Walker Bay Dinghies - what are they like?

Santana379

Santana379

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Does anyone have a Walker Bay dinghy? We're thinking of getting a 10ft one with the basic single sail rig, and would be grateful for the opinion of anyone who knows something about them.

In particular, I'd like to know how they tow at sea - we frequently tow our current very buoyant, spacious, and easily driven 10ft dinghy at sea in quite rough conditions. It has a pram type bow, so we've fitted a sizeable fender there to deal with those exciting moments on the Deben Bar and elsewhere when it tries to ram our transom.

I'd also like to know how they row, sail, and behave under power.

Many thanks.

Little Knot
 
We have one with the serious two-sail kit. Very good and great fun. They certainly nip about quite well with an old Seagull o/b on the back as well. Not having a large boat I have not towed one though so can't comment there.
 
We have a WB 8 with the single sail rig. The only problem I've found is that it is not really practical for a large adult to sail - in order to get under the boom you have to practically lie down in the bottom of the boat. I use it to teach my daughter the rudiments of sailing so I put her solo in the WB and I follow on our kayak to offer "advice" and stop her getting into trouble. The sailing performance is not bad with one or two chldren aboard and it is quite stable even without the optional inflatable collar.
The WB 8 is bit small to be a practical tender, it's not rated to take three people, so we use the inflatable for that purpose. Thus I cannot comment on its towability. However it does come with a decent pair of oars and proper rowlocks and it is a delight to row - much less effort and better directional stability than the inflatable.
I bought mine secondhand and the buyer threw in an electric outboard. I haven't used this a lot because I haven't yet invested in a decent battery for it but, despite the low thrust of the OB, I found it to perform well.
 
I have a WB10. It sails well and rows very well, so long as you are single-handed. As with the 8 you need to be a contortionist to get under the boom when tacking.

Towing a dinghy? forget it, much too much hassle.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Towing a dinghy? forget it, much too much hassle.

[/ QUOTE ]Thanks to all for the comments so far.

I understand why you think towing a dinghy is too much hassle. However we tend to avoid marinas much of the time, which we can do in the Suffolk/Essex rivers. Our boat is kept on a swinging mooring. I regard blowing up the inflatible and launching it to be hassle, particularly for the privilege of then getting wet in all but the calmest conditions!

Little Knot
 
We have WB8 with sail kit.

Ashore: Easy for SWMBO and I to move around. Truely maintenance free.

Sailing: I am 11 stone / 5' 6" and have no trouble sailing it. Goes well using Laser racing techniques. Really difficult to get back in after capsizing though. Have sailed it with SWMBO + 3 year old aboard.

Motoring: Had 3 mates and I in it for short trips to the pub in the summer. Sensible people wouldn't do this though!

Towing: Took it on our two week holiday this year. Probably wouldn't do it again. We were surfing on a broad reach at circa 7 -8 kts. WB must have been managing at least 12 kts at times .... thought it was coming through the pushpit at one point!
 
The down side of the WB boats are that they are made of "Patio furniture" type plastic . Not very resistant to abrasion and virtually unrepairable when holed . The original sales blurb stated that the boat should not be stored in "Direct sunlight"although this has been omitted in the recent issue ---Says it all really .
 
We have the WB10 - no sailing kit though...

You can get the inflatable tubes to run round it - improves its' stability and protects the topsides when it comes alongside... probably quite helpful when it comes planing up behind you!

Not had a problem with the patio furniture bit - it gets heavy abuse from us and has remained intact...

WB10 is a little large for two adults - until you add food and kit for 2 weeks ... then it is too small - a 2HP outboard is enough to power it (we're on a tidal mooring too - doesn't 'alf rip through on a spring ebb!) Had 5 in it in one trip - although it was a squeeze and one crew was only 10... couldn't row it like this!!
 
So stable they feel the need to sell an inflatable collar kit to go round it. Not convinced about the strength of the eye on the bow, especially for towing. I would NOT buy one again.
 
Stable enough for me to walk around in it ... carefully ... without the collar ...

and there is a hole in the top of the bow that an 8mm rope will pass through - I use this rather than the eye beneath - cos I agree - it did look a little flimsy ....
 
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