The X40T Limousine Tender is a unique custom 40-footer envisioned as a modern Venetian water taxi by Reliant Yachts partners Dave MacFarlane and Jim Ewing. The X40T is one of a trio of tenders for a new superyacht, and the Tender has the same clean lines and powerful hull shape as its sistership, the X40 Express. All three boats, including the surprisingly versatile X40L Lander, share a 40-foot overall length, an expanse of teak (or Flexiteek) deck, and metallic silver paint jobs accented in black. The X40T cuts a profile much like the Express with a nearly plumb bow and subtly reversed transom over complementary stern platform.
In the “cab” or main saloon, there is full standing headroom with excellent views all around, whether standing and sitting. The spacious saloon and aft cockpit is for passengers, and a forward drivers cockpit accommodates two crew, protected by a wrap-around windscreen. Passengers board the vessel immediately aft of the forward cockpit, aided by pair of removable stanchions as they step across the deck, down a couple steps, and turn aft into the main saloon, which easily seats eight in leather-upholstered, commuter-style luxury. For privacy, leather window blinds can be deployed at the press of a button.
The aft end of the saloon features a full head compartment to port and a galley and bar to starboard, plus a door to the open-air aft cockpit. Above, the cockpit can be covered by a powered awning for sun protection. Entry and exit from this cockpit is also an option. A section of the deck is removable at the stern, and removable stanchions can be place here on the side decks, as well. The hull is built using a time-tested epoxy, cold molded wood laminate and a super-light carbon fiber deck with a classic teak surface. The roof of the saloon is also built of carbon fiber, as are the boat’s radar mast and ensign flagstaff.
The X40T design brief was to create a 40-foot limo that ran up to 30 knots, yet wide
open in early sea trials, the twin Cummins QSB 6.7 425HOI diesels and Konrad 660b Stern Drives took the boat up to 38 knots. Cruising speed was 26.2 knots at 2400 RPM. The
stern drives were selected because they lift up under the stern platform, reducing draft for easier storage.