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(no email)
Date: Sat Aug 06 2005 - 06:16:12 EDT
Wow, thanks heaps to all for the input on the Walker Bay RID
Power/Sailing/Rowing Dinghy. The opinion sure ran the gamut!
Here, I think, is a fair summary of the postings and private emails that we
received:
1. Popularity: The Walker Bay is very popular, with up to 25% of the dinghy
population at one marina. This is absolutely amazing for a relative
newcomer. On the other hand, there are competing tri-purpose dinghies; the
most mentioned being the Fatty Knees.
2. Strength and Durability: The Walker Bay (plastic) is not as strong as
the Avon (fiberglass), with opinion from non-WB owners being rather
negative. However, WB owners are relatively positive, reporting no
degradation from the sun to hull or tubes, providing the hypalon tubes are
chosen over the PVC. Several owners also mentioned no more problems than
the Avon has dragging over gravel, sand and small stones. Several people
also mentioned that the WB is easier for this service, as it is lighter and
has an integral wheel in the keel. Professional reviews generally rate the
wheel poorly except on firm surfaces.
3. Reparability: The Avon RIB hull is easily repaired regardless of the
type of damage with typical fiberglass techniques and gluing of the tubes.
Scratches to the WB Are easily fixed with a household iron. Some posters
cited that the WB could not be repaired easily if the damage was severe. We
wrote WB about this; WB and a few posters noted that the hull can be
"welded", with WB citing that any auto repair shop and most dinghy repairs
shops are now so equipped.
4. As a Power Boat: The Walker Bay with the multi-chamber tubes and 6 HP
outboard (max recommended) would be inferior in most respects to the Avon
3.10 RIB with 15 HP Yamaha outboard (also max recommended). The Avon/Yamaha
will go faster and has better flotation. On the other hand, there is more
room in the WB, although not as much load carrying capacity. The jury is
out on dryness. Some reports that the WB is dryer, but on the other hand
the Avon may be as dry if run at the same speed as the WB and if one does
not sit on the tubes. For really heavy people (250 pounds and up), the WB
squats much more than the Avon.
5. As a Sail Boat: There is no contest. The Avon simply won't sail.
However, several posters pointed out that there are better sailing dinghies
out there. The commercial reviews are mixed, although most like the WB for
recreational sailing. The standard sail provides modest performance, but a
higher performance unit with jib provides a superior sail, the downside
being harder to stow mast and the need for shrouds.
6. As a Row Boat: Again no contest; the Avon RIB simply is not a row boat.
The WB compares well with other similar shaped boats until the tubes are
immersed, either due to loading or to heavy seas.
7. As a life raft: Only one respondent rigged the WB as a life raft, and
this person had several other alternatives. Some others, mostly not WB
owners, panned the idea. Nobody opined that the WB would be better than a
life raft.
8. Miscellaneous: One respondent pointed out that as a tender the WB is
attractive and thus might be the target of thieves. A few respondents like
the 8-foot WB better than the 10-foot model, citing rigidity and ease of
handling.
Bottom line for us is that we are still interested, but we sure have a lot
more questions to ask the dealer and things we want demonstrated.
Well, that's about it. Thanks again for all the input.
Maurice & Louise-Ann
M/Y AKAMA
(Currently in New Zealand)
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