Testimonials
Genesis & Odyssey | Rigid Dinghy | Rigid Inflatable Dinghy | Sailboats
Customer Service BACK TO TOP |
“(Customer Service) at Walker Bay has been fantastic in answering the multitude of questions I had both before and after making the decision to buy. The level of customer support I have received has been excellent.”
Gord Smith, Ontario, Canada
“When I hung up the phone (after speaking with Walker Bay Customer Service) I told my husband I must have died and gone to Heaven because that is not the usual way business has been done lately. I am thrilled. Be assured we have told everyone about our wonderful new toy and the way business is done by Walker Bay. You can't imagine how nice it is to do business with a company that is professional and considerate.”
Pat Clark
“We have communicated (with Walker Bay) via phone and email, and are always surprised by (the) quick professional responses. We are planning a long relationship with Walker Bay by upgrading over the next couple of years. (Walker Bay’s) direct and prompt service is greatly responsible for our feeling comfortable, and indeed excited with the prospects of our WB 10. Great product, great service, great idea. Looking forward to new innovations and pleasant surprises.”
M & B Johnson, Virginia Beach, VA
“I am writing to thank you for your excellent customer service. Please also accept my congratulations on your fine engineering and design. I am new to the world of sailing and my new Walker Bay 10 is the first boat I've ever owned. I am very impressed with the thought that went into the design of the boat such as the pulley system on the rudder, wheel in the keel, cup holders in the seats, etc.”
D. Genaway
Airdock BACK TO TOP |
“Walker Bay\'s AirDock is something you won\'t see anywhere else. … Overall, an incredibly well made, transportable product that delivers endless hours of fun.”
ColoradoAdventure.com
Airis Kayaks BACK TO TOP |
Independent blog on the Play & Sport models:
http://boatsbikesboards.blogspot.com/2008/05/blog-post.html
“It not only handles like a champ in the water but also has a great design, look and style to match as well.”
ColoradoAdventure.com
“These kayaks have opened up a whole new dimension in boating; we can easily get off our yacht and explore anywhere we go, they are so light and durable. We love them.”
B & N Street, BC, Canada
“A great choice for the storage challenged, the Airis is stored in its own backpack, which is one of our favorite features.”
Jen Brett, Blue Water Sailing Magazine
“What sets it apart is that it’s not only extremely light, but also extremely rigid. It really defies expectations. Something this light ought to be a floppy, insubstantial “pool toy”. But this isn’t like that at all. It feels substantial, sturdy, structurally sound.”
Tim Flanagan, NavaGear.com
“We are having a GREAT time with our Airis Play 8 Kayaks. The ease and convenience of them, along with the lightweight, but durable nature make them perfect for our use. We went to an island bird Sanctuary; there were birds galore, seals, sea lions following us in the kayaks. They are PERFECT for smaller boats, ours is an 18.5 foot YACHT, and the kayaks are so easy to inflate, and so easy to get into from the boat, and so LIGHT! We've told all our friends, and their envy grows as they see our photos.”
B & N Street, BC, Canada
Generation BACK TO TOP |
“I was very impressed with the quality of finish and construction on the Generation. I also liked the attention to detail in the design. It’s obvious the company is taking its time introducing new models and doing it right.”
Andrew Burton, Cruising World Associate & New Products Editor
“RIB’s usually makes boaters think of Jacques Cousteau, but Walker Bay’s Generation 390 is James Bond all the way. Its molded transom trunk is straight off the Aston Martin DB5 from Goldfinger. Its teak trim and racy console echo the styling of the inboard launch used in Man With the Golden Gun. And its deep-V hull, sharper than any other RIBs this size, might have landed soft had it jumped the highway in Live and Let Die. It all it’s the perfect small boat to tour Monaco’s waterfront casino’s – or any harbor – in style.”
Kevin Falvey, Boating Magazine
Genesis & Odyssey BACK TO TOP |
Independent blog on the Genesis:
http://boatsbikesboards.blogspot.com/2008/05/ultimate-console-inflatable.html
“(Genesis) is a dry boat with great features and details…I'd say that you have a real winner.”
Bob Chase
“The Genesis went together so easily, I couldn't believe it, and I really love the versatility. Your designers have really done a great job with it, and all the little features really make it head and shoulders above the rest.”
Scott, Recreational Boat Manager, Brunswick Marine ASIA
"Genesis & Odyssey are impressive - the first new thinking in RIB & Inflatables in quite some time."
Pierce Hoover, Editor for Power Cruising
"I was really impressed with the new line and how well the boats perform."
