WalkerBay 8, how is it?

Status
Not open for further replies.
A

Alan

Well, after one season with our 26, we are thinking of a tender. The WalkerBay 8 seems nice because of weight, sailing ability and size although it's capacity is low. How does it sail? how does it row when the chop kicks up?
 
M

Mike Pajewski

We've got one

We bought a Walker Bay to tow behind our 26 also. But, we haven't done that yet. We take the boat with us on camping trips on the roof of my Expedition, which improves the mileage. It sails pretty well, but it is better suited for my children, as it is tough to squeeze my fat bod under the boom. Rigging time is not too bad, 10 minutes maybe. It really rows very well, although I need to figure a way to lock the oars in the oar locks. Mike Pajewski H26 "Loon"
 
D

Dan Busche

Not for me

I owned a WalkerBay 8 for about three weeks and returned. I bought it thinking it would make a great tender as well. Sturdy and stable. When I tried it out, it was very unstable and tipsy. One false move and you feel like you are turning it over. My kids were very uneasy with it, and I returned it for full credit and bought an inflatable instead. There is a reason they have such a low weight limit. Just my humble opinion. Dan
 
T

Tom M.

So Dan...

What kind of inflatable did you end up getting? Size? Rigid floor? Weight? Thinking of that myself. Tom M.
 
D

Dan Busche

So Tom

I decided to go cheep. I went to Wal-Mart (my favorite, NOT) and bought one for $45. I figure, if it brakes, next year I buy another one. Kids love it. I love it. It stowes away neetly under the port cockpit locker. Why spent hundreds of dollars and worry about it being stolen and where to stow it. I am sure a lot of people will disagree, but this is just my humble opinion. Happy Sailing, Dan
 
T

ted

walker bay

i use one for my alternate tender (when my boys are off exploring in the zodiak) ive taken myself and two 120lb dogs to shore at the same time, and never been in the water, the boat has alot of inital movement (rocking) but actually takes alot to go over all the way. rows easy, i dont tow it, but should tow alright, i wouldnt want to be in rough water with one, but for exploring or getting to shore the are fine. one last thing ive had to patch the bottum of my zodiac several times, and havent had to patch the walker bay yet.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Top Bottom