Hypalon ORCA Tubes | Tough raised rubbing strake |
Anti-Skid deck surface | Paddle |
Bow stowage locker | Repair kit & accessories bag |
3 towing bow rings | Front locker removable cushion |
Built-in fuel tank | Steering console |
Front step-plate | Carrying & safety handles |
Navigation Lights | One-way drain system |
4 built-in davit lifting points | Steering wheel |
Overall cover |
Lifting slings |
Steering console |
Steering system |
Bimini /suntop |
Hypalon ORCA Fabric |
Yacht Sourcing > The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect Dinghy or Tender for Your Yacht
A dinghy, also known as a tender, is an indispensable companion for any yacht owner. It serves as your trusty chariot for exploring secluded coves, reaching shore for provisions, or enjoying watersports. With the vast array of options available, choosing the perfect dinghy can be a daunting task. This guide will walk you through the essential factors to consider and highlight some standout brands to make your decision smoother.
The ideal dinghy size depends on your yacht’s size and how you intend to use the tender. If you primarily need a shuttle for a couple of people and light gear, a smaller dinghy (8-10 feet) may suffice. However, if you anticipate carrying more passengers, equipment, or supplies, a larger tender (12-14+ feet) would be more suitable.
The construction and materials of an inflatable dinghy significantly impact its durability, performance, and longevity.
The hull design influences the dinghy’s performance in various sea conditions:
The choice of engine depends on the dinghy’s size, intended use, and personal preferences.
Consider these features to enhance your dinghy experience:
At Yacht Sourcing, we understand that your yacht tender isn’t just a vessel – it’s an extension of your nautical lifestyle. That’s why we offer premium inflatable dinghy brands that blend innovation, durability, and performance:
We don’t just offer dinghies – we offer a comprehensive approach to ensuring your tender experience is seamless and enjoyable. Our expert team is dedicated to helping you select the perfect dinghy, providing valuable advice, and ensuring your purchase is tailored to your unique requirements. We’re committed to exceeding your expectations, offering exceptional customer service, and providing ongoing support for all your tender needs.
Don’t leave your tender selection to chance. Visit Yacht Sourcing today and explore our exceptional range of inflatable dinghies from Takacat, Senous, and Polycraft. Let us guide you towards the perfect tender that complements your yacht and unlocks unforgettable adventures on the water.
Interested about this topic? Check out other articles from Yacht Sourcing below:
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Want some easy, fun sailing this summer? launched from your yacht or car, the latest sailing tender ideas give that instant sailing buzz. Toby Hodges and Sam Fortescue report
While we all crave as much helming pleasure as possible from our cruising yachts, the reality is that after making realistic space, volume and budget compromises, they may not always be that exhilarating on the helm. But once you reach a destination or anchorage, what’s to stop you, your friends or kids getting your hands-on tiller-sailing fix if you can stow the right sailing tender aboard?
You could argue that the development of lightweight, modular or inflatable dinghies in recent years has solved a headache for some yacht owners – now they can go for extra volume, or switch to a multihull perhaps, safe in the knowledge they can get the spray-in-the-face dinghy experience from a tender or toy once anchored.
Stowage space, whether on deck, on davits or in a locker, governs what options are available. In the past the choice has fallen into three categories: a rowing dinghy you can sail, a nesting dinghy, or a sailing inflatable (such as the Tinker Tramp). And while these categories haven’t necessarily changed, the design and technology lately has made the products immeasurably more appealing!
The ability to stow a quick-to-rig toy in the boot or on the roof of the car, has also unlocked the potential to explore a multitude of different sailing waters easily. These designs have brought to sailing what inflatable paddleboards have brought to watersports.
For cruising sailors, this could be an ideal solution: a stable, lightweight tender that will sail well too
This has been at the top of my wishlist for tenders for some time, but now the family-run New Zealand company has come out with a rig for this lightweight composite boat that has just doubled the appeal.
OC Tenders was developed by experienced cruising sailors who were after a dry, stable, maintenance-free tender which is light enough to pull up a beach. A wide hull shape with plumb bow and flat run provides stability and volume and early planing ability, while foam sandwich construction makes it solid (puncture free) and light enough to carry. These also happen to be key elements for many modern performance sailing dinghy designs.
OC Tenders is unveiling a new Sailing Tender version this year, a kit which transforms two of its existing tenders into sailing dinghies. The main difference is a centreboard case which attaches to the thwart with a mast step below, neither of which can be removed, but only add 6kg weight. The rest of the sailing components are stored in bags which fit inside the tender, including a 6m mast in two sections, boom (both in 30% carbon), centreboard, rudder, hiking straps and 7.5m2 sail.