Tim Gregoire, Associate Editor for Sailing Magazine
“The Walker Bay (Genesis) has innovative features not seen in RIBs this small before.”
Jam Mundy, Editor of DIY Boat Owner
“Walker Bay has been bringing fresh ideas to the market for some time, and this collection on the Genesis is worthy of an award.”
Alan Wendt , Editor of Marine CEO
“I am very pleasantly surprised as to all the features you have packed into this inflatable (Genesis). It far surpasses my expectations.”
David P LaSelle
“Genesis is one remarkable boat!! I installed a 15 HP and am very pleased with the performance. I sure don't need the recommended 20 HP let alone the 25 HP which is the rated maximum. The boat is a great improvement over the inflatable that I had formerly. Far more stable with a far more comfortable ride. It is a dry boat with great features and details.”
Bob Chase
“I have owned 9 plus Inflatables…and (Genesis) is the most sensibly designed and best behaved inflatable I have ever owned. The hull design tracks like it is on rails in the water, and the boat is virtually dry. The Walker Bay team has obviously done their homework.”
Chris Rich, Ontario, Canada
“Genesis has continued to give us a lot of fun when we are in the Philippines and is ideal for beach/island hopping and snorkeling. More importantly, it has demonstrated that it is a very safe design.”
Francis Burkett, Hong Kong
Rigid Dinghy BACK TO TOP |
“Last week I purchased a Walker Bay 10. We took it into the often-rough waters of Kachemak Bay off Homer, AK. It performed beautifully. It was a joy to handle with oars or under power. As a matter of fact, we forsook the motor in favor of oars because it was so easy to row and control. We have two young girls ages 5 and 6 and we felt comfortable with them in it at all times. As a matter of fact, my 6 year old took the helm with power and oars and had a ball. She is not ready to solo, but it is coming. Thanks for building such a versatile, durable, and above all, safe boat. What a joy! I cannot wait to get the sail kit for it. The best purchase I have made in years.”
David Atwood, Anchorage, Alaska
"It's incredible that I had to wait 35 years before seeing this boat!!! It is easy for children and adults to fall in love with boats and water by exposure to the Walker Bay! I live with my family near a large river and it is nice to row early in the morning with the birds, and go sailing with my kids in the afternoon!"
Roland Jourdain, Professional Offshore Sailor, Winner of the Transat Jacques Vabre
“I was drawn to the Walker Bay because it resembles the classic wooden skiff of my childhood. We absolutely adore this (walker Bay 8) little boat”
John Barr, Dockside Magazine
“I recently purchased a new Walker Bay 8 from my local dealer here in Scotland, after having owned a wooden rowing boat. I am absolutely delighted with my purchase, which is so much easier to handle than a heavier wooden boat, yet is virtually indestructible and maintenance-free. I am also very impressed by the design features, such as the detachable-blade oars and full oarlocks, which make for very smooth progress through the water. Finally, the Walker Bay "clinker style" finish makes for a particularly good looking boat, as well as adding rigidity to the hull. The Walker Bay is so easy and such a pleasure to use that I find myself taking it out much more often than was the case with my earlier wooden boat. There's nothing quite like a row around the loch on a pleasant evening, as the sun melts gently into the hills beyond. Thank you and everyone at Walker Bay very much for creating such an excellent and innovative product, you have given me, and countless others a great deal of pleasure and enjoyment.”
Chris Williams, Dumfriesshire, Scotland
“I love our new boat. I was the president of the Bay City Rowing Association and rowed Alden singles for many years. Our new Walker Bay 8 gives me the same thrill of being on the water, but at a much kinder treatment of an arthritic knee that prevents me from rowing shells now. Thank you so much for building such a fine product, I really mean that.”
Pat Clark
“We have our Walker Bay 8 a couple of weeks now, and it's great fun ! What I miss in your website and brochures is how "rowable" it is, much much better than any inflatable. Last night I took it along for a 3 mile trip, rowing at leisure and very relaxing.”
Leo Starrenburg
“I assembled (the Walker Bay 10) myself, which by the way was a real joy. Every product that advertises "some assembly required" could learn from you. The instructions were mostly clear, concise and the parts being in individual, numbered bags with an assembly tool were a pure joy.”
D. Atwood
Rigid Inflatable Dinghy BACK TO TOP |
“The Walker Bay RID 310 is a dinghy that answers to many of my requirements, above all the ability to take my grandkids out in a fun and safe environment. The dinghy is extremely light and durable, allowing easy launching from my dock. The addition of the sailing kit and the RID Kit coupled with the inherent stability of the design provides an excellent platform for hours of pure fun for all of us in my family. The incredible simplicity of the Walker Bay keeps maintenance to an absolute minimum and fun to an absolute maximum. This has to be the best “fun for the buck ($)” that money can buy today!”
