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Queen of Walker Bay’s Generation RIBs

Written by Chris Landry

Walker Bay Boats has added a 17-foot RIB to its Generation fleet, which now ranges from 11 to 17 feet. “We found ways to build a rigid inflatable boat with the features you’d normally find on bigger boats,” says Michael Carroll, director of sales and marketing. “You will get the Generation line’s style and performance with even more bells and whistles.”

Walker Bay outfitted the new Generation 525 with standard hydraulic tilt steering, a freshwater shower, four stainless popup cleats and two removable insulated coolers forward. Options include a retractable water sports tow post, a bow sunpad, LED deck lighting and a stern boarding ladder.

The company mounted handrails in all the right places, and five teak steps — one at the bow, two at the stern, and one each to port and starboard on the tubes — make for stable boarding, Carroll says. A flip-up bolster seat gives the skipper room for stand-up operation. “Using this boat as a tender, dayboat or commuter, you’re going to need to drive while you’re standing, just like you would on a center console,” he says.

A polyurethane composite stringer grid makes the boat lighter without sacrificing strength. The hull and deck are bonded using unidirectional glass and polyurethane, which eliminates the air cavity found in other RIBs, Carroll says. “The end result is the boat can better absorb chop,” he says. The placement of the 32-gallon fuel tank — beneath the deck, amidships — also contributes to a stable ride.

The Generation 525 cruises at 25 to 30 mph and tops out at 42 mph. Pricing starts at $49,900 with a 115-hp Honda, though the boat can be rigged with any brand of outboard. Walker Bay Boats, Fairfield, California, (888) 315-1410. walkerbay.com This article originally appeared in the November 2016 issue.