger facility in St Petersburg florida at no additional cost. If you are unable to pick it up we offer a delivery service. 107 15th Ave SE, St Petersburg, FL 33701 Click on the map for a link ☞. Gulf Nautical is happy to provide the best in marine air conditioning, offshore cruising tenders ...

  17. St. Petersburg Yacht Sales and Service 727-823-2555

    We are close by the St. Petersburg Municipal Marina where we have some of our many brokerage boats on display. Here are the advantages of listing your yacht or boat with St. Petersburg Yacht Sales & Service>>> 85 Azimut 2001: 81 Broward 1977: 48' Island Packet 2005: 47 Catalina 2000: 46 Beneteau 2007:

  18. Home

    Preferred Yachts is committed to the highest level of ethical, professional and knowledgeable representation for our clients. Call 727 (527)-2800 Our Team is Awesome at Listings and Sales. Our membership in The IYBA is your assurance of professional and ethical representation as well as fair and standardized Listing and Selling Agreements ...

  19. Bullfrog Boats

    Bullfrog boats are the ideal tender for the cruising and workboat communities around North America. It is a classic case of form follows function. And the larger models are great utility boats as well, that serve law enforcement, workboat companies, and other commercial uses. Rugged, unsinkable, stable. The boats come standard with outboard ...

  20. 15' Sport Utility Boat

    The 15' Super Sport Utility Boat - One of the most rugged and durable utility boats ever produced! This "Pickup Truck for the Sea" is a great dive boat, fishing boat, utility boat, or just fun boat for exploring. The "V" Aluminum Hull gives you a soft dry ride, even in inclement weather conditions. With Bullfrog Boats you don't have to worry about deflating tubes.

  21. 5231 Beach Dr SE #A Saint Petersburg, FL 33705

    For Sale - 5231 Beach Dr SE #A, Saint Petersburg, FL - $399,000. View details, map and photos of this condo property with 2 bedrooms and 1 total baths. MLS# TB8300143.