The best tender and dinghy brands: an honest market guide

Published on 15 July 2026

From giant Zodiac to Highfield's aluminium and the jet tenders of Williams and Castoldi: what each brand does well and who it makes sense for.

The tender market in 2026

The tender market has become highly specialised. There is no longer “one good brand”: there is a good brand for each use profile. Here’s the map, brand by brand, with links to our full analyses.

The classic: Zodiac

Zodiac remains the most recognised brand — so much so that its name is the generic word for the category. It builds everything from folding tenders to leisure RIBs, with a huge dealer network and good resale value. The catch: you pay for the name, and entry ranges use PVC.

For whom: those who put brand recognition and service network above price.

The aluminium king: Highfield

Highfield was founded in 2011 and is already the world number 1 in tenders with over 54,000 boats delivered. Its recipe: 100% marine aluminium hulls, light and practically indestructible when beaching. The reference brand if your dinghy lives a hard beach-and-ramp life.

For whom: hard use, daily beaching, charter, and anyone watching davit weight.

The premium jet tenders: Williams and Castoldi

If your boat has a tender garage, the market pushes you towards jet propulsion (no propeller, less draft, less overall length):

• Williams Jet Tenders (UK): the de facto standard on 15 m+ yachts. Sporty, luxurious, everywhere at Sunseeker, Princess and friends.
• Castoldi (Italy, since 1962): builds its own waterjets — industrial pedigree, tank-like build, also valued in professional use.

For whom: yachts with a garage and a premium budget. As a simple anchorage tender they are overkill.

The different ones: IRON and Aspen

• IRON Boats (Sweden, 2019): day boats with a patented rigid perimeter fender instead of an inflatable tube. RIB looks, zero tube maintenance, Mannerfelt design.
• Aspen Carbon Cat (USA): carbon-fibre catamaran tenders, ultralight with a surprisingly dry ride. Exotic in Europe, but unbeatable on weight.

For whom: specific profiles — IRON for Scandinavian-style day boating without tubes; Aspen for those who hoist to davits and count every kilo.

The value plays: Navisoul (Caral Marine) and GALA

Navisoul, exclusively distributed in Spain by Caral Marine, is the range we sell — and we say so as plainly as we analyse everyone else. Its proposition: a full range from 2 to 9.3 metres, Hypalon (CSM) available on every model, real yard customisation and prices without the historic brands’ premium. GALA adds the affordable light-aluminium option with its Atlantis Lite range.

For whom: those who compare specifications instead of logos.

Summary table

Want them head to head? We have comparisons of every combination, and if you’d rather get a direct recommendation for your boat, ask us here.