West Marine sale of Walker Bay Dinghy

[NautiDuck]

Well, my plans to build a dinghy were dashed when I measured the basement window and it is a few inches short of allowing an Eastport Pram to get out. Nothing worse than a dinghy forever stuck in the basement.So, I am now in the market for a WB 8 or 10 probably with the RIB kit. I know some people love the WBs and some people don't. I have scoured the archives and feel that, for our purposes, this is a good choice.So, my question is do any of you have experience with West Marine putting the WB on sale? I asked at the local West Marine but they were coy about it. I wont need the dinghy until spring so I have some time to wait. Anyone seen these on sale? Thanks.

 

[Don]

WM sale on WB

Randymost WM stores have at least one WM on display. Talk to the store manager next time you're in there and see if he/she will sell it. The display will have a hole cut in the bottom which can be easily repaired if the price is right.I worked at a WM store of about 1 year and we just sold both display dinghys but never had a sale on them throughout that period.

 

[Brian D]

Try Craigslist...

I see WB dinghys for sale all the time on sandiego.craigslist.com. Go to craigslist.com and look for your city. Then search for dinghy, or inflatable, or walker bay. You should see something.

 

[Jack]

Randy

You don't mention buying a used one. If I knew exactly what brand model I was looking for I would shop 2nd hand and save maybe up to 50%. Maybe you just want new and thats OK too. If 2nd hand will do then check this web site or boattraderonline.com or yachtworld.com, ebay ect and fill in exactly what you want. You say you have time so look for a deal. Just a thought, anyway, Good luck, Jack

 

[Tim C350 April IV]

RIB kit is easily retrofitable

I'll second (or third/fourth...whatever) the option of finding a used one. The RIB kit can be purchased separately and is easily retrofitable to a dinghy that was originally sold without one.Good Luck!Tim BroganApril IV C350 #68Seattle

 

[Rob Hessenius]

Walker Bay

NautiDuck- I don't remember the exact specifics, but Walker Bays went on sale. I think it was $100 off the 8'. $300 off the boat and standard rig sail kit. I just can't remember if there was a combo deal with the RID kit though. Just keep watching. The Managers have no crystal ball to see the future sales until about 10-14 days before the start date. Sometimes the flyers land in customers hands, before even the stores. Best of Luck. Rob Hessenius

 

[menestheus15689]

give this a try ...

call some other west marine stores amd or some other boat stores like boatersworld amd find a better price and let wm price match. but they do go on sale usually in the spring when they have the new model inflatables come in

 

[Rob Morton]

WB Dingy

We looked into these and are going to stick with a small inflatable but I also found some "plastic" dingys that are different brands. GI Joes had one that was 8' and sililar to a WB for about 300.00. As was alread mentioned check out craigs list. Several in the Portland area and a bunch in the Seattle area. NautiDuck do you sail on Fern Ridge? When are you planning on the San Juan trip?

 

[David]

Directbuy.com

Try this site. I purchased a WB8, ribn275H kit and the performance sail kit from them. Their price beat WM sales price as I also did not have tax and it was shipped to my front door.

 

[Bill Roosa]

Why not build your dingy outside?

I had the same problem. So I just built the thing outdoors. I did do it during the summer so that makes it easier but I did all the cutting and finishing of the parts in my basement. The only thing I had to do outside was the stitch and glue which you would want to do outside anyway due to the fumes. Once the parts are epoxy coated there is little the weather can do to them except get them dirty. I got hit by thunderstorms a few times and had to bail her out even before she saw the first drop of salt water.So work on the mast, sails, rudder and daggerboard and such this winter and get everything cut out for the first break in the weather.

 

[NautiDuck]

Thanks folks

Thanks folks. I did not see any WBs on craigslist for Seattle or Portland. Maybe I am doing something wrong. What did you use for search criteria?Bill, I need the dinghy for the spring so I'd have to start building now. I am not doing the sail thing, just a rowboat.David, that directbuy site is a membership club for home improvement stuff.Rob, I am at the EYC. Looking at a trip in June. What do you sail and out of which marina? Have you sailed in the San Juans? This will be our first venture off the lake.

 

[Rob Morton]

NautiDuck

We sail out of Orchard Point but are looking at moving over to the one with the RV park. We have been up the the San Juans twice now and hope to go this year as well. Its very additive. I don't have as much info as others but would be happy to share what we know and what guide books we used etc. Our email is rob_laurie@mortoncontracting.comLet us know what you decide on a dink. I am keeping my eyes out for an 8' Portaboat. Take Care,Rob MortonS/V Euphoria

 

[Ross]

Randy, Take a good look at the Bolger/Peyson

Nymph. 7ft9inches two sheets of 1/4 lauan plywood, a couple of quarts of resin. some glass tape for the seams and about six yards of cloth for the outside. Plus one 1x10 x6 feet and a clear 2x4 ten. It took me a week to build and paint and has been in service for six years.

 

[David]

Directboats.com

Sorry Randy the supplied web site should have been Directboats.com not Directbuy.

 

[Tom Brown]

Try the stairs

Randy, Sorry to hear you are abandoning your plans to build the pram. Won't it fit up the basement steps and through the house? As I said, it only weighs about 58 lbs.Tom s/v Orion's Child

 

[Tony Z]

Nesting Dinghy?

My next project is going to be a nexting dinghy.Basically a boat that is bult in tow sections that can be assembled or disassembled as needed, It will store on the boat easliy too.You can probably get 1/2 of a boat out of the house?I have seen plans in wooden boat magazine

 

[Tony Z]

Nesting dinghy

http://seaweed.thebilge.com/spindrift

 

[NautiDuck]

Tom

I'm sorry too. I was looking forward to the project but not if it means working out in the carport. Our house was built in 1935 and the stairs are narrow with a right angle at the bottom. I'll measure it to make sure but I doubt the pram would make that corner. An 8' x 30" table with its legs folded flat (meaning it is about 2" thick) just manages to make the corner.

 

[NautiDuck]

Thanks! - Found one

I found a marine store doing a sellout of all their WBs. I got their last WB 10 with oars and oar locks for $800. Now I can start a search for the RIB kit and/or sail kit!