OC has a video of the tender surfing along and another of how easy it is to right it if you capsize. The boats weighs 68kg for the 3.3m or 74kg for the 3.5m, while the sailing components add just 15kg. Both are also available in carbon versions (a NZ$4,000 upgrade). The slight catch may be the cost, and that it’s a small company with low production run and high demand.
Price: OC330 from NZ$23,500 (circa £12,000).
Buy it now from octenders
Reverso Air is quick to get on the plane. Photo: Armand Dayde
It may be a nesting dinghy, but there’s nothing clinker-built about the Reverso Air. From the outset, the team behind this pocket beast of a boat were focused on performance, and that is what you get in spades. It has been clocked at 16 knots and readily takes to the plane, surfing down anything from harbour chop to long swell.
Reverso is built in Brittany using advanced composite construction. The 3.40m hull is infused in honeycomb sandwich, for stiffness and light weight, and carbon reinforcing is added where the loads are greatest, such as the mast step. The mast itself is a tube of high-modulus carbon fibre weighing just under 3kg, and the sail is 7m2 of high-tech membrane from Incidence.
Part of the stellar performance comes from the hull shape, designed by Charles Bertrand. A broad beam, flat bottom and deep chines provide stability for sailing with kids and a great platform for planing when a gust blows. “It is the lightness of the boat which makes it fast and efficient, allowing it to accelerate quickly,” says founder Antoine Simon. “Also, the quality of the materials, which give a dynamic response and transmit the forces, especially with the rigid hull.”
The boat is designed to take two grown-ups or an adult and two kids, so you can refine your technique in company if you like. Simon says this makes the boat ideal for teaching kids or going out for a solo burn.
Assembly is pretty simple and can take less than two minutes. The hull is composed of four parts, the heaviest of which weighs 16.8kg. The sections clip together along the coaming using stainless-steel levers. Then you add tension along the bottom of the boat using two Dyneema lines with a 1:14 cascade that puts on 600kg of compression.
When disassembled, the parts nest inside each other, fitting readily into the boot of a family car or an SUV. Measuring 1.45m x 0.92m x 0.72m, the folded boat is also designed for easy fixing to a trailer or towing-ball platform behind a car.
Accessories that improve the storage and use of the boat include a bag, (€490); smaller padded bags for the four mast sections, centreboard, tiller and rudder; a mounting mat to protect the boat on rough surfaces (€170); and a folding beach trolley (€490). And there’s a GPS speedometer (€499), specially designed for mounting at the base of the mast.
Price: Reverso Air €8,913 plus €1,090 shipping.
Buy it now from Sailreverso
You don’t have to be a pro to get the AST Foiler skimming the waves. Photo: Sören Hese
Foiling is no longer limited to pros and daredevils. AST’s beautifully designed foiling dinghy makes it possible for almost anyone to experience the exhilaration of flying on water. With a top speed of 25 knots-plus and a really simple control system, it is easy to get airborne.
The key is the mechanical foiling system, which requires no trimming. A foil on each side of the 3.85m hull resembles nothing more than a giant spider’s leg, or a wonky ‘7’. The foils are loose-mounted in such a way that they can cant slightly according to the tack you’re on. When the boat goes about, the leeward foil rises and the new windward foil drops. It requires no electronics or hydraulics – just a bit of elementary physics.
You control the boat using a T-shaped rudder whose foil supports the boat aft and helps keep you balanced while foiling. With foils deployed, the effective beam jumps from 1.58m to 2.10m and the draught from 15cm to 1.10m, giving the boat excellent stability.
AST says the hull will fly from 8 knots of true wind, thanks in part to the lightweight layup, with an overall weight of 55kg. The foils, rudder and mast are all in carbon fibre, while the hull is in a lightweight foam-epoxy sandwich.
With a cool reverse bow, open transom and hiking wings, this boat looks the business. It can support up to 95kg of crew weight, so could in theory take two children. But this is really a solo sailer, designed for thrills and spills. AST offers two different sails, 7.5m2 or 9.5m2.
The foils can be folded flush to the hull for transport., there’s a custom-made aluminium trolley for launching and towing; padded covers for the foils and rudder (€269); and a Velocitek SpeedPuck to measure your speed (€399).
This is not a cheap option… but it is a fun one.
AST also does a non-foiling L12 Lowrider – a 3.82m planing performance dinghy, which weighs just 30kg.
Prices: AST Folier €15,631 inc VAT, L12 Lowrider €8,824 ex VAT.
Buy it now from Ast-yachts
IZIBoat is easy to transport and can be assembled in 15 minutes
IZIBoat germinated from a desire to make sailing easy, fun and accessible to all, by creating a catamaran that is ultra fast to assemble (less than 15 minutes). No tools are needed thanks to a neat plug, lock and tension system. While speeds of 14+ knots are reportedly achievable, it is more aimed at accessible sailing, regardless of age or ability. So it can seat four and is intuitive for new sailors thanks to joystick steering – just tilt the stick the way you want to turn.
