Choosing the right tender for a Riviera

More than simply finding a boat that fits.

For many Riviera owners, the tender becomes an important part of life aboard. It is used for trips ashore, carrying family and guests, beach landings, provisioning, exploring waterways and, on larger yachts, recreational trips away from the mothership.

The right Highfield therefore needs to balance size, weight, passenger capacity, performance and luxury, while also working with the Riviera's tender storage and lifting system.

That last consideration is particularly important. A tender stored inside a garage has very different requirements from one carried on a hydraulic swim platform or lifted by a davit. The weight of the Yamaha outboard, fuel and equipment also needs to be considered alongside the published weight of the Highfield itself.

For this guide, we have divided our recommendations into three categories:

• Lightweight: Highfield Ultralite for minimum weight and simple tender duties.
• Standard: Highfield Classic for an excellent balance of weight, capability and everyday usability.
• Premium: Highfield Sport for Riviera owners wanting greater comfort, performance and luxury.

Start With How the Tender Will Be Stored and Lifted

Before choosing a Highfield or Yamaha outboard, determine how the complete tender package will be carried by the Riviera.

Highfield's own tender guidance emphasises that owners should consider storage and davit constraints and the total weight of the tender, outboard, fuel and equipment, rather than simply choosing the largest tender that physically fits.

There are four key considerations.

1. Tender Garage

Where the Riviera has an enclosed tender garage, overall dimensions become critical.

You need to consider the complete stored configuration, including the tender's length and beam, console where applicable, tubes and the position of the Yamaha outboard.

The Riviera 5000 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition, for example, is specifically described by Riviera as having a tender garage capable of accommodating a 2.8m tender with its outboard attached.

In this application, simply choosing a tender based on the size of the mothership would be misleading. The available garage dimensions ultimately determine the package.

2. Davit or Crane System

For davit-lifted tenders, total package weight becomes one of the most important specifications.

Do not look at the Highfield's boat-only weight in isolation. The lifting system must support:

Tender + Yamaha outboard + fuel + battery + fitted options + safety equipment + equipment remaining aboard

Highfield also discusses retaining a working margin rather than treating a davit's maximum rating as the target operating weight.

This is one of the situations where Highfield's aluminium hull construction, and particularly the Ultralite range, are attractive.

3. Hydraulic Swim Platform

A hydraulic platform can potentially open the door to a larger, more highly specified tender because the tender isn't restricted by an enclosed garage.

However, overall dimensions, complete package weight and the platform manufacturer's rated capacity still need to be checked.

This can become particularly important when stepping from a relatively simple Ultralite or Classic into a heavier console-equipped Highfield Sport.

4. Larger Dedicated Tender Lifting Systems

Larger Riviera motor yachts may allow owners to consider larger console tenders.

In the right installation, models such as the Sport 390, Sport 420 or Sport 460 move beyond basic ship-to-shore duties and become premium runabouts in their own right.

The Highfield Sport range currently extends from the 3.36m Sport 330 through the Sport 360, 390, 420 and 460 to considerably larger RIBs.

Lightweight vs Standard vs Premium

Rather than selecting a Highfield purely according to the Riviera's length, we recommend starting with the owner's intended use and the yacht's tender handling arrangement.

Lightweight: Highfield Ultralite

The Highfield Ultralite 340 weighs just 53kg boat-only.

The Highfield Ultralite should be the starting point where weight is the overriding consideration.

The range combines an aluminium hull and inflatable tubes with remarkably low boat-only weights:

• UL240: 33kg
• UL260: 35kg
• UL290: 39kg
• UL310: 50kg
• UL340: 53kg

The range spans 2.40m to 3.37m, with maximum horsepower increasing from 6hp on the UL240 to 20hp on the UL340.

The 3.37m UL340, for example, can accommodate six people and is rated to 20hp while weighing 53kg boat-only.

Best suited to: weight-sensitive davits, simpler lifting systems, ship-to-shore duties, beach landings and owners prioritising ease of handling.

Standard: Highfield Classic

The Highfield Classic 340: six people, up to 30hp.

For many Riviera owners, the Highfield Classic will represent the sweet spot between weight, performance and practicality.

It provides a more substantial tender without immediately moving into the weight and complexity of a larger console RIB.

