A tender is far more than just a practical boat for transporting guests or for the crew to bring provisions on board. At TWW Yachts, we believe that a superyacht tender should be seen as an extension of a yacht, a reflection of how her owner lives and moves through the open waters. For many guests, a tender is the first boat they step aboard when arriving by sea or ocean. Selecting the right tender for your yacht and your needs matters. With several tender categories available, we created a guide to give potential buyers a better understanding of what each tender type offers and which is potentially the right match.
RIBs
The rigid inflatable boat (RIBs) is perhaps the most widely available tender in yachting – and for many good reasons. These day boats are lightweight, stable, and remarkably capable of cruising smoothly across a wide range of sea conditions. RIBs are equally at home ferrying guests ashore, supporting watersport activities, or running crew errands. Their inflatable collars provide a reassuring level of safety and fender protection, making them a practical and reliable daily companion for almost any superyacht mothership. Available in a variety of styles, sizes, and colors, many owners opt to match their RIBs to the mothership.
Limousine Tenders
At the opposite end of the spectrum from the open-air RIBs lies the limousine tender. This style of tender offers an enclosed, climate-controlled interior that ensures any guest transfer is as comfortable and luxurious as possible. Designed to preserve comfort, privacy, and protection from the external elements when going between the yacht and shore, limousine tenders are particularly well-suited to formal evening arrivals, high-profile destinations, and owners who want to ensure that all aspects of their guests’ (and their own journey) should feel as considered as the time spent on board their superyacht.
Electric Tenders
The electric tender category has moved rather quickly from niche to increasingly mainstream in recent years, driven by growing owner demand for near-silent, zero-emission operation across the open waters. Ideal for environmentally regulated anchorages, marine reserves, and destinations where noise and fuel proximity are unwelcome, electric tenders deliver a notably different and often more immersive experience of the surrounding environment. Ideal for owners who want a tender that offers the same levels of style, comfort, and safety as the mothership, electric tenders retain a strong resale value as well as more environmentally friendly cruising credentials.
Custom Tenders
The perfect solution for owners who want a tender that is entirely their own, the custom route offers something no production model can replicate: a tender designed from the outset around a specific yacht, a specific aesthetic, and a specific set of requirements. Working directly with the builder, all detail, from hull form and dimensions to materials, finishes, and equipment, is specified to achieve a visual and functional match with the mothership. A custom tender is the most personal expression of the tender category, and for many owners, the most satisfying one.
Classic Tenders
For owners who value heritage and craftsmanship, or have a classic superyacht, a classic tender is the most likely candidate for a good match. Often wooden-hulled and finished to a high standard of joinery and detail, classic tenders provide a deliberate aesthetic, complementing the character of the mothership they serve and reflecting an appreciation for the traditions of the open waters that predates the modern production market.
Chase Boats
Unlike conventional tenders, a chase boat is usually not kept aboard the mothership.
Too large to fit in a garage or on a deck, typically ranging from 9 to 20 metres, chase boats are instead towed, driven independently, or berthed at a nearby location. Often managed by a dedicated crew member, these boats are built with a combination of speed, seakeeping, and versatility in mind. Used for everything from collecting late-arriving guests and running provisions to reaching anchorages the main yacht cannot access, a chase boat is perfect for owners with limited garage space or for whose itineraries demand a more capable and independent boat.
Beachlanders
The beachlander aims to address one of the most consistent frustrations in superyachting: the inability to land guests cleanly onto a beach without a dock, jetty or calm sea conditions. Fitted with a bow-ramp system that allows passengers and equipment to disembark directly onto sand or shingle, beachlanders open up a category of remote anchorage and private coastlines that most conventional tenders cannot reach. An ideal choice for owners who gravitate toward quieter, less frequented destinations, the beachlander is a genuinely practical addition to any tender garage.
Amphibious Tenders
Perhaps the most technically ambitious category of all tenders, the amphibious tender offers sturdy water performance with retractable all-terrain wheels, allowing the smoothest transitions from open water directly onto shore, without the use of a ramp, dock or jetty. Designed for owners who want to explore beyond the waterline, amphibious tenders open up uninhabited islands, remote sandbars, and untouched coastlines that no other superyacht tender in the garage can reach. As the owner’s appetite for expedition-style cruising continues to grow, this remains one of the most exciting and fast-evolving corners of the tender market.
Choosing the right tender
Ultimately, the right tender depends entirely on how the owner uses their yacht, where they cruise to, and the type of experience they wish to create for themselves and their guests.
Many superyacht owners carry more than one: a capable RIB for daily use alongside a limousine tender for evenings ashore, for example, or a beachlander paired with a chase boat for extended remote itineraries. At TWW Yachts, our team is well-versed in the latest tender trends and is able to guide you through every category and match the best tender to meet your unique needs. Browse our full tender collection or contact us directly today to learn more.
