About this tender
The BS 160 is the build we ask Novamarine for when a programme needs genuine size, serious speed, and the flexibility to go shallow. At 16.7m in outboard configuration, with twenty-five persons certified and a total engine output of 1,800 hp, this is not a crossover play - it is a purpose-built vessel from the Black Shiver line, designed to cover ground and host guests in equal measure. The 0.8m draft means it operates in coastal shallows that would exclude heavier platforms, and the available in-outboard variant stretches the hull to 17.0m with 1,320 hp for those who prioritise stern-access volume over peak velocity.
On deck the layout is structured around a covered dinette amidships, a galley cabinet with fridge, sink, and storage, and a bow area that converts between sofa, sundeck, and dining configurations. Below decks a convertible dinette-to-berth and a separate shower bathroom with air conditioning make extended passages practical rather than aspirational. Side doors and stern access points sit close to the waterline, which is the detail captains actually notice when water-toy operations are running at anchor. The dominant steering console carries navigation and handling loads in all conditions, and Novamarine's quoted max speed of 50 knots in the outboard version gives it genuine transfer capability between anchorages.
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Highlights
The four details we'd point out first to a captain who hasn't seen one on the water yet.
The BS 160 is offered in outboard and in-outboard variants. The outboard version measures 16.7m and produces 1,800 hp for a quoted maximum of 50 knots. The in-outboard extends the hull to 17.0m, reduces total power to 1,320 hp, and trades peak speed for a larger, uncluttered stern platform - a meaningful difference if your programme runs a tender or water-sport operation from the aft deck.
A draft of 0.8m is consistent across both the outboard and in-outboard configurations. At a 16-to-17-metre length, that figure is notably low and opens up anchorage options that exclude heavier monohull chase boats. Shallow bays, river mouths, and reef passages become accessible without a change of vessel.
Both BS 160 variants are rated for twenty-five persons - a headcount more commonly associated with commercial-code platforms than a private yacht tender. Combined with a covered deck dinette, convertible bow area, and below-decks accommodation, the boat supports a full owner party without compromising the operational brief.
A below-decks saloon converts from dinette to double berth; a separate shower bathroom with air conditioning is fitted as standard. At 16.7 to 17.0 metres the boat carries enough volume below the waterline to make crew rest and owner privacy functional, rather than token.
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The full specification
Specifications, prices, availability, and performance figures are supplied for guidance only and remain subject to confirmation by the yard, seller, broker, survey, contract, and final specification.
Questions, answered
Last call · Available
Novamarine · Olbia, Italy
Tell us about your yacht, your programme, and the missions BS160 Outboard needs to handle. We come back within 48 hours with a written assessment - fit for the brief, lead time, and trade-offs against alternatives in the same band.
Prefer to talk? +44 (0) 77180 88055 · other ways to reach us
From the library