The Highfield Classic 340, for example, measures 3.40m, carries up to six people and has a maximum rating of 30hp while weighing 71kg boat-only.

Best suited to: regular tender use, family cruising, longer trips ashore, carrying equipment and owners wanting additional capability while still keeping tender weight under consideration.

Premium: Highfield Sport

The Highfield Sport 460 turns the tender into a premium runabout.

For Riviera owners who want the tender to look and feel like an extension of the mothership, the Highfield Sport is our premium recommendation where the carrying system permits.

Current specifications include:

• Sport 330: 3.36m / maximum 30hp
• Sport 360: 3.62m / maximum 40hp
• Sport 390: 3.90m / maximum 60hp
• Sport 420: 4.24m / maximum 70hp
• Sport 460: 4.60m / maximum 70hp
• Sport 520: 5.15m / maximum 115hp

The Sport 460 demonstrates the difference particularly well. It carries up to nine people, incorporates a 55-litre fuel tank and has a boat-only weight of 332kg.

That's a very different proposition from a 53kg Ultralite 340, which is why identifying the yacht's lifting and carrying limits first is so important.

Recommended Highfield Tender by Riviera Model

The following selections should be treated as a Northside Marine selection guide, not a statement of Riviera factory-approved compatibility. The table covers the Sport Yacht, Sports Express, SUV and Sports Motor Yacht families in the current Riviera model range.

*Yamaha selections above are recommended starting points, not approved fitment specifications. Final engine selection needs to remain within the specific Highfield's horsepower, engine-weight and shaft-length requirements and the Riviera's storage and lifting limitations.

Why Total Tender Weight Matters

Boat-only weight is useful for comparing Highfield models, but it does not tell the complete story.

Take the Highfield Ultralite 340. At just 53kg boat-only, it is rated for up to a 20hp outboard and six people.

Move to a Sport 460 and the tender itself weighs 332kg boat-only before considering its outboard and other equipment.

For a Riviera with ample lifting capacity, that additional weight may allow the owner to enjoy a far more sophisticated tender. For a weight-sensitive davit installation, however, going smaller and lighter could be the better solution.

The best tender isn't necessarily the largest Highfield your Riviera can accommodate. It is the tender that best matches the yacht's storage system, lifting capacity and the way you intend to use it.

Matching Yamaha Power to Your Highfield

Once the appropriate Highfield has been selected, the Yamaha outboard can be matched to the tender's intended role.

Yamaha Australia's current outboard line-up groups its smaller portable engines in the 2.5–25hp range, followed by its 30–90hp mid-range four-stroke category.

For lighter tenders used primarily for short ship-to-shore runs, maximum horsepower may not be necessary.

As the tender becomes larger and its intended role expands to carrying multiple passengers, travelling further from the mothership or recreational use, more horsepower may become worthwhile within the tender manufacturer's limits.

At the larger end of the Classic range and the beginning of the Sport range, the Yamaha F30 becomes relevant. Yamaha specifies the current F30 as a 747cc three-cylinder four-stroke with electronic fuel injection, electric start and power trim and tilt.

A Closer Look at the Riviera 5000 Sport Yacht

The Riviera 5000 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition is a useful example of why tender selection needs to begin with the storage system rather than the overall length of the yacht.

Riviera states that its tender garage accommodates a 2.8-metre tender with an outboard attached. That makes a compact Highfield particularly relevant.

The Highfield Ultralite 260 measures 2.60m, weighs 35kg boat-only, carries four people and is rated to a maximum 8hp.

A Yamaha F6 or F8 would therefore be a logical engine range to consider, subject to confirming the complete tender package, stored dimensions, shaft requirement and Riviera fitment.

This illustrates an important point: a 50-foot motor yacht does not automatically need a large tender.

Storage determines what fits. Lifting capacity determines what can safely be carried. The owner's intended use determines which of those choices is best.

What About Riviera Models With Greater Tender-Carrying Capacity?

As the available tender carrying and lifting capacity increases, the Highfield selection can change considerably.

The ability to carry a Sport 360, 390, 420 or 460 potentially turns the tender from purely a transport solution into a second recreational boat.

The Sport 460, for example, measures 4.60m, carries up to nine people and accepts up to 70hp.

