The best rigid inflatable tender brands available in Australia in 2026 are Grand Boats, Highfield, BRIG, Williams and AB Inflatables. Each brand takes a different approach to design, materials and pricing, and understanding those differences is what separates a tender that serves you well for years from one that falls short of expectations.
This guide focuses specifically on rigid inflatable tenders with a hard hull and console; the most capable and most commonly specified tender type for serious yacht and cruiser owners. We have put together a comparison of each brand, covering what they stand for, who they suit, and where they sit in the Australian market.
What To Look For When Comparing RIB Tenders
Before getting into the brands themselves, it is worth covering the factors that define a great rigid inflatable tender.
- Tube Material: Hypalon over PVC, without exception, as PVC degrades in UV exposure. Hypalon, and specifically Orca by Pennel and Flipo (the world’s leading manufacturer of Hypalon tube fabric) is the material standard you should be looking for. It is UV resistant, durable and built to last in our conditions.
- Hull Material: The two options are fibreglass and aluminium. Aluminium hulls are marginally lighter, which can matter if you are working within strict davit weight limits, and they are generally slightly less expensive to produce. The trade-offs are a noticeably louder ride on the water and the need to be mindful of painted aluminium surfaces, which are prone to corrosion and paint degradation over time. Fibreglass hulls offer a quieter, more refined ride, are easier to repair, and hold their finish better over years of saltwater use.
- Internal Space: How much usable space is there onboard for your passengers and their belongings? A tender that looks spacious in photos can feel cramped once you add four adults, a cool box and a bag of gear. Look at tube diameter relative to hull width, locker storage volume and how the seating is arranged. Do not compromise on storage; a tender that is light on locker space becomes inconvenient very quickly.
- Horsepower Options: What is the tender rated for, and does that suit your intended use? If you plan to use the tender for more than just passenger transfers, for instance water sports, fishing or longer runs to anchorages, the maximum rated horsepower matters. Some tender brands are more conservative with their ratings than others.
- Fuel Capacity: How much fuel does the tender carry, and where is the tank located? A higher fuel capacity is obviously useful for longer range, but tank position also affects how the boat sits on the plane. A tank positioned forward of centre helps weight distribution and makes planing easier, particularly with a full passenger load.
- Overall Weight: What is the total weight of the tender package including engine, full fuel and batteries? This is critical if you have davit weight limits on your vessel. Get the fully rigged figure rather than the bare boat weight, as the difference between the two is often significant.
- Ride Quality: Ask for on-water footage if you cannot arrange a sea trial. Does the boat plane easily and sit balanced on the water? Does the bow lift high as the boat accelerates, or does it level out quickly? What does the ride look like with several passengers onboard? A tender that planes well and sits evenly is substantially more comfortable for regular use than one that rides bow-high.
Comparing The Best RIB Tender Brands in Australia
GRAND BOATS
Price range: $20,000 – $55,000
Hull: Fibreglass
Built in: Ukraine
As the exclusive Australian distributor for Grand Boats, we know this brand in more depth than any other on this list. We have visited the factory in Ukraine numerous times, are in direct daily communication with the factory team, and are Grand’s second largest distributor by volume globally. It is from that depth of firsthand knowledge that we recommend Grand as one of the strongest choices for Australian buyers looking for a luxury rigid inflatable tender.
Grand has been building boats since 2001, and has over 25 years of craftsmanship and engineering heritage. Everything is produced in-house in Kharkiv, from hull moulding and fibreglass work through to upholstery, stainless steel powder coating and windscreen fabrication. The tube fabric is Orca Hypalon by Pennel and Flipo, the upholstery is Silvertex by Spradling (manufactured in Spain), and the flooring is SeaDek from the USA; are the best materials available in each category, and that shows in how the boats hold up over years of use.
What makes Grand stand out?
Grand tenders are designed for owners who take real pride in their main vessel and want a tender that reflects that standard. The design philosophy is about refinement and detail; curved, angular fibreglass lines, sculpted surfaces and a level of fit and finish that customers consistently notice when they step aboard for the first time.
