Anyone have experience with or have a comment on the aforementioned boats. They seem inexpensive yet durable. Inflatible vs composite?
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Inflatable just dont hold up
Inflatables are not the end all answer. They don't row worth of anything, They are more fragile than most people think and they will quickly 5 7 years self desstruct from sun exposure. But, they are light, don't bang up the boat, and have unsurpassed load & stablility as compared to a tender. Good luck
Inflatables are not the end all answer. They don't row worth of anything, They are more fragile than most people think and they will quickly 5 7 years self desstruct from sun exposure. But, they are light, don't bang up the boat, and have unsurpassed load & stablility as compared to a tender. Good luck
Consider a Pota-Bote.
They're light, easy to unfold and refold, take up little space, carry reasonable loads, row well, cannot be sunk, are very durable and long lasting, and cost less than all the others. The main problems with them are, they aren't as stable as inflatables, can't carry as much weight, and tend to get stolen more frequently than all the others. I've had the 10'6" version for two years and think it was one of the best boating equipment purchases I've ever made. ~ Happy sails to you ~ _/) ~
They're light, easy to unfold and refold, take up little space, carry reasonable loads, row well, cannot be sunk, are very durable and long lasting, and cost less than all the others. The main problems with them are, they aren't as stable as inflatables, can't carry as much weight, and tend to get stolen more frequently than all the others. I've had the 10'6" version for two years and think it was one of the best boating equipment purchases I've ever made. ~ Happy sails to you ~ _/) ~
Hard dinghy Tipsy
My experience with hard dinghys is that a friend had one, a Fatty Knees, for a season and got rid of it for an inflatable dinghy. The FK was very tipsy and his wife didn't like it for that reason. He bought a Quicksilver inflatable and that quickly "sunburned" and deteriorated. Now he invested in a Caribe and is very pleased with it on all counts. Granted, there are stable hard dinghys out there, but for a price. They can be cumbersome to tow and might "ding up" your transom. They don't stow very well. They have limited space and don't haul too much. See if you can try one first. On the other hand, I bought a used Avon inflatable in 1990 and it has been thru torture with 2 sons using it constantly for 4 years. I still have it as my primary dinghy. It sits in the sun all season long (6 months). After 13 years and one previous owner (a few years), I am, only now, considering a new one.
My experience with hard dinghys is that a friend had one, a Fatty Knees, for a season and got rid of it for an inflatable dinghy. The FK was very tipsy and his wife didn't like it for that reason. He bought a Quicksilver inflatable and that quickly "sunburned" and deteriorated. Now he invested in a Caribe and is very pleased with it on all counts. Granted, there are stable hard dinghys out there, but for a price. They can be cumbersome to tow and might "ding up" your transom. They don't stow very well. They have limited space and don't haul too much. See if you can try one first. On the other hand, I bought a used Avon inflatable in 1990 and it has been thru torture with 2 sons using it constantly for 4 years. I still have it as my primary dinghy. It sits in the sun all season long (6 months). After 13 years and one previous owner (a few years), I am, only now, considering a new one.
Nobody Addressed the Question
Mark - twice here you've thanked people for input, but nobody has addressed your question: What's up with a Walker Bay Dinghy? I've got one of their 8 footers - and have a buddy that has had one for several years. They are durable, row well, tow well at sailboat speeds, and don't ding up your fiberglass hull in the same way as other hard dinghies will. They can be moved around and lifted reasonably easily by one person. They can be bought new for about $500US and for much less if you find one used. I do find it a little "tippy" and its capacity is limited to me and the admiral (the admiral and I). The addition of their (Walker Bay) inflatable collar - which can be bought separate and installed by the user - would probably decrease the percieved "tippy-ness" - but at a cost almost equal to the boat when new. Good Luck! Tim Brogan April IV C350 #68 Seattle
Mark - twice here you've thanked people for input, but nobody has addressed your question: What's up with a Walker Bay Dinghy? I've got one of their 8 footers - and have a buddy that has had one for several years. They are durable, row well, tow well at sailboat speeds, and don't ding up your fiberglass hull in the same way as other hard dinghies will. They can be moved around and lifted reasonably easily by one person. They can be bought new for about $500US and for much less if you find one used. I do find it a little "tippy" and its capacity is limited to me and the admiral (the admiral and I). The addition of their (Walker Bay) inflatable collar - which can be bought separate and installed by the user - would probably decrease the percieved "tippy-ness" - but at a cost almost equal to the boat when new. Good Luck! Tim Brogan April IV C350 #68 Seattle
Walker, a rhetorical question?
