Optional Extras
der. Otherwise many tenders opt for a transom-mount transducer. The advantage here is that transom mount tenders have a bracket that can be folded to flip the transducer element up—and hopefully out of the way—at the first sign of danger, such as being dragged down the beach when the tide has left the dinghy high and dry. Still another advantage, a transom setup is easy to repair should something happen to it. As tenders grow in size and complexity the additional equipment they carry knows virtually no limit. However, the idea of including additional electronic systems is appealing for the added functionality.
The diesel jet drive RIBs from Williams Jet Tender use Raymarine systems for full-on engine monitoring ( www.raymarine.com). “Recently we have begun equipping Sportjet and Dieseljet tenders with Raymarine systems,” says Chris Rimmer, president of Williams Performance Tenders USA ( www.williamstendersusa.com). “We fit the Raymarine i70 because it’s compatible with the latest-generation Yanmar diesels. We also offer a-Series plotters, Ray 60 VHFs, as well as AIS.” Williams Turbojet tenders get Garmin electronics ( www.garmin.com). Keeping an eye on the engines means you’ll know when something needs a closer look.
Some folks live for their tunes, and a stereo, such as those engineered by Fusion Entertainment specific to the marine environment may be a great addition, including a smartphone dock that seals the user’s phone away from the elements while allowing access to the music on it. Simrad, Lowrance, and Fusion also make black-box stereos that put functionality on an MFD screen from all major manufacturers, another solution when helm space is at a premium.
Another additional piece of equipment that you might want to carry aboard is a FLIR Ocean Scout TK handheld thermal imager ( www.flir.com), a big step to bring this marinized technology out with an MSRP of $599. Consider the safety aspects of having the proper equipment to help locate a person in the water quickly.
Regardless of the size of kit you want to carry on your tender, you’ll want to keep track of its power usage and whether spare batteries should be kept handy, or a house battery needs to be sized up to handle the power draw. Some installers recommend using a photovoltaic panel to keep the batteries topped up. And with the right gear, you won’t have to try to remember to leave someone behind on the big boat.