While the largest Vitruvius under construction won’t be delivered until 2013, her tender will be ready well before that. The 31-footer (9.5-meter) owner’s tender depicted here is being built at Cockwells in the UK.
Cockwells is better known in its own country and in Europe than it is in the USA. The shipyard builds custom motor- and sailing yachts as well as custom tenders. It also constructs pilot cutters.
As for the tender for the Vitruvius motoryacht (to measure 73 meters, or 240 feet), Cockwells is collaborating with designer Andrew Wolstenholme of Wolstenholme Yacht Design. The parties are familiar with one another, as Wolstenholme designed a classic-looking, strip-planked, 37-foot powerboat for Cockwells delivered in 2008. Wolstenholme was asked by Cockwells to come up with a tender design in the years after that delivery, to serve as a concept that the shipyard could present to potential clients.
Clearly it worked, as the original design doesn’t appear to be different than the throwback lines of the tender shown here. While she’s all-traditional in looks, she’s a combination of traditional and modern in execution. Cockwells is employing foam-sandwich fiberglass construction, combined with plenty of decorative teak and teak decks.
The tender’s 8’9” (2.7-meter) beam will surely be appreciated, given that 12 people can be taken to and from the megayacht aboard her. The tender will serve more active purposes, too, given anticipated 40-knot speeds from twin 315-hp Yanmars. By day, the owner and guests can use the swim ladder and handy aft shower. A wetbar will keep them refreshed, as will a toilet and sink inside the cabin. The hardtop can fold if so desired, and underwater lighting around the swim platform could easily attract fish for nighttime entertainmnent.
For more information directly from Cockwells about its custom tenders, please fill out our contact form.
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