Lex Raas, CEO, Moorings
“(The Rigid Inflatable Dinghy) has internal comfortable forward facing seating which feels safer, is dryer and makes for a less bumpy ride. Also with the tubes being outside the hull, there is a lot more room in the cockpit for gear.”
Tom Houtenbrink, US Coast Guard Captain
"After 35 years in the marine industry I am extremely discerning. I think Walker Bays are the ideal boat for both "off the beach" and as a tender. With the delivery of my Walker Bay 9 RID, I will own three Walker Bay boats."
Robert H Perry, Yacht Designer, Journalist for Sailing Magazine
“The RID is truly a revolutionary boat. I expected it would be good at either rowing or sailing or motoring, but was amazed at how well it performed in all three disciplines.”
David Shore, Keelboat Racer and Cruiser, Former World-Class Rower
“Walker Bay’s (Rigid Inflatable Dinghy) gets the BWS seal of approval. It does everything it’s supposed to and does it well.”
Blue Water Sailing
“...the RID (has) nearly twice as much interior space as a comparable inflatable. The rig makes a perfect tender for a larger mother ship, or it’s a fun boat in itself.”
Boating Life Magazine
"We love our Walker Bay dinghy and have many custom additions like cleats, teak hand rails, and cam cleats. We also set it up with a sunshade umbrella when we are in the out board motor stage. A fun boat - it gets a lot of attention at the lake. We also have a 33-foot powerboat but I actually enjoy running the Walker Bay more. I’ve been boating well over fifty years and have owned many boats and the Walker is perfect for just having fun, we never regretted buying it.
P.S. Your customer service is also very good, I guess we are fans...keep up the good work!"
L & N Sylvestre, Webster Lake, MA
Sailboats BACK TO TOP |
“I don’t think there is another sailboat with this much indestructible fun built into it, (and) this much style.”
Greg Jones, Sailing Magazine
"The Walker Bay 8 is one of the best designed, engineered and cost effective sailing products I've seen. It rows and sails well in light to moderate conditions. Its traditional lines are appealing as well as functional. Thank you Walker Bay for making sailing more affordable!"
Randy Repass, Past President of Sail America and Founder & Chairman of West Marine
“We really like the Walker Bay because it’s easy for the kids to get off the dock on their own, the amount of sail area makes it quite the little performer and we don’t have to do all the repairs that our fiberglass boats need. They make a great junior sailing fleet.”
James Luther, Former Sailing Director of the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club
“I am a 60+ "kid at heart", who had NEVER sailed before at all. I had researched for about 3 years looking for an introductory level sailboat that was relatively stable and durable and yet would be fun and still relatively easy to sail. I had looked at the Escapes, the Vanguard Zuma, Laser, but they both have fiberglass hulls, and I have seen what rocks do to our fiberglass canoe. I also wanted to be relatively dry when sailing, more for the comfort of my wife who I hoped would join me.
My biggest concern (by purchasing a Walker Bay) was how much sailing "Performance" was I sacrificing by purchasing a non-dedicated and "hybrid" boat. I decided to bite the bullet. It is just the kind of sailboat I was looking for and with lots of headroom under the boom [I am 6'].
To date I have rowed it, motored it, and sailed it and I do not regret my decision one bit.
If you think this boat offers the features you like, I would say "go for it"! I am glad I did.”
Gord Smith
”Our first graduating class, sailed the Walker Bay RIDs in small air and biggish air (gusting to possibly 15-18) and the boats performed beautifully. We are totally satisfied. Both the Breeze and the RID retrofitted Walker Bay Dinghies performed beyond our expectations. Even in gusts that exceeded what we would normally not subject learn-to-sail-students to, the boats proved very manageable. No one capsized, even in all-standing, spinning out-of-control jibes. When they were capsized on purpose for the capsize and turtle recovery session, they came right up and with very little water inside.”
Lawrence Baum, Head Instructor Trainer for Camano Sail and Power Sailing School
“These boats are awesome!!! Once the kids get over their white knuckles, they proceed to sail full ahead. Unfortunately, they often encounter other boats. With a fiberglass boat, we would have had a hole in the hull after such an experience. With the Walker Bay 8’s and 10’s, we have boats that just keep on sailing. We use the Walker Bay 8’s as many sailing clubs would use an Opti Pram. The 8’s outperform the Opti prams. We have them side by side in regattas.”
H. Warren Sprear, President of Englewood Sailing Association
