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A tender is not just an auxiliary boat. On a motor yacht, it is the extension of your mobility, comfort and independence on the water. It takes you ashore when at anchor, brings guests to the beach, moves supplies, supports swimming and diving activities, and becomes the first impression your visitors have of your yacht’s lifestyle.
Because of this, choosing the right tender is not only about size or horsepower. It is about how the tender feels in daily use, how it fits on the swim platform, and how easily it can be launched and recovered.
Among compact RIB tenders, the Gala Atlantis series stands out for its aluminium hull, optimized weight, seaworthiness and craftsmanship. Within this line, two distinct product families solve different tasks and fit different yachts:
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Gala Atlantis Aquahelm — lightweight, compact, practical
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Gala Atlantis Deluxe — comfortable, spacious, premium-style mini-dayboats
And when it comes to lifting and storage on the swim platform, the solution is not universal — it must be engineered properly. This is where NorDav comes in — the Norwegian swivel davit system, exclusively represented in Greece and Cyprus by Gaelix Marine Service.
This article explains how to choose between Aquahelm and Deluxe, and how to select the right davit system, so that your tender becomes a pleasure, not a problem.
What Defines the Ideal Tender for a Motor Yacht
To choose correctly, you must understand not only the tender itself, but the context in which it will be used.
Key practical questions:
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How often is the tender launched and recovered?
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How many people typically ride in it?
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Is the tender used for short marina shuttle, beach access, or longer coastal cruising?
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How large is the swim platform?
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What is the lifting capacity (davits, crane or platform rating)?
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Where is the yacht based (Mediterranean sun exposure = Hypalon recommended)?
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How comfortable should the tender feel for guests?
This is where the difference between Aquahelm and Deluxe becomes very clear.
Gala Atlantis Aquahelm
Light, practical, and easy to handle — ideal for daily utility use.
Aquahelm models are designed to be compact and maneuverable, with a forward-positioned mini console that provides steering without occupying interior passenger space.
Where Aquahelm is the perfect choice:
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Motor yachts 40–60 ft
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When the swim platform is moderate in size
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When simplicity, light weight and efficiency matter
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Frequent short runs to shore, marina or dock
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Captain or crew launching/recovering the tender multiple times per day
How Aquahelm feels on the water
It accelerates quickly, responds precisely to steering input, and planes easily with Suzuki 15–25 HP.
The ride is stable and predictable — even when lightly loaded.
Why weight matters
Because lift systems have limits.
For many yachts, the difference between 72 kg and 125+ kg is the difference between:
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lifting with a manual davit
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or requiring mechanical assistance
Aquahelm is the tender that does not fight your platform — it works with it.
Gala Atlantis Deluxe
More comfort, more presence, more tender.
If Aquahelm is the practical daily workhorse, Deluxe is the guest experience craft — the tender you choose when the way your passengers feel matters just as much as performance.
The Deluxe series features:
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A larger steering console
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More legroom and seating
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Cushioned seating layouts
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Additional deck volume
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Superior comfort at cruising speed
Where Deluxe shines
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Motor yachts 60–120 ft
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Extended coastal tender runs
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Guest transfers in comfort
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Swim platform lifestyle — sun, relaxation, smooth boarding
A Deluxe tender feels like a miniature express cruiser.
It is more stable at speed, easier to balance with passengers, and naturally expresses a premium yacht identity.
Engine pairing
While both Mercury and Yamaha pair well, Suzuki 30–40–50 HP provides the best:
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quietness
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fuel efficiency
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progressive power curve
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reliability in Mediterranean saline conditions
The result is a tender that guests want to ride, not just tolerate.
PVC vs Hypalon — Choosing the Right Tube Material
Both Aquahelm and Deluxe can be equipped with PVC or Hypalon tubes.
| Material | When to choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| PVC | Cooler climates, limited sun, budget focus | Lightweight and economical |
| Hypalon | Mediterranean, tropics, long-term yacht ownership | UV resistance + material longevity |
For yachts based in Greece, Cyprus, Croatia, Italy or Spain → Hypalon is the correct choice. Full stop.
PVC will fade and soften faster under Mediterranean UV load.
Launching and Recovering the Tender
This is where most yacht owners make their biggest mistake.
The tender you choose must match the lifting system, not the other way around.
A detailed explanation of platform types, lifting capacities and system selection can be found in our NorDav Davit Systems Guide.
NorDav — The Right Davit for the Right Tender
Gaelix Marine Service is the exclusive representative of NorDav in Greece and Cyprus.
NorDav systems are:
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316L stainless steel
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electropolished, available in black or white
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designed specifically for lifting watercraft safely from swim platforms or floating docks
And most importantly:
NorDav does not use hydraulic cylinders.
You choose between Manual or Electric winch solutions.
Which NorDav for which tender:
| Tender Type | Typical Weight | Davit System | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gala Atlantis Aquahelm | 72–108 kg (bare) | NorDav 350 Manual (H or V profile) | Daily launching with minimal effort |
| Gala Atlantis Deluxe (small sizes) | 90–150 kg | NorDav 500 Manual | When weight is moderate but daily usage is high |
| Gala Atlantis Deluxe (larger sizes) | 150–300+ kg | NorDav 500 Electric | Frequent use, maximum convenience, push-button lift |
For a simplified overview of configurations and real installation scenarios, visit our NorDav Tender Lifting Solutions page.
H vs V Profiles
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H Profile → Best for flatter hulls (jet skis, tenders with minimal V)
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V Profile → Designed for RIBs, including Gala Atlantis
The Design Philosophy
A tender must be:
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Easy to lift
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Easy to launch
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Stable in storage
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Safe when guests are near the platform
NorDav accomplishes all four.
Why Choose Gaelix Marine Service
Because we do not just sell tenders or davits —
We configure complete tender systems.
This means:
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Selecting the correct Gala Atlantis model
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Choosing Hypalon if the yacht is Mediterranean-based
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Matching the tender with the right Suzuki engine
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Designing the NorDav davit setup to your specific swim platform
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Installing, adjusting and commissioning the system
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Training the crew for safe launching and recovery
We are:
Exclusive representatives of Gala and NorDav in Greece and Cyprus.
We deliver and support yachts in:
Greece • Cyprus • Croatia • Italy • Spain • Turkey • Worldwide shipping on request.
Conclusion
A tender should not be an afterthought.
It should be easy to launch, comfortable to use, and perfectly matched to your yacht.
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Choose Gala Atlantis Aquahelm → if you want lightweight practicality
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Choose Gala Atlantis Deluxe → if guest comfort and style matter
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Choose NorDav → so that launching and recovering the tender is effortless
And choose Gaelix Marine Service — because we build systems made for real life at sea.
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