ROXEN as a Yacht Tender: What Yacht Owners Need to Know

By the ROXEN Team · Updated March 2026

In short: ROXEN weighs 60 kg, produces zero emissions, and operates near-silently - making it one of the few personal watercraft practical for yacht use without a crane, a dedicated davit, or a large tender garage. This guide covers what to consider when choosing an electric watercraft as a yacht tender or water toy.

The tender is one of the most used and least discussed pieces of equipment on a yacht. It needs to be fast enough to be useful, small enough to store, light enough to handle without heavy lifting equipment, and quiet enough not to disturb the anchorage. Traditional petrol watercraft tick the first criterion and struggle with the rest. This article looks at what electric watercraft offer in the yacht context specifically.

The Storage Problem

A traditional petrol watercraft weighs 250–350 kg. Storing one on a yacht requires either a large stern platform with a dedicated davit system, a crane capable of lifting that load, or a big enough tender garage. On yachts under 25–30 metres, this is often impractical or impossible.

At 60 kg, ROXEN can be lifted by two crew members without mechanical assistance. It fits on a swim platform, in a tender garage alongside a dinghy, or on deck in a cradle. The inflatable stabiliser tubes are detachable, reducing the stored width further. For smaller yachts or boats where space is genuinely constrained, this is the practical difference between carrying a watercraft and not carrying one.

Crane and Davit Loads

Even on larger yachts with crane capacity, a lighter tender is easier to manage in a swell. Launching and recovering a 300 kg watercraft in choppy anchorage conditions is a two-person job with real injury risk. Launching ROXEN can be handled by one crew member and takes under a minute from deck to water.

For charter operations where guests are involved in launching and recovering water toys, the weight difference is directly relevant to safety and operational simplicity.

Zero Emissions at Anchor

Many of the most desirable anchorages in the Mediterranean, Scandinavia, and further afield are in protected marine areas with restrictions on fuel use, noise, or both. Petrol watercraft are increasingly banned or restricted in these locations.

ROXEN produces zero local emissions and operates near-silently. It can be used in marine protected areas where petrol watercraft are not permitted, and it does not contaminate the water around the yacht with fuel residue or oil. For owners who anchor in sensitive environments, this is a meaningful practical advantage.

Shore Runs and Exploration

As a tender, ROXEN covers the core use cases: quick shore runs to a marina or beach, picking up guests, exploring coastlines or coves that are too shallow for the main vessel or a rigid inflatable.

At 30 knots top speed and a 15–25 nautical mile range per charge, ROXEN handles most tender distances comfortably. The swappable battery means a spare can be kept charged onboard - swapping takes under a minute and restores full range without any charging infrastructure required at anchor.

For exploration, the near-silent operation is a genuine benefit. Approaching wildlife, entering a quiet cove, or arriving at a small harbour without engine noise changes the character of the trip.

Charging at Sea

ROXEN charges from a standard 230V outlet in approx. 2.5–3 hours. Any yacht with shore power connection or onboard generator can charge the battery onboard. No specialist charging infrastructure is needed.

For extended passages where charging opportunities are limited, carrying a second battery pack provides a simple backup. Both batteries can be charged simultaneously from a single 230V outlet with a splitter, or sequentially overnight.

Geofencing for Fleet and Guest Management

For charter operations, ROXEN's built-in geofencing allows the crew to define exactly where guests can ride. A zone can be drawn around the yacht, the anchorage, or a permitted riding area. If a guest rides beyond the zone, the craft slows and stops. The crew receives a notification.

This removes the need for on-water supervision of guests and provides a documented record of where the craft operated during each session - useful for insurance purposes and for complying with any local restrictions on watercraft use around the anchorage.

For full details on how geofencing works, see the ROXEN geofencing guide.

Licence Considerations for Yacht Use

ROXEN is CE-certified as a Recreational Craft (Electric) rather than a Personal Watercraft. In Italy, this means riders can operate ROXEN without a licence within 6 nautical miles of the coast - relevant for Mediterranean cruising. In Finland and Ireland, no licence is required regardless of classification.

For a full country-by-country breakdown, see the ROXEN licence guide.

Practical Specifications for Yacht Use

Frequently Asked Questions

Can ROXEN be stored on a yacht without a crane? Yes. At 60 kg, ROXEN can be lifted by two crew members without mechanical assistance. It fits on a swim platform, in a tender garage, or on deck in a cradle. The inflatable tubes are detachable to reduce stored dimensions further.

How far can ROXEN travel on one charge as a tender? 15–25 nautical miles per charge in normal conditions. For longer distances, carrying a spare battery - which swaps in under a minute - effectively doubles the range without requiring any charging infrastructure at anchor.

Can ROXEN be used in marine protected areas? ROXEN produces zero emissions and operates near-silently, so it is not subject to the fuel or noise restrictions that apply to petrol watercraft in many protected anchorages. Always check the specific rules for each area.

How do you charge ROXEN on a yacht? From any standard 230V outlet - shore power, onboard generator, or inverter. Full charge takes approx. 2.5–3 hours. No specialist charging equipment is required.

Is geofencing useful for charter yacht operations? Yes. Geofencing lets the crew define a permitted riding area for guests. If a guest rides beyond the zone, the craft decelerates and stops automatically, and the crew receives a notification. This removes the need for on-water supervision and provides a record of where the craft operated.

Does riding ROXEN as a yacht tender require a licence? It depends on the country. In Italy, ROXEN's Recreational Craft (Electric) certification means no licence is required within 6 nautical miles of the coast. In Finland and Ireland, no licence is required nationally. See the full licence guide for details.

Published by ROXEN Academy, a blog by ROXEN Innovations.