How to Choose the Right Size Tender for Your Needs

How to Choose the Right Size Tender for Your Needs

Buying a boat is an exciting adventure—but one of the most important decisions you’ll make is choosing the right size. Whether you're planning weekend family outings at the lake, cruising coastal bays, or pairing your new tender with a yacht, selecting the right size ensures safety, comfort, and functionality. Here's a practical guide to help you find your perfect fit.

Determine Your Primary Use

Start by identifying how you plan to use your tender:

• Shore Transport: If you're simply going from yacht to shore, a compact model like the Beaver 10 or San Juan 11 offers easy, efficient transportation with a smaller footprint.
  
  

• Family & Recreation: For cruising, entertaining, or towing water toys, go for higher capacity and added features. The Nantucket 12, Catalina 13, or Kodiak 16 provide more room, comfort, and power—ideal for lakes, rivers, or coastal runs.
  
  

• Yacht Tender: If your tender will live aboard your yacht, consider storage constraints. Do you have a davit? Will it sit on a swim step? What’s the max weight your setup can support? Tide Craft offers multiple sizes and configurations to meet any yacht-tender compatibility need.

Consider Passenger Capacity

Think about how many people will regularly be on board:

• 2–4 passengers: The Beaver 10 or San Juan 11 are compact and agile.
  
  

• 5–7 passengers: The Nantucket 12 or Catalina 13 provide more seating and deck space.
  
  

• 7+ passengers: The Kodiak 16 can comfortably accommodate up to 9, perfect for larger groups.
  

Assess Storage & Docking Space

Measure your trailer, dock, or storage area before purchasing. A properly sized tender will be easier to launch, recover, and store—plus, it reduces the risk of damage and keeps your experience stress-free.

Evaluate Water Conditions

All Tide Craft Boats are built tough for both fresh and salt water. Whether you're exploring offshore coves, anchoring near the islands, or cruising your local lake, our inflatables handle it all with ease.

Why Weight Matters

When selecting the right tender, weight isn’t just about performance—it’s about compatibility and logistics.

• Vehicle Towing Capacity: Before choosing a tender, make sure your vehicle can handle the total weight of the boat and trailer. Tide Craft models are lightweight compared to fiberglass alternatives, but it’s still essential to verify your vehicle’s towing limits and trailer hitch rating.
  
  

• Yacht Davit Limits: If you're storing your tender on a davit system, you'll need to know its lift capacity. Overloading your davit can be unsafe and lead to costly damage. We offer tenders in multiple sizes and weights to accommodate most davit systems.
  
  

• Swim Platform Ratings: Planning to store your tender on your yacht’s swim step? Be sure to check the platform’s maximum load capacity. Even a few hundred extra pounds can make a difference in stability and safety.
  
  

• Towing Behind Your Yacht: If you're planning to tow your tender in the water, weight still matters. A lighter tender is easier to manage, creates less drag, and reduces wear on tow lines and cleats—especially in rougher conditions. But when towing you have more options to bring a larger tender along with you.
  
  

Knowing your numbers helps avoid surprises and ensures your new tender integrates seamlessly with your setup—on land and on the water.

Towing & Transportation

If you plan to tow your tender, make sure your vehicle can handle the load. Tide Craft Boats are trailer-friendly, and many of our models can be stored in a standard garage. Just be sure to factor in trailer length when planning for storage.

 Maintenance & Operating Costs

Boating is an investment—choose a size that fits your ongoing budget. Consider costs like maintenance, registration, fuel, and docking. A smaller tender might save money upfront and long-term.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right size boat is about balancing your lifestyle, budget, and boating goals. By assessing your specific needs, measuring your available space, and considering performance factors like weight, you'll be well on your way to making the right call.

Have questions? We’re here to help. Email us at sales@tidecraftboats.com or give us a call at 480-916-8290. Our crew is ready to help you find your perfect tender.