LINX Tenders, Palma de Mallorca-based custom tender manufacturer, is building a second unit of the innovative foil-assisted catamaran, the LINX 30.
Following the success and strong interest generated by the first unit, which was commissioned as a tender for a 63m explorer vessel, the company has tailored this second unit to serve as a luxurious dayboat, set to cruise the waters of the UAE.
The LINX 30 stands as a testament to LINX Tenders’ commitment to custom boat building and cutting-edge engineering. Equipped with an advanced foil system, this 9.5m catamaran boasts enhanced stability, reduced drag, and improved efficiency, leading to superior performance and cost savings.
The Castoldi JET propels the vessel to venture into shallow waters, while features such as the joystick control and GPS anchoring ensure unparalleled manoeuvrability and usability.
Mark Branagh, CEO of LINX Tenders, expressed his delight in the growing interest received for the LINX 30, stating: “We specialise in crafting tailor-made boats, and for this second unit, we have tailored the boat to perfectly suit its intended purpose as a dayboat in the UAE. The Middle East region, driven by ambitious projects like NEOM, has caught the attention of the yachting community, and we are excited to be a part of this flourishing market. Our foiling catamaran solution holds tremendous potential for various applications in this dynamic and growing area.”
The beach landing system, initially developed for the superyacht tender, has undergone additional refinement. Now, the bow door is electrically operated, providing seamless access to shorelines and coastal destinations.
This system can also be used for easier access when diving, which is one of the many activities that the boat allows for. In fact, the LINX 30 serves as the perfect companion for exploring the natural beauty beneath the water’s surface.
Hydrofoil supported catamaran
The foils system provides exceptional longitudinal stability and reduces fuel consumption by up to 40%.
The system includes a main foil situated between the two hulls that lifts the boat, thereby reducing drag, and two smaller aft foils that provide downforce for stability.
These foils work together to decrease the impact from waves and reduce pitching – resulting in an extremely dry ride for all passengers.
Commercial Director Luke Hendy shared an anecdote: “The improvement in stability and dryness is so remarkable that during sea trials, we asked people to guess the speed, and every guess was 10 knots less than the actual speed. The ride is so smooth and stable that 20 knots on board the LINX 30 feels like 10 knots.“
To design this boat, BMComposites, the composite specialist company that owns the brand LINX Tenders, has teamed up withBYD Group, a world renowned yacht design studio. Based in the Spanish yachting hubs of Palma de Mallorca and Barcelona, Bravo Yacht Design Group has extensive experience in designing and engineering a wide range of vessels, from superyachts to smaller watercraft, and has brought their experience and capabilities to the LINX 30.
Custom made solutions
LINX Tenders specialise in crafting custom-made solutions. The first model was equipped with a folding hard top and windscreen to fit into the mother ship’s garage, and the team engineered an underwater bracket to accommodate the WASSP sonar. This ensured that the explorer vessel could anchor safely when exploring uncharted waters.
“Although this second unit will look very similar to the first one, we have re-engineered some components and adjusted the production method to better suit its intended use. The first LINX 30 was constructed entirely from carbon fibre to adhere to weight limitations on the mother vessel’s crane, with a primary focus on simplicity for easy maintenance and repairs, even in remote locations.
For this second unit, designed as a dayboat, our focus is more on speed and manoeuvrability. The materials chosen are a mix of carbon fibre and glass fibre, resulting in slightly heavier boats that can accommodate more powerful engines and overall deliver better performance. Onboard equipment is also more sophisticated, with many improvements such as an electric-operated bow door for easier onboard access“
Increased usability & manoeuvrability
The propulsion system provided by the Italian brand Castoldi comes along with the Castoldi ACES electronic control system, which interfaces with the Dynamic Positioning and Smart anchor system.
The dayboat is equipped with the Dynamic Positioning and the Smart Anchor system that ensures precise positioning and orientation ,allowing the vessel to be moored in a GPS point, or around it, keeping the bow up to the wind.
Being joystick operated, the boat is easily manoeuvrable, making it especially user-friendly for inexperienced boaters who can easily use the “push to go” feature, which is more intuitive than traditional controls.
Even experienced skippers will appreciate the system’s ease of use, reducing the time required for docking operations.
For increased usability and to make the maintenance easier, BMComposites will hand over a 3D model containing the full bill of materials for their custom boat to LINX 30 customers. Every single component has been meticulously identified, including its part number series, supplier name, number of service hours, and the last time the component was replaced. This information streamlines maintenance and replacement orders, simplifying the tasks of captains and mechanics who are responsible for taking care of the boat.