Anyone ever had a Walker Bay 8?

Status
Not open for further replies.
J

jackhartjr

.
Dec 9, 2006
694
Oday 22 Hickory, NC
Hi folks, looking for any comments good or bad on the Walker Bay 8 and its use as a suitible dinghy?
Has anyone added the tube kit and comments?
We are pulling it behind an Oday 22.
Thanks a ton in advance!
Jack
 
Salish Sea Cruiser

Salish Sea Cruiser

.
Aug 30, 2007
63
- - Anacortes, Wa
I have a Walker Bay 8 with tube kit and am very happy with it.
It rows very nice with just me in it. With me and a passenger (total weight over 430) not so well.
It tows great.
The bottom is easy to clean. Barnacles scrape right off.
Scoots along nicely with my Mercury 3.3 two stoke.
For me, the tube kit is essential. I can easily board from the mother ship with no fear of capsizing. Very stable with them, not so stable without ,obviously.
I can beach it without fear or guilt on barnacle and oyster encrusted rocky shores.

I didn't care for the plastic oarlocks so I upgraded to the stainless ones.
Shop around for sales, you can do a lot better than West's regular price.
 
Terry in Naples

Terry in Naples

.
Aug 8, 2006
340
Catalina 34 Naples FL
I have the WB 8 with tubes, It is ok but not very speedy with my Yamaha 3 hp or not good for any big water. It is ok for 2 to put into the dock on a quiet bay but nothing like a good 9 foot inflatable with a 10 or 15 hp motor on it. I carry it on davits when cruising.
 
Maine Sail

Maine Sail

.
Feb 6, 1998
11,701
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
I own one..

I own one, without tubes, and like Ralph Nader said of the Corvair "unsafe at any speed"... These are quirky dinks that are horribly tipsy and unsafe.
 
MrBee

MrBee

.
Dec 30, 2008
425
Irwin 34 Citation Middle River, Md.
And there you have it.... 3 opinions with 3 different thoughts.. from very good to pretty much sucks .
maybe you can find a person that has one and give it a try for a ride or a day.

Check Craigslist, I have seen a few listed on there from time to time for a decent price. If you get it at a good enough price and don't like it, you can resell and not lose much if any.

Brian
 
J

jackhartjr

.
Dec 9, 2006
694
Oday 22 Hickory, NC
Thanks for the replies folks.
I am picking up one next week for a song!
And yes Stu, I will be getting the tub kit too!
I will use with and without the tubes Mainsail and report back my observations.
Thanks again to all.
Jack
 
J

joefusa

.
Nov 5, 2014
73
lockley-newport 23 sarasota
i have one also...but with the tubes. my opinion is that no tubes means no buy because it is too unstable without them. the downside is that the tubes add weight and with a 22' outboard powered sailboat, you'll have quite a drag. get an inflatable and keep it stowed until you get to where you're going.
 
Mark Major

Mark Major

.
Jun 27, 2004
122
Hunter 25.5 Cocoa Beach, FL
My W8, Weighmor, I tow around on my longer trips as it serves to carry additional fuel, coolers... I made a cover for it from a tarp to keep rain and seafoam out. It is a tipsy boat when I'm aboard (for I don't have the tubes) so I keep a bleach jug cut so to use as a bailer (tethered). While towing it follows well and handles rough seas without a worry, without tipping over or swamping. I row it but I have the sail kit as well. If shopping for something to replace her I'd perhaps consider a kayak but for now this is fine.
 
Ron20324

Ron20324

.
Jan 22, 2008
8,050
Beneteau 323 Annapolis MD
I was at Bacons in Annapolis last week and they had a used one, with tubes.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Top Bottom