On 11 Jun 2020, at 22:17, xxxxxx@gmail.com wrote:
Except the routes are all to populated systems (never seen one on a map that wasn't in a system with a mainworld). Why tenders and not transfer stations? (Answer: Tenders make sense for establishing an ad-hoc link until you decide to build a transfer station there, even in deep space - a breakdown design for the transfer station would let you build one even in deep space... but no official X-boat routes I've seen do anything with that.)

That's a nitpick. I just don't see using a ship when you could use a station.

Also, you could probably get a big rock cheap in a lot of places, so some might well use planetoids/asteroids for economy. 

The problem with using transfer stations instead of tenders is that someone forgot to put a manoeuvre drive on the X-boat. I assume that it’s a book 2 thing as their’s easily enough room under book 5. In fact there’s enough room in book 5 for the power plant and model 4 computer that they also forgot!

However, according to Supplement 7, Traders and Gunboats, there will be both a transfer station and one or more tenders.

Phil Kitching