Tender Mooring Whips, Tender Whips, or Whips (we'll call them Tender Whips for this article) are an integral part of the guest setup. Almost every superyacht that has a tender over 4 metres in length has a set of Tender Whips onboard, but how do you optimise your Tender Whip performance?
WHAT ARE TENDER WHIPS DESIGNED TO DO?
Tender Whips are designed to keep your tender or chase boat alongside at a safe distance from the yacht, there are further benefits too! By keeping your tender alongside with Tender Whips (usually at anchor), the tender rides the swell with the yacht. Whereas, if the tender was kept alongside by the swim platform it would be beam onto the swell. Furthermore, it also provides uninterrupted access to your swim platform for guest activities like water sports.
OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE
To get the optimal performance from your Tender Whips, we suggest that the whip line is pulled tight until it is parallel to the surface of the water. This creates a constant curve in the whip whereby it is constantly trying to straighten out, creating a pushing effect. It is with this motion of the Tender Whip that keeps your tender at a safe distance from the yacht. Any tighter and then you increase the chance of snapping your Tender Whips, any looser and they won't be used to their full potential. Of course, this does vary depending on your setup onboard and the height at which the Tender Whips are mounted above the water line as well as the weather conditions and the sea state.
OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY
Many yachts have different methods for attaching the Tender Whip line to the tender, some are more rudimentary than others, but what really matters is how safe and efficient the method is. The most efficient method we have come across is using a combination of a spliced Tylaska T shackle onto the Tender Whip line and a spectra loop, cow hitched through the tender cleat. This system allows the tender driver or crew member to easily attach or release the Tender Whip lines when in position. Furthermore, by adding weight (Tylaska T Shackle) to the end of the Tender Whip line, the line hangs vertically when slack therefore making it easier to access than a light line with no weight.
TENDER MOORING LINES
Setting up your tender with the correct mooring lines will further increase the performance of your Tender Whips. By using bow and stern springs will prevent the tender from surging fore and aft, whilst also keeping the tender moored to the yacht. Instead of attaching these lines individually to the tender, we recommend attaching these to the whip lines so they can be easily connected to the tender with just the single Tylaska T shackle.
STORAGE ONBOARD
The majority of Tender Whips available on the current market come in two sections. This is partly due to their length (>4 metres) which becomes incredibly costly to ship, but also adds a degree of flexibility when it comes to storage onboard. Some yachts store their Tender Whips in two sections however, we suggest that they are stored as one unit (if storage space allows). Why? Because it not only accelerates your set up time with a plug-in and play solution, but also take up much less space.
LIMITATIONS
Tender Whips are not indestructible! As they are fabricated from glass fibre, if the whip line is tightened too much causing the Tender Whip to overbend, it can cause a catastrophic failure. Furthermore, weather conditions can play havoc on your setup. If the wind speed increases above a Force 4, the Tender Whips will be at their absolute limit. Swell can also have an adverse effect on your Tender Whip setup as the slamming motion of the tender riding the swell can cause the Tender Whip to overbend. This will significantly increase the chance of catastrophic failure. Be mindful of ferry and tender wash in busy anchorages as well as imminent weather changes and make the call early to either lift the tenders back on board or long line them off the stern to save your Tender Whips from failure.
CONCLUSION:
If your Tender Whips are set up correctly with the whip lines appropriately tightened as suggested with mooring lines for the tender, they will work brilliantly and last many seasons. If they are used outside of their limitations, the chances of breakages increase significantly which will become costly further down the line with replacements and refurbishments.
If you would like to discuss our range of Tender Whips available and receive an accurate quote with a lead time, please contact us.
Any guidance, advice, recommendations, suggestions in this article are from Polaris Yacht Supply Ltd. Polaris Yacht Supply Ltd cannot be held liable for any damages caused by using, interpreting any information written in this article.
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