Are your boats unsinkable ?

Well, since that fateful day in April 1912, the word unsinkable has lost some of its punch, doesn't it ? But our boats have far more floatation foam than required by USCG standards : both hulls and the space between the bottom and the inner floor are filled with closed cell foam.

Don't these hulls take up valuable space ?

Yes and no... as most experienced boaters know, boats are always a collection of compromises and if you just looked at the interior volume you could argue that a hull open all the way to the gunwales would be more spacious. But these hulls have offer many benefits including stability, a wide step on and off the boat, storage and floatation as well a great spot to stretch and work on your tan ! And they take less space than an inflatable's tubes...

How stable are your boats ?

Take a look at some of the pictures on the site and you'll see that a big guy can stand on a hull, even at the bow or stern, without loosing balance.

What about the foam core ?

Divinycell is one of the leading foam core material available today, it's very light yet very strong and rigid when sandwiched in fiberglass resulting in a stiff and light structure. Unlike balsa, it will not absorb moisture or rot should a hole be drilled and not sealed properly. Because our boats are primarily designed to be tenders, we need to keep the weight down.

I've always heard that a hard tender is much harder to store than an inflatable.

Untrue ! A RIB of equal capacity isn't lighter than a hard tender and will swing just as much when lifted with a crane to the flybridge of your yacht. In calm, sheltered conditions, the soft rub rail will protect both boats from scratches as the tender is lowered or lifted. If conditions warrant, a couple of fenders will provide extra protection. Once your lifting harness is setup, it takes less than two minutes to launch or retrieve a hard tender with a crane and electric winch.

Does a hard tender really require less maintenance than an inflatable ?

Yes... it's hard to beat fiberglass when it comes to reduced maintenance; an occasional coat of wax is just about all that's needed. Inflatables on the other hand need to be kept out of the elements for longest life and will eventually suffer for wear, leaks or seams coming apart.

I can't stand how my feet and gear always seem to get wet in a dinghy !

So do we ! That's why we build in drains in each compartment to channel any water (spray, rain, etc...) to a bilge at the stern where an automatic bilge bump will get rid of the water !

What about that wood, isn't it too much maintenance ?

Most owners cover their tenders when not in use so the varnished seats should only require a couple of maintenance coats each year, a small price to pay for the traditional touch the wood brings to your tender. If you prefer a completely maintenance free boat, we can replace the wood seats and helm with white Starboard.

Is there enough storage for anchor, lines, fenders, PFDs ?

Yes ! In addition to a large locker at the bow for an anchor and rode, both benches open up to a total of six cubic feet of lockable storage for lines, fenders and PFDs. Near the stern, 24" openings in the hull sides provide space for a cooler and fuel tank in addition to the space under the reach bench by the transom. No more tripping all over gear, everything is safely stowed out of the sun.

What kind of engine do you recommend ?

The HP ratings provided in the specifications represent the maximum horsepower you can install. Some owners only use their tenders to go from boat to shore in anchorages or harbors where they don't need to get on plane. A small outboard, gas or electric, will push either model nicely. We tested our 14' prototype with seven adults and a 3.3 outboard; it worked just fine.

Don't you have an option list ?

Sorry, we dont ! We believe that when you buy a real tender it should come with everything needed, if we were used car salesmen we'd say it's loaded ! Should you have to pay extra for such basic things as navigation lights, horn and bilge pump ? We don't think so... The only thing you need is an outboard motor and a battery which we dont' supply so that you can pick the battery best suited to your motor. All accessories are installed and wired to the fuse panel, ready to be connected to the battery. Our boats even come with a VHF and stereo (FM, CD, MP3 Player in) installed !

What about certification ?

Our boats comply or exceed USCG standards and are delivered with the paperwork needed to register them (manufacturer statement of origin and bill of sale).

Sandbarhopper, funny name !

In Biscayne Bay, the birthplace of our boat, there are wonderful sandbars (as you can discover in this website's link to Biscayne Bay). They serve as great gathering grounds for all boaters. The place to be while"...in the water, on the water, over the water or under the water!" -- Hence our motto. And the way to get there would be on our Sandbarhopper Boats. We do not like to see bigger boats running aground on an enjoyable day while trying to socialize with other boaters. It beat's bar hopping in the heat of the city.