walker bay 8 sailboat

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Walker bay dinghies, 8 and 10, these volksdinghies are the favorite of the marine store chains, at least partially because they nest tightly together and are easy to deliver and stock. what's tops in the chains ends up being 'popular' by default. but is there more to these ubiquitous little boats than sales and marketing momentum as a matter of fact, there is..

It took a moment to decide whether to make this article a boat review or a Chandlery piece—but only a moment. Walker Bay dinghies are unabashedly placed, by both manufacturer and ship’s store, as items to be picked up along with paint and sandpaper. They lean against the outside walls of the store. They rest in the aisles, filled with season specials like PFDs and bottom paint. They’re front and center. You can just nab one at the counter on the way out.

The prices aren’t shocking; in fact for such big physical items, and such necessary ones, they’re cheap. If you’re used to going into West Marine or BoatU.S. and dropping a few hundred dollars on a piece of navigation gear or some good-sized ground tackle, you could just as easily leave with a Walker Bay boat on your car. And many, many people do.

Walker Bay was kind enough to loan Practical Sailor the sailing versions of both an 8-footer and a 10-footer for a couple of weeks this summer. We rowed, towed, and sailed both boats. We trailered them and cartopped them. We pulled them on their stern wheels over hill and dale. (Actually we left Dale outof it.)

The essential fact about these boats is that they’re very, very plastic. This is both their weak point, in that they have none of the warmth of wood, and their strong point, in that they’re effective, no-maintenance, and virtually indestructible.

We learned quickly to suppress our Bristol Fashion Sense, assuming that those with lovely wooden boats—character boats—will generally prefer to be seen in the company of character dinghies like peapods or Whitehalls or even Dyers. Then we went on with our evaluations.

Background Founded in South Africa in 1997, Walker Bay is now based in Union Gap, Washington, with offices in Vancouver and Paris. The stated aim of the company is to bring its boats to the masses, worldwide. It’s off to a good start, with sales recorded now in 50 countries.

The Walker Bay 8 was first out of the molds in 1998; the 10-footer was introduced this spring. Both dinghies were designed by Paolo Rista, described by the company as a “water-sports professional and artist.”

There’s a lot involved in the design of dinghy hull forms, just as with any boat. There are issues of entry, rocker, freeboard, deadrise, transom width, weight and balance—and there are always scads of small-boat builders eager to debate the details. The debates will always go on because, in a dinghy, when you move something, everything changes.

Mr. Rista deserves credit not only for using a good, versatile form, but, presumably, for specifying the ersatz lapstrake construction that gives the injection-molded hulls some rigidity fore and aft. By this we mean that if you removed the thwarts you could possibly fold the boats from gunwale to gunwale, but not from bow to transom. After the thwarts are secured, the Walker Bay boats are well-supported in all directions, except, perhaps, in the 10-footer between the middle thwart and the bow. More on that later.

On both boats there’s a full-length molded skeg (or keel, if you prefer) from transom to bow. This too, adds stiffness and helps the boats track straight when rowed or towed. It also houses the handy rolling wheel aft.

Solid vs. Inflatable In a water world increasingly populated by inflatable tenders, there are still plenty of good arguments for solid dinghies, as long as they’re relatively light and manageable, which these are. Solid dinghies don’t have to be blown up or deflated. They can be stowed upside-down on the decks of larger boats and lowered or tossed overboard easily. They usually tow better than inflatables, and they always row better, especially in a headwind. Size for size, they have more carrying capacity, although again, any advantage depends on the distribution of weight and the efficiency of the form when loaded.

Most importantly, some hard dinghies, like these, can be sailed, and there’s nothing more fun than poking around a far-flung harbor at sunset in a sailing dinghy.

Walker Bay would of course like to see their sailing rigs used in more and more junior and community programs.

A new JY Trainer costs about $1,850. A new Optimist costs around $2,325. The Walker Bay 8, with performance sailing rig, costs $920. One-design fleets? They could happen.

