The growing popularity of chase tenders reflects a wider shift in the superyacht industry, with owners seeking greater freedom, flexibility and adventure from their yachts.
The traditional superyacht tender has always served a practical purpose: transporting guests ashore, carrying provisions and also providing access to shallow-water destinations. But as owner expectations evolve, the tender is becoming much more than a support boat. Increasingly, superyachts are turning to chase tenders – independent, high-performance boats that expand the capabilities of the mothership.
MORE THAN A TENDER
The key difference is independence. While a conventional tender is carried aboard the mothership and launched when required, a chase tender operates separately. It can follow the yacht, travel ahead to a destination or spend an entire day away from the mothership. This creates a second platform for exploration. Guests can head ashore, visit secluded beaches, go fishing, dive, enjoy watersports or simply cruise the coastline at speed, while the mothership remains safely at anchor. For owners, this means the yacht’s cruising area effectively becomes much larger.
SOLVING THE SPACE PROBLEM
One of the strongest drivers behind the chase-tender trend is the growing demand for water toys and equipment. Jet skis, Seabobs, paddleboards, diving gear and other toys all require valuable storage space, while the size of a conventional yacht garage inevitably limits the tender that can be carried.A chase tender removes that constraint. It can be considerably larger than the yacht’s onboard tender and can carry equipment, guests and crew independently. This is particularly attractive to yachts in the 30–60 metre range, where owners can gain many of the benefits of a support vessel without the scale and expense of operating a large shadow yacht.
PERFORMANCE BECOMES PART OF THE EXPERIENCE
Speed is another major attraction. A superyacht is designed for comfort, range and luxury, whereas a chase tender can deliver acceleration, agility and excitement. Modern examples can combine high performance with sophisticated guest spaces, making the journey itself part of the experience. For today’s more active owners, this distinction is significant. The chase tender can effectively become the yacht’s sports car: something to take out for the sheer enjoyment of driving and exploring.
OPERATIONAL FLEXIBILITY
The benefits extend beyond recreation. A chase boat can support the captain and crew by scouting anchorages, transporting provisions, moving equipment and allowing guests to travel independently of the mothership. It can also reach shallow or restricted areas that are inaccessible to larger yachts.
BRABUS
SAY CARBON YACHTS – SAY 42
The Sport is the latest evolution of SAY Carbon Yachts’ acclaimed 42-foot hull, combining exhilarating performance with enhanced comfort and versatility. Built from advanced carbon fibre, the yacht delivers exceptional agility, efficiency and precision handling while remaining remarkably lightweight. Designed as the ultimate day cruiser, the SAY 42 Sport reaches speeds of up to 45 knots and features the renowned Petestep® hull technology for a smooth, stable and responsive ride in a wide range of sea conditions. Its open, flexible deck layout maximises space for entertaining, relaxing and watersports, while premium materials, contemporary styling and meticulous German engineering create an uncompromising luxury experience. The result is a yacht equally suited to leisurely coastal cruising, social gatherings and high-performance adventures. Representing the next generation of SAY’s carbon fibre innovation, the SAY 42 Sport perfectly balances speed, style and everyday versatility, making it the ideal choice for owners seeking cutting-edge technology and effortless luxury in one striking package.
SCHAEFER YACHTS
HURRICANE TENDERS
VAQNUISH YACHTS
Vanquish builds bold, high-performance motor yachts that embody its defining mantra: “Not for Everyone.” Rooted in premium Dutch craftsmanship and pioneering aluminum construction, every Vanquish is fully bespoke, offering the freedom to match your chase boat’s exact styling, colorway, and character to your mothership. Combining unmistakable design with raw power and agility, a Vanquish delivers an exhilarating, remarkably dry ride without compromising VIP comfort. Whether executing high-speed guest transfers or serving as an autonomous basecamp, these vessels are the ultimate extension of the superyacht lifestyle –equally capable, distinctive, and uncompromising. You can experience Vanquish’s rebellious DNA firsthand at the Monaco Yacht Show, where the signature VQ58 and dynamic VQ55 demonstrate that a chase boat shouldn’t simply follow – it should make a statement of its own. Every Vanquish is defined by total customisation, with complete flexibility to mirror your mothership’s exterior styling, color scheme and layout. Underneath the bold design lies formidable performance and a signature hull engineered to deliver exceptional speed, agility and a remarkably smooth, dry ride. This is complemented by uncompromising Dutch craftsmanship, premium materials and flawless finishes throughout. With bold, instantly recognisable lines, a Vanquish commands attention wherever it goes.
LIFEPROOF BOATS BY IMS
B-CRAFT
Roeland and Paris Van Aelst started B-Craft because the boat they wanted did not exist. Every family summer was organised around water: wakeboarding at dawn, lunch on board, dinner ashore. Nothing did all of it with true grace. The boats built for watersports were without taste, the beautiful ones were not practical at all. The Akoya was their answer. 8.6 metres, 430 hp Volvo Penta Forward Drive, and the Rig: their patented, automated tower, which gives a wakeboarder full height and a skier a lower, more central point, then retracts completely into the deck. Two minutes after the last run she is a tidy day cruiser. Because they adjusted measurements and weights for it. Owners then asked us for two things: somewhere to sleep, and something bigger. The Tahiti is the bigger. At 12 metres it becomes a chase boat for superyachts, carrying guests, crew and equipment, with room for a proper foiling and watersports station. Layed out in true beach club fashion for connection with the water and friends or family, there is simply more space and connection without losing the sports DNA.
DELTA POWERBOATS
Launched in 2025, the new Delta Powerboats 72 integrates timeless craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology and performance. Developed in collaboration with Mannerfelt Design with an enduring carbon-fibre construction, the 72 is intended to excel with large day parties as well as on longer voyages, offering unmatched cruising comfort, pace and efficiency. Buyers will have the opportunity to choose drivetrain between twin IPS-1350 inboards or quadruple V12-600 outboards. The 72 is designed to deliver a fascinating on-the-water experience supported by generous toy storage, a transformer lifting platform and a tender garage. The exterior deck areas include multiple options for lounging, outdoor seating for 20, with three sun lounges across the deck and rooftop. Below deck, there are four ensuite cabins, including a master stateroom, plus a crew cabin.
SPARK MARINE
AXOPAR
Axopar provides an exceptionally versatile platform for creating a tender that is tailored to both the mothership and the way it is used. Whether the role is guest transfers, day trips, watersports or crew duties, the boat can be configured around the demands of its operation. For tenders designed to be towed, a structurally integrated towing point transfers the load to the areas of the hull engineered to carry it. A Tow-Pro monitoring system keeps the bridge informed of the tender’s status while underway, adding an extra layer of control and reassurance. Air conditioning is treated as an integral part of the boat. Individually routed ducting and outlets integrated into the roof lining distribute cool air throughout the cabin, while the double-layer roof helps reduce heat ingress. Each Axopar can be further tailored to the mothership and its intended role, with options including generators for independent onboard power, gyro stabilisation, bespoke upholstery and diesel outboard configurations. The latter offers a practical advantage for mothership operations, allowing both vessels to run on a single fuel rather than two. Boote Polch Group provides support 24/7, 365 days a year, with spare parts available throughout Europe within 48 hours and service bases in Mallorca and on the Côte d’Azur.
