Bamboo Tender From Sigmund Yacht Design, Cockwells, and Lamboo

We’ve seen mahogany tenders, carbon fiber tenders… but never a bamboo tender, which has us intrigued by the Lamboo Tender R1. The boat is the brainchild of two yachting firms and a materials specialist—specifically, Sigmund Yacht Design, Cockwells, and Lamboo, which provides bamboo for architects, engineers, and more worldwide, including yacht designers and builders. The trio say that the Lamboo Tender R1 is the first all-bamboo runabout.

While not yet in build, as the team prefers to wait for a contract vs. build on spec, the 25’3” (7.72-meter) Lamboo Tender R1 has a few noteworthy elements. Sigmund Yacht Design and Cockwells have each been involved in tender and yacht projects, of course, but the use of bamboo is arguably an equal attention-getter. Bamboo is lauded for its strength and its ability to be milled and finished similarly to hardwoods. Lamboo says it uses low-VOC adhesives, and its panels can be used for both interior and exterior applications. In addition, its Lamboo Elite product line, chosen for the Lamboo Tender R1, is made for marine use, ranging from veneers to paneling and furniture, and meets various certification requirements, including fire-resistance codes.

Other elements of the Lamboo Tender R1 should make it an interesting alternative to the traditional megayacht tender. Beam is 7’9” (2.4 meters), draft is 1’5” (0.45 meter), while displacement is a surprising 3,527 pounds (1,600 kilograms). Compare the displacement to that of popular, similar-size, all-fiberglass models, and there’s a 1,500-pound difference in some cases. Then there’s LED lighting and the power package, a 190-hp Steyr HDS diesel engine, with a hybrid drive system. In “zero emission” mode, the Steyr engine permits a 5-knot speed, ideal for approaching and departing an at-anchor megayacht or a marina. Top speed should be 30 knots, while cruise is expected to be 20 knots.

Sigmund Yacht Design will have a scale model on display at the Singapore Yacht Show this spring. In addition, the design firm, plus Cockwells and Lamboo personnel, will be at the Monaco Yacht Show this fall.

For more information directly from Sigmund Yacht Design and Lamboo about the Lamboo Tender R1, please fill out our contact form.