Construction Both the 8 and the 10 are made of polypropylene resin, which is injected into a steel mold and pressed at 5,000 tons. With a slick mold and such high pressure, the boats emerge smooth and detailed, including molded spaces on the underside of one set of strakes to retain stainless hex nuts for the thwarts. The basic hull is born in about five minutes. Take that, Noah.

At the chandlery or at home, the solid, foam-filled thwarts are then set in place and bolted through the strakes. That’s about it for construction.

Performance It would have been most efficient to test all performance aspects of both boats at the same time. Of course, that’s not how we were able to do it. Instead, over the course of two weeks we had to move them around quite a bit, on and off trailers and cartops, across yards, and up and down dock ramps. This process, while not at all convenient, allowed us to get to know the boats well. We found them easy to wrestle (usually by one person, the editorial “we”) and very tough when being dragged, dropped, and tossed about. Just as importantly, they were meek neighbors when alongside other boats. They don’t scrape and bang, and they don’t leave traces of themselves on people’s topsides. They’re not much of a worry in any respect.

We sailed the 8-footer in a light harbor breeze of about 6 knots and found it surprisingly nimble and fun. It tacked and jibed easily and quickly, without being tender, and it was fairly comfortable to sit on either the center thwart or in the boat bottom.

A few days later we sailed the 10-footer in a stronger offshore breeze of about 12 knots with puffs up to 14. The breeze later faded to about 6 knots.

In the heavier air the 10 was not ideally balanced with one person in what would be considered a reasonable steering position; the boat sailed slightly down by the stern, and dragged water. This would probably have been helped by the addition of a five-year old child or a loaded cooler forward. Unfortunately we had neither of those things handy, and it wasn’t possible to balance the boat correctly without leaning well forward on the middle thwart. Sitting on the thwart while sailing doesn’t work, because the sheet is led down from the boom through a block in a clamshell-like device that clamps to the aft edge of the seat.

Moving through light chop in the heavier air, the boat’s bottom oilcanned some forward of the middle thwart. This is one area where too much may be expected of thin polypropylene stretched over an unsupported area. It’s not really a structural problem because the stuff is so resilient—you could probably leap into the boat with hobnail boots without hurting it, but oilcanning is not good for speed.

Despite the stern-down attitude and consequent sluggish steering, the 10 went well—4.8 knots on a reach.

The sailing characteristics we experienced in the 10-footer slightly undercut some very thoughtful design and manufacture work on the part of Walker Bay: The sail kit and fittings are first-rate: a well-cut sail of 3-oz. Dacron with a big window, a tensionable shaping batten near the head of the sail, nicely shaped daggerboard and rudder, and an excellent rudder-mounting system. The clam clamp for the sheet block is also smart, but we’d prefer to have the sheet simply come down from the boom the way it does on the 8-footer.It’s perfectly possible to have it that way—just unmount that clamp.

Both boats rowed very well. Walker Bay sent along an outstanding pair of 7-1/2′ wooden oars with rubber collars that set neatly in round plastic oarlocks. The oarlocks are placed fore and aft in the gunwale sockets, and as they’re turned outboard they lock in.

This is good, except that you have to remember to unship your oars early when coming alongside someone.

We rowed the boats with differently sized people and batches of gear in various places, and found that we could put our backs into it without fear of breaking or deforming any of the plastic parts. Most gratifyingly, the boats were balanced well enough that increased labor yielded increased speed. Nothing is more frustrating than finishing a stroke in a badly balanced dink and finding that all you’ve done is turn the bow into a plow. These are not pulling boats by any stretch of the imagination, but they do well enough.

Finally, we towed both boats at varying speeds behind a motorboat on long and short tethers, making arbitrary turns. Here again, both the 8 and the 10 were well-behaved, tracking straight on their skegs and planing high on the water without skittering or swerving. We weren’t able to tow them in rough water, and can’t speak for what they might be like in a seaway. (Some hard dinghies will follow a mother ship obediently through hell and high water, and some quickly become swamped drogues.) If we had to guess, we’d say they’d do well.

