Dinghy

[Potcake boy]

Had to share this with all as it seems to be the answer to a long nagging conundrum. Getting the right dinghy that provides good service with minimum problem is the the devil in disguise. The boat you sail is as much to do with it as anything else. With a 50 footer I'd have a nice speedboat hanging in the davits, but my 23 just doesn't measure up to that so I had to find another solution. I had an 8 foot roll up inflatable which I bought for my trimaran, and worked nicely as I could carry it on the wing net folded or inflated. Of course there is no where on my 23 to carry it let alone inflate it so my only option was to tow it. I really like the towing character of a rigid but also like the stability of an inflatable. So, I decided to take a shot at merging the two strengths and bought a used Walker Bay 8 and attached the Walker Bay inflatable tubes. I ordered the Hypalon tubes vs the PVC as the extra cost should mean much better service.

We just returned from a four day cruise to a local favorite, which provided ample opportunity to check it out. I feel safe to say it was a sound decision. The boat towed very nicely going in light winds and just as worry free returning in strong winds and choppy seas. Never hinted at a problem. For use as a dinghy, it met all expectations. initially it feels tippy because the tubes are out of the water when not loaded, but once it is settled with it's load of passengers it is very stable. Another big plus is that the tubes make great splash deflectors compared to the old inflatable which got really wet on anything but calm water. It also has very good lateral stability and moves at speed with less throttle from the Honda 2. The bonus is the fact that it was much more affordable than the Achilles 8 RIB I looked at, and has more interior room. I've always loved RIBs but I might have just found a new love.

[Tom L.]

Hi Ron,

I was wondering, are you going to sell your old roll up. If so I am interested especially if it does not  have a hard transom. Let me know if it is available and what brand the dink is.

Tom L.

[Bob23]

I had the good fortune to find an abandoned Walker Bay 8 some years ago. It served as my tender to get to my mooring for years until I relocated to a marina. Wonderful little boat... I should fashion a little sail rig to her.

[PrudenceCP23]

We have a Watertender 9.4 that we got awhile back. We haven't had a chance to try towing it behind our CP23 yet. Anyone tried one of these and have some feedback?

[Potcake boy]

Tom,

Sorry but the roll up has already found a new home.

[Blown Away]

Would love to see it..Any photos? Bought a new 8' roll up inflatable in December and now wishing I hadn't after reading this.

[Potcake boy]

I haven't taken any pictures of mine, but here is one from the Walker Bay web page.

[Blown Away]

Now I'm really regretting buying the inflatable! Looks light enough to throw in the back of my truck to drag back and forth instead of leaving it at the marina.

[Potcake boy]

I have to transport mine to the water about a block away, so I fashioned a rack with wheels about midway. It's almost balanced so it is super easy to pull. Our community has a kayak launching platform that I use to lower it into the water. I slide it over the top of the seawall which has a half piece of PVC fastened to the edge so it slides easily with no damage. The Hypalon tubes cost $1,000.00, but I got the WB8 used for $300.00. I was considering an 8' Achilles RIB, but that was $2,300.00.

I am quite happy with the quality of both. If one of the tubes goes flat, I still have a serviceable dinghy. The two components (boat and tubes) can be replaced easily if needed, but these WB8s seem to be almost indestructible, and my experience with Hypalon indicates a good life for the tubes. I did some minor upgrades, three nylon cleats and clips for the oars, which were simple and easy, unlike gluing patches on an inflatable.

I recommend this solution to those of us that have no option to towing a dinghy. I stow mine in my shed standing on it's transom and held up by a line attached to the bow eye. Easy to lift and lower.

[Blown Away]

Sounds light enough to handle. What's your guess on weight?

[Tom L.]

According to West Marine the boat weighs 71#. I would guess the tube kit would add another 25# which would make the whole rig near 100#.

I was wondering with the tube kit in place can a full size adult stand on the rail of the dink without it tipping over. Like you would need to do to get on and off your mother ship.

Tom L.

[Bob23]

Tom, answer to your question is no without the tube kit. I have no need of the tube because I know better than to stand on the rail. I find the Walker Bay 8 to be easy to tow, ok to row and a very stable dink. At one of the last Barnegat Bay Bash's, we had 3 grown men in mine. Sure, she rowed slow but she didn't swamp....well, sort of didn't swamp. What happens at the Bash stays at the Bash!!

[Potcake boy]

Tom,

I find it easy to board from over the side of the cockpit with the dink tied up bow and stern. Stepping on the tube while boarding doesn't pose a threat tipping the boat. In short, I haven't yet found a downside compared to a RIB, except that RIBs can generally handle enough motor to plane the boat, but the WB 8 is is not a planing hull. I'm in no hurry to get to wherever it is that I am going in the dink, and I really like the light weight of the Honda 2 hp that I use. I can lift motor onto the bracket on the stern rail without any assistance.

Of note in reference to the tubes is that it changes the capacity rating for the boat from 2 to 3 persons and ups the motor capacity to 4 hp.

[philb Junkie19]

Last September when I found my 8' pram damaged at the dinghy dock a friend lent me his Bolger Tortoise for my last weekend cruise.  When he took it out of the back of his SUV I was very grateful but a bit unsure. It has outside framing and the bottom is the only curve in the 6 1/2 foot boat. Boy was I pleasantly surprised. It's quite light, rows just fine and towed very well in light conditions with the the oars stowed out of sight and of the weather in the lift up box that is the longitudinal center seat. It's not for everyone but made from 2 sheets of light ply and 3-2x4s it's also no big outlay.