Luxury Sailing
Williams Jet Tenders is the world’s leading jet tender specialist, having designed and developed the world’s first 4-stroke jet and turbojet range of tenders more than 15 years ago. Founded in 2004 by Roy Parker and brothers, Mathew and John Hornsby, the company employs more than 90 staff and is supported by a team of factory trained engineers across the world.
The company has an 80,000 sq. ft. purpose-built facility in Oxfordshire, England, and each tender is hand-built by a team of dedicated and skilled craftsmen who pride themselves on quality. Each tender also undergoes an on-water test procedure prior to dispatch, ensuring that every aspect of its construction is checked and meets the high standard set by Williams
WHEN YOU OWN A MULTI-MILLION-POUND YACHT, the ride to shore should not be giving you bad vibrations. This was something Williams Jet Tenders, a UK-based tender manufacturer, wanted to avoid.
Excessive vibrations from a tender’s diesel engine can transfer to its hull, leading to a less comfortable ride than might be expected. “Superyachts are the height of luxury and
designed from head-to-toe with relaxation in mind; Unwanted vibrations, even on this small part of the journey from land to ship, could really detract from this,” says Liam Walsh, Key Accounts Manager at Trelleborg Sealing Solutions.
Connecting with the customer
In search of a solution, Williams Jet Tenders found Southampton-based Race-Tec, a high-performance specialist in this area, which is now part of Trelleborg Sealing Solutions.
Using FEA software, engineers quickly saw that a solution could be provided by a custom elastomeric molding between two housings, situated around the shaft to effectively lessen the vibrations. “Our engineers identified the problem area and applied their expertise. A simple solution to a serious problem,” says Liam.
Wider involvement
Next, the wider Southampton facility stepped in and took the solution to the next level. “Using our design, sourcing, assembly and supply solutions, we managed to contribute
further improvements to the ‘fix’ we offered to the customer,” continues Liam.
Trelleborg took the molding and turned it into a fully assembled, packaged and final solution for the customer, offering more value than was expected. The assembly includes the tailshaft, halfshaft coupling, bearings, spacers and the original molded components. “All the components were supplied fully assembled to the customer, saving time and costs by removing secondary operations” says Liam.