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Tykun, the Italian tender bringing military character into luxury yachting

Over 50 knots, Italian design and flexible spaces define Tykun tenders for superyachts and day cruising

Tykun brings Italian aluminium tenders to luxury yachting, blending military Dna, comfort and deep customization

In the superyacht world, a tender is no longer just the boat that carries guests from yacht to shore. It has become a statement of style, an extension of the onboard experience and, in many cases, the most immediate way to enjoy the sea with freedom. This is the space occupied by TYKUN, an Italian brand that approaches the chase boat as a balance of performance, comfort, customization and identity.

The brand’s philosophy is clear, a tender can be the operational companion of a superyacht or become a true day boat in its own right. It is designed to move fast, but also to slow down, open up its spaces, enjoy a quiet anchorage and turn every transfer into something more memorable than a simple ride.

From military precision to the pleasure of cruising

TYKUN’s technical background comes from the experience of MED Defense, part of Gruppo MED, which has spent more than thirty years designing and building vessels for public defense. That heritage can be found in the solidity of the hulls, the focus on safety and the search for reliable handling when the sea demands attention.

The move from military know-how to luxury yachting, however, is not a simple change of market. Functionality meets Italian design, with more refined lines, guest-focused spaces and details that speak directly to the owner’s lifestyle. The result is a tender with a clear personality, less an accessory and more a boat with its own presence.

Aluminium, lightness and a structure made to last

One of the most distinctive aspects of the project is the use of 5083 aluminium, a material widely used in marine construction and valued for its strength, lightness and performance in saltwater environments. On a chase boat, this allows the builder to work on agility, stability and speed without giving up robustness.

Aluminium also brings another advantage, recyclability. In a sector where sustainability cannot be reduced to a slogan, the choice of materials becomes part of the overall design. It does not solve every environmental question by itself, but it points in a concrete direction, especially for custom boats intended to remain in use for many years.

Three sizes for different ways of using the sea

The TYKUN range is built around three main models, each created for a different type of use. TYKUN VIII measures 8.5 metres and is conceived as an agile tender for fast connections between yacht and shore, with declared speeds between 40 and more than 50 knots and a maximum capacity of 6 or 10 people, depending on configuration.

TYKUN X increases the length to 11.2 metres, offering more onboard space and a layout closer to a chase boat that can also be used independently for day cruising. Here too, speed can exceed 50 knots depending on engine choice and configuration, while maximum capacity is listed at 8 or 16 people. The TYKUN XII, at 12.7 metres, expands the concept further, with more space, larger tanks and a declared capacity of 10 or 20 people.

When the tender becomes a place to live

For those who look at these boats with more than a technical eye, one of the most appealing aspects is the way the deck becomes a flexible living area. Opening side terraces, disappearing hydraulic tables, sunpads, awnings, ambient lighting and premium sound systems show that this tender is not designed only for speed.

Comfort is built into the project with a clear purpose, to make the best possible use of every metre. The slim hybrid fender, for example, helps increase usable internal beam without sacrificing protection during docking and close manoeuvres. It may sound like a technical detail, but in daily use it means more space for guests, equipment and water toys.

Customization as the owner’s language

TYKUN often speaks about a tailor-made approach, and here customization is not limited to colours or finishes. Atelier TYKUN was created to allow owners to build a tender that matches their yacht, their way of enjoying the sea and the image they want to express.

Waterproof and UV-resistant fabrics, custom engine paintwork, underwater lights, bow and stern cameras, carbon hard tops, a console with cabin and bathroom, and configurable electronics all bring the project closer to a small bespoke yacht than to a standard production tender.

Italian design and creative collaboration

The development of TYKUN chase boats also includes the collaboration of Tommaso Spadolini and Benedetta Iovane, known as The Luxury Yacht Lady. It is a combination that helps explain the product, bringing together design expertise, aesthetic sensitivity and an understanding of the superyacht lifestyle.

The lines do not seem to chase decoration for its own sake. Instead, they suggest strength, clarity and presence. At sea, after all, a tender must be pleasing to look at, but above all it must inspire confidence. That is the real challenge, turning technical solidity into an experience that feels elegant, natural and enjoyable.

A new role for the chase boat

In contemporary luxury yachting, the tender is taking on a new role. It is no longer just a service boat hidden in the yacht’s garage, but an object that supports life on board, extends the cruising radius and makes it easier to discover bays, ports and coastlines with greater freedom.

TYKUN interprets this evolution with a very Italian approach, combining industrial expertise, military heritage and attention to detail. Speed, protection, comfort and personalization coexist in a project aimed at owners looking for something distinctive. Not just any tender, but a boat able to say something about the person who chooses it.

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www.tykun.eu

14 July 2026
© MED Yachting Editorial Team
Tykun, the Italian tender bringing military character into luxury yachting
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