Scanner Envy 950 Tender Sea Trial
When Giorgio Armani described elegance as the ability to be remembered, he was certainly referring to the new Scanner Envy 950 Tender. With a top speed of 60 knots, it becomes a fleeting memory even for the sportiest maxi-RIBs in the blink of an eye.
Blazing fast, elegant, and exuding endless class, this superyacht tender sets new standards in comfort and driving pleasure. Powered by a pair of Mercury Verado 400 V10 engines, this maxi-RIB was simply impossible for us to resist testing.
Scanner Envy 950 Tender Sea Trial
For modern yacht owners, superyacht tenders aren’t just about comfort and keeping guests dry—they need to deliver adrenaline and entertain their owners. With these expectations in mind, I climb aboard the Envy 950 Tender, ready to put its capabilities to the test.
At the helm, the driving position is excellent, with outstanding forward and lateral visibility. The throttles and electronics are perfectly placed, right where they should be. You don’t need to be a basketball player to handle the Scanner Envy 950 Tender—even shorter individuals will have no trouble managing the boat.
Leaning against the helm seat (which can fold down into a chair if desired), I engage the “1 Lever” function, activate “Active Trim,” and shift into forward gear. The Envy 950 Tender gets up on plane at around 10 knots and fully stretches out at 15.
At 25 knots, navigation is unbelievably smooth—the boat glides over the water as if weightless, consuming just 0.61 gallons per nautical mile, or less than 16 gallons per hour in total. The bow’s unique design deflects the airflow (wind resistance) to keep the boat dry, ensuring guests stay protected from spray.
But now, it’s time to see what the Envy 950 Tender can really do—can it truly thrill its owner? There’s only one way to find out. I slow down to idle, then slam the throttle wide open. The acceleration pins me to the seat, the display goes wild, and the GPS speed climbs at an insane rate.
In less than 20 seconds, we blast past 50 knots—but it’s not over yet. The speed log keeps climbing until, just a few seconds later, we hit the 60-knot mark. The Scanner Envy 950 Tender is a missile!
At top speed, the windshield provides perfect wind protection, and considering we’re flying over the water at more than 110 km/h, the sense of safety is absolute. The deadrise angle chosen by the shipyard allows the hull—despite being immersed for less than a quarter of its length—to maintain near-perfect directional stability.
Without slowing down, still at full throttle, I perform a wide left turn. The maxi-RIB executes it flawlessly, so I counter-steer to the right and get the same result.
I slow down to around 30 knots and try a tight turn. The Envy 950 Tender leans in and carves a circle about 20 meters in diameter without the bow or stern slipping outward—this boat handles like it’s on rails.
Around us, the water is churned up from our maneuvers, so I counter-turn and cross the largest waves at a 90-degree angle without reducing speed. The RIB absorbs them effortlessly, cutting through with no harsh impacts.
I slow down, come to a stop, and look for any sign of water on board—but despite my best efforts, not even the bow is wet. An impressive result. This maxi-RIB has truly earned the “Tender” title—not just because it’s packed with sofas and can seat 18 guests, but above all because of its incredible ability to entertain its owner beyond all expectations.
Test Data
RPM | Speed in kn | Consumption Gal/h | Consumption Gal/Nm |
650 | 3.1 | 2.03 | 0.66 |
1,000 | 5.5 | 3.04 | 0.55 |
1,500 | 7.5 | 5.86 | 0.78 |
2,000 | 10.5 | 9.56 | 0.91 |
2,500 | 16.6 | 11.68 | 0.7 |
3,000 | 24.5 | 15.24 | 0.62 |
3,500 | 30.2 | 20.74 | 0.69 |
4,000 | 35.5 | 26.44 | 0.74 |
4,500 | 40.4 | 33.28 | 0.82 |
5,000 | 48.3 | 48.29 | 0.99 |
5,500 | 53.5 | 58,35 | 1.09 |
6,000 | 57.0 | 65.94 | 1.16 |
6,450 | 60.2 | 70.14 | 1.16 |
The Scanner Envy 950 Tender in detail
Scanner Marine boats represent the perfect link between fiberglass boats and RIBs, seamlessly combining the best of both worlds in their maxi-RIBs. The shipyard’s unique construction technique, which uses significantly more fiberglass than the industry average, allows them to reclaim about half the diameter of the tube by adopting an “extended body” that rests on the tube itself.
In the case of the Envy 950 Tender, this translates to an impressive 60 centimeters of additional usable space on board compared to a RIB of the same beam—a feature that superyacht captains, for obvious reasons, greatly appreciate.
The build quality is outstanding. The gelcoat is flawlessly applied, and every detail—from hardware and accessories to woodwork, leather, and upholstery—is finished to the highest standards.
The deck layout of the Scanner Envy 950 Tender is designed for maximum guest comfort. Three seating areas—at the bow, aft, and behind the helm—are equipped with sofas that, as clearly seen in the photos, can accommodate an impressive number of people. The bow and aft sofas can also be converted into sunbeds, allowing the boat to switch from tender mode to pure leisure use in just a few minutes.
The helm station is well protected by a large windshield and an overhead T-Top, ensuring that two people can cruise at high speeds while staying shielded from the sun and the elements. Beneath the cockpit lies a surprisingly spacious cabin that can be used for overnight stays if needed, though it will more commonly serve as a changing room or a convenient head compartment.
Scanner Envy 950 Tender: Conclusions
I had the chance to test this maxi-RIB in both this version and the more recreational-oriented one, which in that case was equipped with an inboard-outboard engine setup. In both configurations, the 950 impressed me with its exceptional hull performance and the remarkably high level of finish.
This is a truly outstanding maxi-RIB that, depending on the engine setup and version you choose, can deliver plenty of thrills and satisfaction. It offers a modern, incredibly elegant design that, most importantly, stands out from everything else we’re used to seeing on the water.
Technical Specs
LOA | 9.50 m |
Max Beam | 3.30 m |
Tube Diameter | 60 – 65 cm |
Compartments | 5 |
TubeMaterial | Hypalon 1.670 dtex |
Passengers Capacity | 20 |
Engines | Outboard- sterndrive |
Max Power | 800 HP |
Design & Project | D. Montemitro Design |
