Ultimate Console Inflatable

The Walker Bay name is a familiar one from way back when they first introduced 'plastic' boats to the world. This Walker Bay Genesis has just arrived and I can tell you it's the smartest RIB to hit the market since RIBS were invented! I must admit, I have never been a fan of 'plastic' boats but after having received this, I'm convinced it's the way forward!

There's so many innovative ideas that as you assemble it, you sort of wonder why no one ever did it before. Starting with the packaging, the box is so flat, relative to all others, that you wonder how it could possibly fit. Putting it together is a one-person job...and you don't need special tools of any kind.

The secret to the 'flat' packet is of course the folding transom. Yes, the transom has a hinge in it so the whole thing folds really flat. As you pump the air into it, the transom just moves into the upright position... cunning indeed. The Console and Bench seat come in another box. Each component box can be handled easily by one person.

The console, bench seat and the hull itself are all 'plastic'. Initially you might baulk at the thought of this, but the quality, fit and finish honestly make their fiberglass cousins look well... rather outdated! For starters, there's storage compartments everywhere - canned-drink holders are molded in and due to the moulding process, there are no rough edges anywhere! Neat things like the battery compartment hidden under a hinging steering wheel console is a nice feature often lacking on other small RIBS. In fact it took me a while to find the steering wheel as it was hidden in this very compartment!

But the really nice bit about the components is the way they fit into the hull. With the hull inflated, it was easy to pick up each component block single-handedly and place it in place. It secures by the smartest arrangement I've seen... 2 ratcheting straps on each side of the component loop through hoops built into the hull. Then click the ratchet and you're done. Two screws keep it fixed to the floor and that's it!

It gives the Gensis tremendous versatility. For those who prefer a tiller steered boat, don't order the console and you'll get a neat bench seat instead that secures in exactly the same way! Kool. The whole process from box to assembled boat was about 40 minutes, but I think I could do it in 20 now!

Before the boat arrived, I read the literature but it was only when the boat arrived that it dawned on me what a breakthrough in forward thinking it REALLY is. The hull is 'plastic' which means they can be produced by the hundreds every day - no fibreglass boat will ever be able to match that! 

The other hidden benefit is that 'plastic' is very good at absorbing impact, i.e. smack it with a hammer and it has no ill-effect on the hull. But more importantly, this characteristic also carries over when you're on the water. Wave impacts will be absorbed by the material and not transmitted to the occupants - a better ride in a small boat is a big bonus.

If you look at the round tube ends, they're different to the 'normal' cones. Now, the cones are there for a reason and that is to prevent bow lift when you open the throttle. I pondered this for a minute and then had a good look at the hull near the transom. There's a couple of molded-in trim tabs that will do a better job of controlling the bow - smart. The keel also features a v-pad that allows moving water to flow higher up the leg of the motor and stops cavitation in tight turns - smart! 

But I leave the best feature of the hull to the last... Wheels! Molded within the trim tab pad are wheelies - seriously, and these make it a one-handed job to move the thing around! Also molded in the hull is an extra rubbing piece so that when you put it down, it rests on the wheels and this bit - NICE! Oh yeah, the other benefit of plastic technology, lightweight as in this case, is that it's compounded resin and not just 'plastic'.

It's also smarter on the inside. Apart from the luxurious molded components, the nose is much wider. I compared this back-to-back with another fiberglass RIB of the same length and the space in the bow was a good 18 inches more! This means a bow-rider seat in the Genesis is a practical reality! There's a proper seat and a proper cushion to match the rest of the boat and naturally, a decent storage compartment under!

If you look at the details, you can see just how much thought has gone into this. The oar-locks are the most stylish to be seen on any boat. Engaging the oar is a simple push-button arrangement, but what I really like about it is that when it's not being used, it sits flush, like its aerodynamic style!

Walker Bay has invested millions in the molding machines. Unlike fiberglass boats, these will have exactly the same tolerance time after time. Of course, the benefit of this huge investment is... A BOAT EVERY THREE MINUTES! But in my mind, the major benefit is that it's 100% recyclable - an Eco-friendly boat. Now that's a lot better!

All of this forward thinking can be attributed to one Paulo Rista. If you Google that name, you'll see he's one smart chap, with lots of ocean racing experience to his credit!

Have a look here or better yet, check out the Genesis that I've got here...

Eco-Friendly