Williams Jet Tenders for Sale
Williams Jet Tenders is a British builder of jet-drive rigid inflatable tenders for yachts. A Williams is built to ride on a superyacht or a large motor yacht and launch from a davit or garage, and used ones often come off yachts being sold or re-equipped.
From a garden shed
Brothers Mathew and John Hornsby started building boats in a garden shed in 1996. The company was formally registered on September 10, 2004 by Roy Parker and the Hornsby brothers. The boats use Rotax jet drives rather than outboards or propellers. That is the main reason yacht owners buy them: no exposed prop near swimmers, and a low profile that fits in a yacht's tender garage.
The Sportjet 435
Williams lists the Sportjet 435 at 4.35 m (about 14'3") long and 1.94 m (about 6'4") wide, for yachts of 20 m and up. It seats seven and carries 60 liters of fuel. It comes with a 90 hp Rotax ACE 903, rated at about 40 mph, or a 130 hp Rotax ACE 1630, rated at about 50 mph.
Before you buy any tender, measure the space it has to fit on your yacht, and check the lifting points and weight against your davit or crane's rated load. Williams publishes technical fitment information for this reason.
Spec sheet: the SportJet 395
The SportJet 395 is the smaller sister to the 435. Williams lists it at 3.90 m (12'8") long and 1.77 m (5'8") wide, with a dry weight of 390 kg (860 lb). Power is a 90 hp BRP Rotax ACE 903 jet. It carries 50 litres (13 US gallons) of fuel, seats 6 plus the driver, and Williams quotes a top speed of 46 mph.
Williams notes that weights, dimensions and speeds are approximate. That matters on a tender, because the weight has to suit your yacht's crane or davit and the length has to fit its garage. Before you buy, compare the tender's actual weight and dimensions with the yacht builder's limits.
What to check on a used Williams
Engine hours and service. Ask for the Rotax service history and hours. Jet tenders on charter yachts can see heavy daily use.
Jet intake and impeller. Look at the intake grate and impeller for damage from sand, rope and debris. Beach landings are hard on jets.
Tubes. Check the inflatable collar for patches, porous seams and UV damage, and ask whether it has ever been replaced.
Lifting points and hull. Look for cracks around the lifting eyes and on the hull where it sits in its cradle.
Paperwork. Make sure the hull number and engine number match the documents, especially for a tender bought from a yacht outside the US.
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Frequently asked questions
Where are Williams Jet Tenders built?
In the UK.
What engines do Williams tenders use?
Rotax jet drives. The Sportjet 435 comes with a 90 hp or 130 hp Rotax ACE engine.
How long is the Williams Sportjet 435?
4.35 m, about 14'3".