The fibreglass construction extends to the seating, which is moulded directly into the hull rather than bolted on top of it. The result is that passengers sit in the boat rather than on it – a noticeably more comfortable and secure position when going through chop. Consoles are offset to the side and come optioned as standard with a 7″ Garmin chart plotter displaying engine data, charts, and fish finder. There is good seating throughout – typically for four to five passengers on the Grand G340 and Grand G380 – and removable side seats that create additional capacity while also opening a clear passageway through the boat when not needed.
Storage is a real strength. Rear lockers extend all the way back to the transom and offer substantial volume. The bow locker is intentionally left clear for anchor storage, with the fuel filler also located there for easy access. The 40-litre under-floor fuel tank is positioned forward of centre – a deliberate design decision that improves weight distribution and makes getting on the plane faster and more balanced. Extended transoms further assist the bow-down attitude underway.
Grand tenders are also high-horsepower rated for their size. The G340 takes up to 40HP and the G380 up to 50HP, making both genuinely capable for water sports as well as passenger transfers. Ski poles are fitted as standard, and large fibreglass step ends at the stern make beach landings and boarding straightforward.
Packages are optioned to a level that other tender brands do not routinely include – deck lights, transom lights, music systems and navigation electronics are standard additions, which matters when the tender needs to match the style and specification of a premium vessel.
Best for: Boat owners who care about style, performance and quality, and who want a tender that matches the standard of their main vessel.
Most popular models: Grand G340, Grand G380, Grand G420
HIGHFIELD
Price range: $5,000 – $55,000
Hull: Aluminium
Built in: China
Highfield is one of the largest tender manufacturers in the world by volume, and their presence in the Australian market reflects that scale. They are a name you will encounter frequently, particularly in the entry-level tender space, and for buyers whose primary criteria is value and practicality, Highfield is a legitimate and widely supported option.
The key distinction from Grand and other tender brands on this list is hull construction. Highfield builds with aluminium, which produces a hull that is slightly lighter than a fibreglass equivalent, and also keeps manufacturing costs down. The trade-offs our customers consistently report are a louder ride on the water and the need to monitor painted aluminium surfaces, which are susceptible to corrosion in saltwater environments over time.
Their range includes the Classic Console series and the Sport series, the latter being more directly comparable to the Grand tender range in its layout and intended use. Across the range, the layouts are clean and functional, though the styling sits firmly at the utilitarian end of the spectrum with less of the premium finishing detail you find on a Grand.
One practical advantage worth noting is that Highfield’s lower-profile console designs can make them a better fit for certain tender garage configurations.
Best for: Buyers focused on value and practicality, with less emphasis on premium finish or ride refinement.
BRIG
Price range: $20,000 – $55,000
Hull: Fibreglass
Built in: Ukraine
BRIG is a well-established Ukrainian brand and one you will encounter regularly in the Australian tender market. Interestingly, BRIG and Grand share more than just a country of origin; Grand was founded by a lead designer who left BRIG to take the RIB concept in a new direction. The two brands use the same materials and suppliers, which means the fundamental build quality of a BRIG tender is comparable to that of a Grand.
Where the two diverge is in design philosophy. BRIG tenders take a more utilitarian, modular approach. The styling is functional and straightforward rather than refined, angular and detail-oriented. Their tube diameters also tend to be larger than those on equivalent Grand models, which our customers have noted does eat slightly into the usable internal deck space and can make the seating feel marginally narrower.
For buyers who want a well-built, practical tender at a similar price point to Grand but are less concerned with aesthetic refinement, BRIG is a strong and credible option.
Best for: Buyers who want a good-quality tender with proven build credentials and a more utilitarian, straightforward design approach.
WILLIAMS
Price range: $58,000 – $100,000+
Hull: Fibreglass
Built in: England
Williams occupies a distinct position in the tender market as the only jet-powered brand on this list. Rather than a conventional outboard, Williams tenders use an integrated jet drive; a configuration that eliminates the external engine entirely, resulting in a cleaner stern profile and a significantly lower overall height. This makes Williams tenders a particularly popular choice for yacht owners whose vessel has a dedicated tender garage, where the external engine on a conventional RIB would either add too much height or too much weight to fit comfortably.
