BAT Aims 60-Knot COMBAT14 at Superyacht Chase-Boat Market

BAT revives a brand with an explicit superyacht ambition

Corrado Rizzardi has described how the revived BAT inflatable-boat brand is seeking a place in the superyacht tender and chase-boat market. His October 14 interview followed appearances of the company's COMBAT14 at major yacht events, including Monaco, where shipyards and owners could examine its potential support-vessel roles.

The project begins with a 14.1-metre high-performance RIB and a planned wider range rather than a conventional yacht over 24 metres. Its relevance to superyacht operations lies in providing guest transportation and activities alongside the main vessel, especially when a large auxiliary can be operated as a separate chase boat.

Kevlar and a stepped hull are central to the design

The COMBAT14 uses Kevlar and a double-step hull, reflecting Rizzardi's long connection with high-speed offshore powerboat racing. BAT says this construction and running-surface combination is intended to support speed while maintaining handling and stability.

These are design claims, not a reason to disregard the sea conditions or operational limits that apply to a heavily powered tender. Captain and crew training, passenger protection and careful passage planning remain essential when using any craft capable of very high speed.

Published figures include sixty knots and sixteen guests

BAT quotes a length of 14.10 metres, beam of 4.62 metres and twin engines rated at 600 horsepower each. Its technical specification lists up to sixteen people aboard, a cruising speed around 44 knots and a maximum speed figure of approximately 60 knots.

Fuel capacity is listed at 1,200 or 1,600 litres depending on the selected configuration. The operator should confirm the exact approved loading, machinery, fuel arrangement and range for a delivered vessel rather than extrapolate from brochure figures alone.

Why yacht builders are interested

Rizzardi said that discussions with shipyards had focused on both the current 14-metre craft and a proposed ten-metre variant. The smaller model could be suitable for a yacht around 30 to 35 metres, whereas the larger COMBAT14 is more naturally a chase boat for a bigger superyacht.

The practical distinction matters because a large auxiliary may not fit into a garage even on a substantial motoryacht. Owners and captains need to plan for the craft's berth, independent navigation arrangements, crew, maintenance and safe transfers to the mother yacht.

Accommodation can be tailored to the job

The manufacturer describes an open-air lounge, cooking facilities, sunbathing space and an enclosed double cabin with separate bathroom. In the interview, Rizzardi discussed a request to provide a bathroom without a cabin because the boat was intended primarily for tender work rather than overnight stays.

Flexible use of interior volume may help separate a purpose-built support craft from a family day boat. Every alteration nevertheless needs to preserve safe weight distribution and certification while meeting the crew's actual requirements.

Ten- and twenty-metre variants are being developed

The brand is planning a family of craft approximately ten, fourteen and twenty metres long, with the larger COMBAT20 discussed as an additional product. Rizzardi outlined possible inboard and outboard configurations for the twenty-metre vessel and mentioned commercial enquiries from yacht builders.

Those statements describe a development pipeline and do not constitute confirmation of a completed COMBAT20 or contracts with named superyacht builders. The original COMBAT14 units are being marketed across Mediterranean markets, with the founder referring to interest around Spain, Sardinia and the French Riviera.

Official specifications and photographic source

The BAT product information lists the technical specification, while the October interview provides the latest commercial intentions. The image is original COMBAT14 photography supplied for the industry report and is not generated yacht artwork.

For a superyacht operator, the next steps are to examine a particular hull, lifting and mooring requirements, crew qualifications and local operating restrictions. The high advertised top speed should not overshadow those practical choices.