Jet skis have been a hit with adrenalin junkies for decades, though there may come a time when even the most ardent speed freak prefers to relax with friends in a marine setting, prompting the question: jet ski or boat? Now, a new prototype tender concept, launched and tested in Spain, seeks to offer both choices in one package.
Amor Jiminez Chito, CEO of ONE Water Toys, describes his solution, the ONE 16, as combining “the excitement of a jet ski with the comfort of a boat”. And, with prices starting at €40,000, the hope is that the ONE 16 will appeal to first-time boaters, as well as beaches and resorts offering competitive jet ski rental options.
Basically, the ONE 16 is like a ‘clip-on’ tender, designed for six people, that can be added to the front of a jet ski. The jet ski drives into the back of, and connects with, the ONE 16, and then the coupling is secured with a BoatBuckle system. The concept was drawn up by Chito, who has previously worked on superyacht projects with naval architects Coase Design, and this rough draft was passed on to Cadiz-based Visma Naval Architects, which engineered the hull and structure to ensure the tender’s performance and safety.
The physical prototype was built in GRP by KDKomposites in Málaga. Chito says: “The hull has been optimised for cruising speeds of around 18-20knots, with a top speed of 30knots when using a 170hp [127kW] jet ski. The weight distribution was optimised to ensure that the jet ski can be easily inserted into the hull of the ONE 16 and that the boat remains stable, even when all six people on board are on the same side.
“As the ONE 16 can be coupled with the jet ski but also decoupled, all required calculations and analyses were doubled: the naval architects studied the behaviour of the hull with both the jet ski and the hull alone.”
Manuel Viseras, Visma Naval Architects CEO, expands: “We had to ensure continuity with the design of the hull, maintaining the waterlines unaffected and avoiding unnecessary resistance. It was crucial to keep the flow within the boundary layer, maintaining laminar flow and preventing turbulence around the interface between the jet ski and the hull.” For the builder, meanwhile, the main challenge was to build a boat with “the exact draught to ensure an easy connection with the jet ski…and to ensure the required buoyancy and optimal stability”, states Oscar Bustos, CEO of KDKomposites. The yard ran scale-model tank tests at the El Pardo Centre for Hydrodynamic Research (CEHIPAR) in Madrid.
The ONE 16’s hull has been optimised for cruising speeds of around 18-20knots
The ONE 16 can be offered as a rental solution or as a tender for yachts starting from 20m. The bow features a table that can be lowered to convert this area into a sunbathing spot, or guests can sit back on a forward-facing seat concealing a 12V portable refrigerator. The tender’s anchor is stowed inside a reinforced bow hatch.
Chito adds: “When the jet ski is removed, the slide that houses the front of the jet ski transforms into a pool, gently gliding into the sea.” Depending on weather conditions and the sea state, it is possible for the jet ski to safely disconnect at sea – temporarily leaving guests free to drink and chat around the table while the jet ski rider separately enjoys a white-knuckle ride, before returning and reconnecting. The ONE 16 has been certified to CE Category C for coastal and inland use. “The platform is easy to connect via the BoatBuckle in just one minute and compatible with major jet ski brands, such as Sea-Doo and Yamaha,” Chito says.
The ONE 16 comes with a Hertz or Fusion audio system, plus a removable bimini for sun protection, as standard. However, customers will also be offered options including a rigid bimini, a wakeboard rack and a premium audio system with a subwoofer. Chito says that he deliberately selected “bold colours that invite a sense of adventure”, to get away from the more conventional white and blue boat designs that can become a little staid – though it’s all a matter of taste, of course.
The first prototype of the ONE 16 has been made available for sea trials in Puerto de la Duquesa in Málaga throughout the summer, giving potential thrill-seekers, boat dealers and charter companies the chance to sample the jet ski-tender combo for themselves. Meanwhile, construction of the second ONE 16 unit is underway, this time “using vacuum infusion methods, which will help us to lower the weight of the hull, further improving performance”, Chito says. “Once ready, this second unit will be designated for charter use.”
TECHNICAL PARTICULARS: ONE 16
Length: 4.98m (hull only), 6m (when connected to jet ski) / Breadth: 2.8m / Passengers: 6 / Recommended power: 127kW / Max power: 239kW / Cruising speed: 18-20knots / Max speed: 30knots
