Want to purchase dinghy for my 35.5. Read a lot of pros and cons about preferences and recommendations. Infl;atable vs. hard. Slatted floor vs. hard floor of inflatable floor. Have spent a lot of time looking at several, both soft and hard. One I am looking at is the Walker Bay 8'. Could someone address the issue of stability? I understand that, as far as hard dinks are concerned, the Walker Bay is rather stable. The Admiral likes it but is concerned about the stability issue. Comments would be appreciated. Thanks; Pat
- Status
While Looking at Walker Bay 8 ...
... don't forget to take a look at the new Walker Bay 10. I have seen reference to it in the new Boat US catalog but I haven't seen one in person yet. Should address some of the carrying limits that the Walker Bay 8 suffers from.
... don't forget to take a look at the new Walker Bay 10. I have seen reference to it in the new Boat US catalog but I haven't seen one in person yet. Should address some of the carrying limits that the Walker Bay 8 suffers from.
Thanks Gary A
Don't know if I want the 10' walker bay because of extra weight. Also, will it fit on foredeck? Anyway, can you address the issue of stability? Thanks, Pat
Don't know if I want the 10' walker bay because of extra weight. Also, will it fit on foredeck? Anyway, can you address the issue of stability? Thanks, Pat
FWIW again
We were looking REAL hard at a Walker Bay 8. But after experiencing/observing some other small hard dinghys owned by freinds we, specially the admiral, decided that a small hard dinghy was WAY to tender (read: a couple of swimming incidences both experienced and observed) so after reading many posts here on the subject, and with budget in mind we settled on a SeaEagle 9.6 inflatable, very nice boat for the money, very stable, hard/ridgid plastic floor you can jump up and down on, and 17" tubes! With reasonable care should be just fine for many years. Granted, hypalon is better but twice the $. We are on a fresh water lake. Check out www.seaeagle.com Good luck. Tom M
We were looking REAL hard at a Walker Bay 8. But after experiencing/observing some other small hard dinghys owned by freinds we, specially the admiral, decided that a small hard dinghy was WAY to tender (read: a couple of swimming incidences both experienced and observed) so after reading many posts here on the subject, and with budget in mind we settled on a SeaEagle 9.6 inflatable, very nice boat for the money, very stable, hard/ridgid plastic floor you can jump up and down on, and 17" tubes! With reasonable care should be just fine for many years. Granted, hypalon is better but twice the $. We are on a fresh water lake. Check out www.seaeagle.com Good luck. Tom M
Too tender!
Recent posts on the Walker 8 indicated that even with 2 small people in it, the Walker was very cramped for space and don't even think about 3-4 people. Doesn't sound very practical to me.
Recent posts on the Walker 8 indicated that even with 2 small people in it, the Walker was very cramped for space and don't even think about 3-4 people. Doesn't sound very practical to me.
walker bay
i have a walker bay and a 9ft zodiac on my h35.5 (teenage boys require both). the walker is as stable as you would expect from a flat bottom hard shell dinghy, what i mean by that is if all you have ever been in are inflatables the walker or any of the other smaller hard shells are going to seem unstable to you. my zodiac has a 5hp motor,which translates into i allways get stuck with the walker, i take myself my wife and our 140 lb dog to shore daily (had to teach the dog not to jump to one side of the dinghy to bark at seals) just remember to keep the boat balanced at all times, when getting in first step in the middle, exit the same way. i live in alaska the water temp up here in the summer never gets above 40 deg so its real important for me not to fall in. a big plus you never have to patch holes, my zodiac is only 2 years old and ive had to patch it alot. if you do get one order spare oar locks the walker bay plastic ones dont float.
i have a walker bay and a 9ft zodiac on my h35.5 (teenage boys require both). the walker is as stable as you would expect from a flat bottom hard shell dinghy, what i mean by that is if all you have ever been in are inflatables the walker or any of the other smaller hard shells are going to seem unstable to you. my zodiac has a 5hp motor,which translates into i allways get stuck with the walker, i take myself my wife and our 140 lb dog to shore daily (had to teach the dog not to jump to one side of the dinghy to bark at seals) just remember to keep the boat balanced at all times, when getting in first step in the middle, exit the same way. i live in alaska the water temp up here in the summer never gets above 40 deg so its real important for me not to fall in. a big plus you never have to patch holes, my zodiac is only 2 years old and ive had to patch it alot. if you do get one order spare oar locks the walker bay plastic ones dont float.