Once the boats were planing, we hand-tested the tethers for tension. In flat water behind the towboat, the 8-footer tugged back at about 15 lbs. The 10-footer pulled at roughly 20.

Conclusions These Walker Bay boats are already a juggernaut, thanks to a firm initial concept, good design, excellent plastic engineering and manufacturing, and the goodwill of retailers. Far be it from Practical Sailor to stand in the way: We like these boats just fine. They do the several things they’re supposed to do very well, and more besides, all at a price that has to be one of the best values in sailing.

The 10-footer clearly has greater cargo-carrying capacity, and will be able to stay out in rougher water longer. It’s a good choice for those who need to do more serious transport than harbor touring.

Our favorite, though, is the 8, not because we enjoyed sailing it more than the 10, but because it’s so easy to manage: You can sling it on your back like a turtle shell and walk far with it. You can whip it up on the roof-rack. You can throw it around, leave it alone—it doesn’t mind a thing.

Also With This Article Click here to view Walker Bay 8 and Walker Bay 10 specs .

Contact- Walker Bay Boats, 607 West Ahtanum Rd., Union Gap, WA 98903. 888/449-2553, www.walkerbay.com .

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Excellent review that confirmed what I experienced with the 8 foot model. What’s not to love about the little dinghy that could and just keeps going after 20 years

Very reasonable dinghies but cheap for a reason–parts and accessories are astronically priced.

I have an 8 foot model and the centre board is extremely stiff to lower and retract which would make use less than ideal for anyone not of great strength and balance. One needs to stand to pull it up when approaching shallows. The sail being sleeved over the mast before stepping makes getting underway into an onshore breeze difficult and this is exacerbated by the centre board stiffness. The sail/ mast would benefit greatly from a more normal and expensive sail attachment system. The rudder attachment pins look frail but have so far held up but be warned and do as I do, to take your oars with you when sailing to avoid an embarrassing Bismarck moment. Can’t expect much for the price I suppose and even with its shortcomings I am having great fun with it every time I get onto the water. Oh and a pulley block it’s can clear makes the world of difference to arm fatigue by removing the need to continually hold the main sheet.

My previous post shows in the third last line that my proof reading needs some work. It should read ‘…a pulley block with cam cleat….’.

Thank you for this excellent and amusing review; I was waffling between the 8 foot that I can “sling on top of my car and carry like a turtle shell” (as I am very strong and am frequently alone during my excursions), I do believe it would be most advantages for me to simply get the 8 foot that is so manageable and does not need a freaking trailer versus the 10 foot that is more boat than I can manage by myself. HOWEVER..I am also planing on using a nice quite trolling motor on my boat as well. Did you get to try the dinghy using a trolling motor? I am wondering about battery placement/storage. Thanks

We are looking for a dinghy/skiff type boat to cross the bay over to a large sand spit in Morro Bay, CA. We happened to see a Walker 8 and loved the look. What is the weight capacity? Also, can a trolling motor work with it? Lastly, I read somewhere that they are no longer being produced – is that true? If not, we are very interested in buying one. Thank you.

The Walker Bay is now being produced in Mexico and without wishing to impugn the quality of Mexican products in general, the quality control is slipshod. I bought an 8 and sail kit last year and the holes to install the drainplug were mis-drilled requiring me to re-drill them. Worse, the rivets holding the plastic plugs in the top and bottom of the daggerboard had not been made flush. Fortunately, I found this out using the short plug instead, because it took two full grown adults using a screwdriver and a 2×4 as a lever to remove the plug. Had it been the actual daggerboard, I would not have been able to remove it without taking out the thwart. Having realized that the 8 was too small for me (I’m not as limber as I used to be) I ordered a 10. The boat arrived missing a number of bolts for the thwarts. The dealer I ordered through was told that the sail kit was missing pieces. Walker Bay refused to send the sail kit without the pieces and also refused to say what pieces were missing. For over two months both the dealer and I were constantly assured that the pieces were on their way when in fact they were not. After an incredible amount of foot dragging, the sail kit was finally sent sans the missing piece which turned out to be the daggerboard. On setting up I discovered that the clam cleat which is supposed to hold the clew outhaul was mounted backwards. It took another month for Walker Bay to send the missing daggerboard which, like the first, required me to flatten the rivet heads so it wouldn’t get stuck. Throughout this ordeal, the representatives at Walker Bay flat out lied to both the dealer and myself, and resolutely refused to make any sort of amends for their mis-dealings. The 8 and 10 are both fine boats, but I suggest buying one used rather than trying to go through obtaining one from Walker Bay.

