A RUGGED LITTLE INFLATABLE PUNCHING ABOVE ITS WEIGHT
Climbing aboard the new Takacat T300 LX-R, the first thing you notice is how solid and well-built it feels. This New Zealand-designed inflatable catamaran RIB is a compact tender, but it carries itself with the confidence of a much larger craft. The dual 3mm alloy deck and rigid central hull give it a reassuring heft underfoot, while the oversized 1.2mm TPU tubes provide excellent buoyancy and stability that you can feel immediately.
We set off from Manly Beach, Whangaparaoa, and right away, the 300LX-R showed its strengths. The ride is remarkably dry, both with a load and when we pushed it up on the plane; the hull and deck combination kept spray to a minimum. The T300 LX-R popped up on the plane, and at just 5 knots, and with two up, we got along at a good 11- 12 knots. The composite deck feels tough underfoot, uncluttered, and easy to clean after a morning of fishing, saltwater, and sand. With a beam of 1.66 metres, the tubes provide incredible stability, and even fully loaded with four passengers, the boat felt impressively buoyant, stable and handled well.
Forward, the anchor locker and casting platform prove their worth, providing easy storage and access for anchors and gear, as well as a convenient step when boarding from another boat, jetty, or the beach. About the tender, practical touches like four lifting eyes for davits, rod holders forward and aft, and tow eyes fore and aft, all combined in 3 meters, make the LX-R feel ready for anything a three to four-meter tender would ever be asked to do, from ferrying passengers to coastal diving adventures or just an afternoon out fishing.
Lightweight, weighing in at just 68 kg, the 300LX-R can be easily lifted on and off a boat or trailer by two.
Out on the water, it’s clear why the T300LX-R is an evolution of Takacat’s popular T300LX. This (-R ridged hull option) has a dual-plate hull and large tubes, which, as mentioned, provide a smooth and stable ride, whether at rest or running. The compact size makes it surprisingly agile and easy to handle. By the time we returned to the dock, it was apparent that this little RIB is more than just a tender; it’s a versatile, tough, and fun little boat that punches well above its weight. Certainly worth considering when shopping for your next boat or holiday home tender.
SPECIFICATIONS
3.0m x 1.66m x 480mm
4 pax / 400kgs
3mm Alloy Deck
Boat weight 68kgs / 94kgs with engine
Recommended Engine 2.5 – 15 hp
