Dieseljet 565
UK, Oxfordshire. In September 2011, Williams Performance Tenders unveiled a new line of tenders, the Dieseljet range, in response to the demand by owners and shipyards for a tender that would run on the same fuel as superyachts. SYD travelled to Lymington Yacht Haven on the south coast of England to give one of the new models a test drive...…
UK, Oxfordshire. In September 2011, English boat builder Williams Performance Tenders unveiled a new line of tenders, the Dieseljet range, in response to the demand by owners and shipyards for a tender that would run on the same fuel as superyachts. SYD travelled to Lymington Yacht Haven on the south coast of England to give one of the new models a test drive—the 5.65-metre Dieseljet 565, and it didn’t disappoint.
Based on the successful Turbojet range, the Oxfordshire manufacturer has produced four diesel-run models aimed at the 30m plus market—the 445, 505, 565, with the 625 due to be launched in April 2013. Since its launch, 12 of the Dieseljet 565 boats have been sold and delivered including one for 37.2-metre Souraya, a Benetti Classic 120, and a Benetti Crystal 140.
“We are delighted with the early success of the Dieseljet range,” says joint MD at Williams, Mathew Hornsby. “The huge success of the Turbojet 505D, which at the time of launch was the lightest, most compact and fully-equipped diesel yacht tender available, has created a demand amongst our customers for a wider range of diesel tenders.”
Capable of carrying nine guests, each tender is built by hand and combines the safety and sea-keeping of a RIB and the power of a jet drive. Seating for four guests is provided amidships, with space for three on the aft bench, and a further two at the bow, above two storage compartments. Options for the tender include a swim ladder at the stern, LED lighting, a marine stereo system, and the driver’s windshield.
During the test drive on the Solent—between Lymington harbour and Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight—the 565 delivered all that it promised. Offering a comfortable ride in moderate wave conditions for a boat this size, the tender was capable of reaching its top speed of 36 knots easily from its Yanmar 150hp diesel engine, which is based on the same diesel engine used in the BMW X3. Rising smoothly to the plane, the hull cut through the water without trouble and performed well when cornering—ideal for water skiing.
Besides the obvious benefits of using the same fuel type in the tender as that used in the running of superyachts, diesel engines have come a long way in terms of noise production and performance. Williams claim to be the first to have designed and developed the world’s first four-stoke jet and turbojet range of tenders, giving them more experience than most with this technology.
Although not as quiet in comparison to a petrol-run engine when traveling at slower speeds, the noise levels from the diesel engine are relatively low. The manoeuvrability of the jet drive, although superior to a traditional prop propulsion system, is a little tricky to master at first, and is not as controllable when little or no throttle is applied.
To get a chance to see the 565 in person, make sure you make it to the 2012 Cannes Boat Show, which will also be the world premiere of the Dieseljet 445.
Related Links:
Williams Performance Tenders - company profile
Click here to become part of The Superyacht Group community, and join us in our mission to make this industry accessible to all, and prosperous for the long-term. We are offering access to the superyacht industry’s most comprehensive and longstanding archive of business-critical information, as well as a comprehensive, real-time superyacht fleet database, for just £10 per month, because we are One Industry with One Mission. Sign up here.