Dinghies - another option
I personally favour the hard dinghy and after the usual search opted for the Boatex 10. It offers stability, adequate carrying capacity for my purposes, well built, rated for a small o/b and reasonably priced (a great deal now with the favourable US$). Boatex is a Canadian manufacturer (tel 800-596-5545) and advertises in Cruising World.
I personally favour the hard dinghy and after the usual search opted for the Boatex 10. It offers stability, adequate carrying capacity for my purposes, well built, rated for a small o/b and reasonably priced (a great deal now with the favourable US$). Boatex is a Canadian manufacturer (tel 800-596-5545) and advertises in Cruising World.
aria light weight rib
last year i bought an aria light weight rib....only 70 lbs....made of abs....i love it...it's not quite as rigid as a fiberglass rib weighing twice as much, but the tradeoff is very much worth it...
last year i bought an aria light weight rib....only 70 lbs....made of abs....i love it...it's not quite as rigid as a fiberglass rib weighing twice as much, but the tradeoff is very much worth it...
Dingy
Pat, On our trip to the Bahamas last spring, a friend used a Walker 8, not much load capacity and I cringed everytime he got into it expecting to have to fish him out of the drink. Also every time he left under power, it looked like he had on a few inches of freeboard. Wouldn't take much of a wave to swamp it. Probably the best compromise is a rigid bottom inflatable. One that ways only 70# sounds intriguing. Their are a whole host of trade offs (size,weight, storage space,etc), but the basic recommendation is to get the biggest one you and the "mother ship" can handle and use the biggest outboard you can handle and afford. Being able to get it up on plane with a load is not just a luxury, often is safer as well. I hope this helps. Paul Bednarzyk S/V Knot Again
Pat, On our trip to the Bahamas last spring, a friend used a Walker 8, not much load capacity and I cringed everytime he got into it expecting to have to fish him out of the drink. Also every time he left under power, it looked like he had on a few inches of freeboard. Wouldn't take much of a wave to swamp it. Probably the best compromise is a rigid bottom inflatable. One that ways only 70# sounds intriguing. Their are a whole host of trade offs (size,weight, storage space,etc), but the basic recommendation is to get the biggest one you and the "mother ship" can handle and use the biggest outboard you can handle and afford. Being able to get it up on plane with a load is not just a luxury, often is safer as well. I hope this helps. Paul Bednarzyk S/V Knot Again
Thank's to all
I really appreciate all of the response I received to my inquiry. You have all been very helpful. I haven't really decided for sure yet, but your input has been invaluable. After all the discussion and a search in the archives, I am tending to favor the West Marine 8.5 foot inflatable with floor boards (although I understand it now comes with an inflatable floor option). It seems that is the best compromise for performance, stability, light weight at 70 lbs, and economy. Anyone with additional thoughts please feel free to submit them (I am still not fully decided). Thanks again, Pat
I really appreciate all of the response I received to my inquiry. You have all been very helpful. I haven't really decided for sure yet, but your input has been invaluable. After all the discussion and a search in the archives, I am tending to favor the West Marine 8.5 foot inflatable with floor boards (although I understand it now comes with an inflatable floor option). It seems that is the best compromise for performance, stability, light weight at 70 lbs, and economy. Anyone with additional thoughts please feel free to submit them (I am still not fully decided). Thanks again, Pat
Dinghies
Pat, We recently purchased an Achilles LSI? with the inflatable floor and inflatable keel. We attached a Yamaha 4 hp to it. Use so far has been limited, but we are very happy with it. Well built, easy to set up, takes down quickly and fits in a fairly small bag. We will store it below decks in our Hunter 290...mount the motor on the rail. Motor is under 60 lbs.
Pat, We recently purchased an Achilles LSI? with the inflatable floor and inflatable keel. We attached a Yamaha 4 hp to it. Use so far has been limited, but we are very happy with it. Well built, easy to set up, takes down quickly and fits in a fairly small bag. We will store it below decks in our Hunter 290...mount the motor on the rail. Motor is under 60 lbs.
DON'T BUY A PVC DINK!
You are going to hear from people that think Hypalon is tooooo expensive. Listen to people that have had PVC inflatables. They are not cheap. They only have a low cost entry price. If you want to leave them out in the sun and plan on have a fuel tank that may spill fuel you will probably be very disappointed within a year or so. I would recommend you buy a used hypalon unit before you buy ANY PVC unit.