For Riviera owners with a suitable lifting and storage arrangement, that opens up opportunities beyond simply travelling from anchorage to shore.

Choosing Between a Highfield Ultralite, Classic and Sport

A simple way to make the decision is to ask three questions.

Is weight the priority?

Start with the Highfield Ultralite. This is particularly relevant for a davit installation where reducing total package weight is important.

Do you want the best balance of weight and versatility?

Look closely at the Highfield Classic. For regular tender duties, it provides a strong middle ground between a minimal tender and a full console RIB.

Do you want the tender to become part of the Riviera experience?

Where storage and lifting capacity permit, choose a Highfield Sport. It is the premium option for owners looking for greater passenger comfort, performance and independent recreational capability.

Five Things to Check Before Ordering a Highfield for Your Riviera

Before finalising any Highfield and Yamaha package, confirm:

1. Available storage dimensions
   Measure the actual space available in the garage, on the platform or within the tender storage area.
2. Rated lifting or carrying capacity
   Check the specifications of the davit, crane or hydraulic platform installed on the yacht.
3. Complete tender package weight
   Consider the Highfield, Yamaha, fuel and equipment that will normally remain aboard.
4. Tender dimensions in its stored configuration
   Consider the complete installation rather than nominal hull length alone.
5. How you intend to use the tender
   A short run from an anchorage to shore calls for a different package from longer exploring trips with several guests aboard.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best Highfield tender for a Riviera?

There isn't one Highfield tender that is best for every Riviera. The yacht's tender garage, davit, crane or hydraulic platform needs to be considered together with the complete package weight and intended use. Ultralite is our lightweight choice, Classic our all-round option and Sport our premium recommendation.

Can you carry a Highfield on yacht davits?

A Highfield can be considered for a davit installation provided the complete tender configuration is compatible with the lifting system. Highfield's tender guidance specifically identifies sizing, storage, weight and davit constraints as considerations when selecting a yacht tender.

What is the lightest Highfield tender?

Within the current Ultralite range, the UL240 has a published boat-only weight of 33kg. The UL260 is 35kg, UL290 39kg, UL310 50kg and UL340 53kg.

Can a Highfield be carried on a hydraulic swim platform?

A Highfield may be suitable for a hydraulic swim platform where its complete dimensions and operating weight fall within the requirements of the particular platform and installation. The yacht and platform specifications should be checked before selecting the final tender and engine combination.

What tender fits a Riviera 5000 Sport Yacht?

Riviera states that the 5000 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition has storage for a 2.8m tender with the outboard attached. A 2.60m Highfield Ultralite 260 is therefore one model worth considering, subject to checking the complete installed dimensions.

Should I choose a Highfield Ultralite, Classic or Sport for my Riviera?

Choose an Ultralite where low weight is the priority, a Classic for an all-round tender, or a Sport where greater comfort, performance and premium presentation are desired and the Riviera's tender handling system can accommodate the package.

What Yamaha outboard should I put on a Highfield tender?

The engine needs to remain within the horsepower, engine-weight and shaft requirements specified for that particular Highfield. Yamaha Australia currently offers portable 2.5–25hp models and mid-range four-stroke engines from 30–90hp, providing options across the Highfield tender ranges discussed here.

Find the Right Highfield and Yamaha Package for Your Riviera

Selecting a tender for a Riviera should start with the mothership, not simply the tender catalogue.

First determine how the tender will be stored and launched. Then establish the available dimensions and carrying or lifting capacity. From there, choose the Highfield that provides the right balance of weight, passenger capacity and performance, before matching it to an appropriate Yamaha outboard.

• For weight-sensitive applications, start with the Highfield Ultralite.
• For a versatile everyday tender, consider the Highfield Classic.
• And when the Riviera has the space and carrying capacity to accommodate it, a Highfield Sport with Yamaha four-stroke power provides the premium option.

Together, the aim is not simply to put the biggest possible tender behind a Riviera. It is to create a properly matched tender package that complements the way you use your motor yacht.

Talk to our Highfield specialists. Our team can help you match the right Highfield and Yamaha package to your Riviera's storage and lifting system. Call (07) 3265 8022 or browse the full Ultralite, Classic and Sport ranges.