The brainchild of François Tissier, who dreamed of a dinghy with ease and stability while living in the South Pacific, it took many years of R&D and 11 prototypes. The beach cat measures 500x62cm, so can easily be stored in a garage and its five components weigh 152kg, so it can be transported on the roof of a car or even towed by a bike or e-bike.
Price: from €8,990.
Buy it now from Iziboat
LiteboatXP 16 can be rowed or sailed – fast
This is a fun sailing boat that you can row properly for recreation too. The first Liteboat XP was a 20ft model which we tested four years ago and were so impressed with the sailing ability, we jointly gave it a European Yacht of the Year award. It’s also excellent for rowing enthusiasts. For those still sceptical, consider that it’s drawn by in-demand IMOCA designer Sam Manuard.
The new 5m/16ft model is more compact and lighter still (100kg). There’s no cuddy, but it still sports a sliding rowing seat, carbon oars and outriggers and a catboat-style rig with two part carbon mast and a 7.5m2 boom-less sail. But it’s when reaching with the 6m2 gennaker that you’ll really get the buzz. It converts from sailing to rowing mode in under a minute. It’s an efficient explorer that’s blast to sail, will keep you fit and avoids the need for a smelly, noisy outboard.
Price: from €14,500.
Buy it now from Liteboat
The black and yellow Tiwal rocket is designed in Brittany. Photo: Christiane le Port
The original Tiwal 3 is already marking its 10th anniversary, the design having been at the forefront of using drop stitch technology to create a really stiff inflatable. Now the boat has been turbo-charged, tweaked and improved. The result is the Tiwal 3R, with a top speed of 14 knots and a helming position just millimetres off the water.
It comes deflated in two bags weighing around 30kg each (plus a smaller sail bag), and comprises a concave inflatable hull and anodised aluminium ‘exoskeleton’, which transmits the forces from the mast, rudder and daggerboard. It also provides two raised hiking ‘wings’ which allow you to balance the 6m2 or 7m2 sail, tailor-made by North Sails in Xi V2 racing laminate.
The 3R’s performance boost stems from a number of small steps. For instance, the hiking bars have been extended aft so that you can shift weight back when the wind picks up. The aluminium frame is stronger and stiffer for better power transfer, and the hull is a more efficient shape, courtesy of the rail on the stern. The mast and boom are now 90% carbon for lighter weight.
Assembly takes 25 minutes – a little longer than the original Tiwals, because of the additional elements of the frame and control lines, according to founder Emmanuel Bertrand. Experience says there is a bit of fiddly slotting of aluminium tubes together, which can be trickier if sand gets into the joint. The boat is rated for crew up to 200kg, which allows for two adults or one grown-up and two children. Really, though, you want to be sailing this alone at top speed. And with a choice of two sails, you can go out in pretty much any conditions.
Price: from £8,140.
Buy it now from Tiwal
Dutch brand DinghyGo has built a reputation for the reliability of its growing range of sailing inflatables.
They are not performance oriented, but are easy to assemble, have bags of buoyancy and can be stored in two mid-sized bags. The range starts at 2.30m LOA, but the flagship Orca 375 is the latest release, with a 4.8m2 mainsail and a 1.1m2 jib.
The four-piece mast requires three soft stays to keep it aloft, while the foot is anchored through a thwart. With 650kg of payload capacity, you can bring three adults and a heap of camping gear with you.
Price: £4,000.
Buy it now from Dinghygo
The Czech sailor behind the MiniCat brand teamed up with round-the-world sailor Laura Dekker to launch the Guppy.
At 3.00m LOA, it is the smallest boat in the Minicat range, with a capacity for two, but weighs a staggeringly small 26kg itself.
Perched on two big 33cm floats, just a small aluminium frame does the job of supporting the mast and the trampoline. The mast and its 3.9m2 sail is stayed to a short bowsprit, and the whole takes just 15 minutes to put together. Stub keel fins help reduce leeway.
Its light weight makes it eminently portable and easy to stow.
Price: €2,665 ex-VAT.
Buy it now from Minicatamaran
Granted, it can look a bit daft watching middle-aged folk pumping and flapping away while trying to get a giant inflatable wing to lift their mass onto a skinny foil. But once you’ve experienced that feeling of pure flight, silently skimming over the surface, there’s no going back.
Whether for surfing, windsurfing, or even kiting, any solid boards take up valuable locker space. All of which arguably makes an inflatable foil board and an inflatable wing the ultimate in compact sailing fun.
The foils typically disconnect from their masts and pack in protective bags. The inflatable boards can also be used to wingsurf or paddle on in displacement mode. Or try towing one behind a tender – with a foil you only need very small speeds (around 6 knots) and, with practice, you can be surfing a wee wake.