Looking to by parts for an old Walker 8ft need tthe dagger board, sail and rudder could not afford a new one got the boat and hope to find parts. Thanks

I have had my 8′ West Marine PRU 3 roll up dinghy as my ship to shore boat for my Cal 25 sailboat in Mission Bay San Diego and it’s a used 2018 and it can leak a bit and it can be a challenge to get it up on the foredeck. I see a 2015 8′ Walker on Craigslist with a sail and orrs for $499 and I think I can buy this Walker and sell my inflatable and have a better boat to bring my wife a gear ship to shore. What do you experts think?

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Home » Boats & Motors » Boats » Rigid Boats » Sailing Dinghies

Walker Bay 8 Performance Sail Kit

By walker bay, buy from west marine.

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Walker Bay 8: A Comprehensive Review

Introduction.

The Walker Bay 8 is a popular dinghy known for its versatility and reliability. It's an ideal choice for those seeking a compact and lightweight vessel for various water activities. In this comprehensive review, we'll examine its features, design, performance, and value for money, helping you decide if it's the right boat for you.

Design and Construction

Materials and build quality.

The Walker Bay 8 is constructed from high-quality, UV-protected polypropylene, ensuring durability and resistance to harsh weather conditions. The material is also lightweight, making the dinghy easy to transport and maneuver in the water.

Hull Design

The Walker Bay 8 features a lapstrake-style hull, which provides improved stability and tracking compared to a traditional flat-bottomed dinghy. The design also helps to reduce water resistance, resulting in a smoother and more efficient ride.

Seating and Storage

The Walker Bay 8 offers comfortable seating for up to two adults and one child. It has a built-in, full-length keel guard and oarlock sockets for convenient rowing. Additionally, the boat features an integrated storage compartment beneath the center seat, perfect for storing personal items and gear.

Performance

The Walker Bay 8 excels in rowing performance, thanks to its lightweight construction and efficient hull design. The boat glides smoothly through the water, and the lapstrake hull provides excellent tracking and stability.

The Walker Bay 8 can be easily converted into a sailboat with the optional Performance Sail Kit, which includes a 39-square-foot Dacron sail, aluminum mast, and all necessary hardware. While not as powerful as a dedicated sailing dinghy, the Walker Bay 8 offers a fun and simple way to learn the basics of sailing.

Motor Compatibility

The Walker Bay 8 is compatible with electric trolling motors and small outboard engines up to 2 horsepower. The built-in motor mount makes installation quick and easy. With an engine, the boat can reach speeds of up to 5 knots, perfect for leisurely cruising or fishing trips.

Safety Features

The Walker Bay 8 includes several safety features to ensure a secure and enjoyable experience on the water. The boat's buoyancy is increased by foam-filled seats, and the high gunwales provide a sense of security for passengers. Additionally, the non-skid floor surface prevents slips and falls during wet conditions.

Accessories and Customization

The Walker Bay 8 can be customized with a range of optional accessories, including the Performance Sail Kit, inflatable tube kit for added stability and flotation, and a custom-fit boat cover to protect the dinghy when not in use. These add-ons allow you to tailor the boat to your specific needs and preferences.

Value for Money

The Walker Bay 8 is priced competitively, making it an affordable option for those in search of a versatile and dependable dinghy. Its durability and low-maintenance design make it a great investment for years of enjoyment on the water.

