Walker Bay Generation RIB - any views?

[Boomshanka]

Does anyone have any views (good or bad) on the Walker Bay Generation RIBs, especially the older 390 or the new Generation 400 DLX? For general use around the Solent... build quality, ride, things to look out for, any other alternatives in that kind of range? Any views, especially from experience, would be great.

 

[jfm]

Does anyone have any views (good or bad) on the Walker Bay Generation RIBs, especially the older 390 or the new Generation 400 DLX? For general use around the Solent... build quality, ride, things to look out for, any other alternatives in that kind of range? Any views, especially from experience, would be great.

They look good and 400 DLX is on my shortlist for next boat tender. Great features, though a little heavy

BUT, I would want a test drive. There si something wierd about WB hulls and their struggle to design a good hull imho. The old genesis 360 that I had used to lift its bow really high as it rose over the hump, which spoilt the boat. To try to fix this they added little plastic things to try to increase stern lift, and they lengthened the tubes aft of the trnasom. But it didn't fix it

The 400 is evolution of 390 and I note they have lengthened the tubes at the back and they say the hull underwater profile curves down aft, so I'm wondering if same problem. In contrast my Avon 400dl (no longer made) rises beautifully onto the plane with very little bow lift

I think I'd want to put a Yam 60, not 50, on the 400DLX. Let us know what you decide, or if you come across anywhere to have a test drive (BHG in Lymington?)

 

[Boomshanka]

Many thanks JFM, there's a 390 at BHG (ex-demo) that I might look at but it seems a bit pricey for 2 years old (or perhaps it's just me). I read about the plastic add ons to improve the ride, will certain explore/ask about that more. I just want something to keep the (two) kids into boating as they struggle with the journey times sailing (despite my best efforts to educate them). I'll probably keep it at home on a trailer to keep costs down, it will only be for blasts around the Solent. I also saw the Piranha range which seem quite good value as a new boat package, but perhaps you buy cheap, pay dear... usual boating dilemma... too much choice

 

[Nick_H]

I don't think that RIB is suitable for "blasts around the Solent". In any kind of chop in a small RIB you need to be able to take the load on your knees, not through your spine.

The Walker Bay is designed as a tender, and i'm sure it's fine for that, and certainly looks the part, but to go anywhere I would look for something with console or perch seats, and preferably bigger than 4m.

 

[jfm]

Many thanks JFM, there's a 390 at BHG (ex-demo) that I might look at but it seems a bit pricey for 2 years old (or perhaps it's just me). I read about the plastic add ons to improve the ride, will certain explore/ask about that more. I just want something to keep the (two) kids into boating as they struggle with the journey times sailing (despite my best efforts to educate them). I'll probably keep it at home on a trailer to keep costs down, it will only be for blasts around the Solent. I also saw the Piranha range which seem quite good value as a new boat package, but perhaps you buy cheap, pay dear... usual boating dilemma... too much choice

I'd agree with Nick that if you want it for day trips in solent then forget 4m and use the same buget to buy a used 5.5m or 6m boat

But if you like that W'Bay I reckon it is quite good vlaue. I got a new Avon Se400dl nov 2010 with the same engine, same Garmin, overall cover etc, and it was like for like £13,200 +VAT but no trailer, so say £14k with trailer, and £17k inc VAT. If you can chip them down to say £14k then that looks good value to me for a new boat (assuming it does just have demo hours, like 10 or so hours). But I would still want a test drive to see if the bow lifts stupidly high as it rises onto the plane

 

[MRC]

Has anyone driven one of these yet? Im also quite interested in a smaller one, possibly the 360 with a yam 40.

 

[Bridog]

Walker bay

Dont do it!
I bought a walker bay genesis 340 about 3.5 years ago, has less than 6 hours on it, and it's been a nightmare.
I just posted a video on you tube "bad walker bay boat"
I may post all of the email correspondence that I've had the last 4 months with walker bay to convince everyone to buy something else.