The smaller volume boards better suit surf and wingfoil use and the larger boards are for wing and SUP enthusiasts.
F-One’s Rocket Air is designed around its rigid boards, and range from 75lt (4ft 11in) to 185lt (7ft 11in) and prices from £625-£825.
Buy it now from f-one.world
Naish, meanwhile, has models of its new Hover board from 80-170lt, which have composite carbon plates on the bottom for the foil join for a stiff ride.
Buy it now from Naishfoils
Yachting World is the world’s leading magazine for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams. Build your knowledge with a subscription delivered to your door. See our latest offers and save at least 30% off the cover price.
High-performance luxurious tenders and leisure boats built to offer the greatest standards of quality as well as finish, with a unique style..
Explore our range.
Novurania offers a wide range of models and lengths, from 11 to 38 feet. Find the best tender for your next unforgettable adventures.
Leading the industry through innovation, since the 1960s, we have led the way as a tender manufacturer guaranteeing the best craftsmanship and exceptional design..
Our vertically integrated value chain and in-house engineering & design ensure the creation of excellent, long-lasting, and customizable boats.
Personalize the tender reflecting your lifestyle and matching the mothership. Each Novurania is built to measure. Explore the possibilities.
Our passion for detail and sophisticated Italian design has been our secret since the 1960s. The combination of innovation and tradition are the keys of Novurania long term success.
You’re free to have fun on the water when you, your family, and your crew are safe. Portland Pudgy, Inc has re-imagined the dinghy in the context of safety at sea, and come up with something really new. A rugged, unsinkable dinghy you can row, motor, sail , and even use as a lifeboat. The Portland Pudgy safety dinghy makes boating even more fun, by making it safer.
The sail kit makes your Portland Pudgy a fun, safe sailing dinghy. The stability and buoyancy designed into the Portland Pudgy make it safe and sea-friendly as a recreational sailing dinghy for the whole family. The Pudgy takes surprisingly rugged seas and wind for a boat its size…
The Portland Pudgy is a rugged, unsinkable self-rescue boat, even without the inflatable exposure canopy and other survival gear. With the canopy and sail, the Portland Pudgy is a dynamic lifeboat. Unlike inflatable life rafts, the Pudgy can’t deflate, and you can sail, row, or motor to safety…
The Portland Pudgy is a multifunction boat that was designed as a yacht tender and unsinkable, dynamic lifeboat for blue water sailors that can be sailed to safety. The resulting stability, buoyancy, ruggedness, roominess, and “unsinkability” designed into the Portland Pudgy make it unparalleled as an everyday tender, a safe and sea-friendly sailing dinghy, and a great all-around rowboat/motorboat. The Pudgy is a self-contained unit: all accessories, including the oars, sail kit, and exposure canopy, stow within the storage space in double hull of the boat with room to spare.
Unlike inflatable boats, the Portland Pudgy safety dinghy is a joy to row. It can be rigged out as a fun sailing dinghy. It’s a safe and fun recreational sailing dinghy for the whole family. It’s stable and difficult to capsize, but if you manage to, it’s very easy to right, and comes up dry. No need to wait for rescue (as with some recreational sailing dinghies, like the Opti). The entire sail kit stows neatly out of the way in the interior of the double hull (rudder and leeboards under seats). Because the Portland Pudgy safety dinghy is so stable, rugged, and tracks so well when rowed or motored, it’s also a great fishing boat or duck hunting boat, and a great platform for nature photography and diving. See Sailing Dinghy.
All of the accessories, oars, sail kit (including telescoping mast and boom), inflatable exposure canopy, sea anchor, ditch bag, provisions, and more, can be stowed within the boat via the five watertight hatches. This is very convenient in your everyday dinghy or sailing dink. It’s an extremely important safety feature of the Portland Pudgy lifeboat. All of your equipment is there in an emergency.
The Portland Pudgy safety dinghy is a self-rescue boat, even without the optional inflatable exposure canopy and other survival gear. With the exposure canopy, sea anchor, and sail kit, the Portland Pudgy is an unsinkable, dynamic lifeboat. Unlike inflatable life rafts, the Pudgy cannot deflate, and you can sail, row, or motor this rugged self-rescue boat to shipping lanes or land.
