A rugged expedition yacht deserves an equally robust support vessel.
So concluded Cantiere delle Marche. The Italian yard has enlisted Valerio Rivellini to design a new “explorer tender” for its new Flexplorer 146 model. The renowned Naples-based designer, who was identified as one to watch in Robb Report’s 2021 Best of the Best issue, has turned out a powerful 33-footer at the forefront of tender design.
Fittingly christened Iceman, the newcomer is tough enough to cruise at all latitudes and support its 146-foot mothership in the harshest of climates, from the North Pole to the South. The vessel features a sturdy aluminum hull and a lightweight carbon-fiber superstructure to provide both structural strength and nimble maneuverability. It also has a draught of just 20 inches, meaning it can access very shallow coastal waters.
The Iceman tender on the stern of the Flexplorer 146.
Valerio Rivellini
Rivellini and his eponymous studio also devised a clever solution to free up space on the mothership. When stowed in the stern of the Flexplorer 146, Iceman can hold a second tender of 13 feet in its own stern. The two tenders occupy half the space they normally would. (Tenders are typically placed side by side on yachts of this size.) As a result, the mothership has enough room for two 20-foot canoes, four Aerofoils, and two Seabobs, as well as fishing equipment and diving gear. The placement of the two tenders also guarantees greater freedom of movement on the mothership’s main deck.
The interior.
Valerio Rivellini
Iceman also aims to allow seafarers explore the icy abyss in comfort. The runabout is powered by a Yanmar engine that can churn out 370 horses for smooth and speedy cruising. It can also be towed by the mothership if needed. To top it off, the tender has a displacement of just over 4 GT and a spacious interior that can accommodate up to 10 guests.
CDM launched the first Flexplorer 146 only this past November. Maverick is the second Flexplorer yacht to be sold and the first of three 146-foot models under construction at the Italian yard to be completed. The next two Flexplorer models will reportedly be delivered in 2024 and 2025, respectively. Let’s see if the owners opt to add on an Iceman tender, then.