Best Tender?

Benedetta

New Member
Aug 10, 2019
7
Boat Info
1998 480 Sedan Bridge
Engines
CAT 3196TA
We have just purchased a 1998 480 Sedan bridge with TNT hydraulic swim platform. We plan to cruise Bahamas and Keys and are shopping for a tender that will fit the platform, and also be suitable for reprovisioning as well as recreation (diving/snorkeling etc.). Virtually every photo I have seen of 480SBs with a tender shows an RIB/inflatable of some sort. Any suggestions or tales of woe to share? How about little jet boats instead? Thanks.
 
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the williams jet tenders are cool, but very expensive and are harder to maintain in a salt water environment - that is why the outboards are so prevalent - the jets are likely safer for diving an watersports as well as stow and tie down.....as far as RIB vs solid, its nice to have the bouyency, a place to sit and built in fender! there is a hybrid brand that looks/fuctions like a rib, but is ridgid - so no tubes to worry about puncturing or degrading in the sun (make sure you get hypalon if you get a RIB. as far as size, im sure some 48/50/52 owners will chime in, but my guess is 11' - I would assume you could go bigger with a jet as there is no tilted up outboard to deal with
 
Ah so - that makes sense about maintaining a jet vs outboard. And all good points about comfort and buoyancy.I will check out Hypalon. Thanks for the tips.
 
I am partial to center console RIB with outboard. Have had a jet boat before (full size), not excited about that path again.

Previous was Zodiac (now Avalon or something) with a 40hp Yamaha.
Current is an AB with 50hp Yamaha.

AB is superior ride, handling, and all around performance. Downside on AB is cheap stainless.

A lot of the decision comes down to how you use it. This afternoon we rode 6-7 miles down the ICW for lunch. Yesterday it was 4-5 miles the other direction for lunch.

We go almost every day we are on the boat. Comfort and performance is very important to us.
 
Wow, crappy stainless on AB. I am in the market for a 9’ RIB and was looking at the 9’ fiberglass RIB AB’s online. I figured it was a quality dinghy, based on the price points. What brand would you suggest, if not AB? I have heard bad things about Zodiac and some other brands. Achilles? Defender?
 
I just bought the Zodiac Yachtline DL340 (11’ 2”) center console with 40hp Yamaha, bought it from Defender in CT, paid about $20k all in. Have put about 40hrs on it already this summer, very happy!
 
I’m in the process of purchasing a Zodiac 310 with console and Yamaha F20. I wouldn’t want to go bigger on my boat but you definitely could. I wouldn’t hesitate to go to a 340 or more with your boat. As others have said, performance and comfort are everything as we’ll use it for longer outings away from the mother ship. Definitely go console, and go with the biggest rib and engine you can. You won’t regret it.
 
I
the williams jet tenders are cool, but very expensive and are harder to maintain in a salt water environment - that is why the outboards are so prevalent - the jets are likely safer for diving an watersports as well as stow and tie down.....as far as RIB vs solid, its nice to have the bouyency, a place to sit and built in fender! there is a hybrid brand that looks/fuctions like a rib, but is ridgid - so no tubes to worry about puncturing or degrading in the sun (make sure you get hypalon if you get a RIB. as far as size, im sure some 48/50/52 owners will chime in, but my guess is 11' - I would assume you could go bigger with a jet as there is no tilted up outboard to deal with
My friends had a jet tender and were not impressed with it. They can afford what they want so went with a high end model . A manufacturing and engineering problem plagued theirs . A seam where the jet protrudes was designed backwards so that when under way water was being forced into the seam causing it to fail.. They had ur professionally repaired and dumped it. Sadly they have moved on from boat ownership but get a little time in on my folks old trawler now.Their cost analysis dictated by outrageous marina fees for regular maintenance items scared them away after a few years.
 
I have a Walker Bay Generation 340 and am very happy with it. Most of out decision to go ether Walker Bay was the open cockpit floor plan and we love it for that reason. No other problems with it so far so overall very happy with it.
 
Wow, crappy stainless on AB. I am in the market for a 9’ RIB and was looking at the 9’ fiberglass RIB AB’s online. I figured it was a quality dinghy, based on the price points. What brand would you suggest, if not AB? I have heard bad things about Zodiac and some other brands. Achilles? Defender?

I would still buy the AB without hesitation. Friends who owned an AB told me about the stainless issue as a heads up. They said they would still buy it again.

Just have to watch it closer. The overall improvement in ride and performance of the AB is worth the hassle of the stainless.
 
I would still buy the AB without hesitation. Friends who owned an AB told me about the stainless issue as a heads up. They said they would still buy it again.

Just have to watch it closer. The overall improvement in ride and performance of the AB is worth the hassle of the stainless.
What is this stainless issue?
 
I’m in the process of purchasing a Zodiac 310 with console and Yamaha F20. I wouldn’t want to go bigger on my boat but you definitely could. I wouldn’t hesitate to go to a 340 or more with your boat. As others have said, performance and comfort are everything as we’ll use it for longer outings away from the mother ship. Definitely go console, and go with the biggest rib and engine you can. You won’t regret it.

How are you planning to get it on the swim platform? Seems like a lot of weight to man handle. We are looking for one for the Sabre and the 290 tiller setup seems to be about the max our Davit System (Hurley H3O) will handle.

H
 
How are you planning to get it on the swim platform? Seems like a lot of weight to man handle. We are looking for one for the Sabre and the 290 tiller setup seems to be about the max our Davit System (Hurley H3O) will handle.

H

Hey Henry ...I've got a SeaWise Hydraulic lift/davit system (rated for 700lbs). They're a local company here in Vancouver. The dinghy weighs 380lbs all in fully loaded.

This is what I've got:

 
I love my Achilles 350 with 30 Hp Honda. You buy the boat bare and out fit with center console, seat/ fuel tank box,etc. The center console ribs with molded in seating and integral fuel tank look sexy but are far less roomy and useful as a tender IMHO. I get comments often from guys who run ABs, Mercurys and the like about how much more useful space my Achilles has.
 
I purchased a 10VS AB in April along with a 20HP Yamaha with no issues thus far. It works for what we need it for and sits on the platform like it's not even there.
 
We have a10.2 Aventus RIB with a 9.9 Merc on our GHS platform. Although, I am looking to upgrade to a center console dink, just need to find a buyer for my current one.
 
I have a Walker Bay Generation 340 and am very happy with it. Most of out decision to go ether Walker Bay was the open cockpit floor plan and we love it for that reason. No other problems with it so far so overall very happy with it.

Shopping for a new Tender. Do you have any pictures of your Walker Bay 340 mounted on the platform you can post?

Thank you
 
We love our Boston Whaler. 25hp Merc. (correction, my son loves it, I rarely get to use it:D)
 

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