About this tender
The Williams SOLAS 505 is the build we ask Williams Jet Tenders for when a programme requires full SOLAS certification in a compact, jet-driven package. At 5.03m, it fits the tender garage of most yachts from 30 metres upward, and the diesel-jet drivetrain removes propeller exposure entirely - a meaningful safety argument when you are operating a rescue craft in the dark or in rough conditions.
The specification has been put together with regulatory compliance at its core rather than retrofitted onto a recreational hull. Fire-retardant resin and gel coat, SOLAS-specification tubes with a life line, a manually activated righting system, a capsize-protected fuel system, and an emergency manual tiller arm are all standard fitment. The rescue equipment kit, twin battery installation, and position indicator light complete what the regulations demand before the vessel turns a wheel.
Where the 505 earns its place above a basic SOLAS box is in the Williams jet character that survives beneath the compliance layer. The centrally mounted Yanmar 4JH sits low in the hull, keeping the centre of gravity where it belongs. Raymarine Axiom navigation, FlexiTeek decking, and a folding helm console with bonded windscreen mean the crew operating this boat day-to-day are not penalised for choosing the safety-rated option. Boat International noted that the combination of aesthetics and safety was achieved through rigorous testing, including drop tests, self-righting trials, and extreme weather conditions.
The capacity for eight plus one persons and a typical fitment pairing with yachts from 30 metres makes the 505 the natural entry point into the Williams SOLAS range. Owners whose programme demands a larger footprint should look at the 565 or 625 alongside it.
Highlights
The four details we'd point out first to a captain who hasn't seen one on the water yet.
The 505 ships with SOLAS-specification tubes, a manually activated righting system, a capsize-protected fuel system, fire-retardant GRP construction, and a complete SOLAS rescue equipment kit as standard. It has passed drop tests, self-righting trials, and extreme weather testing, as noted by Boat International.
A Yanmar 4JH 110hp diesel drives a jet pump rather than an exposed propeller, giving the 505 its core safety case for rescue and crew-transfer work. The centrally mounted engine lowers the centre of gravity and contributes to the hull's stability in demanding conditions.
Standard fitment includes a Raymarine Axiom 7-inch multifunction display with integrated depth sounder and chartplotter, a helm-mounted type-approved magnetic compass, VHF radio, and a position indicator light. The package satisfies both SOLAS operational requirements and day-to-day crew usability.
Custom four-point lifting pad-eyes with an in-floor lifting system, lifting strops, and engineered custom lifting points allow the 505 to be handled by davit or crane without additional rigging. This is a substantive detail for captains specifying against davit load calculations on a 30-metre-plus yacht.
Williams explicitly does not offer bimini, spray dodger, single-point lift, or MCA-compliant hi-vis patches on the SOLAS 505, as capsize and man-riding regulations supersede those options. Tube, upholstery, and gel coat colour choices are also restricted. This is worth knowing before placing an order.
Gallery
The full specification
Specifications, prices, availability, and performance figures are supplied for guidance only and remain subject to confirmation by the yard, seller, broker, survey, contract, and final specification.
Questions, answered
Last call · Available
Williams · Oxfordshire, UK
Tell us about your yacht, your programme, and the missions SOLAS 505 needs to handle. We come back within 48 hours with a written assessment - fit for the brief, lead time, and trade-offs against alternatives in the same band.
Prefer to talk? +44 (0) 77180 88055 · other ways to reach us
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