9 of the best tenders and day boats at Fort Lauderdale Boat Show 2016

Our preview coverage of the 2016 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, which has already taken in the must-see new yachts at FLIBS and the best superyachts for sale at the Florida show, now turns to tenders and dayboats.

Italian yard Azimut will be introducing its new entry-level dayboat, the Azimut Verve 40 at the 2016 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. This 12.97 metre outboard-powered speedster aims to combine the spaciousness of a centre console with the style of a day cruiser. Triple 350hp Mercury Verados give the Verve 40 a top speed of 44 knots.

One of the most iconic American boating brands, Chris-Craft will once again have a strong presence at FLIBS. The Florida-based yard will be bringing its classy Capri 25 dayboat to this year’s show. This elegantly styled 7.62 metre cruiser is fitted with a 300hp Mercury V8 engine, and its fold-out teak tables are ideal for entertaining up to six guests on board.

This sleek black version of the popular 7.5 metre cruiser from Swedish superyacht yard Delta Powerboats is sure to be one of the most talked about tenders and dayboats at Fort Lauderdale 2016. The twin airstep hull ensures great performance out on the open water, with 47 knots possible in its most powerful 320hp Volvo Penta guise.

Designed by Ted Mannerfelt, this classically styled tender features hand-polished stainless steel detailing for an added touch of class. The Delta 26 Open can carry up to eight passengers ashore and the concealed galley means that it can also be used for serving up a beach picnic.

The radical transforming Evo 43 is sure to turn heads at Fort Lauderdale this year, with its expanding side panels and lowering bathing platform. This 13 metre dayboat has been compared to the TIE fighter spacecraft from Star Wars, but there is plenty of functional features behind this dazzling exterior aesthetic.

The clever extending sections of the Evo 43 mean it can increase its usable area by 40% to 25 square metres, making this an ideal party platform. And with twin Volvo Penta IPS 600 pod drives, there is enough power on tap to propel this sporty monohull to a top speed in excess of 37 knots.

Speaking of speed, they don’t come much quicker than the Midnight Express Open 43. One of the world’s fastest superyacht tenders, this 13 metre speed machine can hit a staggering top speed of 78 knots riding on a twin-stepped monocoque hull. There’s no shortage of refinement either, with a carbon fibre hardtop, optional dive door and seating for eight guests.

The latest Italian icon to be launched by the Ferretti Group’s tender division, Rivamare is an 11.88 metre cruiser than follows in the much vaunted wake of the Aquariva Super and the Aquarama. Styled in collaboration with Officina Italiana Design, this sleek and sinuous newcomer can carry up to eight guests and hit a top speed of 40 knots thanks to its twin 400hp Volva Penta D6 engines.

Legendary yacht designer Douglas Zurn helped to create this 7.92 metre for Vanquish Boats of Newport, Rhode Island. A large L-shaped settee aft means you can whisk 10 guests from mothership to shore in the utmost comfort, while the single 250hp Mercury Verado outboard engine delivers a top speed in excess of 40 knots.

Bringing Dutch build quality and sleek design to the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show, Wajer & Wajer will be showing off its 11.58 metre Wajer 38 tender. This curvy speedster features sunbathing areas fore and aft, while three raised armchairs give great views when cruising along at top speed, which is in excess of 40 knots when fitted with the Volvo Penta IPS 600 pod drive propulsion system.

British jet-drive tender specialist Williams is bringing a wide range of models to the 2016 Fort Lauderdale International Bow Show, but the 4.88 metre Dieseljet 505 is likely to prove most popular among superyacht owners. Equally well suited to serving as a watersports towboat or a tender for ferrying up to eight guests ashore, the Dieseljet 505 is propelled to a top speed of 32 knots by its Yanmar 4JH4 waterjet engine.