About Hamilton Jet

New Zealand

Hamilton Jet

There is a deft art to creating bespoke one-of-a-kind tenders, especially as they come in such a variety of shapes and sizes. The demands placed on these smaller vessels are just as high as those of the motherships – in some instances, even more. Versatility is fed directly into their DNA and no builder knows this better than the Australia-based <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4218" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vikal International (Company)">Vikal International</a>.&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4218" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vikal International (Company)">Vikal International</a> was founded in 1982 and has delivered more than 75 fully custom tenders to world’s largest motor yachts. SuperYacht Times takes a closer look at some of its custom-built projects. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/256230/image/large-8f9aefd784d91d720bc5668fc4468cf9.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/256230">11m Topaz ConvertibleSpeed and comfort are two attributes notoriously difficult to marry together – but a task <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4218" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vikal International (Company)">Vikal</a> didn’t shy away from when the owner of the 147.25-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/23" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lürssen Yachts (Company)">Lürssen</a> <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/3962" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="A+147.25m (483'1&quot;)Lürssen Yachts2012">A+</a> (ex. Topaz) pitched the project. The 11.25-metre Open Sports limousine tender elegantly skims across the water with grace and comfort, thanks to her ingeniously engineered hull and two punchy <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5350" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Volvo Penta (Company)">Volvo</a> D6 400 horsepower diesel engines.<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4218" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vikal International (Company)">Vikal</a> furnished the custom Topaz Convertible with a cream, rounded settee that wraps a heavily varnished coffee table. Befit for a tender belonging to such an outstanding mothership, the Topaz Convertible is suave, sophisticated and a point of pride for owner and guests to embark from when perusing the treasures onland. Her crowning feature though is undoubtedly her hardtop convertible roof – a world’s first for a tender of this size – which allows for usage in any weather condition. &nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/256232/image/large-8988d9422027cffa438b371dd20a6e71.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/256232">19m Octopus Dive TenderAt 18.8-metres the custom-built Octopus Dive Tender is one of the largest power boats to complement a superyacht. With a penchant for speed and a requirement to reach some of the most remote and daring dive locations in the world, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4218" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vikal International (Company)">Vikal</a> had a challenge. A challenge that a ready-made solution could never cater to. The marketplace for ready-made solutions might be thriving, but it’s not perfect.Australia’s resident designer <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/98" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sam Sorgiovanni Designs P/L (Company)">Sam Sorgiovanni</a> oversaw her design – and most definitely delivered. The Octopus Dive Tender is refined, lavish and brimming with amenities expected on a yacht, not a tender. She can carry as many as 10 guests, who can kick back in utmost comfort in her plush saloon, and she has a generous aft deck for seamless access to the water. Thanks to twin <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1409" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MTU (Company)">MTU</a> engines, the Octopus Dive Tender can reach speeds in excess of 40 knots.&nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/256228/image/large-e97a5f6fe4b00aa7785de9dd3a193030.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/256228">10m Secret Limousine&nbsp;Many superyachts have a low tender transom garage, which is typically used to store a RIB or water toys. But the space can also be utilised for a more luxurious limousine tender – you just have to be clever. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4218" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vikal International (Company)">Vikal</a> had to keep the tender’s height under two metres, which makes an enclosed aft normally impossible. To counter this, an electronically operated hardtop was fitted so once out the garage the shell roof can be opened to welcome the owner and guests onboard.The 9.8-metre Secret Limousine tender is fitted with twin D4 <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5350" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Volvo Penta (Company)">Volvo</a> diesel engines that deliver a top speed of 48 knots. She’s also been fitted with bright red leather for the large settees that replicate the colour scheme of the owner’s Ferrari. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/256231/image/large-cbb7586372777224a62bd10c29dbf6d1.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/256231">12m Topaz CatamaranSitting alongside the Topaz Convertible onboard the 147.25-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/23" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lürssen Yachts (Company)">Lürssen</a> <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/3962" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="A+147.25m (483'1&quot;)Lürssen Yachts2012">A+</a> (ex. Topaz), is a 12-metre custom-built Cargo Catamaran. This tender was commissioned to serve the yacht, acting as a private taxi, a dive platform and the vessel to supply fuel and cargo to and from shore. To facilitate dive expeditions, the Topaz Catamaran is equipped with a modular unit fitted to the front deck with an 18+ dive bottle capacity. Her bow was also customised to aid guests with seamless sea access.&nbsp;The 12-metre Topaz Catamaran is equipped with a pair of D6 <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5350" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Volvo Penta (Company)">Volvo</a> Diesels coupled to <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5769" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hamilton Jet (Company)">Hamilton</a> HJ 292 water jets that deliver a top speed of 35 knots. She’s incredibly versatile and is handy for fishing excursions, equipped with all necessary paraphernalia. Being fitted with a 400-kilo capacity hydraulic davit crane, she’s ideal for crew use when they need to haul heavier cargo or retrieve Jet Skis and water toys. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4218" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vikal International (Company)">Vikal</a> also designed her with a retractable bimini and linear activated helm hardtop, so she can snuggly fit into smaller garages.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/256222/image/large-1b8e4eab43ef13f46c86d155e668f7c8.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/256222"> Vikal SP Range – 8M RIBThe 8-metre custom SP RIB features a hard ‘D’ collar fender and has a very generous deck area that can accommodate as many as 12 guests. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4218" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vikal International (Company)">Vikal</a> typically equips the 8-metre RIB with a single <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5350" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Volvo Penta (Company)">Volvo</a> D4 320 horsepower turbo diesel engine, coupled to a Hamilton HJ 274 waterjet, which delivers a top speed of 35 knots. A key feature of the RIB is the bespoke folding canopy that allows for great flexibility. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/256221/image/large-6015243a338160bb4c036f2c42a78493.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/256221">

coolest custom-built Vikal tenders 

 SuperYacht Times takes a closer look at some of Vikal's coolest custom-built projects. 