Do I Refit Or Replace My Tender? It’s A Common Dilemma

It’s not a well-known fact that a composite yacht tender will outlive the metal fabricated mothership. They are simply not affected in the same detrimental way by water and salt as metal or aluminium are. A well-built composite yacht tender has an indefinite life span. 

So why are older yacht tenders so often abandoned? Nigel Upton from Superyacht Tenders is here to clear up the frequently-asked question: Do I refit or replace my tender?

The Difference Between Maintenance & Restoring

All boats require maintenance throughout their ownership. But restoring and refitting yacht tenders to original condition (or better) is a relatively new thing. 

Refitting older tenders is not something that most owners considered worthwhile as they didn’t see the value in it. Yacht tenders have a perceived useful lifespan whereby at the end of this term they are generally replaced and considered surplus to requirements. 

More recently, however, yacht tender refits have increased. But more often than not the outcomes are poor. Shipyards offer the service but the works are pricey for what is no more than a quick makeover. Unfortunately, this gives the impression that buying a new replacement tender is better than a complete restoration. 

But restoring your tender can be a successful endeavour if you know where to look.

Purchasing A Replacement Tender For A Superyacht. Is It Worth It?

Prices have increased substantially, materials are in short  supply, lead times have almost doubled in some cases and  available build slots are increasingly difficult to secure. 

Restoring a yacht tender is sustainable in a way that building a new one isn’t. 

Refitting a yacht tender saves considerable amounts of valuable time and funds. With a new generation of yacht owner comes a larger concern for sustainability than ever before.

So Who Out There Wants To Help?

I believe you can reach the best results by working with the original manufacturers in bringing back the tender into operation and extending its lifespan. 

Nobody cares more for their brand than the company who originally built the boat. They are familiar with the original design and construction. But above all they care about the brand – their reputation is paramount. They are far more likely to provide a better result than a local shipyard. 

Sadly, I’m still puzzled at how many yacht tender manufacturers want nothing to do with boats they have previously built and supplied to their clients in the past. Most manufacturers want to sell new boats and don’t want to spend time and resources refitting older ones. 

There is, fortunately, a growing trend of reputable manufacturers who are beginning to grasp the value of this. Awareness of what is possible is steadily increasing. Which is a good thing.

How WE At Superyacht Tenders Can Help You

We were recently dealing with a client who was trying to source a new tender. Build time was in excess of 18 months but the same manufacturer could offer a fully refitted model for a third of the price – and within a third of the time it would take to build a new one.

This is a no brainer.

The original tender would be fully transformed with the latest technologies, new lightweight construction, and state-of-the-art materials that will appeal to the preferences of modern Superyacht owners and their sustainability requirements. The tender would be finished, supplied, and indistinguishable from new. 

Now is the perfect time to look into the option of a complete yacht tender refit project.  

We literally come across hundreds of examples of quality yacht tenders crying out for a new lease of life. They can be supplied faster, cheaper and better than new. 

You tell us what you are looking for, we source the correct tender, and oversee the project from start to finish. 

For an in depth discussion on how we can assist with these types of project please get in touch with us!

Superyacht Tenders is the place to go for your next tender.

For a discreet, confidential discussion as to how we can best assist you in buying, selling, or upgrading your tender, please contact Nigel Upton on nigel@superyachttenders.net

Email: info@superyachttenders.net

Phone: (London) +44 7756 867 806 OR (Barcelona) +34 659 556 991

To keep up to date with the latest Superyacht Content News, click here.

Sign up to our Newsletter below: