I'm looking for a tender for my Sirena 68 in the 13' to 14' range. I've had several sport fishing boats in the past, but never owned a dingy/tender. Looking for something that will fit on swim platform and would like to keep the wet weight around 800lbs if possible (swim platform lift capacity is 1,000 lbs). I'm open to console or tiller options. We will primarily be using the tender for day excursions and getting from the mooring ball to the dock and back when not in a marina. I've owned plenty of skiffs in the past and would like something that gets on a plane with 4 people aboard and doesn't pound like a typical skiff.
I have had 2 AB tenders. One 12’ with a 40hp Yamaha and now a 13 with a 60 hp Yamaha. Both have given very good service. I keep my tender covered and even still I have replaced the upholstery on both in about 3 years. Both boats would easily plane 4 adults. The 12 was a Nautilus and the 13 is an Oceanus. I don’t think there is much practical difference between the 2. The hypolon tubes held up very well. A minor grevience is they don’t insulate the cooler so it is worthless as a cooler. I see you are in NC. I bought my first one from McCotters Marina in Little Washington, NC and would buy another one from them. Not sure if McCotters exists anymore. Bought the present one from 84 something in Ft. Lauderdale. Would not buy from them if I had a reasonable choice. I have a 1000lb davit and the present 13 with engine and fuel is a smidge under 1000 lbs.
I have a 14’ Novurania with a 60hp Yamaha. It’s a great boat. The Novurania’s have a higher bow and tend to handle rough water a bit better. Really depends where/how you plan to use it .
We have a walker bay generation 450 on the boat I run. It’s 7 1/2 years old and has seen a lot of HARD use so we just put new tubes.. 600+ hours and never covered. With a 75 Honda it planes with 8 adults. whatever you get make sure it has hydraulic steering. The WB didn’t back then and I upgraded to hydraulic after a year. The cable feedback was horrible. another thing I wanted is a main seat that is enclosed, no gap between the bottom and the back cushion. You always end up putting things on the seat and on some tenders they will end up in the drink
I’ll second this - we had a 14’ novurenia with a 60 yammy and it was an awesome boat. Even pulled 2 kids behind it in the tube with 2 adults. Handled rough water like a champ. A bit heavy, for your 800 lb limit. I always figured it was easily 1000lbs with fuel, gear, etc. If you want a 14’ rib under 800 lbs “wet” you may need to forego the console
I've never weighed mine. My 1k davit lifts it with no issues or indication it is straining. I just today finished putting a thru-hull transducer in it. They are definitely a cored hull which was verified when I went at it with the 2 3/8" hole saw
