New Zealand's ZeroJet and McConaghy Boats have secured two nominations at the 2026 Boat Builder Awards in Amsterdam for their MC-ZERO 450 electric tender, with judges recognising both the partnership and the vessel's movable helm design.
The joint venture, MC-ZERO Tenders, is shortlisted for Collaborative Solution between a Builder and its Supply Chain Partner, while the 4.5m carbon composite tender itself is a finalist for Innovative Design Solution. The nominations place the New Zealand partnership alongside established European builders including Azimut, Galeon and Riva.
The MC-ZERO 450's most distinctive feature is its movable helm and seat assembly, which can be repositioned forward, amidships or aft without major alterations. According to the manufacturer, this provides up to 40 per cent more usable space than a comparable RIB — a practical consideration for tender operations alternating between passenger runs and cargo duties.
The vessel is fitted with twin 30kW ZeroJet electric jets drawing from a 32kWh battery installation. The manufacturer lists performance figures of 27 knots maximum speed, 18 nautical miles range at 18 knots with one person aboard, and 42 nautical miles at four knots. Range drops to 13 nautical miles at 17 knots with a full eight-person load. These are manufacturer figures rather than independently verified sea trial results.
McConaghy brings decades of composite construction experience from grand prix racing yachts, while ZeroJet supplies the electric jet propulsion developed in New Zealand. The MC-ZERO joint venture was designed around electric machinery from inception rather than converted from existing petrol-powered designs.
The collaboration award faces strong competition from Azimut and Hull Vane's Grande 44M efficiency work, Cantiere delle Marche and CMC Marine's stabiliser energy recovery system, Groupe Beneteau and Groupe Fountaine Pajot's JOOOL project, and Polaris Marine and Lewmar's Pontoon Dock Assist System.
In the design category, the MC-ZERO 450 competes against Galeon's 570 SKY with its concealed upper helm, MIRAVA's flexible-layout M800 with automated docking, and Riva's 54.83m 54Metri superyacht with extensive glazing and opening bulwarks.
Winners will be announced on 18 November during Metstrade, Europe's major marine equipment exhibition.