You are correct, Tim, no one but yourself answered my specific question, thank you. I have been perusing the internet and came across the Walker dinghy. I an dubious of the inflatible dinghy's cost and durability (I saw one for $30,000.00). When I saw the Walker, it seemed to be exactly what I want. A solid dinghy that can't sink and will last for several years w/o air leaks. You have confirmed my hopes. An excellent, durable dinghy at a reasonable cost! Thanks again, Mark Crociati, Plymouth, MA
You are correct, Tim, no one but yourself answered my specific question, thank you. I have been perusing the internet and came across the Walker dinghy. I an dubious of the inflatible dinghy's cost and durability (I saw one for $30,000.00). When I saw the Walker, it seemed to be exactly what I want. A solid dinghy that can't sink and will last for several years w/o air leaks. You have confirmed my hopes. An excellent, durable dinghy at a reasonable cost! Thanks again, Mark Crociati, Plymouth, MA
One more for the Walker
I too will write in defense of the Walker Bay 8. For the kind of sailing I do, which is day and weekend sailing with the occasional 1-2 week trips, it is ideal. I have my boat in a city harbor, on a mooring can, and can leave my WB8 ashore, chained to the dinghy rack, without fear (BTW I'd say about 80% of the dinks in the harbor are WBs). It tows beautifully and doesn't bang up the hull, as has been mentioned. It may be a bit tippy, but reasonable seamanship and care will prevent any mishaps (at least, I've never had one) and I don't care for the thought of a long row through the harbor against a Chicago wind in an inflatable. Now if I were a live aboard, or were doing longer term cruising, an inflatable would certainly be better. As with all things to do with sailing, it all depends upon your style and circumstances. There's no such thing as the ideal, so buy the dink that suits your needs.
I too will write in defense of the Walker Bay 8. For the kind of sailing I do, which is day and weekend sailing with the occasional 1-2 week trips, it is ideal. I have my boat in a city harbor, on a mooring can, and can leave my WB8 ashore, chained to the dinghy rack, without fear (BTW I'd say about 80% of the dinks in the harbor are WBs). It tows beautifully and doesn't bang up the hull, as has been mentioned. It may be a bit tippy, but reasonable seamanship and care will prevent any mishaps (at least, I've never had one) and I don't care for the thought of a long row through the harbor against a Chicago wind in an inflatable. Now if I were a live aboard, or were doing longer term cruising, an inflatable would certainly be better. As with all things to do with sailing, it all depends upon your style and circumstances. There's no such thing as the ideal, so buy the dink that suits your needs.
Has anyone had a walker bay for 10-15 years?
I hear everyone prompting the pluses of the WB Dinks. Has anyone had one out in the sun 365 days a year for 10-15 years? When you have a hypalon inflatable you can expect this type of life (if not longer). This is not the case with a PVC inflatable. The materials have not held up in the past. If you have a plastic material that makes it 5-7 years is excellent. Other advantages of inflatables are the fact that you can use a much larger engine and carry a much larger load. If you care to move up to a RIB you can easily carry 4-5 adults (safely). The major disadvantge of a RIB is similar to a WB in the fact that you cannot store them easily. If you get a regular inflatable, they can be stored down below or lashed on deck and are still out of the way. There are many things to consider, so consider your needs before you decide what you are going to purchase.
