C-Tender 55: how a truly extraordinary custom yacht is built

With the technical launch scheduled for March, the construction of the new C-Tender 55 is progressing at full speed. This is a truly extraordinary yacht, built entirely custom using advanced techniques and construction methods typically reserved for large superyachts.

The design of the C-Tender 55 has been literally tailored to the needs of its owner, who resides in the Hamptons and plans to use the yacht for short, fast cruises before returning home to dock it at the pier of his villa, located in an area with very shallow waters.

These specific requirements led the shipyard to adopt surface propeller propulsion and extensively use carbon fiber in the construction. This approach ensures the boat is lightweight, high-performance, and has a shallow draft—an advantage that also allows it to anchor close to the most beautiful beaches.

The project boasts a stellar team, with Mauro Corvisieri overseeing the work, Davide Zerbinati supervising the construction, Francesco Rogantin of NAMES handling naval engineering, and Valentino Gabriele collaborating with Paolo Tamburini (the shipyard’s go-to designer) to develop both the exterior and interior design.

“The client wanted a sporty boat capable of reaching and exceeding 40 knots – explains Davide Zerbinati, the project manager and a highly experienced marine surveyor – So we opted for extensive use of carbon fiber, which allowed us to keep the weight low without compromising solidity. The deck and all superstructures are made of this material, including the two folding side terraces, each over 3 meters long and operated by dual pistons and hinges. All the structural bulkheads are also made of carbon fiber, and the hull’s structural grid has been reinforced with the same material”.

But the innovations brought by this yacht don’t stop there. All the exterior furniture has been crafted using a specialized 3D printing technique called CF20, which allows carbon powder to be added during the printing process and enables complete freedom in designing these elements.

“All the materials chosen and used for this yacht are of the highest quality – continues Davide Zerbinati – For instance, the epoxy fairing and Alexseal paint (the same used on superyachts). These details are certainly more expensive than average, but they will allow the C-Tender 55 to sport a custom paint job: a stunning metallic Bentley blue to match the owner’s car”.

Equally extraordinary is the onboard electronics system, which allows the owner to single-handedly control the yacht using three joystick stations. The C-Tender 55 is equipped with Xenta’s top-of-the-line systems, paired with Volvo Penta propulsion, setting a high standard for the components used on this boat.

This is further evidenced by the inclusion of a tropical-grade air conditioning system and Raymarine electronics, which enhance the standard instrumentation with augmented reality, a thermal camera, and three large screens that ensure maximum safety for navigation, even at night.

As mentioned earlier, the technical launch of the C-Tender 55 is scheduled for early March, and we at THE INTERNATIONAL YACHTING MEDIA can’t wait to climb aboard and test this masterpiece of naval engineering.

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