I'm shopping for a dhingy for my H30, and have settled on the Walker Bay 10. In looking for a motor for this 3.5hp rated vessel, I have narrowed the choices to the Honda 2hp, or the Nissan 3.5 2 stroker with forward and neutral (I don't want a motor that starts in gear as some do). Has anyone here used these motors? My primary concern is noise, and the air cooled Honda concerns me. Hondas are usually very quiet, but all their other models are water cooled. Also, has anyone used the Honda model with the centrifugal clutch that engages the prop when you advance the throttle? BTW, the Nissan is the same as the Tohatsu or Mercury. Thanks, John
- Status
ditto on the Honda 2
I use one on my 8' inflatable and like it a lot. Centrifugal clutch was easy for me to use, but I was coming from an old Johnson that started in gear, that is, when it would start. Starting in gear is a REAL bad ideal. It is noisy, I will admit. Sometimes headed out the boat late at night I fear that I am waking up everyone in the area. But, I've never had any complaints so, as Les said, it must be only from the users perspective. Very lightweight and air cooled is a big plus. I can crank the think on my stern rail and adjust, tinker etc. Amazing.
I use one on my 8' inflatable and like it a lot. Centrifugal clutch was easy for me to use, but I was coming from an old Johnson that started in gear, that is, when it would start. Starting in gear is a REAL bad ideal. It is noisy, I will admit. Sometimes headed out the boat late at night I fear that I am waking up everyone in the area. But, I've never had any complaints so, as Les said, it must be only from the users perspective. Very lightweight and air cooled is a big plus. I can crank the think on my stern rail and adjust, tinker etc. Amazing.
Walker Bay
Just bought a WB-8 for my 30h. Like the 10, but wanted something small and light enough to bring aboard the foredeck and lash down by myself. Just aquired (for free) an Aqua-Bug 3 hp outboard to push her along. It's air-cooled with centrifugal clutch and weighs only 23 lbs. This ought to be interesting - learning to start while in gear. I had never heard of this motor and am anxious to see how it goes. Three horses should should get it going pretty good. Has anyone out there had any experience with this motor? -Roland s/v fraulein II
Just bought a WB-8 for my 30h. Like the 10, but wanted something small and light enough to bring aboard the foredeck and lash down by myself. Just aquired (for free) an Aqua-Bug 3 hp outboard to push her along. It's air-cooled with centrifugal clutch and weighs only 23 lbs. This ought to be interesting - learning to start while in gear. I had never heard of this motor and am anxious to see how it goes. Three horses should should get it going pretty good. Has anyone out there had any experience with this motor? -Roland s/v fraulein II
WaterTender 9.4 question
Carl, thanks for mentioning the Watertender dinghy. Have you towed it behind a sailboat, and does it tow well? Mine will spend a lot of time on a tow rope and I really want something that behaves nicely under tow and has as little drag as possible. Thanks
Carl, thanks for mentioning the Watertender dinghy. Have you towed it behind a sailboat, and does it tow well? Mine will spend a lot of time on a tow rope and I really want something that behaves nicely under tow and has as little drag as possible. Thanks
i tow mine all the time
i tow my watertender all the time. usually about 10 feet behind my 23.5. it tracks really straight due to its bow configuration.i have not noticed any noticible increase in drag when towing it. as a matter of fact last season i was towing it on a reach when a beneteau 311 was trying to overtake us i had the kids trim the jib and main a little and we were able to pull away slowly . till we both headed downwind then he pulled away on us.
i tow my watertender all the time. usually about 10 feet behind my 23.5. it tracks really straight due to its bow configuration.i have not noticed any noticible increase in drag when towing it. as a matter of fact last season i was towing it on a reach when a beneteau 311 was trying to overtake us i had the kids trim the jib and main a little and we were able to pull away slowly . till we both headed downwind then he pulled away on us.
Bob, Hard or Soft Dinghy
I decided on a hard dinghy after I heard tales of the high drag of towing an inflatable. I don't have room on deck, no davits, so I'll have to tow. I need all the knots I can get! I'm afraid the Walker Bay boats have just shot up $100 to $150 in price, but they're still a bargain. I also like Carl's WaterTender 9.4 suggestion, at $450 from West.