The Portland Pudgy safety dinghy is the safest, most rugged yacht tender on the market to row, motor, tow and carry. It tracks perfectly and moves along nicely with a small motor. The Pudgy is extremely buoyant and has huge carrying capacity, both in the roomy cockpit and inside the storage compartments in the double hull. The Portland Pudgy (7′ 8″, 128 lb., USCG-approved as a rowboat and motorboat for 4 people) is designed and manufactured (in the USA) to be an exceptionally rugged, stable, unsinkable boat. Its pram shape allows it to fit on the deck of many cruising sailboats. This small boat is so stable you can stand up and walk around in it. The Portland Pudgy safety dinghy has all the benefits of inflatable boats and RIBs (rigid inflatable boats), without the risk of deflation. There is no need for an unsightly, expensive, and deflation-prone RID kit (“dinghy dogs”) with the Pudgy: it’s an unsinkable boat, with built-in buoyancy. See Yacht Tender/Dinghy.
Live-aboards Teresa Carey and Ben Erickson Carey sent us this wonderful video about their Portland Pudgy. Lots of great sailing shots. Deliberately flipping the Pudgy (:33) and then easily righting it (2:00). Inflating the exposure canopy using the alternative method (hand pump) and using it as a dodger (1:15). Sleeping in the Pudgy. Lots of shots that show how stable and roomy it is. And lots just showing what a fun little boat it is.
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In addition to your main yacht, sailboat or catamaran,.
The smallest Open
Ideal for a first boat with room for 4 people on board, it is easy to manoeuvre and tow. Ideal for small budgets.
The smallest Yachtline
An ideal size to accommodate 4 people on board, with a maximum power of 40 HP, it can carry its passengers at high speed.
Ideal dinghy or small robust boat.
The 3.4 is sure to please: Easy to steer, 3 large storage lockers! A true little racing kart that will delight you and your guests.
Well equipped
The Yachtline 400 can carry 5 passengers with its 3 seats and 50 HP.
The smallest Pro
A traditional model, it has always been part of the Zodiac range.
Unbeatable value for money
Ideal model for fishing and cruising with family or friends with its 4 large seats that can accommodate 6 people on board and its large lockers.
The right compromise
The ideal complement to transport 6 people, with its numerous storage lockers and its 60 HP.
The biggest of the compact Open
A generous power output of up to 80 HP is a big asset, and it is ergonomic and spacious for comfortable and active days out.
The biggest
At 4.90m and 90 HP, it can be used as a main boat for up to 9 people. It can also tow water-skiers or wakeboarders.
Inflatable dinghy with inflatable floor
Very simple and above all really compact! Completely flexible, including the floor, it can be folded and stored in less than 2 minutes in a suitable bag!
Inflatable dinghy with wooden slatted floor
Its floor, in a wooden slat design, can be rolled and stored in seconds.
RIB dinghy with aluminium hull
A truly solid-hull dinghy (aluminium), which provides the best in stability and safety on board!
Inflatable dinghy with aluminium floor
An aluminium floor, which can be put in place in no time for maximum stability.
New tenders with a double floor, waterproof storage, and top-quality tubes!
Its biggest asset is its locker: Your backpack or today’s picnic will fit in just fine…
Are you looking for a tender or dinghy model for your yacht, sailboat or catamaran ? The choice of boat will depend on your intended use, frequency of trips, sailing areas and your expectations. Choose a comfortable, innovative and powerful boat that you can accessorize according to your taste and needs. You will already have basic equipment: lifting and towing rings, bench, paddles or oars, many handles … for the comfort of the pilot and the passengers. The design of your dinghy will perfectly match your yacht thanks to its elegant aesthetics. Your RIB dinghy guarantees you excellent performance , great boating comfort and spaciousness for regular use. Its sturdiness ensures greater safety at sea where the weather is particularly unpredictable.
A yacht dinghy is highly recommended as it provides a comfortable mooring for disembarkation and a real guarantee of assistance in case of need . Reliability and lightweight are the key words that characterize the tender boats and dinghy models available. Yacht dinghies serve you both as lifeboats or support boats to get the pilot, crew and guests to land or shore, but also as leisure boats due to their versatility . The size and engine of the tender mean it can be used as a leisure boat for sea trips with friends or family; from 4 meters upwards for the larger models . So go and explore some beautiful places. The finish and quality of the accessories ensure the longevity of your boat.
In our range, you will find 100% electric tenders like the eOpen , but also ones with hydro jet propulsion, such as the eJet. This modern technology, which uses a turbine to draw in water and propel it quickly to move the boat forward, offers a more fun and agile way to steer . Compared to outboard motorboats with a propeller engine, waterjet propulsion offers greater safety, the ability to operate in shallow water and faster acceleration . Tender models with rigid hulls such as the CADET RIB ALU, the small OPEN, the eOPEN, or the Yachtline provide you with more stability at sea, even in difficult weather conditions. This gives you more space on board for passengers and storage.
ALL CAPABILITIES
LIGHTWEIGHT LANDING CRAFT RANGE
LIGHTWEIGHT CATAMARAN YACHT TENDER
INFLATABLE FISHING KAYAK
PORTABLE INFLATABLE DINGHY
CAREFULLY SELECTED ACCESSORIES
A standard order is prepared and dispatched within 1-3 working days. No matter where you are in the world, our door-to-door shipping service brings your order straight to your doorstep. While shipping timeframes may vary, delivery typically ranges from 1-2 weeks.
