How to select a chaseboat that delivers.
In the pursuit of finding the perfect chaseboat, many clients are drawn to sleek designs and eye-catching finishes.
However, when it comes to supporting superyacht operations, choosing the right vessel requires a deeper look. Beyond its visual appeal, a chaseboat needs to be built for long-range, professional use. So, how do you know if the boat you’re chasing is truly up to the task?
The chaseboat market appears to be filled with many options and a lack of clear differentiation between products can leave clients unsure about what makes a boat truly fit for purpose. Also, not every boat that is marketed as a potential chaseboat is designed to handle the demands of professional superyacht operations.
The Importance of a Proper Specification:
Choosing the right chaseboat means considering more than just aesthetic appeal. The vessel needs to be specified correctly, even if this is within the constraints of the base product, available options and the manufacturer’s business model.
Production vs Custom:
Production boat manufacturers typically focus on volume, with limited room for customisation. Their business model is understandably geared more towards delivering boats at scale, often sold through dealers with shorter lead times, standardised specifications and published pricing. While this can be appealing to clients looking for quicker delivery, it limits the ability to tailor the boat to specific requirements.
In contrast, a more bespoke or semi-custom build starts with the client’s brief and is tailored for specific use cases. This approach offers greater optimisation working with the builder, but it likely comes with higher costs, longer lead time, and potentially increased risk if the project involves a unique design or prototype elements.
The Limitations of Day Boats:
In reality, many boats sold as chaseboats are more suited to recreational day trips or weekend coastal cruising from a shore base. These vessels are not optimised for the demands of long-range operations, where the boat is away from port for extended periods and must operate in varied weather and sea conditions. For superyacht support, the chaseboat should be a robust and professional tool, capable of handling weeks or even months of near-continuous operation.
Most boats are advertised in ‘brochure weather’ but these are idealised conditions that don’t reflect real-world use. Therefore it is essential to look beyond the surface to ensure the vessel is truly fit for its intended purpose.
Key Functional and Practical Considerations:
When assessing a boat’s suitability for chaseboat operations, these following factors are important to take into account:
- Maximum number of passengers: Can it comfortably carry the required number of guests and also crew members?
- Guest Profile: What are the demographics in terms of age, ability and boating experience?
- Mission Profile: Will it function well as a guest shuttle, for watersports, or for long-range cruising away from the mothership in various locations and climates?
- Range: Is the range sufficient to follow the superyacht over long distances?
- Fuel type and storage: Does it have adequate fuel capacity and flexibility for bunkering and fuel transfer?
- Speed: Can the boat achieve and maintain the necessary speeds for chaseboat duties?
- Shelter: Does it provide adequate protection from rain, spray and sun, and also offer guest privacy?
- Suitability for long-distance and overnight passages: Is the boat equipped for multi-day trips?
- Watertightness: Are engine and technical spaces well protected?
- Equipment quality and redundancy: Are critical systems built for reliability, with redundancy for long-duration use?
- Access for maintenance: Is the boat designed for easy upkeep, particularly when far from shore services?
- Boarding flexibility: Can guests and crew easily board from different dock heights and vessels, including from the side, not just the stern?
- Crew accommodation: Are there suitable live-aboard, rest and storage facilities for crew?
- Spare parts and after-sales support: Does the builder offer global support?
- Flexibility beyond the options list: Can the boat be optimised beyond a standard production model to meet specific client needs?
- Quality of materials and finishes: Is the boat built to withstand heavy, repeated use in demanding conditions?
- Performance and handling: How does the boat perform in a variety of sea states, beyond the calm conditions often shown in marketing materials?
- Commercial and Flag requirements: Can the vessel comply with flag state and local maritime regulations?
Budget Considerations:
Price is clearly a key factor when selecting a chaseboat, and many clients will have a maximum budget. However, it’s important to remember lower-priced vessels may come with compromises in terms of build quality, operational capability and longevity.
A more considered, guided approach helps clients understand these trade-offs between price, quality, and suitability for their specific needs. While a more expensive vessel may involve higher upfront costs, it could prove more economical in the long run by offering better reliability, reduced maintenance and longer service life, ultimately providing better value for money.
Conclusion:
Selecting the right chaseboat involves far more than aesthetics and price. The boat should be fit for purpose, capable of handling the real-world demands of extended yacht operations and tailored where possible to client specific requirements.
With the right guidance, clients can navigate the complexities of the market and choose a chaseboat that meets their expectations and performs in real world conditions.
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