A tender must be reliable, high performing and robust, which is why many owners are now deciding that a multihull is the best boat for the job.
Leading tender manufacturer, Compass Tenders, is seeing this new wave of demand first-hand with orders skyrocketing. Offering high volumes, superlative stability, safety and comfort, Compass Tenders has always had at least one catamaran tender in build since the company was founded in 2004.
“To date, Compass Tenders has delivered over 60 superyacht tenders of many varieties and sizes,” says Compass’ founder and CEO, Richard Faulkner. “Our experience in custom and semi-custom tender building is now unrivalled,” he adds.
Compass’ high-flying status is underpinned by projects such as the tenders for the 160.6-metre Lürssen superyacht Blue. However, the following brand-new catamaran projects by Compass – one of which is being revealed for the first time – are some of the coolest the industry has seen so far.
12.5m House Cat
Due to be delivered this summer, the brand-new 12.5-metre catamaran is a one-of-a-kind build for Compass Tenders. The client came directly to Compass via the company website and enquired about a standalone vessel to be moored by his property in the Bahamas. The boat will be used for excursions such as water sports, fishing trips and socialising from the property in the open sea and shallow Bahamian bays thanks to her draft of 0.9 metres.
Dubbed “The House Cat”, the vessel is a custom design for an owner who knew exactly what he wanted. To fulfil this rigid brief, the Compass team opted for a catamaran hull due to its versatility. The House Cat was also an opportunity for Compass to push the boundaries of the catamaran tender in an exciting new direction.
The House Cat will feature a propulsion package containing twin Mercury V12 600hp outboards to deliver a top speed in the region of 45 knots. The owner’s engine choice reflected the configuration used on his larger sportsfisher boats, which he prefers for their Jet Anchoring function and ability to be highly controlled. She will be the first tender created by Compass that is fitted with outboard engines and the first of her kind built in the UK.
Other standout features include solar panels on the bimini and a power station to charge a Seabob. The wide 4.4-metre beam and exceptionally spacious floor plan houses an aft seating area with a dual-height electrically powered table and will be able to offer seating for as many as 20 guests. Akin to a much larger yacht, the design also includes L-shaped galley facilities with a fridge and an optional BBQ. Elsewhere on board, a shower compartment, toilet, and hand basin can be found.
The forward section of the vessel has been dedicated to transporting scuba diving cylinders, SeaBobs, stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, mountain bikes, and even a quad bike. The House Cat can carry a weight of 1,000kg, depending on the sea conditions.
Guests can board the catamaran via doors to port and starboard and disembark via the swim platform if they wish. Here, the bow door unfolds into a passerelle for easy access.
Exclusive: 11m New-build Catamaran
This just-revealed new build was chosen by the client from Compass’ semi-production line of 10.5 to 11.5-metre catamarans. As the first unit from the range, the new tender will be ready in the spring of 2025 for sea trials for a repeat client.
The owner was looking for a craft that could offer space and a flexible layout for all manner of excursions from the mothership. With a catamaran tender being the obvious choice to fulfil the owner’s brief and offer a high number of amenities, the exterior styling of the new cat was tailored to suit the mothership and the sizing was chosen to fit inside the superyacht’s garage.
The facilities on board the new vessel include a galley with a fridge and sink and accompanying seating and dining area that can be shaded by a bimini if needed. Guests will have access to a dayhead and a shower and can embark/disembark via the beach landing door – which has been made to also perfectly suit swimming activities. Another boarding door can be found on the port side and can easily accommodate a wheelchair user.
12.3m Shadow Kitten
Winner of the Tender of the Year at the Design and Innovation Awards 2023, the 12.3-metre Shadow Kitten is the custom-made catamaran tender created for the 68-metre support vessel Nebula. Schwalgien Design was responsible for the exterior and interior of Nebula as well as the complementary design of Shadow Kitten.
Ordered in April 2020, Shadow Kitten was delivered after an 18-month build period and has since been enjoyed as a water sports platform and for excursions in the Caribbean and Croatia in a range of sea conditions. Enhanced by a Jet anchoring system, the easy operation of Shadow Kitten is a major benefit to her owner. Up to two crew can take control via the modern “floating” helm console and its retracting seat and push the Shadow Kitten to speeds of up to 40 knots.
Additional seating comes in the form of a large sofa with upholstered footstools for up to 15 guests. The owner is given a dedicated seating area and is protected by a frameless laminated glass windshield that wraps around the entire aft seating area. Fitted in a modular design, the seating area can be rearranged by the crew to be made suitable for carrying cargo or for taxiing more than 17 people.
Guests can board Shadow Kitten through the wide and flush boarding door built into the bulwarks of the loading area or via the large swim platform with the help of powered pop-up handrails. This platform also includes an electric sliding transom door, an aft anchor locker and a pop-up winch. Another access point is at the bow, where a door can transform into a beach landing platform and comes complete with a swim ladder and shower.
Compass Tenders have built many full-custom limousine, sports and utility tenders, designed and built to accompany some the most iconic superyachts in the world. However, these catamaran tenders have given the UK-based company opportunity to flex its creative muscles and prove the versatility of the multihull. For more details on how to start a tender project and receive Compass’ unrivalled expertise in design, styling, comfort and manufacturing, contact the company directly by clicking here.
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Read More/161m Lürssen yacht Blue receives pair of Compass tenders