Dutch tender manufacturer switches to aluminium

Dutch company Younique Yachts has made some eco-friendly changes to the company in an effort to lower its carbon footprint.

One key change is the swapping of composite/carbon with aluminium. The company, which has produced customer tenders, chase boats and RIBs for the past seven years, will now use only aluminium for its tenders. Previously, Younique Yachts has made tenders using carbon fibre and composites, which produce non-biodegradable waste.

Younique Yachts says customers often prefer carbon tenders as they are lightweight but the difference in weight between a carbon and an aluminium hull is minimal. Aluminium tenders are said to be a more eco-friendly alternative.

“Aluminium tenders feel more comfortable, stronger, stiffer and they produce less noise,” says Egbert Wattel, co-owner of Younique Yachts.

Younique Yachts also plants trees each year to compensate for the wood the company uses.

“We give nature back what’s hers,” says Peter Melchers, co-owner of Younique Yachts.