Pros and Cons

• Lightweight and easy to transport
• Versatile design suitable for rowing, sailing, and motoring
• Durable, UV-protected polypropylene construction
• Comfortable seating and storage options
• Excellent stability and tracking performance
• Customizable with optional accessories
• Competitive pricing
• Limited sailing performance compared to dedicated sailing dinghies
• May be too small for larger families or groups

The Walker Bay 8 is a versatile and reliable dinghy that offers excellent performance for rowing, sailing, and motoring. Its lightweight, durable construction, comfortable seating, and customizable options make it a great choice for those seeking a dependable and affordable boat for various water activities. While it may not be the best option for experienced sailors or larger groups, the Walker Bay 8 is a well-rounded and cost-effective option for individuals and families looking for a fun and versatile vessel.

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Walker Bay 8 Sailboat

If you're digging for a stylish and luxurious sailboat, the walker Bay 8 is first-rate for you! With a modern design and high-quality materials, this boat is sure to make a statement on the beach or in the harbor, with a sunburst pattern on the superstructure and a light blue bottom, this boat matchless in both style and texture. The cover is manufactured of 100% breathable fabric and features a stylish sunburst logo, making it facile to fasten the cover on to the boat, the are adjustable and come in a variety of colors, so you can find a fantastic fit for you.

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Walker Bay 8 Sailboat Deck

Walker Bay 8 Sailboat Boat

Walker Bay 8 Sailboat Ebay

Walker Bay 8 Sailboat is a quality boat deck cover that will protect your boat from the sun and weather, this cover is manufactured of polyester and renders a royal blue top cover that will make your boat stand out in the water. This boat cover is practical for folks hot summer days orations, the walker Bay 8 Sailboat is a beautiful 8 Sailboat with a bright and colorful top cover. This boat is produced of polyester charcoal gray and features a white star-shaped top cover, the top cover is moreover made of polyester and grants a star shape on it. This boat is dandy for the weather and will go well with any outfit, it is sensational for admirers who are searching for a facile and efficient substitute to navigate their substitute through thekb's hunt for fish. The walker Bay 8 Sailboat is basic to assemble and is designed to feel powerful and efficient, it is manufactured of durable materials that will not let you down. The 8 Sailboat type peerless for people who desiderate to fish in a large open body of water, the walker Bay 8 Sailboat is one of the most powerful and efficient vessels in the fishery. It is fantastic for people who desire to explore and fish in the necessary areas that make up the lower 48 states, the walker Bay 8 Sailboat is a top-of-the-line boat by walker boat company. It is a deck cover that comes in gray and top gun seagull gray, it is an unequaled addition to boat.

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Review: Walker Bay 8/270 Rigid Inflatable

by Don Maxwell & Thom Burns  

Walker bay has captured a huge share of the dinghy market since its start only five years ago. The dinghies are made of injection molded plastic and have proven to be almost indestructible. They have always rowed well and carried well for their size. Walker Bay has now added inflation tubes along the gunwales to increase capacity and appeal to a wider range of enthusiasts who are migrating to rigid inflatable dinghies and larger rigid inflatables as well.

The tubes give the boats broader appeal with their added capacity for larger outboards, more gear and people and even sail kits.Walker Bay has made this transition from the molded plastic, indestructible dinghies to the rigid inflatable models the right way. You can retrofit your Walker Bay 8 or 10 to the Rigid Inflatable 270 or 310. This gives the dinghies a formidable amount of stability, not one standing on the side as pictured, not two, but three guys standing on the side without taking on water. That’s impressive in an eight foot boat of any kind.

The most impressive feature from a company who could easily have obsoleted their older boats was the RID kit. All that’s required to install the kit is to drill a line of small holes along the gunwale of your current boat, install the tube track, slide on the tube, and - voila - you have a RID.

