WHY
A tender is to a yacht owner what your SUV is at home. It is not only for getting from point A to B, it should be your Sport Utility Vessel. So we collaborated to create the ultimate utility and value in a carbon fiber tender. Our experience in cruising and boating has taught us a few things but most importantly that your tender is often key to enjoying cruising to the full. Once the yacht's anchor hits the sea bed then your tender becomes your commute, your work horse and pleasure vehicle. In the morning, the SeaSUV could be your fishing platform with 3 levels of flat standing areas that are ideal for casting from. Your rods can be permanently stowed under the gunwale seats, rearing to go when needed. Later, your SeaSUV 360 becomes your dive boat with ample storage under the seats for 4 full SCUBA dive kits! The forward swim ladder allows easy boarding for the first diver back. No person on board is required to provide counter weight or provide assistance. Then, the SeaSUV becomes your ride to shore for sundowners and dinner. The flat island deck feature keeps shoes dry and makes for a safe trip. The raised inner gunwale provide lateral support to passengers and allows one to stand whilst traveling. Standing when traveling across choppy water makes the trip so much more comfortable.
Where
South Africa is where a large percentage of cruising catamarans are built. We build these full carbon fiber SeaSUV 360's in Knysna, just about midpoint between Cape Town and St Francis, where the majority of catamaran yards are located. Most of these yards are less than 300km away from where we manufacture and probably a much greener proposition than imported tenders from abroad.
Features
As a Sport Utility Vessel, the SeaSUV 360 excels. The ultra-lightweight cored carbon fiber and epoxy matrix creates an unbelievably light and strong boat that is far bigger in space than any 3.6 m (12 foot) tenders we know of. We packed all the features and comfort we could in a 3.6 m (12 foot) platform. Features that one would only associated with much larger boats are available on the SeaSUV 360.
Large flat gunnel seats flank the large flat 7 foot long by 3 foot wide island deck option.
A large lockable hatch keeps fuel tanks and other gear out of sight from prying eyes.
The SeaSUV's rear end has great aft boarding steps. No need to climb over the gunwales, simply step up and over the transom as you push off from the shallows.
The optional retractable and removable wheel set allows for beach launching your carbon fiber SeaSUV when you get caught by the tide.
The SeaSUV's flat deck and bumper on the bow allows you to push up against the yacht or dock to get the crew and passengers to board or disembark. The ladder slides back to protect the yacht.
The SeaSUV's retractable and sliding telescopic swim ladder is a great safety feature. Some struggle to board an anchored tender from the water without assistance. This struggle to board can lead to exhaustion or hypothermia. The swim ladder covers the anchor storage bag and thus acts as reminder to deploy the ladder before anchoring.
Large areas under the side seats allow fishing rods, surfboards, kites, masts, SCUBA gear and snorkeling gear to be stowed, and keeps the deck clear.
The oars are kept under the one side seat with holders that act as rowlocks too should you need them.
The carbon fiber SeaSUV 360 has a warped variable V hull shape designed by James Turner. Concave chines are located where the narrower planing hull transitions to the gunwales. These concave chines add much reserve buoyancy as the boat starts to heel to a side when stationary. These concave chines also redirect water spray away from the boat and contribute to how dry the ride is.
