Our Journey | British Luxury Tender Manufacturers

TRUE REVOLUTION TAKES TIME

THIS IS OUR JOURNEY SO FAR

GET STARTED

1996

Born from a restless, revolutionary spirit

True revolution take time. This is a maiden launch decades in the making. Our journey begins in 1996 by original craftsmen, Mathew and John Hornsby, who set out with a passion for building the best boats in the world.

“We both grew up messing about on water, which was a passion, and having a workshop available to us, at some point it was logical that we’d have a go.”

MATHEW & JOHN HORNSBY

1997

Local craftsmen make a global impact

Where possible, sourcing materials from the UK, and when they can’t, they build them from scratch. The Tahoe 20, ‘Jade’ was born. Handmade by Mat and John in their Oxfordshire workshop, powered by a single V8 inboard engine. Jade was inspired by the classic Italian and American boats seen in the 1950’s and 60’s, and received rave reviews from the press following a photoshoot in Mallorca.

“Early stages was literally in our garden shed at home, with a little office under the stairs. That was it… and it was working seven days a week, 10-12 hours a day, whatever it took to progress the boat. We had to sacrifice a lot to achieve what we wanted to achieve.”

Izana under construction

1998 – 2002

Traditional boat building

The completion of building larger wooden boats (Jade, Izana and Topaz), meant that the brothers were used to the highest level of quality and attention to detail from the start. Expectations and standards haven’t changed, leading to a reputation for manufacturing boats that are second to none.

2003

Shaping the future of the industry

Business partner, Roy Parker, joined in 2003 when the brothers started to hone in on the jet tender concept, and launched the Ski Rib product. Roy was equally as passionate about boating, but also had the business acumen, and it was the three of them at that time, with the individual skills they possessed, that made the business take off.

2004

Williams Jet Tenders was officially founded and registered as a company on 10th September 2004 by Roy Parker and brothers, Mathew and John Hornsby. The brand sits independently alongside Evene Tenders as part of the Williams Marine Group holding company.

2005 - Production Goes Turbo

Following the success of the TurboJet 325, we expanded the range by adding the 285, 385 and 445, allowing us to offer a tender for yachts between 45 – 100ft. Production soon soars to 900 tenders a year.

2011

Following the launch of a diesel powered TurboJet in 2009, Williams expanded the diesel offering (now called the DieselJet range) to combine sophistication and practically with rip-roaring performance.

2013

A collaboration with famous engine manufacturer BRP led to the launch of the SportJet range. These ultimate sports tenders provide an unmatched experience for both adrenaline seekers and yacht owners looking for all-rounded support vessel.

2016

Owners of yachts between 38-45ft can now experience the joy of a Williams tender with the introduction of the MiniJet 280. The mini revolution begins, proving that great things do come in small packages.

2019 - Luxury, Evolved.

Williams launch their largest tender, the EvoJet 70, designed to fit 13 passengers and push the boundaries of what’s expected from a superyacht tender.

“Neither of us expected the business to have grown into what it is today, but it’s a team effort. It’s impossible for two individuals to do it by themselves, it’s the team we’ve built up around us who have made it into something special.”

MATHEW & JOHN HORNSBY

2024

A bolt from the blue

20 years on from the official company registration, and still based at our Oxfordshire factory, but now producing well over 1000 units / year, we unveil our first fully-electric boat – the Electric EvoJet 70e. A bold step to contribute to a brighter future for our planet, and more responsible industry.

2025

The Origin of Evene

Drawing on our storied heritage and ever curious nature, Evene brings to the water our most luxurious and responsibly crafted boats to date. Balancing beautiful, traditional craftsmanship and progressive thinking, our tenders provide an elevated extension to the superyacht.

THE FUTURE

Leaving a clean wake

Propelled by a pioneering spirit, a lifetime of artisanship, and a growing sense of responsibility, we are evolving boat building practices to create luxurious, superyacht tenders fit for the future. This is all about elevated exploration, anchored in a desire to respect and protect the ocean.

But this is a voyage,
and there is a distance still to travel

JOIN THE JOURNEY
BUILD YOUR EVENE NOW