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Additional buoyancy for the 'hard' or 'traditional' tender



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What is the issue?
Hard or traditional tenders make excellent and durable yacht tenders. However, they do tend to be unstable and tip down when boarded badly by those unfamiliar with small boats. Boat owners with nice glossy topsides also tend to cast a wary eye to an approaching hard tender. Finally, if waterlogged its inherent buoyancy can do little more than keep itself afloat and offers very little assistance to the boatman in the water.

Why address this?
Traditional tenders are excellent vessels if they can be made more stable and safer. Also, in an inherently friendly sailing circle, anything to make your visit more welcome is always a good thing.

How to address this?
Add additional buoyancy around the rail. There are many collar systems that can be attached as the videos below show, and they are very effective. The most cost effective approach is to use the yacht's own fenders by adding some fastenings along the top sides of the tender where the fenders can be easily fastened and unfastened.


Duo dinghy rowing with inflatable collars fitted
Photo: Woods Designs


Tenders are typically the primary means of getting about when the yacht is laying to anchor or on moorings. At these times the fenders are laying disused in the locker. By contrast, when the fenders are in use, for instance alongside a harbour wall or in a marina, the tender is typically not in use. Hence they may be routinely brought together as needed without any disadvantage.

The extra fender buoyancy up top helps stabilise a dinghy, and a hard tender ringed with fenders is always welcomed alongside nice glossy topsides.

With thanks to:
Michael Harpur, Yacht Obsession.




Duo dinghy rowing with inflatable collars fitted




Duo dinghy test capsizes




Small boat acts BIG with a Boat Collar


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