Definition
An open tender is an unenclosed guest tender that prioritises deck space, easy access, and visibility for short-distance transfers between yacht and shore.
Background and use
Open tenders are the default short-hop guest boat across the 40 to 80 m yacht segment. Without a fixed cabin overhead, the layout puts the helm aft of the bow seating, leaves the cockpit fully open, and uses a low windscreen and a fold-down or removable T-top for sun protection. The result is a boat that is fast to board, easy to step into from a swim platform, and quick to dry off after rain.
Typical builds run from a 6.5 m Williams Sportjet or Castoldi Jet 16 up to bespoke 9 to 11 m carbon hulls from yards such as Pascoe, Hodgdon, Wajer, and Vanquish. Twin diesel jets or a single sterndrive are the most common driveline choices, picked for stowage in a yacht garage rather than for outright speed. A Mediterranean charter programme might use one open tender for guest beach runs and a separate limousine for evening transfers, since the open boat doubles as a watersports platform during the day.
Open tenders sacrifice weather protection for deck flexibility. On routes where guests are taken ashore in a swell or in heavy spray, a limousine cabin is the better tool; for short hops in calm anchorages, the open layout wins.
Related considerations
- Stowage usually settles around 6.5 to 9 m for a 50 to 70 m mothership.
- Removable T-tops let the boat clear lower garage door openings.
- Diesel jets are common for shallow beach runs and crew safety in the water.
- Layout typically supports 8 to 12 guests at coastal certification.
- Custom upholstery and trim are vulnerable to salt and sun without crew care.