All orders from outside New Zealand will incur standard customs duties and fees upon arrival in your country. Our shipment providers (FedEx/DHL) will assist with customs clearance and collection of duties. Please ensure you are available for communications during this shipping time.
For more help or information, contact us.
We strive to keep the weight out of our inflatable boat range to make our dinghies manageable by anyone. Carrying and rowing these boats is a breeze, and for our larger designs we have our exclusive QuickLok Dingy Launching Wheels.
Whether you are using your True Kit as a tender and need to pull it onboard the mothership, or your True Kit is the water-going extension of your caravan, keeping it light is critical. The secret is in our thermo-welded seams and superior fabrics, which help us to remove all unnecessary weight from the boat.
Have you ever had that tippy feeling climbing in and out of a dinghy? Experience what we call "stand up stability". The nature of inflatable catamarans means all the buoyancy is on the outside. This provides an incredibly stable platform for stepping in and out of the dinghy.
The Discovery inflatable catamaran hull has significantly less drag than a typical deep-v hull. This allows for much smaller, lighter, more affordable and more fuel-efficient outboard engines. You need less horsepower to enjoy a thrilling ride!
All True Kit inflatable boats are designed to be packed down and travelled with. We use the finest German-made fabrics that are flexible and durable to be folded and unfolded again and again. Because our boats are so portable, you can take one anywhere.
Quality and durability were uppermost in our minds when we were choosing the materials for the True Kit range. After extensive research and testing we chose the world’s leading, premium fabric for inflatable boats - Valmex® by Mehler Germany.
•Mehler has over 60 years’ experience in the development of textiles
•Mehler uses the most advanced technology to ensure their high quality, German made textiles are longer lasting
•The Valmex® fabric demonstrates superior flexibility, elasticity, airtightness and resistance against mechanical damage and UV
•Valmex® is recyclable
•Manufactured in Germany under the internationally recognised standard of quality: ISO 9001:2008
The transom is the transfer unit between the outboard engine and the boat. We have created an incredibly stiff, lightweight aluminium transom using unique design and quality materials. The triple fold provides strength and direct power transfer from the engine to the boat while also being very light. The whole transom is finished to super yacht level with the AkzoNobel powercoat system.
The seam can be an inflatable boat's Achilles Heel - or the strongest part. We choose to thermo-weld the seams on our boats to create the strongest bond possible (a permanent mechanical bond). A welded seam on a True Kit inflatable actually becomes stronger than the fabric itself. Don't settle for glued seams.
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Colour Options | |||
Performance | 80cm x 60cm x 25cm (31" x 24" x 10") | 105cm x 60cm x 30cm (41" x 24" x 12") | |
Additional Specs | |||
Warranty | |||
. Boats built with Valmex® 20 years ago can still be seen zipping around demonstrating exceptionally long life expectancy. | |||
Key components in every true kit, premium valmex® fabric.
Dedicated to true quality, we only use German-made UV-resistant Valmex®.
Welded, not glued, creating an unbreakable bond built to outperform and outlast the competition.
High pressure air deck with thermo-welded seams - providing that important rigidity to your True Kit.
Enjoy a seamless purchase experience with True Kit Direct. With our new base in Ft. Lauderdale, we offer expert advice, lower prices, and a closer connection to the brand. Our direct-to-customer approach ensures personalized service and exclusive benefits, enhancing your buying experience.
We stand behind the quality and durability of our inflatable catamarans because all our boats go through a rigorous testing protocol. That's why we offer an industry-leading 5-year warranty on all our boats. Enjoy long-term peace of mind with every purchase, knowing that your True Kit is built to last and protected by our comprehensive warranty coverage.
At True Kit, we commit to shipping your order in 1-3 business days. You will receive tracking notifications as soon as your order is on its way. We aim to ship all US orders from our new base in Ft. Lauderdale. However, until we have full inventory, some orders may still be shipped from our New Zealand headquarters. Shipping times are 5-10 days from Florida, and 10-14 days from New Zealand.
Want to know more.
With your Navigator, you'll get: Boat Floor Aluminium Seat(s) 2-piece Aluminium Oar Set Boat Bags True Kit Bravo Hand Pump Repair Kit
Both boats share exactly the same materials and construction methods. The designs also share a similar catamaran platform which offers superior stability and performance when compared to conventionally designed inflatables. The main difference is in the bow section. The Navigator is primarily designed for yacht tender purposes and has a high volume tube running all the way around the bow. This means you can load the dinghy up with more people and gear and have them close to the bow. The Discovery has parallel tubes which are tapered towards the bow. This creates less volume in the bow area which increases performance and also allows the bow to be pushed close to the water when weight is placed there. This unique design feature is great for swimmers and divers boarding the boat from the water, it is much easier than climbing up over the side tubes.
