Yachting and Boating World forums: Walker Bay

A few months ago, I asked advice to find a RIB/Tender that will be suitable for everything.
It needs to be:-
Light enough to lift onto the P67s flybridge
Powerfull (at least 30hp)
Carry min 4 people to and from
Less than 4m long
Able to handle water skiing
Able to tow toys
Remote control helm (wheel)
Include power trim
Light enough to drag up the beach.

As I've said many times, we've done with JetRibs - too difficult to maintain - and they seem to hoover everything up from the sea. We previously had a 320 and I managed to get it working reliably but I dont know how long it would have been before it would have developed another problem - fixing things was very difficult.

So it had to be a RIB and I couldnt find anything until Timbad PM'd me with the Walker Bay details.
To cut a long story short, we ordered one with a 40hp Yamaha complete with power trim and remote controls.
We are hoping that it will last so we ordered the version with Hypalon tubes even though it seems to be fairly eady to interchange the tubes.
I've just got back from where it is being finished off.
Hopefully it will do everything that I've asked except that it will probably be a too heavy to drag up the beach.

Sorry about the bad pics but this is it - should be picking it up middle to end of next week

The transom is mounted a long way forward giving the engine loads of support. It also uses a short shaft engine so even when it is tilted, it doesnt stick out very far.

Note the plastic is a form of ABS - vert strong and light.

At our sailing club we had some Rigiflex boats which are made of similar material - they were often dragged up concrete beaches- Never leaked.

Also, you can see that there is a small deck over the hull forming bilges - I've asked for a small bilge pump to be fitted - should keep SWMBOs feet nice and dry.

At 3.4m long, could this be the ultimate tender?

As soon as I pick it up, I'll have to get it to Swanwick so that Princess can finish fitting the blocks and lifting tackle.

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