Walker Bay 10 DIY Stabilizer Tube

[andrewm]

I'm too thrifty to buy Walker Bay's PVC RID kit for my WB-10 dinghy. I thought about connecting sections of 6 x 36 in. closed-cell polyethylene cylinders (like those yoga/exercise rollers) and attaching them (nylon webbing?) to the gunnel some way. Any ideas how I could do this?

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, andrewm.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha,
There was a discussion quite a time ago about this very topic. Many things were suggested. I always wanted, but never did, find an old inflatable and use the tubes. I think your idea is great. I would just use braided line and tie the flotation to the side through holes drilled under the gunnel. Even if you had water up to the gunnel they wouldn't leak much with line through the holes. You could use a little caulk there too.
Let me know what you decide and how you do it.
You could also make your own flotation tubes with some old flexible poly hose. The stuff that looks like modern blue firehose but is made to drain large construction projects would be ideal. Just triple up the ends and put in an inflation stem.

[River Cruiser]

I have a WB-10 I thought about using fenders end to end down each side. Tie them to the bow eye and use a ratchet strap across the stern to pull them tight.

[cabo_sailor]

Although they might still be more expensive than what you wish to spend, there is a product called "dinghy dogs" that is significantly less expensive than the obscenely priced Walker Bay version. They are $425 plus shipping/handling. I'm considering a set for my Walker Bay 8.

Improve Your Tippy Dinghy by adding Dinghy Dogs

Rich

[DeniseO30]

Always makes me smile.. Sailors dip the rails..run 150s in gail force winds..broach with spinnakers and shrug it off; but are terrified of tipsy dinghies LOL

[Bash]

Originally Posted by DeniseO30

Always makes me smile.. Sailors dip the rails..run 150s in gail force winds..broach with spinnakers and shrug it off; but are terrified of tipsy dinghies LOL

yep. we tend to get that way once we've made the first landing through surf. especially once you realize that getting back to the mothership is going to be tougher than it was to get to the beach.

[Ocean Girl]

And keeping the groceries dry to boot.

How do you like your walker bay?

My neighbor has the " dogs " he seems happy with em.
Erika

[clockwork orange]

Ive thought of buying 4" vinyl lay flat discharge hose, there is a great glue called HH66 that you can use to fold over and glue the ends and buy a yard of pvc truck tarpaulin material that you can glue on in patches for mounting to the boat. For me i would fill the hose with polystyrene packaging peanuts rather than air alone.
Steve.

[SkiprJohn]

Packaging peanuts might work if they don't compress permanently. I filled a firehose with expanding foam as an experiment and once compressed from banging into the mothership it did not go back to a full shape. I also used some foam tubes purchased at a local hardware for pipe insulation and put them in the firehose. Same problem, once compressed they didn't return to their original shape.
Our Club Walker Bay 10s are used as dinghies for our larger boats. They are not as stable as a Sabot or an El Toro because of their bow design. That's why its nice to have those tubes on the side in case they become overloaded (nearly all the time).
kind regards,

[clockwork orange]

You may be right John, i would still install a valve stem and inflate the tubes to, say 3-5psi, its just that i dont trust air alone.Everything ive owned with smaller pnuematic tires such as wheelbarrows ha ndcarts etc never stay inflated.
Steve.

[SkiprJohn]

Yes, I guess both air and peanuts would be better. If they make the vinyl lay flat discharge hose in 6" I'd opt for that.
Denise, not terrified except in replacing tools, batteries and expensive boat parts I might be ferrying to the boat in a typsy dinghy. I've lost enough gear in flipped dinghies to make me not want to do it again. Guests don't normally care for a surprise swim either.
kind regards,

[Cheechako]

How about having two tubes sewn up with sunbrella, then put two or three of those large 4" swim tubes in?

[cabo_sailor]

Originally Posted by SkiprJohn

Yes, I guess both air and peanuts would be better. If they make the vinyl lay flat discharge hose in 6" I'd opt for that.
Denise, not terrified except in replacing tools, batteries and expensive boat parts I might be ferrying to the boat in a typsy dinghy. I've lost enough gear in flipped dinghies to make me not want to do it again. Guests don't normally care for a surprise swim either.
kind regards,

I'd agree with those sentiments except for the guests. I go sailing to get away from people, not to encourage them to come back.

Rich

[SkiprJohn]

Rich, in that case deflate the tubes before passengers arrive.