towing walker bay 8

[Steve Laume]

I have a CD-10 for my coastal dinghy. It rows very nicely with one person. It is a bit slower with two. If I do have two people, I row from the bow station unless it is very choppy. In that case, the passenger stays in the stern and I row from the center. This helps to cut down on the spry with the bow sitting higher but also slows progress. I will move back up and suffer the deluge if it is very windy and progress is more important than dryness.

I also come from a background of canoes and kayaks so the tippiness is not a huge issue. I could stand in my boat, pretty much like the 110# kid in the picture and I have a good 70# on him. One foot in the turn of the bilge with most of your weight on it and the other bracing on the rail. These round bottomed boats have a lot of final stability.

I don't understand this infatuation with the Walker Bay. There are a whole lot of much nicer fiberglass dinghies that could be bought cheap on the used market. If the floatation is the key to your interest then why not get 6 or 8 small fenders and lash them in tight at the gunnels? The floatation ring going all the way around the bow might create a nice rub rail but isn't doing anything to help the stability.

If you are going to get a Walker Bay, plan on hauling it up onto a beach to clean the bottom on a very regular basis. That plastic does not like bottom paint but marine life loves it. It is also not a great boat to row. My original dinghy for Raven Was a WB that we named Piglet. It was fairly tippy, slippery, didn't row very well, couldn't carry much weight, the bottom fouled easily and it was ugly. On the positive side, it was cheap and ...?

I never got a compliment on the WB but lots of people say nice things about Feather, the CD-10. Remember that you are going to have to look at the thing constantly as you sit on your boat. When I look back at Feather, she brings a smile to my face.

This might seem a bit harsh but life is too short to own an ugly boat, Steve.

[Jim Walsh]

Kayaks can make great yacht tenders when properly outfitted

[Sea Hunt Video]

I don't understand this infatuation with the Walker Bay. There are a whole lot of much nicer fiberglass dinghies that could be bought cheap on the used market . . . . If you are going to get a Walker Bay, plan on hauling it up onto a beach to clean the bottom on a very regular basis. That plastic does not like bottom paint but marine life loves it. It is also not a great boat to row. My original dinghy for Raven Was a WB that we named Piglet. It was fairly tippy, slippery, didn't row very well, couldn't carry much weight, the bottom fouled easily and it was ugly. On the positive side, it was cheap and ...?

I never got a compliment on the WB but lots of people say nice things about Feather, the CD-10. Remember that you are going to have to look at the thing constantly as you sit on your boat. When I look back at Feather, she brings a smile to my face.

This might seem a bit harsh but life is too short to own an ugly boat, Steve.

Steve:

Blame our friend Dick B. He started this whole WB 8 thread 1 1/2 yrs ago

I have admittedly not done a lot of research yet on dinghies. I do like the look of the Walker Bay 8, especially the "lines" running along the port and starboard hull. I am not sure what they are called but I like the look. I was at the sailing club this morning and the Walker Bay 8 I have seen 2x now was at the main dock tied off as a tender to a Cape Dory 22. Steve, for what little it's worth, I thought the WB 8 looked like she belonged next to/in back of the CD 22. I guess that is why God made blondes, brunettes and redheads.

As for cleaning the bottom, the club does NOT allow tenders to remain tied to the sailboat. They must either be brought ashore, or lifted up on davits, or secured on the bow. I would have to bring mine home. So algae growth, etc. is not really an issue.

You mentioned that your WB 8 was "slippery". I have not heard that comment before from others. That is of significant concern to me. Given my lack of nimbleness these days I would not like a "slippery" floor on a dinghy. Steve, can you expand on this please with more details about your experience with your WB 8 being "slippery".

Thanks

[Joe Myerson]

Steve,
I've had a WB8 longer that Dick, so maybe I'm the one to blame.
In many previous threads, I've mentioned that the little plastic dinghy tows easily, rows quite well, but is tippy as hell. When I bought it, it was one of the cheapest around, and the poly lasts longer than fiberglass when tied to a crowded dinghy dock.
As for painting the bottom, I have been painting it for several years. I use whatever I've been using for my boat. The paint keeps off the barnacles and most of the other growth, but it will also crack and flake.
Personally, I dislike inflatables, because I don't have a small-bore outboard and would just as soon not own one. However, the WB is far from ideal, at least not without the tubes.

You pays your money and makes your choice. I've chosen a WB8 for now, but I would never evangelize for the brand.

--Joe

[Sea Hunt Video]

Has anyone who has owned or used a WB 8 or WB 10 noticed that the floor of the WB is "slippery"

I don't know if they are "slippery" or not. Any anecdotal information would be helpful.

While I like what I have read/studied about the WB the last thing I need is a dinghy that has an unsecure floor. That would be an excellent submission to AFV.

Thanks

[Joe Myerson]

Has anyone who has owned or used a WB 8 or WB 10 noticed that the floor of the WB is "slippery"

Robert,
I apologize for not noticing your question earlier. Here's my anecdotal answer to your question: No, not especially.

The only time I found the sole to be slick was if I let the boat sit for a while with some rainwater inside. Then it can get a bit slimy, but that applies to any boat. Gotta keep it bailed out.

--Joe

[Sea Hunt Video]

Joe:

Thanks very much for the information.

I do not now remember who told me but someone said the WB 8 (and presumably also the WB 10) had a "slippery" floor. I think they said it was because of the material used.

An interesting side story. I talked with Walker Bay several days before the Miami Boat Show to ask if they would be exhibiting. The rep. said "yes" and that they would have a WB 8 at the show that I could "touch and feel". One of my reasons for going to the show was to inspect the WB 8 and, hopefully, purchase one. Unfortunately, while WB was at the show they did not have any WB 8s or WB 10s exhibited. They gave a weak excuse -"we can't bring everything".

I will decline to spend almost $2,000 on something that I cannot, in advance of purchase, touch and feel.

I'll be looking at EBAY and Craig's List to see what is for sale used in South Florida. I do not like either of these websites. Too many "rip off artists". I have never bought anything on them. I'll have to limit my search to SE Florida so that I can physically drive to look at it in person.

[Jim Walsh]

Roberto,
You're in luck. I found something for you at the New England Boat Show.

[Sea Hunt Video]

Jim:

Thanks. The Dyer is beautiful. I remember looking at them months ago on various websites. They are VERY expensive.

[Jim Walsh]

Roberto,
I agree. That's why I've never owned one , I did take a couple interior shots just in case you showed some interest.....

[Sea Hunt Video]

Jim:

You are a good friend. Thank you.

[gates_cliff]

I have often admired Dyer Dinghies from afar just assuming that I couldn't afford one. Well, for once, I was right! $3800 is beyond my means for a dinghy. I've mentioned before that I have a WB8, and it is tippy, I'd like to add the stability tubes to it. I've owned mine for clowe to 15 years, bought it new from West Marine, and as I recall paid about $800.