With the extra tube flotation, the Walker Bay looks like something close to an ideal, small yacht dinghy - easily rowable, capable of handling a small outboard, and fairly light at eighty one lbs.. for the 8’ RID model. The tube kit comes in two types - a “yacht tender” type with four separate air chambers, and the “sailing” type: the manufacturer has saved some weight and cost by using a single air chamber for the sailing model. This reviewer would be more comfortable with a 2- or 3-chamber compromise. A nice feature in the kit is a set of lifting eyes for carrying the dinghy on davits.

Walker Bay continues to try improvements in the sail kits for its dinghies. Latest are a lock-on rudder and telescoping, flex-extension tiller. The latter is quite useful for the various positions required to balance the dinghy for sailing. Adult sailors will find the usual frustrations with a small, light dinghy sailing: centerboard boat. The centerboard doesn’t want to stay part way up, it either wants to be up or down. Weight positioning is critical to performance. The size of the boat makes you wish you were younger, more agile and comfort was not defined by the aches you don’t have. Overall, the rig sails okay even well. It will be just fine for your sixty five pound grandkids.

Now if you are going to use the Walker Bay 8 or 270 as a dinghy for a smaller yacht, it is very hard to beat. It will carry a 2 to 4hp outboard, an electric trolling motor, passengers, and gear in a very fine manner. Best of all, it rows well and is extremely stable. Remember that rowing, it can add years to your life and relieve all kinds of stress!

With their almost indestructible plastic construction, these dinghies look good and will stay that way for years with minimal care. I rarely use anything more than a high pressure hose to clean my dinghy. Low maintenance is a huge plus with this dinghy.

Walker Bay 8 or 10 Sail Kit - complete

Price: $675.00

S&H * : $25.00

* Shipping and Handling charges to continental US (lower 48) addresses only. Additional shipping may be required to other locations.

Product Description

Our own sail kit for the Walker Bay 8 or 10 plastic dinghy.   Includes 45 SF lateen sail (nylon), mast, spars, ropes, hardware, clamp-on rudder, and plastic daggerboard.  Please let us know in the order comments space during checkout whether you have an 8 or 10.

All the long pieces are in sections so it all folds down to fit in an optional 1' x 1' x 4' carry bag ($39).

Choose any of our nylon sail color schemes at no extra cost or a Dacron sail at small extra cost.  Sail selection page click here .

Choose upgrades if you wish, such as a sail kit carry bag ($39), upgrade to Dacron sail ($29 for white or $79 for Neil Pryde band colored), upgrade to 55 SF sail ($100).  Just tell us the upgrades you want in the order comments space during checkout and we'll add them and charge your card.   Or call Jim at 617 645 1605

Stabilizer pontoons on outrigger arms available for $179 (inflatable floats) or $299 (rigid floats) to help prevent capsizing. For this kit without daggerboard and rudder click item 1109

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Walker Bay 8 Tender Review

So what do you reckon is a typical tender? Usually, it's some small and simple monohull that transfers crews to and from larger vessels. It's generally fitted with oars or a small outboard for propulsion, which means there just isn't anything fancy about it. Or is there?

That belief was blown right out of the park after I tested the new Walker Bay 8. These little dinghies have taken the standard tender to the next level and I can tell you they're one of the most versatile little boats I've ever come across.

DIMINUITIVE DINGHY

The Walker Bay 8 has an injection-moulded polypropylene hull - the construction process makes it as tough as anything - yet it hits the scales at only 40kg. Also, at 2.75m in length, it is easily hoisted aboard. The hull has an inbuilt aft-keel roller to help drag it onto a beach and up a ramp, too.

As mentioned, the Walker Bay 8's various functions make it a versatile little craft. In basic guise, it's a rowboat with oars and rowlocks, ideal for manoeuvring around the mother ship or getting off a beach. Being a displacement hull helps it glide effortlessly through the water under oar, while the optional inflatable tubes definitely stabilise the hull and improve overall safety, as well as acting like fenders and protecting the big boat rubbing alongside.