I hear everyone prompting the pluses of the WB Dinks. Has anyone had one out in the sun 365 days a year for 10-15 years? When you have a hypalon inflatable you can expect this type of life (if not longer). This is not the case with a PVC inflatable. The materials have not held up in the past. If you have a plastic material that makes it 5-7 years is excellent. Other advantages of inflatables are the fact that you can use a much larger engine and carry a much larger load. If you care to move up to a RIB you can easily carry 4-5 adults (safely). The major disadvantge of a RIB is similar to a WB in the fact that you cannot store them easily. If you get a regular inflatable, they can be stored down below or lashed on deck and are still out of the way. There are many things to consider, so consider your needs before you decide what you are going to purchase.
... and you can sail it
No one has mentioned that you can sail the things- have a WB 8 with the sail package which is great fun around the mooring field. If I were using it as a tender, would get the larger size. Have an old inflatable that still holds air in its eighth or so year. When it dies I'll probably get a larger WB for my tender. (My WB lives in Miami as a water toy, my h410 lives in NY) S/V Breathless h410 #250 US 51855
No one has mentioned that you can sail the things- have a WB 8 with the sail package which is great fun around the mooring field. If I were using it as a tender, would get the larger size. Have an old inflatable that still holds air in its eighth or so year. When it dies I'll probably get a larger WB for my tender. (My WB lives in Miami as a water toy, my h410 lives in NY) S/V Breathless h410 #250 US 51855
Mooring a 356
My new 36 (356) will be on a mooring. In looking over the boat it seems the bow cleats are set back a bit too far and there are no chocks to run the mooring line through. Anyone out there mooring a 356, any advice? Thanks Paul
My new 36 (356) will be on a mooring. In looking over the boat it seems the bow cleats are set back a bit too far and there are no chocks to run the mooring line through. Anyone out there mooring a 356, any advice? Thanks Paul
Towing a Walker Bay
I use a WB 8 to get to my boat in the mooring field, and like it. I've never towed it though. I'd be curious to asked those who have towed one how they rigged it to tow. I bought my WB used ($350, about a year ago). If I was looking again, I might look for a WB 10 and a sail rig for it. Thanks Marc_B
I use a WB 8 to get to my boat in the mooring field, and like it. I've never towed it though. I'd be curious to asked those who have towed one how they rigged it to tow. I bought my WB used ($350, about a year ago). If I was looking again, I might look for a WB 10 and a sail rig for it. Thanks Marc_B
walkerbay 10
I have the walkerbay 10 with sail kit for the kids, have to say I enjoy sailing it also, rows nice and have a trolling motor for the kids to use and fish out of they and I love it, also makes a nice dock storage when you have a cover only prob I have now is it is full of junk
John S/V Alcyone Hunter 356
I have the walkerbay 10 with sail kit for the kids, have to say I enjoy sailing it also, rows nice and have a trolling motor for the kids to use and fish out of they and I love it, also makes a nice dock storage when you have a cover only prob I have now is it is full of junk
John S/V Alcyone Hunter 356356 mooring
Paul, we're in a slip but most Hunters I've seen on a permanent mooring use a bridle with one pennant on each cleat-helps keep the boat from hunting (no pun!) and gives you redundancy. no chocks needed. you can also run a single pennant over the second bow roller back to the anchor cleat, but be sure to use chafe protection on the line around the end of the roller, and out far enough to protect the line from your anchor. We've used both methods on our 356. If you use a single pennant on one cleat, modern Hunters, like all fin keel sloops, will hunt. you can also fashion a riding sail to minimize the hunting-see the archives
Paul, we're in a slip but most Hunters I've seen on a permanent mooring use a bridle with one pennant on each cleat-helps keep the boat from hunting (no pun!) and gives you redundancy. no chocks needed. you can also run a single pennant over the second bow roller back to the anchor cleat, but be sure to use chafe protection on the line around the end of the roller, and out far enough to protect the line from your anchor. We've used both methods on our 356. If you use a single pennant on one cleat, modern Hunters, like all fin keel sloops, will hunt. you can also fashion a riding sail to minimize the hunting-see the archives
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