 

[jfm]

Dont do it!
I bought a walker bay genesis 340 about 3.5 years ago, has less than 6 hours on it, and it's been a nightmare.
I just posted a video on you tube "bad walker bay boat"
I may post all of the email correspondence that I've had the last 4 months with walker bay to convince everyone to buy something else.

can you post a link to the youtube please?

 

[david_bagshaw]

Dont do it!
I bought a walker bay genesis 340 about 3.5 years ago, has less than 6 hours on it, and it's been a nightmare.
I just posted a video on you tube "bad walker bay boat"
I may post all of the email correspondence that I've had the last 4 months with walker bay to convince everyone to buy something else.

I watched a video. it is this one ?

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=bad+walker+bay+boat&oq=bad+walker+bay+boat&gs_l=youtube.12...0.0.0.39549.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0..0.0...0.0...1ac.

we have a avon rib slung under simpson davits.

Avon were very specific in their instructions that the davit lift should be vertical.

Would I be correct in thinking there is a substantial collapsing / hinging force on the transom from hanging arrangement, which might cause cracks to the transom shown in the video.

 

[Hurricane]

I know of 3 Walker Bay Genisis boats.
One is mine and the other are owned by friends.

Two of these boats (mine and one friend) have 40 HP engins - note 40 - 10 more than the Walker Bay max.
I've just checked my transom and it look fine.
AFAIK the other boat with the 40 on is fine as well.

I've just checked the other friend's boat which has a 20 HP fitted and that one is fine as well.

Here's a pic of mine

And this is the one with the 20 HP on

Mine is always dangling from the recomended fixing points see here

So, I dont think the problem above is anything significant in the boat's design.
We have three examples of perfectly sound boats.

I do aree that the design is flexible but the boats ride well and are VERY good at fullfilling a job where there isn't a complete solution.

After 4/5 years, with a Walker Bay with a 40 HP fitted, I would still recommend one to a friend.

 

[jfm]

Yup, my Walker bay Genesis (identical model to Bridog's and Hurricane's) with 40hp Yamaha never got those cracks, so Bridog's seems an isolated case. And mine was lifted using straps with same geometry as yours Hurricane, ie sort of pulling inwards quite a lot. I was actually talking to its new owner yesterday evening and he was saying how good it was - it's cruising Ibiza as I type this

Hurricane, mine and yours are in the warm med and the construction material is a plastic, bit like a Topper or Topaz sailing dinghy. Not GRP. I wonder if Bridog's was in a cold place and the plastic got brittle? No idea, just guessing. Briddog, if you're still reading, what temp did your boat endure?

 

[Bridog]

Walker bay

I don't understand how a 40 hp can be placed on a genesis 340 with no problems.
Both mine and a friend of mine that also has a 20 hp has had problems in this regard.
I also hang mine from the davit points that walker bay installed.
Maybe we just got defective boats?

 

[Bridog]

Jim

My walker bay is in San Diego.
I keep it covered and baby that thing!

 

[Hurricane]

The above pics were taken yesterday.
My Walker Bay is in its 5th season now.
Maybe it's because ours is Hypalon but there are no cracks or tube delamination.

The 40 HP Yamaha is the same size/weight as the 30 HP - in fact basically the same engine.
It gets pretty heavy use when the kids are out with us

See here

 

[Bridog]

Hurricane, I'm not sure what to think. My boat is Hypalon also. Even tho my tube is fine you saw the problems that I'm having with my transom. My friend (also in San Diego)who chocks his ontop of his boat had his transom cap come off as well.
Walker Bay told him that he shouldn't chock his boat.???
I previously had a noravania on the same davit for 6 years with no problems.
I must say tho, Walker Bay has responded to everyone of my emails even though I usually don't like what they say.
Hopefully we will still be able to work this thing out.
I would be curious to know if Walker Bay would honor their warranty knowing that you put a 40 hp on it, if anything would happen.
Bridog

 

[MRC]

I looked at a 400 at BHG, looked good etc but looks like we may go for another Williams. I am trying to go for an outboard but my wife prefers the look of the jet tenders and the safety side of it with young kids, jet pump vs outboard.