If you have a distance to travel, and want to get there quickly, simply power-up the Walker Bay 8 with a small outboard. Our test tender was fitted with a 2.5hp Suzuki four-stroke that had ample power to get from A to B. The hull is rated up to 4hp, but being a displacement hull means you can't get it to plane anyway, so I'd be quite happy with the little donk. The Suzuki weighs just 13kg so anyone in the family should be able to plonk it onto the transom without blowing a seal.

SAIL - PLAN C

The sailing part of the Walker Bay 8 was definitely the highlight for me, even though I do prefer engine power. This option, apart from being fun, is great if for some reason the outboard is out of action.

I know squat about sailing, but I reckon I could get the setup right on this one. Basically, it's just a matter of securing the telescopic tiller and rudder onto the transom (obviously the outboard has to come off first), placing the centreboard into the middle bench seat, fitting the mast into the dedicated tube up front, and then connecting the necessary lines to the boom and sail. Setting-up takes no more than five minutes and that's if you're really taking your time.

It's not hard to imagine the Walker Bay 8 'sailboat' also being a great little water toy, perfect for teaching the kids which strings to pull. Again, my knowledge of sailing is limited, but the first thing I realised was that you definitely need a bit of wind. Before long, I feel like I'm on the road to sailing superyachts across the ocean.

Unfortunately, it was calm on test day, which was a bit of problem. Without a breath anywhere it was going to be a towing exercise to get the boat out into open water for a few pics. Luckily, though, a tiny breeze appeared from nowhere - probably about 1kt in total. That gentle breath was enough to get the Walker Bay 8 going and tracking quite easily against the incoming tide, something that shows just how little wind is needed to get these things mobile.

The Walker Bay 8 is simple to control and probably heaps of fun… if you know what you're doing. Deep down inside I was quite grateful that there wasn't a substantial wind blowing. I'm probably one of those that would be a professional downwind sailor, the kind that has to be collected or towed back home. But with the Walker Bay 8 you do feel like you don't want to part company. It's just so much fun rolled into one.

(Quick Specs) WALKER BAY 8

PRICE AS TESTED 

OPTIONS FITTED 

Pontoons, Performance Sail Kit, 2.5hp Suzuki four-stroke outboard

PRICED FROM  

MATERIAL: Polypropylene injection-moulded hull TYPE: Displacement monohull LENGTH:  2.75m BEAM: 1.72m WEIGHT: 40kg 

PEOPLE: 3 REC. MAX HP: 4

MAKE/MODEL: Suzuki DF 2.5 TYPE: Four-stroke petrol outboard RATED HP: 2.5 WEIGHT: 13kg DISPLACEMENT: 68cm³ GEAR RATIO: 2.15:1 PROP: Aluminium 

MANUFACTURED BY

Walker BayBoats USA Website: www.walkerbay.com

BOAT SUPPLIED BY

Walker Bay Australia, Unit 6/698 Ashmore Road, Ashmore, Qld, 4214 Phone: (07) 5564 7560 Website: www.walkerbay.com.au

OUTBOARD SUPPLIED BY

Whitewater Marine, 10 Hinde Street, Ashmore, Qld, 4214 Phone: (07) 5532 4402 Website: www.whitewatermarine.com.au

TRADEABOAT SAYS…

As a full package with the sail kit and outboard the Walker Bay 8 might not the cheapest tender out there but what you have to consider is its versatility, durable construction and added safety features. One bonus here is that you can buy the standard hull and add to it when the budget allows. It's also user-friendly and besides being a super tender it's also a great little boat that the whole family can enjoy.

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Making upgrades to a Walker Bay 8

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I just picked up a Walker Bay 8 dink with a sail kit. In reading about them here and other places around the web, I have read about people using fenders and other things instead of the expensive flotation tubes. I am interested in how people are attaching these to the boat. Also, any other upgrade ideas are welcome.  

umm...... I'm sorry, but go for the float tubes. They are fantastic. yep..... pricey but worth it. Look around, especially this time of year for sales. I tried the other "cheap" route. They didn't really work. The stability and peace of mind is worth the extra investment.  

