Designed for exploration and beach landings with portable equipment, the new Quest 72 features a drop-down bow step and a semi-custom modular deck to combine adventure, performance and luxury.

The US market accounts for approximately 20% of Williams Jet Tender’s sales, and is growing fast, so the new Quest models are aimed squarely at the needs of US boat owners. 

“Developed around the philosophy ‘Destined for Discovery’, the Quest Series has been created for American owners and guests who expect more from every journey,” said Mathew Hornsby, Commercial Director and Co-Founder of UK-Based Williams Jet Tenders. “Whether exploring hidden beaches in the Caribbean or carrying the latest watersports equipment, Quest delivers a seamless blend of functionality, style and performance. This new innovative offering showcases Williams’ capability in the superyacht sector of which the US is a key market to its success. Performance remains a priority for any Williams tender and the Quest is no different - its 250hp Yanmar 4LV diesel engine provides the power and torque required for any occasion, and the Petestep hull provides great efficiency as well as a softer and drier ride for all passengers.”

In keeping with the rest of the range, the new model is equipped with a highly efficient water jet propulsion system. This gives a startling turn of speed, and the enclosed impeller is ideal for use in shallow water.

“When compared with owners in Europe, our tenders are used in a slightly different way in the US,” Hornsby explained. “The marinas tend to be bigger than the Med so there is more space for bigger yachts, which means tenders are more frequently used for fun on the water rather than trips from ship to shore. Jet propulsion is still fairly new to many American owners, but it has been well received due to the ease of use, powerful performance and peace of mind, especially when swimming around the boat. There is no exposed propeller in the water.”

Versatile platform 

Versatility is key to the ‘Destined for Discovery’ mantra. The modular deck is easily reconfigured for various equipment, seen here with either a pair of Seabob water sleds, or a pair of mountain bikes.

Versatility is key to the ‘Destined for Discovery’ mantra. The modular deck is easily reconfigured for various equipment, seen here with either a pair of Seabob water sleds, or a pair of mountain bikes.

Quest 03

Hornsby says that an established requirement, particularly in the Caribbean, is to be able to beach a tender and allow guests to comfortably step ashore. Each model in the Quest series, recently launched by their sister brand, Evene Tenders, is fitted with integrated folding boarding steps in the bow allowing for simple and safe disembarkation.  

“The Quest 72 has many design innovations that separate it from competitors - one example is the flexible foredeck which allows owners and crew to use the tender to facilitate their passion when out on the water,” Hornsby said. “From dive bottle racks, wakeboards and Seabobs, to mountain bikes, cool boxes and extra storage, the adventures are endless. This level of customisation and compatibility has never been seen before on a luxury tender of this kind.”

“The availability of SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) also means that yachts over 500GT don’t have to compromise on space, luxury or performance when specifying a mandatory SOLAS tender for their yachts,” Hornsby said. “The Quest Series offers American superyacht owners and crew the same quality, performance, service and parts availability that makes Williams stand above its competitors in the US.”

Greater market share 

The drop-down bow door makes disembarking onto a shallow beach very easy, with enough room to carry through various types of leisure equipment. The low maintenance cork decking gives a cool, solid grip underfoot.

The drop-down bow door makes disembarking onto a shallow beach very easy, with enough room to carry through various types of leisure equipment. The low maintenance cork decking gives a cool, solid grip underfoot.

Williams already works with leading yacht builders, many of whom design the garage specifically around a Jet tender, and the Quest range will continue with that close collaboration.

“Williams Tenders USA are the nominated dealership for Williams and Evene in the US,” Hornsby explained. “They continue to provide strong sales performance, and whilst market conditions and tariffs can cause slight hesitation amongst buyers, Williams has been fairly unaffected which shows the strength of the brand and product.”

Hornsby feels that the biggest opportunity for growth continues to be along the East coast of the US and Caribbean, which many superyachts visit in the Winter months as part of their crossing to the US. This area is where the Quest 72 will feel at home providing beach landing and watersport experiences for owners and guests. The foredeck can be completely open allowing crew to utilise a vast amount of space for provision trips from ship to shore, but with the ability to fend off from the yacht to clean it. Crew were front of mind when designing many features of the Quest tender. The perch helm seats and windscreen, for example, provide great visibility, weather protection and ergonomics. The centre console layout also allows crew to move around the tender to access lines, fenders and multiple boarding point to help guest getting on and off without anything getting in the way. 

“Williams continue to see the US as one of its biggest markets for growth,” Hornsby concludes. “This is due to the size of the country, the number of American owners and increased presence in the Caribbean, which is a great match for our new superyacht tenders, including the Quest and Origin series. With early signs of market conditions picking up, and an expanded product range, we are hopeful of increased sales for both the Williams and Evene brand in the US. We also believe there’s potential for providing an increased number of service points for our tenders across the US & Caribbean.”

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