The jet configuration also delivers rapid acceleration and responsive handling, and makes the tenders well suited to water sports. The trade-off is weight; Williams tenders tend to be heavier than outboard equivalents at the same size, which is worth factoring in if davit capacity is a constraint.
Williams tenders are manufactured in England and use similar materials to Grand and BRIG. British manufacturing costs and the jet technology are reflected in the price, which sits meaningfully above the other brands on this list. The standard of fit and finish is excellent, and the styling is sleek, modern and low-profile.
Best for: Yacht owners looking for an ultra-premium, garage-friendly tender and for whom price is not the primary constraint.
AB INFLATABLES
Price range: $20,000+
Hull: Aluminium and fibreglass
Built in: Colombia
AB Inflatables is a Colombian brand that occupies the more utilitarian end of the tender market. They are notable for offering both fibreglass and aluminium hull options, as well as both outboard and jet-powered configurations, though it is worth confirming with Australian dealers which specific models are actually available here, as the full range is not comprehensively stocked locally.
Their styling approach is similar to Highfield in its sensibility; clean and functional rather than refined or premium. They use Orca Hypalon tube fabric and SeaDek flooring, which are encouraging specifications, though they opt for Sunbrella upholstery rather than the Spradling Silvertex fabric used by the more premium brands on this list.
The hulls on AB Inflatables tenders are generally less deep and sharp than those of Grand or Highfield, which affects planing efficiency and ride quality at speed. The dealer network in Australia is also less established than the other brands on this list, which is worth considering from a warranty and after-sales support perspective.
Best for: Buyers looking for a simple, practical tender focused on passenger transfer rather than performance or premium specification.
How To Choose The Right Tender For Your Vessel
The right tender comes down to a combination of how you plan to use it, what your main vessel demands in terms of style and specification, and what practical constraints you are working within.
If style and quality matter and you want a tender that genuinely reflects the standard of your main vessel, Grand Boats sits in a strong position in the Australian market. The curves and angles in the fibreglass construction, the attention to detail in finish and design, the attention to detail in the internal layout, and the level of standard specification make it the most refined option at its price point.
If you need a tender that fits within a garage and jet propulsion is a requirement, Williams is the logical choice, at a premium that reflects both the technology and the manufacturing location.
If practicality and value are the primary drivers and you are less focused on premium finish, Highfield offers a widely available and well-supported option. BRIG is the closer alternative to Grand in terms of build materials and price, but takes a more utilitarian design direction.
As with any boat purchase, we always encourage buyers to get on the water and sea trial the tender wherever possible. The ride quality, the balance on the plane, and the feel of the materials in person will tell you more than any specification sheet.
Key Takeaways
- Hypalon tubes are non-negotiable – and better yet, Orca by Pennel & Flipo is the world standard for Hypalon quality and UV resistance.
- Fibreglass hulls offer a quieter, more refined ride than aluminium equivalents, with better long-term surface durability
- Grand Boats offers the strongest combination of premium design, build quality and standard specification at its price point in the Australian market
- Highfield suits buyers focused on practicality and value, particularly in the entry-level to mid-range tender space
- BRIG shares Grand’s build credentials but takes a more utilitarian approach to design
- Williams is the go-to choice for yacht owners needing a jet-powered, garage-friendly tender
- Always confirm which models are available in Australia and what warranty and dealer support looks like before purchasing
Brand Comparison Table
| Brand | Price Range | Hull | Built In | Design Style | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Boats | $20,000 - $55,000 | Fibreglass | Ukraine | Luxury, Refined | Style & performance conscious owners who want a luxury, quality tender |
| Highfield | $5,000 - $55,000 | Aluminium | China | Utilitarian, Modern | Value-focused buyers |
| BRIG | $20,000 - $55,000 | Fibreglasss | Ukraine | Utiliterian, modular | Quality-focused buyers who prefer utilitarian styling |
| Williams | $58,000 - $100,000+ | Fibreglass | England | Luxury, low profile | Yacht owners needing a garage-friendly tender |
| AB Inflatables | $20,000+ | Fibreglass/Aluminium | Colombia | Basic, utilitarian | A to B Transport |