I've had a Walker Bay 8 for quite a few years. This summer I decided to do a sailing conversion. My club's junior program was getting rid of some old Optis so I bought a rig with sail, rudder and daggerboard. I needed to add a plate to the transom to mount the rudder, and the Opti daggerboard was surprisingly oversized. I had to cut its chord length down by several inches to get it into the slot. The mast step was a semi-elaborate construction using pvc plumbing. The Opti sailplan was a little low for the Walker, and would have been like tacking a Finn. Given how much smaller the board area was, I presumed I could get rid of some sail area. A friend with an industrial sewing machine who does canvas work removed a lower panel so the boom could be raised. After all that, I've hardly had time to use the rig. In hindsight, I'm not sure I'd remove the panel again. Its windward ability may be a little theoretical. Instead I would increase the rig height by lengthening the mast. But since the whole experiment cost me $75 to get the old Opti bits from the club and then a handful of dollars for plumbing parts and hardware, it's been an interesting experiment. If you can get your hands on some leftover Opti stuff, it's worth pursuing.  

Tree, yes I'm sure they are.. but one big complaint is the sun eats em up prematurely. (the float tubes)  

Couldn't tell you about the sun eating them up. After 5 years, mine looks great. But then again, I'm up north. I'd think a little tlc..... cover it with a 7 buck poly tarp when not useing it, store it off season inside (I hang mine in my garage) or even some 303 UV Inhibitor .....all might help mitigate the sun's effects.  

Thanks for the suggestions. I want to try some of the "cheaper" solutions before spending a bunch of money. Anyone have suggestions on attaching external flotation?  

There must be some company that sells 6" dia closed cell foam stock.. no? or even half round?  

Something like this might be good.  

I was "thinking" how cool it would be to make a "bulb" ended center board LOL till it ran aground of course..  

Just curious as to why people would buy a dinghy that needs upgrades to be functional.  

It doesn't need upgrades to be functional. It is perfectly functional as is. Upgrades generally make something better. Have you ever made upgrades to you boat? Why did you do it?  

I've been wondering that for quite a while now. First I borrowed one of those unstable little dinks and it scared me to death. After a lot of research and asking stupid questions of people a LOT smarter than me I bought a Water Tender 9.4..... Heck, I can stand on the edge of the thing and it won't tip over. It also has flotation built into it so while it can fill with water it can't sink. It holds (way over loaded so don't try this on a rough day) 5 adults and is still really stable. (rated for 3) I've had mine for 4 summers now and have never regretted it.  

From what I've heard, the walker bays are a bit tippy without the float tubes and also a little light in the payload capacity... that means, at least to me, it isn't functional as is.  

Lots of people seem to make them work so I guess that accounts for something.  

Hi all, I have a WB10 with tubes. I've been thinking about cutting a hole in one of the seats and installing a water tight hatch. Like this: https://www.amazon.com/SEAFLO-Hatch...=1490270549&sr=8-26&keywords=watertight+hatch Other than losing the ability to install flotation bags can anyone think of downsides? Has anyone tried this?  

I think I understand the project. You are essentially using the hatch to creat a kind of glove box in one of the seats? I don't see why not, I don't even see why you would lose the ability to keep your floatation bag? I love my Walker Bay, I've made a few upgrades, bronze oar locks, proper Ash sweeps, a lifting bridle. I'm using it to teach my son to sail.  

There is a long thread on WB upgrades over at cruising anarchy. One gentleman made a very nice-looking and functional floatation collar for a few dollars using hardware-store foam board, 4" thick. Covered with sunbrella or something for UV protection. Another common upgrade is a T-extension to the seat, to facilitate rowing when two people are on board. I don't know if I'll keep my WB8 much longer. It doesn't really fit on the deck of my boat, so it lives behind the barn. Very rarely, I'll tow it for a weekend trip, if I think I might want to ferry the bicycle to shore. Otherwise, I just count on the inflatable kayak or SUP as a dinghy. I've never gotten around to making a sailing rig for it.  

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