Walker Bay Rigid 8' Dinghy - Experiences ?

[CaptainBW]

My last dinghy was a Sinbad, all fiberglass, and it was so unstable - even in calm water.

We bought a Zodiac lightweight RIB a couple of years ago and really like it. It has a more shallow keel than a standard weight RIB but the difference in weight really helps, and I have not seen much difference in performance compared to a standard RIB. It rows as easily as the Sinbad and is very stable. I would not buy another hard dinghy again. I use a 2 HP outboard with a built in fuel tank and that is all you need for normal tendering.

I am not sure how the oar chocks hold up compared to the hard dinghys, so that may be a consideration if you are not going to use an outboard.

[Minggat]

Originally Posted by DeniseO30

Yes, the bag. for under the seats. As in canoe sailing, I plan to get out there and get wet sometime in the next week or so. Just to see what it takes to knock her down! the little Centerboard looks like it wont hold up to any kind of abuse, but I guess it would just bend. Oh mine has a alum mast and boom, wood oars but I have a pair of Alum oars from west marine too.

Haven't seen your West Marine oars, but I'll bet that the wood oars are better.

The complaints about the Hypalon and PVC flotation are an echo of what I said earlier. Giving them the protection they need is not so handy. I am happy with my easily removable design.

[Minggat]

Originally Posted by CaptainBW

We bought a Zodiac lightweight RIB a couple of years ago and really like it. It has a more shallow keel than a standard weight RIB but the difference in weight really helps, and I have not seen much difference in performance compared to a standard RIB. It rows as easily as the Sinbad and is very stable. I would not buy another hard dinghy again. I use a 2 HP outboard with a built in fuel tank and that is all you need for normal tendering.

.

Is that the folding transom model?

I'm going to pick up the Avon RIB lite with the folding transom when I'm ready to buy. Having figured out how to carry both dinks (sailing WB and inflatable) is a real positive for me.

[RSMacG]

An update... I did end up going with the Walker Bay 10. I was very excited about my new toy, bought new oars and pushed off... not 10 - I repeat NOT TEN - strokes from the dock, the the ^#*&^%! plastic bushing shatters, leaving me with no oarlock on the starboard side. Not TEN STROKES. They design a lapstrake hull, build the largest and most expensive injection-molding machine on the planet, but because they can't spend 10 bloody CENTS on a stainless fitting, it's utterly useless. And... they apparently don't even sell the steel "upgrade" any more, so I'm told I now have to Dremel out some Frankenstein solution, so that I can fit a proper oar lock. They turned a happy customer into a PR terrorist for their brand because they're penny wise and pound foolish. Excruciating.

[San Juan Sailor]

I got a WB 8' in a barter for some work. Came with the sail kit. The people I got it from won in a contest and had never used it. I got it for the equivalent of about $400. It's a decent tender and rows ok. It's a total dog of a sailer. I couldn't get it to tack at all in a light breeze and the tiller is rigrid doesn't kick up so there's no way you can sit in the bottom of the boat were you need to be-really stupid design. I would never buy one for the retail price.

[zeehag]

my walker bay came with my ketch i bought,,,,the po had triwd to sail the dink--got fluastratd and took itouton th esail--but the dink rows quite nicely, and stows nicely on foredeck....my roll up stows under mast, and kayaks.....lol....good thing i have a big boat....

[Minggat]

Originally Posted by San Juan Sailor

I got a WB 8' in a barter for some work. Came with the sail kit. The people I got it from won in a contest and had never used it. I got it for the equivalent of about $400. It's a decent tender and rows ok. It's a total dog of a sailer. I couldn't get it to tack at all in a light breeze and the tiller is rigrid doesn't kick up so there's no way you can sit in the bottom of the boat were you need to be-really stupid design. I would never buy one for the retail price.

Sorry for your bad experience. Mine has been just the opposite. I'm crowding 200 lbs and I sit in the bottom pretty easily. I love making it go in light breeze. Like any boat, you need some sea room at times. But the challenge of making it do what I want are the teaching things I appreaciate about it.