Our customers are always surprised at how well our boats row. While they haven’t all been specifically designed for rowing (except the Stowaway), the low drag platform and lightweight construction make them a breeze to row. The catamaran design also helps the boats to track well compared to many other flat bottomed boats.
We offer a 5 year limited warranty on new boats. Warranty terms can be found in the Warranty page on our website True Kit Warranty . Boats built with Valmex® 20 years ago can still be seen zipping around demonstrating exceptionally long life expectancy.
Add a set of our QuickLok Dinghy Wheels to make moving your True Kit inflatable simple. Remove in seconds with the simple clip on/clip off installation lock.
Greenline boat owner.
We wanted a tender for our hybrid boat that would run well with an electric outboard. True Kit found me on social media and impressed with innovation and responsive sales support. Our new navigator arrived a week after ordering and was easy to set up and inflate the first time. Looking forward to her taking us ashore.
We needed a tender with enough stability and room to get us and our electric bikes to and from shore easily. We just tried our True Kit Navigator 300 and it is perfect for this. It performed well with our Torqeedo Traveler 1003.
Haven’t had a chance to get it in the water yet but blew it up on deck and first impressions are excellent! The simple/quick release air valves are refreshingly easy compared to previous dinghies I’ve owned, and it’s nice that the pump comes with a gauge. So far so good!
Very happy with the quality of both build and design. I’m looking forward to many years of fun and service from this tender. Highly recommend to of the pile product!!
Not used it yet but we inflated it and deflated it and stowed it . Perfect. Impressive looking. Mercury 2.5 is our new engine of choice. Way within guidelines. The tender will partner with our Atlas25 Trawler. Rooftop inflated dinghy under way. Needed a light dinghy, this fits our needs:). Texas USA. Randy/Gini
I costs a bit more because it is better in every way. Design, materials, construction. Top shelf.
I bought the 2.5 … best inflatable I have had so far. I wish I could place the seat aft about a foot for motoring and where currently “as built” for rowing. I wish the supplied oars were a little longer. It’s a bit noiser towing due to the water slapping on the “tunnel” under the body of the boat between the tubes. This sounds like a lot of crit. But make no mistake, it is I think the best airfloor small tender on market currently. Including to my eye, actually almost handsome in shape fit and finish - for an inflatable.
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Roomy yet still compact
The goldilocks middle child – lightweight, roomy yet still compact. The jump up to a 15 degree deadrise means you can go further and, thanks to its aluminium hull, this is the perfect tender for worry-free beaching!
Overall Length
Internal Length
Overall Width
Internal Width
Tube Diameter
# of Air Chambers
Maximum Load
Maximum People
Boat only Weight
Engine Shaft
Design Category
Package size for boat (l x w x h)
8'2" x 3'6" x 1’2", standard features.
This boat is incredible!
Are you ready to explore, our partners.
One key highlight of the fall boat show season each year is the introduction of new boats and products—we all clamor for the new technology and fawn over the new offerings in sleek fiberglass, glowing wood or nowadays, high-tech carbon fiber.
And so, under perfectly sunny fall Rhode Island skies, the 2024 Newport International Boat Show announced its winners of the annual Newport for New Products awards. An annual industry highlight, NFNP entries were open to domestic and foreign products that were nationally launched after April 1, 2024, and made their boat show debut at Newport. Show attendees selected the People’s Choice Award winner, while all other category winners were selected by a team of industry experts based on innovation, value to the consumer, safety and aesthetics. On the opening day of the show, those experts (including yours truly) spent a full day on the docks checking out all the latest. This year saw the debut of 20 new powerboat entries with another nine in the sail category, as well as 18 products ranging from sailboat winches to waterproof personal gear to safety and more. Products and vessels were checked and cross-checked, and the deliberations at the end of the day could have filled a dozen boating magazines as we weighed those categories of innovation, value, safety and aesthetics.
Bringing home the double win as Best New Large Powerboat and Overall Powerboat Winner was the Full Keel Marine NorthCoast 415HT. This quad-outboard-powered beast of a vessel is offered in cruising and fishing configurations, but what stood out to the judges was simply the beauty, size and brawn of this well-built boat. It also offers excellent value as well.
The Newport for New Products also presented awards to the following manufacturers:
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A guide to some of the best Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs) on the market, with features, specifications and prices. Learn about the benefits, performance and versatility of RIBs for yachting, sailing and sportfishing.
Learn the benefits of rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) as yacht tenders and how to pick the right size, capacity and features for your boating needs. Compare different models of BRIG RIBs and find your perfect dinghy for fun and adventure on the water.
