Beuchat PDT (Personal Dive Tender)

Existing float boats are basic plastic tubs fitted with flimsy fabric covers that offer negligible insulation, poor ergonomics, and open areas allowing ingress and egress. Fabric covers act as sea anchors when capsized, allow catch, blood & guts, to fall free, and are difficult enough to operate that divers routinely leave them unsecured. There was no premium, purpose-built option that addressed the full range of diver needs: safety, towing performance, single-handed operation, thermal protection, integrated dry storage, and a low-profile form suited to confined boat environments. The brief was to set a new standard across these dimensions simultaneously.

The team kept what worked and re-built what wasn't. The PDT retains a rotational moulded hull for its durability and float safety while focusing on a low drag coefficient and reducing wind and wave impact. The handles and cleats are injection-moulded to achieve higher functionality, while maintaining a streamlined aesthetic. The semi-rigid thermally insulating foam cover required dedicated material research, landing on heat-pressed EVA with ballistic nylon fabric. This in-turn prolonged the cover RFI process as the team had to ensure manufacturers could meet the demanding marine requirements. Its single-handed attachment system required numerous refinements to meet user requirements.

The Beuchat PDT addresses a genuine gap at the premium end of the spearfishing accessories market, bringing together increased safety, thermal protection, single-handed operation, into a fully considered and integrated product for the first time. Distributed under the Beuchat brand through Pacific Blue Sports across Australasia, with a clear pathway into Beuchat's international distribution network, the PDT has significant global potential. Early feedback from elite spearfishers, including competitive athletes at national level, has been strongly positive, confirming the product's safety and performance credentials along with its commercial appeal to a dedicated and discerning user base.

The cover’s tight fitment ensures catch and blood are kept out of the water, maximising diver safety from predators.The hull is designed for diver safety, buoyancy, low-drag towing, as well as stability and manoeuvrability.Rotational moulded HDPE hull is impact resistant and UV stabilised, built to withstand the knocks, rocks and sun exposure of active marine use.Multi-layer EVA foam cover with ballistic nylon underside keeps the internal temperature down during extended dives and resists puncture from kina spines, fish spikes and sharp catch.The cover can be fully opened or secured with one hand, allowing the other hand to manage catch, a spear gun or other equipment at all times.Sealed dry storage locker at the bow opens with a dual-tab release, keeping valuables dry and secure, with accidental opening prevented.Integrated injection molded handles and cleats enabling streamlined operation and storage with additional line-management functionality.32 litre storage capacity with low-profile segregation ribs for basic storage management.External attachment points for flags, torches and accessories.316 stainless steel hardware resists salt corrosion for long-term durability in marine conditionsBalanced hull size and space-efficient shape for easy handling, storage, packing and shipping.