You are going to hear from people that think Hypalon is tooooo expensive. Listen to people that have had PVC inflatables. They are not cheap. They only have a low cost entry price. If you want to leave them out in the sun and plan on have a fuel tank that may spill fuel you will probably be very disappointed within a year or so. I would recommend you buy a used hypalon unit before you buy ANY PVC unit.
Remeber, opinions are like...
I agree with Paul B (as usual) the RIB is the way to go if you can swing it. We had a roller floor 9'4" Zodiak for several years with a 4hp and it wouldn't plane with 2 adults and two kids aboard. Switched to an 11'Avon 3.41 RIB with 15hp Evinrude and what a difference, expecially when out exploring with the kids in a new harbor looking for wildlife or shellfish far away from Serenity. One disagreement with Steve D's comments though. The Hypalon vs PVC debate is way overblown in my opinion. I've owned both and they are both great. My dinks are left in water at a dock to use to get to our mooring so they are in the sun every year all season long and the PVC held up just as well as Hypalon. The real trial is doing it, not knocking one over the other. I had both and both were great! Choose what fits your budget and boat not what someone else says you need. Best wishes, Bob Knott H380
I agree with Paul B (as usual) the RIB is the way to go if you can swing it. We had a roller floor 9'4" Zodiak for several years with a 4hp and it wouldn't plane with 2 adults and two kids aboard. Switched to an 11'Avon 3.41 RIB with 15hp Evinrude and what a difference, expecially when out exploring with the kids in a new harbor looking for wildlife or shellfish far away from Serenity. One disagreement with Steve D's comments though. The Hypalon vs PVC debate is way overblown in my opinion. I've owned both and they are both great. My dinks are left in water at a dock to use to get to our mooring so they are in the sun every year all season long and the PVC held up just as well as Hypalon. The real trial is doing it, not knocking one over the other. I had both and both were great! Choose what fits your budget and boat not what someone else says you need. Best wishes, Bob Knott H380
DINKS
In my case as in everybodies it depends on what you are using it for. I raise and lower mine with the boom and it and the motor fit on the deck,aft.A 450 and a 8'6 roll up Zodiac. I tow it most of the time and stay at a slip, hard bottoms are a pain in the soft bottom but then again I am 70.
In my case as in everybodies it depends on what you are using it for. I raise and lower mine with the boom and it and the motor fit on the deck,aft.A 450 and a 8'6 roll up Zodiac. I tow it most of the time and stay at a slip, hard bottoms are a pain in the soft bottom but then again I am 70.
I'd agree with Steve..
I've had two PVC dinghys and two Hypolon dinghys. Both the PVC dinks got sticky after a couple of years in the sun, and became almost impossible to clean. The two Hypolon dinks I never had a problem with. Gas won't hurt them, neither will Acetone or MEK. Try Acetone or MEK on a PVC dink and see what happens (recomend you DON'T try it!). Hypolon gets my vote!
I've had two PVC dinghys and two Hypolon dinghys. Both the PVC dinks got sticky after a couple of years in the sun, and became almost impossible to clean. The two Hypolon dinks I never had a problem with. Gas won't hurt them, neither will Acetone or MEK. Try Acetone or MEK on a PVC dink and see what happens (recomend you DON'T try it!). Hypolon gets my vote!
Dinks
You almost always get what you pay for. You should consider how long you will have the dink and how you will use it before comparing value. A lower purchase cost up front may actually wind up costing you more in the long run should you have to replace an inferior product. Hypalon is by far the way to go if you leave the dink in the sun, subject it to abrasion, gasoline spills, etc. To get a good idea on performance of various dinks you may want to check out the Practical Sailor article on dinks that appeared recently. You can order it off their internet sight, or I will be glad to send you my copy. Look for my e-mail address in the 336 owners list. I also was considering the purchase of a dink (new or used). I researched models, asked owners of various models at my marina, talked to salesman at boat shows, checked e-bay, etc. Nowhere could I find the one on one critique that PS had done. My hats off to them. After reading the article I purchased an Achilles with air inflatable floor. Weight was a consideration, as was price, storage, and all Hypalon construction. The Avon's air floor is PVC. Defender had a sale on last years overstocked models so I saved a few hundred bucks too. I am sure there is not a one size fits all dink, but the article may help you find the one that fits your needs. Good Luck