Find the best tender or dinghy for your yacht, sailboat or catamaran from Zodiac Nautic. Choose from a range of models with electric, hydrojet or outboard engines, inflatable or rigid hulls, and various sizes and capacities.
The water offers endless possibilities, and so does the BRIG Falcon Tender. A perfect companion to your yacht or powerboat, this RIB tender boat continues the legacy of BRIG for quality, performance and safety. Whether you're a solo adventurer or group traveler, this rigid inflatable yacht tender will fulfill your sense of adventure, your ...
UP BOATS offers full carbon fiber dinghies, tenders & chase boats with low weight, high performance and lifetime guarantee. Customize your tender with various options and see how it is tested and proven by offshore cruisers.
Learn how to choose the right inflatable dinghy for your sailing needs and preferences. Compare different types, sizes, fabrics, engines and storage options for your tender.
Rigid Boats is the premier manufacturer of rigid fiberglass yacht tenders and dinghies, offering quality and comfort for boaters. Explore their models, custom options, and advantages over inflatable dinghies.
Learn about different types, options, and features of dinghy tenders for yachts. Find out how to choose, buy, and maintain the best tender for your needs and preferences.
The Falcon 420 is a 13-foot tender with comfortable seating for seven people and a powerful engine that can cut through the surf. It is easy to clean, maintain and transport, and can be used for restocking, exploring and enjoying the water.
The ideal dinghy size depends on your yacht's size and how you intend to use the tender. If you primarily need a shuttle for a couple of people and light gear, a smaller dinghy (8-10 feet) may suffice. However, if you anticipate carrying more passengers, equipment, or supplies, a larger tender (12-14+ feet) would be more suitable.
Explore the latest sailing tender ideas, from lightweight composite boats to inflatable foilers. Find out how to stow, rig and sail these fun and fast dinghies from your yacht or car.
Zodiac Nautic offers 13 models of inflatable boat tenders for different activities and needs. Whether you want to access remote places, fish, dive, or enjoy water sports, you can find the perfect dinghy with a sturdy hull, a foldable or inflatable floor, and various accessories.
Novurania of America is a leading manufacturer of high-performance and customizable tenders and leisure boats since the 1960s. Explore the full range of models and lengths, from 11 to 38 feet, and discover the Italian design and craftsmanship of Novurania.
Portland Pudgy is a rugged, stable, and versatile dinghy that can be used as a yacht tender, a sailing dinghy, a lifeboat, or a workboat. It has built-in buoyancy, a self-contained storage space, and an inflatable exposure canopy for safety at sea.
The Argos Nautic GT14 is a six-person center-console RIB that is intended to serve as a can-do tender for 70- to 100-foot yachts. Owners can customize each GT14, including upholstery, paint, Hypalon tube textures and colors, and rub-rail aesthetics so the tender can match the mothership in various ways.
ASTenders are high-performance boats, built on the highest standards in composite production: They are robust, durable and highly efficient. The extra buoyancy, of the foam sandwich and the waterproof compartments, makes the ASTenders unsinkable. The absence of inflated tubes makes the ASTenders the most spacious tenders you will have used.
Find the best dinghy or tender for your yacht, sailboat or catamaran from Zodiac Nautic. Choose from a range of models with rigid or inflatable hulls, electric or hydro jet propulsion, and various sizes and capacities.
Ultra rigid AirDeck. High pressure air deck with thermo-welded seams - providing that important rigidity to your True Kit. Direct From True Kit. 5 Year Warranty. Dispatched in 1-3 Days. We stand behind the quality and durability of our inflatable catamarans because all our boats go through a rigorous testing protocol.
Smallest RIB boat model in the range, ideal for use by couples or light loads. . Contact Highfield Aluminum Boats. Skip to content. Visit the new Highfield Online Store ... this is the perfect tender for worry-free beaching! 2.90m. 4. 10hp. 9' 6" 4. 10hp. Metric Imperial. Key Features. 4 Colour Schemes . W. LG. DG. B. Specifications. Overall ...
The Newport for New Products also presented awards to the following manufacturers: Best New Boating Product - Seldén Mast 3-Speed Electric/Manual Winches . Honorable Mention: Raymarine Smart Wind Sensors and Ugo Messenger Best New Sailboat - Carbon Ocean Yachts SDK 49; Best New Small Powerboat - Solace Boats 28HCS; Green Product Award - Elco Motor ...
Allocation of ballot. If you are successful in the ballot, you will be contacted to provide us with some further details, confirm your boat is insured and that you have read, understood and agree to abide by the rules of the harbour.. The terms and conditions for the use of the chain can be found here.. Please be aware that there will also be a fee to pay, covering the period 1 March 2025 to ...