I am considering moving my dinghy from a RIB to a Walker Bay with the tube package (so it should have the stability of a RIB) and the performance sailing kit. The idea is to be able to sail around our Caribbean anchorages and to put the engine on only for grocery shopping. Has anyone experience on how these behave under sail and under power? Many thanks jp
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Walker Bay 8
I've fooled around (The dinghy is named "April Fool") anchorages in my Walker Bay 8 with the performance sail package - and had good fun. It sails OK but only accomodates one adult sailor. It's easy to rig and store the sail kit equipment, and the boat rows (2 aboard) and tows very nicely. My boat does not have the tubes and can feel a bit tippy, and the overall capacity of the boat (without the tubes) isn't huge - I wouldn't want to try to move 3 people, or 2 and a large dog with it. The motor capacity is placarded at 2hp max. That being said, it's a cheap, light, well behaved dinghy for the two of us - that I can quickly rig and go sailing around the anchorage. Good Luck! Tim Brogan April IV C350 #68 (and "April Fool" WB-8) Seattle
I've fooled around (The dinghy is named "April Fool") anchorages in my Walker Bay 8 with the performance sail package - and had good fun. It sails OK but only accomodates one adult sailor. It's easy to rig and store the sail kit equipment, and the boat rows (2 aboard) and tows very nicely. My boat does not have the tubes and can feel a bit tippy, and the overall capacity of the boat (without the tubes) isn't huge - I wouldn't want to try to move 3 people, or 2 and a large dog with it. The motor capacity is placarded at 2hp max. That being said, it's a cheap, light, well behaved dinghy for the two of us - that I can quickly rig and go sailing around the anchorage. Good Luck! Tim Brogan April IV C350 #68 (and "April Fool" WB-8) Seattle
R
Rich
Newer tube version made for more hp
The newer version of the 8 that's made to take the tubes has a higher horsepower rating-above 3, but I can't remember the exact number--and seems a little more engineered (and perhaps heavier?) than the older version. The specs are probably published on the West Marine web site.
The newer version of the 8 that's made to take the tubes has a higher horsepower rating-above 3, but I can't remember the exact number--and seems a little more engineered (and perhaps heavier?) than the older version. The specs are probably published on the West Marine web site.
With the tube
With the tube you can run up to 4 hp and 4 adults, higher than the rating without the tube. Any "hard" dingy is going to be more tippy than a RIB, however they will row better, sail better (RIB's don't sail), tow better, and respond better under low horse power. The Walker Bay with the tube is more stable than one with out it, or any other hard dingy without a tube. The Merc 3.3 hp motor is all you need and is substantially lighter than the 4 hp Merc.
With the tube you can run up to 4 hp and 4 adults, higher than the rating without the tube. Any "hard" dingy is going to be more tippy than a RIB, however they will row better, sail better (RIB's don't sail), tow better, and respond better under low horse power. The Walker Bay with the tube is more stable than one with out it, or any other hard dingy without a tube. The Merc 3.3 hp motor is all you need and is substantially lighter than the 4 hp Merc.
plastic dink
I bought a WB dink two years ago, thinking it would be fun to sail it in the marina, etc. It could reach and run OK, but going to weather was something it just would not do, and no matter where you sail it, eventually you'll have to go to weather in it, which it won't do.
I bought a WB dink two years ago, thinking it would be fun to sail it in the marina, etc. It could reach and run OK, but going to weather was something it just would not do, and no matter where you sail it, eventually you'll have to go to weather in it, which it won't do.
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