A trans-hemisphere collaboration
Rayglass Boats has long built a reputation for robust, seaworthy craft, particularly through its Protector range. When the company linked up with the Ancasta Group — Europe’s largest yacht brokerage — and Ancasta Yacht Services, the goal was to craft something more than just a tender. The result was a 380 Targa tailored specifically to serve as a superyacht chase boat in the Mediterranean.
This wasn’t an overnight effort. From the first design discussions to final delivery, the project stretched over 14 months. The build fused Kiwi boatbuilding expertise with the on-the-ground knowledge of Ancasta’s Port Hamble team.
The brief: independence and performance
The starting point was a two-day consultation in Port Hamble, England, where the owner’s representative — an experienced captain — worked closely with Ancasta to assess what was possible.
“The objective was to create a tender and chase boat that could be operated without a crew, allowing the owner to explore independently with his family while maintaining exceptional performance and seakeeping capabilities,” explained Andy Andrews, Protector Boats Brand Manager at Ancasta.
The owner’s team reviewed the Protector range with an eye on practicality, performance, and aesthetics. Eventually, the Protector 380 Targa emerged as the model that ticked every box.
Why the Protector 380 Targa?
The 380 Targa carries the DNA of the Protector brand: rugged seakeeping, clean handling, and a reputation for taking on serious conditions. For a Mediterranean-based superyacht tender, these qualities offered confidence that the vessel would be capable of more than just short shuttles to shore.
What set this project apart was the demand for independence. The owner wanted a tender that could be run single-handed if necessary, offering both family adventure and practical support to the mothership. The Targa’s layout, combined with the custom touches developed over the 14-month build, delivered that balance.
A showcase for Kiwi craft
For Rayglass, the collaboration is another step in cementing the Protector name in Europe’s yachting scene. For Ancasta, it highlights how brokerage and boatbuilder can work together to meet very specific owner requirements.
And for the owner? A tender that is more than a runabout. It’s a stand-alone vessel, fully capable of exploring the Mediterranean in comfort, safety, and style.
Learn more: Protector Boats.