You almost always get what you pay for. You should consider how long you will have the dink and how you will use it before comparing value. A lower purchase cost up front may actually wind up costing you more in the long run should you have to replace an inferior product. Hypalon is by far the way to go if you leave the dink in the sun, subject it to abrasion, gasoline spills, etc. To get a good idea on performance of various dinks you may want to check out the Practical Sailor article on dinks that appeared recently. You can order it off their internet sight, or I will be glad to send you my copy. Look for my e-mail address in the 336 owners list. I also was considering the purchase of a dink (new or used). I researched models, asked owners of various models at my marina, talked to salesman at boat shows, checked e-bay, etc. Nowhere could I find the one on one critique that PS had done. My hats off to them. After reading the article I purchased an Achilles with air inflatable floor. Weight was a consideration, as was price, storage, and all Hypalon construction. The Avon's air floor is PVC. Defender had a sale on last years overstocked models so I saved a few hundred bucks too. I am sure there is not a one size fits all dink, but the article may help you find the one that fits your needs. Good Luck
Zodiac Dingy
Pat, I purchased a zodiac hard bottom (fiberglass) 10 foot dingy, with two seats and a 8 hp yamaha outboard Its simply fabalous. Top speed is 33 kmh using my gps to measure. Cheap on gas, on 2 gallons my wife and I motored 27 miles one day with fuel to spare. Its very safe (stable), make a great fishing platform and unlike the soft bottom ones, scratches on the bottom don't cause leaks. total weight of dingy 64 lbs. Total weight of the yamaha 54 lbs. the lightest motor in its class. Barrie
Pat, I purchased a zodiac hard bottom (fiberglass) 10 foot dingy, with two seats and a 8 hp yamaha outboard Its simply fabalous. Top speed is 33 kmh using my gps to measure. Cheap on gas, on 2 gallons my wife and I motored 27 miles one day with fuel to spare. Its very safe (stable), make a great fishing platform and unlike the soft bottom ones, scratches on the bottom don't cause leaks. total weight of dingy 64 lbs. Total weight of the yamaha 54 lbs. the lightest motor in its class. Barrie
Night & Day
Try to compare similar items. The inflateables are substantially more expensive than a Walker Bay. We're talking thousands of dollars difference here. The Walker Bay might sell for at most $400.00. The Bay is a small, inexpensive boat. If you put two adults in it it's loaded. Now add gear and a motor perhaps? The more stuff on board the less stable the boat will be. You should expect to get what you pay for but you should purchase a boat that meets your needs. You indicated you have been spending a lot of time on this decision. How are you getting to the boat now?
Try to compare similar items. The inflateables are substantially more expensive than a Walker Bay. We're talking thousands of dollars difference here. The Walker Bay might sell for at most $400.00. The Bay is a small, inexpensive boat. If you put two adults in it it's loaded. Now add gear and a motor perhaps? The more stuff on board the less stable the boat will be. You should expect to get what you pay for but you should purchase a boat that meets your needs. You indicated you have been spending a lot of time on this decision. How are you getting to the boat now?
Bob P of Fox Lake
You're absolutely correct, Bob. Thanks for the input. Until now I've had no need for a dink. The boat was in a slip and during the short cruise each summer, we got by without one. Sometimes we would use an old 11.5 foot Zodiac that I have. The Zodiac served well for the little use it had, but was much too cumbersome and required a larger motor (by comparison). It is at that point which required constant attention/repairs. Now, being retired, the situation has changed. We intend doing a lot of coastal cruising and the Zodiac will not hold up to the task, and it is very heavy. The decision I'm very close to making is to go with the West Marine 8.5'PVC inflatable with wooden floors. I'll also purchase the cover for the boat, knowing the disadvantages of PVC. It is definitely the "best buy" in terms of $. It is also less then 70 LBS. and can be driven with a light 3.3 two cycle. The carrying power is more then double that of the Walker Bay and is a better, more stable, and more appropiate solution to the problem at hand. Pat
You're absolutely correct, Bob. Thanks for the input. Until now I've had no need for a dink. The boat was in a slip and during the short cruise each summer, we got by without one. Sometimes we would use an old 11.5 foot Zodiac that I have. The Zodiac served well for the little use it had, but was much too cumbersome and required a larger motor (by comparison). It is at that point which required constant attention/repairs. Now, being retired, the situation has changed. We intend doing a lot of coastal cruising and the Zodiac will not hold up to the task, and it is very heavy. The decision I'm very close to making is to go with the West Marine 8.5'PVC inflatable with wooden floors. I'll also purchase the cover for the boat, knowing the disadvantages of PVC. It is definitely the "best buy" in terms of $. It is also less then 70 LBS. and can be driven with a light 3.3 two cycle. The carrying power is more then double that of the Walker Bay and is a better, more stable, and more appropiate solution to the problem at hand. Pat
- Status