Walker Bay.....
Ask a question about dinghies and everybody has a different opinion. Ultimate selection is based on many factors, not the least of which is individual preferences. Here are some comparative thoughts between the Walker Bay and the Water Tender. I would also check your pricing; $999.00 (for the 10' W.B.)is a bit higher then the West marine Price, unless there is recent big jump in prices. The Walker Bay 8' and 10' boats are quite nice for their intended use - in very protected waters. They are not rated for a 5HP motor. The 8' being rated for a 2HP and the 10' for a 4HP I believe. The carrying capacity of noth the W.B. and the Water Tender is very limited and freeboard quite low on the W.B. when loaded. The W.B. stability is better then a lot of hard dinghies but the Water Tender is much more stable. Both are available at West Marine, are "unsinkable", competitively priced (except for the sail kit), and both are quite rugged. The Walker Bay comes with oars while the Water Tender does not. The new Hunter hard dinghy, which someone mentioned, is quite a nice looking and seemingly easily rowed dink, however, I believe it is made of fiberglass and is heavier and subject to the maintenance involved. The Walker Bay and Water Tender are plastic and require little upkeep. If I were going to choose, keeping in mind your stated intended use and the fact that I decided on a West Marine 9.5 foot inflatable, I would tend toward the Water Tender, unless you really wanted the sail kit; which, by the way, is priced at about the same cost as the boat.Hope this helps, Pat