As I've said many times, I carry 2 dinks on my 36 ft boat, and this is one of them. Cannot deflate or collapse or be smaller in any way, but I make it work very nicely FOR ME. the other "go fast" dink is a different purpose boat.

I think that a lot of boating has to do with... how much do you want it? Because I really love my sailing dink, I struggled with how to make it work. I didn't want to leave it behind when I dropped the dock lines, but I saw it as the less vital of my 2 wants (as far as dingy are concerned), so I did consider the option of leaving it. Stuck with my plan and made it work. Again, this is my favorite toy and I get a lot more enjoyment out of the mothership because I have all my toys.

Some people love computers because they work at understanding them. I don't love them. I see them as "stupid design". But me and my Walker Bay are good friends. Obviously computers aren't "stupid design". It's my intolerance, brought on my my own lack of desire. (How much do you want it?)

[SaucySailoress]

Hey there - also some thoughts here:

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...r-43435-2.html

I still haven't tried to rig the optimist we intend to use as a tender to see if I fit - it's either too hot, in which case I just can't be bothered; or too windy, in which case I have to take the beachcat out!!

[barnakiel]

Oarlocks and oarlock attachments can be a pain in the lower back. Choose yours wisely, test thoroughly and reinforce before venturing off, if that's what it takes.

A great thing to have is a cut in the transom for sculling. And the skill, too ;-)

barnie

[rebel heart]

I've had mine for a week now and am pretty happy with it. It fits *perfectly* on deck which was a nice touch, although unless you have the same boat as me I doubt you care. Anyway...

Rowing: rows great. The oarlocks are garbage but you can pick up new ones anywhere. Really, it rows plenty well.

Sailing: it's no laser, but it sails well enough. If you've ever sailed on an El Toro or other blunt nose pram style dinghy you'll be familiar with the style. The daggerboard pops in and out; I yank out on a run to pick up an extra knot.

So far I'm really happy with it. Probably will pick up a 2.5HP merc for it, and rig some fenders along the sides to act as a flotation collar / fenders.

[zeehag]

works great with a 3.5 nissan ob also--just make sure to plug the centerboard hole before motoring--wetbutt happens!!! lol--is a cool dink...

[Boktok]

I'm trying a sit-on-top kayak as a tender.

It can carry a 440lb load, it's open and stand-upright stable. And it was half the price of the Walker Bays.

It's 65 lbs so I've been able to drag it up on deck. With a little practice, I might even look like I know what I'm doing. It has handles on all sides.

No sailing, no motor, but the rowing is dead easy.

This one's heavier, wider, and more stable than most kayaks people think of.

Feelfree Moken 10 Kayak - Mountain Equipment Co-op. Free Shipping Available

Maybe I'm making a horrible mistake?

[ConradG]

I've been keeping my eyes on dinghys for a while no with rowing and durability in mind. At first glance the Walker Bay had my attention because of price and percieved durability, however the fixability if plastic isn't that great and this one of fiberglass also looks like a better rowing and sailing craft....Still inexpensive too, I think about as much as the walker bay new at Hamilton Marine.
Puffin dinghies
Still undecided and contemplating building a Shellback for the rowing and sailing abilities but it's a bit long.

[Minggat]

I think the 3 seats in the Walker Bay help hold flexing to a minimum. I don't notice any flexing or oil canning. The durability against UV is excellent IMHO. The wheel in the keel is also very nice at times.

[rebel heart]

Originally Posted by Minggat

I think the 3 seats in the Walker Bay help hold flexing to a minimum. I don't notice any flexing or oil canning. The durability against UV is excellent IMHO. The wheel in the keel is also very nice at times.

Regarding the UV, have you had yours out a lot? I'm keeping mine upside down on the cabin top and was worried about the UV; was planning on getting a cover for it. Overkill?