Although the company is new, MC-Zero Tenders comes from two well-experienced companies in yachting. Together, they intend to change the way megayacht owners and crews view RIBs. Not only do they believe electric propulsion is the future, but they also believe customers should enjoy layouts that adapt as needed to daily activities.
MC-Zero Tenders is the result of collaboration between McConaghy Boats and ZeroJet. McConaghy Boats has earned renown for constructing racing yachts and pleasure multihulls, including the trimaran yacht Adastra. ZeroJet, meanwhile, focuses on electric propulsion and has worked with RIB and tender manufacturers alike. MC-Zero Tenders (a play on McConaghy Boats’ and ZeroJet’s names) is a standalone company whose first model, the MC-Zero 450, debuted at last month’s Palm Beah International Boat Show.
With an LOA of nearly 15 feet (4.5 meters) and a beam of 6’6” (2 meters), the MC-Zero 450 has a rigid carbon hull. It can carry eight to nine people, too, and suits a variety of needs. It’s beachable, for instance, conveniently also featuring electric drop-down steps from the bow. Aft, meanwhile, the transom deploys at the press of a button to extend out. Use it as a swim platform or boarding area.
Two significant differences set the 450 apart. “Traditional vessels are restricted by fixed layouts and protruding engine boxes,” notes Chris Baird, MC-Zero Tenders’ CEO. “We’ve engineered the 450 from a clean sheet to remove these legacy compromises.” This, he adds, permits “the boat to adapt to the user, rather than the other way around.” In fact, as the illustrations above reveal, the helm seat moves into a variety of positions. The MC-Zero 450 tender can be a typical guest tender one moment, for example, and switch to a gear transporter (below) minutes later. The moveable helm, with a patent pending, relies on fly-by-wire technology.
As for the propulsion, according to MC-Zero Tenders, twin 30-kW ZeroJet electric jets allow a reported top speed of 25 knots. (They have the equivalency of 80 hp each.) The electric drives pair with a 32.4-kWh battery system, too. Of course, electric propulsion is quieter, smokeless, and odorless. It also requires less maintenance than traditional gas or diesel outboards.
Another smaller model is in the works and will be revealed soon.
MC-Zero Tenders mc-zerotenders.com
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