I decided on a hard dinghy after I heard tales of the high drag of towing an inflatable. I don't have room on deck, no davits, so I'll have to tow. I need all the knots I can get! I'm afraid the Walker Bay boats have just shot up $100 to $150 in price, but they're still a bargain. I also like Carl's WaterTender 9.4 suggestion, at $450 from West.
John, I'll Weigh In On The Watertender..
..I have one that I tow with my L40.5. It has a 3.3 Mercury OB that is the same as Nisson or Tohatsu. I got cushions custom made for it through this site. I also have a cover and I made a PVC frame for it. It stays in the slip in the front, in the water, all the time. I bottom paint it once a year. So, here is the deal. After a bunch of inflatables over the years, I decided they were too much of a pain and the PVC ones all disintegrated despite care. So, in 1985, I bought an 11' version of the Watertender and loved it. I also had a 2.5 HP Nisson. I sold these with my last boat and replaced the two with the same thing, just updated. The Watertender is reasonably stable. The engine is plenty for it. So, as to towing, I use a bridle from both stern cleats to the towing eye, attached independently for redundancy. Now, I am using a PWC tow rig I got at Boat US. In any case, use poly so it will stretch and float. I have been in big seas and following ones too. Only once have I ever had to lengthen the line to keep from having it crawl up my transom, and that was 10' seas and 20 knots wind at my back. I just used one of the bridle lines to attach to the other. The bridle can be adjusted to move the tow from one side to the other. In general, I tow it pretty close so it rides on the stern wake. I sometimes leave the OB on it if seas are decent. It tows fine and has little drag. Good luck. Rick D.
..I have one that I tow with my L40.5. It has a 3.3 Mercury OB that is the same as Nisson or Tohatsu. I got cushions custom made for it through this site. I also have a cover and I made a PVC frame for it. It stays in the slip in the front, in the water, all the time. I bottom paint it once a year. So, here is the deal. After a bunch of inflatables over the years, I decided they were too much of a pain and the PVC ones all disintegrated despite care. So, in 1985, I bought an 11' version of the Watertender and loved it. I also had a 2.5 HP Nisson. I sold these with my last boat and replaced the two with the same thing, just updated. The Watertender is reasonably stable. The engine is plenty for it. So, as to towing, I use a bridle from both stern cleats to the towing eye, attached independently for redundancy. Now, I am using a PWC tow rig I got at Boat US. In any case, use poly so it will stretch and float. I have been in big seas and following ones too. Only once have I ever had to lengthen the line to keep from having it crawl up my transom, and that was 10' seas and 20 knots wind at my back. I just used one of the bridle lines to attach to the other. The bridle can be adjusted to move the tow from one side to the other. In general, I tow it pretty close so it rides on the stern wake. I sometimes leave the OB on it if seas are decent. It tows fine and has little drag. Good luck. Rick D.
Thanks All, for the terrific suggestions.
Thanks to all who offered valuable insights to my post. I'm leaning toward the WaterTender 9.4 with the Tohatsu/Nissan/Mercury motor. Happy Sailing... JT
Thanks to all who offered valuable insights to my post. I'm leaning toward the WaterTender 9.4 with the Tohatsu/Nissan/Mercury motor. Happy Sailing... JT
2Hp Honda
I have a Walker Bay 8 (10 wasn't available) with a 4 stroke Honda with no neutral. It pushes the dinghy fine at about a top speed of 5 knots with just me in the dinghy. It sails and rows great also.I'm thinking of maybe trading up to the 10. I'd be intersested in hearing from anyone with a 10.
I have a Walker Bay 8 (10 wasn't available) with a 4 stroke Honda with no neutral. It pushes the dinghy fine at about a top speed of 5 knots with just me in the dinghy. It sails and rows great also.I'm thinking of maybe trading up to the 10. I'd be intersested in hearing from anyone with a 10.
Electric
I have used a small gas outboard in the past. I am switching to a electric trolling motor. You can get about 4 to 6 hours on a single charge, plus no gas or oil to deal with. The trolling motors have plenty of power for a small boat, probably as much as a small outboard.
I have used a small gas outboard in the past. I am switching to a electric trolling motor. You can get about 4 to 6 hours on a single charge, plus no gas or oil to deal with. The trolling motors have plenty of power for a small boat, probably as much as a small outboard.
- Status