Beneath the Surface

Dinghy Well-Being in the Outboard Age What does the rise of outboard power mean for cruising tenders?

HEATHER STEINBERGER is an award-winning writer/ editor who has specialized in boating, travel and outdoor adventure for more than 20 years. Visit her website at

WRITEONLLC.COM.

It won’t be news to the Great Lakes boating community that outboards are hotter than ever, and they’re continuing to change the face of the marine marketplace. In fact, last month in this column, Lakeland Boating took a closer look at how the rise of large outboard-powered cruising boats was affecting the sterndrive market.

In this issue, we were curious to see if the surge in outboard boat sales might cause a dramatic decline in the dinghy business, or even create a competitive rift in the cruising market. Fortunately, we learned that tenders seem to be as popular as ever, and the marketplace has plenty of room for everyone.

A sweet spot for cruising “The outboard market definitely is exploding,” says Amy Krueger Malow with Jefferson Beach Yacht Sales (JBYS), a St. Clair Shores, Michigan-based yacht dealer with additional locations in Chicago; Charlevoix, Holland, Spring Lake and Grand Haven, Michigan; and Catawba Island, Ohio. “The power has evolved, and it’s not just small center consoles anymore. We sell outboard boats from 33 to 65 feet! Even some of the more cruising-style models are offering outboards as an engine choice these days. But they’re not necessarily taking anything away from the inboard cruising market.”

At JBYS, the sweet spot has shifted upward from roughly 45 feet 10 years ago to between 55 and 70 feet now, and Malow reports the dealership is selling “crazy amounts of tenders.” Williams Jet Tenders are the hands-down favorite, due to their impressive jet

propulsion performance and ability to carry up to seven people and get on plane with ease.

“If you want to go cruising, a tender really enhances the experience,” she says.

No direct competition But the rise in outboard sales isn’t cannibalizing the traditional cruiser segment, explains Mark Felhofer with Bay Marine, a Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin-based dealership that also has locations in Chicago and Cape Coral, Florida. He says this is because these two types of buyers are typically not directly competing with one another, or they are the same buyer with multiple boats.

“They’re apples and oranges,” Felhofer says. “I don’t see them splitting the market. What I do see are Boomers downsizing, and they’re helping to drive outboard sales. I’ve always said that kids dictate your boating lifestyle, and now the Boomers are getting out of motoryachts and into day cruising — something quick, easy to maintain and more versatile for recreational activities with the grandkids.”

As both Felhofer and Malow observe, these outboard-powered dayboats are easily maneuverable, and you can trim up to access shallow areas. There’s no real need for a tender, even if you have ample storage space for a roll-up inflatable onboard.

Yet even as these boaters are downsizing, others continue to move up. They’re selling their runabouts, center consoles and dayboats, and they’re entering the cruising market.

“They want convenience, a boat that’s turnkey,” Malow says. “And they want a tender.”

Tenders can be standalone fun When it comes to tenders, however, it’s not just about the cruising market. According to Rob Everse with West Michigan Yacht Sales, many buyers are looking to add a second vessel to their fleet.

“In some cases, customers have a larger cruising boat already, and their Brig Boat is a quick, easy way to go for a sunset cruise or a trip to the beach,” Everse says, whose dealership sells the popular rigid-hull inflatables. “It eliminates the hassle of taking the big boat out. Plus, there are customers who enjoy cruising the Great Lakes, and they need a small RIB for their excursions.”

Everse says his dealership continues to sell a 50-50 split: Half the boats will be used as tenders, while the other half will be used as day-cruising and watersports RIBs. The size of the boat depends on how the buyer plans to use it.

As a second vessel, a RIB tender like a Brig has a lot going for it. These boats are lightweight, durable and fuel-efficient. They can handle rough water. They’re virtually unsinkable due to the buoyancy in the tubes, and beginners feel more comfortable when maneuvering an inflatable boat that’s essentially one big fender.

“At the end of the day, people want to be on the water, and a RIB is a great way to do this,” Everse says. “We really haven’t seen a change in our business due to the outboard trend, and I don’t expect it to change our business significantly.

“If anything, that trend has helped the sales of our larger boats, like the Navigator and Eagle series, which range from 15 feet, 11 inches, to 33 feet, 6 inches,” he continues. “Many of the new boats are equipped with some really cool features and innovative amenities. It’s fun.” H