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Hytender: groundbreaking boat
A double first. The Hytender 28HY Monza is the first seaworthy full carbon tender that runs both as a fast hybrid and fully electric. It is also the first in the world with an 800 volt hybrid system. A groundbreaking boat that sets the standard for a more sustainable yacht industry. Interview with co-founder Jurjen Eerkens. "We have the tender of the future."
A double scoop! The Hytender 28HY Monza is the first seaworthy full carbon tender that can sail quickly both hybrid and fully electric. At the same time, it is the first in the world with an 800 volt hybrid system. A groundbreaking boat that leads the way in making the yacht industry more sustainable. Interview with co-founder Jurjen Eerkens. “We have the tender of the future.”
Tekst: Bart-Jan Brouwer
Statue: John van Helvert (portrait) | Ellen Ophuijsen
What is your background?
“I come from civil engineering and have sailed as an engineer and captain on both container and river cruise ships. I was also nautical technical director of a large cruise line and I started a cruise management company with others, where I was responsible for the nautical and technical part. So I have been involved in the maritime world for a while and have acquired the necessary knowledge. Six years ago I met Stephen van den Berg, the owner of Ribbon Yachts. He had built a 45 foot long tender. The hull design came from Vripack Yacht Design in Sneek, and he had the prototype built at Contest Yachts in Medemblik.
It was a really nice design, different from others. That's where his strength lies, he turned to me for the technical knowledge. I brainstormed with him and we came to the conclusion that there was a need for a trailerable tender that can also be taken on board with superyachts, and therefore had to have a weight of less than two and a half tons, the critical limit for taking it on board via a crane. to tow.
At that time we were already testing hybrid ships for commercial shipping, because that is where we believe the future lies. We therefore decided to apply this technique to Stephen's tender. To this end, we founded the company Hytender, which has entered into a partnership with Ribbon Yachts. They had the beautiful design of the airframe, we had the know-how and technology. The prototype was made of composite, which is relatively heavy. We found a carbon expert with experience in Formula 1 and boat racing willing to build the hull as it was in prepack carbon. The two hull parts together weigh only 400 kilograms, which can be lifted by two people. In short: by joining forces we have created a tender that can sail electrically, hybrid and fast. That is a unique achievement! We are the first in the world to achieve this.”
Why is the combination of hybrid and fast sailing so difficult?
“There are many electric sloops and boats, so you would think that a speedboat could also be electric. But that's not true. If you want to stay on plane with a boat, where the hull glides over the water surface, you have to accelerate continuously. A car rolls out when you take your foot off the gas, a boat is immediately braked by the water. So it requires a lot of power. If you only worked with batteries, you would have to take a gigantic package on board, which would make the tender too heavy. That is why we looked for a combination of hybrid technology: a combination of diesel and a battery pack. And a package that is comparable to the latest technologies that are currently in use in the automotive industry – 800-volt batteries, for example, that Porsche drives with. We work with water-cooled lithium-metal batteries to cool the rapid power demand you need to propel the ship out of the water. And the electric motors, and even the drives, are also water-cooled.
In the near future, diesel technology will make way for alternative fuels as soon as they become available, such as methanol. Then you have a completely green ship and you are welcome in all ports. Because don't forget that many ports will soon be environmental zones where polluting vessels are banned."
Please explain: I am moored off Monaco with my superyacht and want to go ashore.
“With our tender you can go to the port full throttle. Just before the harbor you turn off the engine and sail into the harbor completely electrically, cleanly. If you want to return to the ship, you can once again sail out of the harbor electrically. At sea you then give full throttle and arrive back at your yacht with charged batteries. The tender can therefore sail fully electrically and hybridly.”
You already say that it is a unique concept, a gap in the market. Aren't you afraid that other parties will soon respond to this?
“We have a big lead, but will undoubtedly be followed closely. For example, Porsche announced at the end of June that it will develop an electric boat together with Frauscher in the coming years, also with an 800 volt system. But we do not sit still and will continue to develop every day.”
In 2018 and 2019 you were at MASTERS EXPO with the Ribbon R27HY.
“That was the first version, with a composite airframe and only one propulsion. In 2021 we delivered its demo model to a superyacht in the Mediterranean. That tender sailed around Corsica at an average speed of 25 knots, without stopping. Those people were super enthusiastic about the sailing characteristics: it crashes well through the waves and the spray rail also keeps you dry. In the meantime, we have made a few big steps further and the next model is ready to sail, the Ribbon R28HY Monza: with a full carbon hull, a top speed of 40 knots and the purchased components - the water jets from Rolls-Royce and the engines from Steyr - adapted to our software and technology. That was a long process, because who were we compared to such large companies? We spent three years convincing Rolls-Royce that their water jets could also be driven by an electric motor. We had to break into the established order and needed a lot of patience to do so.”
Are you only now ready to roll out the tender?
"Yes. We very consciously let the Hiswa run and started the process with MASTERS. In December the Ribbon R28HY Monza can be admired during MASTERS EXPO in RAI Amsterdam. And last June he was moored at the terrace of De L'Europe during MASTERS SUMMER EDITION. The reactions were phenomenal! People have already let us know in what color and with what upholstery they want it. We are not going to build a series either, but are thinking of a production of two, maybe three copies per year. To this end, we are now working on the construction of a new production hall in Dodewaard. You can order the boat - with a length of 8,30 meters and a width of 2,50 meters - completely custom-made, exactly the way you want it. Each copy is unique, no two will be the same sailing around. Requests are also coming in from abroad. For example, a Swiss person wants a Hytender to sail on Lake Constance.”
MASTERS MAGAZINE #55
Curious about the rest of the article? The magical autumn edition of MASTERS Magazine is now available. Artificial intelligence has now become an indispensable part of our lives. But, is this development something to celebrate or fear? Will Terminators take over or will friendly robots make our earthly existence even more comfortable? In this edition, AI is examined. According to philosopher Rowan Williams, it is important to remember that whatever AI does, it always imitates. And that we as humans distinguish ourselves through ingenuity. A good example is real estate entrepreneur André Snippe, who is developing an ultra-modern city district in Hoofddorp. Or nautical designer Jurjen Eerkens, who has developed a groundbreaking boat with his Hytender that is leading the way in making the yacht industry more sustainable. These and more resourceful entrepreneurs grace the pages of this edition. Which also looks ahead to MASTERS EXPO | The MAGICAL Edition, our exclusive business fair also born from ingenuity.
