For Sale – Walker Bay Generation 430 with Honda BF50 (only 56 hours)

NSS · 13 December 2018, 14:24

Purchased new from BHG Marine in October 2012
Engine supplied and installed by SAL Marine
Honda BF50 with just 55.7 hours on the clock
Huge Hypalon Tubes (with remainder of 10-year warranty) and reasonably deep vee make this a very capable and stable leisure RIB (but don’t take my word for it, see article below)
Indespension trailer (circa 2002)
Fitted with Lowrance Elite 4 GPS Plotter/Fishfinder
Retractable ski pole
Quality made to measure cover but has always been kept in garage
Anchor, mooring lines, inflatable vests (x5), etc included.

Hopefully the pictures say pretty much all there is to say about the condition of this package, but happy to answer any questions or to arrange viewing.

Asking £12,750 ovno

The following are exerts taken from a report written in ‘All At Sea’ when the Generation 430 launched in the UK.

Walker Bay Generation 430

Walker Bay have sold many thousands of boats around the world, but what can we expect from the recently launched larger Generation RIBs? Irving Stewart has been finding out.

… the launch of far larger Walker Bay Generation RIBs at the NEC was greeted with some scepticism by those familiar with similar sized ‘serious’ RIBs – especially other RIB builders and marine journalists.

OUTSIDE THEIR COMFORT ZONE
The new Generation RIBs, recently launched in 3.9m and 4.3m configurations, have certainly caused a stir at recent boat shows across Europe. Unashamedly aimed at those either seeking a stylish tender for a motor yacht, or a trendy family friendly alternative to a more rudimentary boat, the new Generation RIBs appear to tick many boxes.
At first glance they look as if they are inboard powered with what appears to be a curved engine bay cover astern of the rear seats – just like an Avon or Williams jet. But no, they actually have transoms with obvious provision for outboards.
In similar vein the seating is well upholstered, comfortable, extremely trendy and laid out for easy movement around the craft – far removed from the simple jockey, ‘suicide’ and bow seats found on many similar sized competitive RIBs. Visually, at least, it seems Walker Bay have undergone a remarkably fast learning curve, taken a huge leap of faith and come up with very attractive RIB packages. The proof of the pudding is surely whether they will actually handle at sea, or not.

INITIAL SCEPTICSM
I must admit to have been more than a little sceptical as we poddled out of Lymington aboard a brand new, untested Generation 430 powered by an equally new Yamaha F60 ‘straight out of the box’. We headed out under threatening grey skies, onto an uninviting equally dank choppy sea and, significantly, apart from the camera boat, we were the only powerboat heading out.
The long run out through the channel gave us time to look round the craft and to discover some of her little intricacies. The numerous dry stowage lockers (including the ‘boot’ astern), the welcome surprise of extremely comfy seating behind the console, the utter hugeness of the craft’s two-tone Hyperlon tubes and the ease of handling all became obvious very quickly.
But then we had to relinquish the Generation in order to get pictures. After a short period of ‘playing to the cameras’ our ever jovial model and PR man gleefully handed back the Generation in favour of the camera boat, and promptly headed home in search of coffee, leaving us to ‘play’.
With scepticism enhanced by cold fingers we (maybe unfairly) put the new Generation and its Yamaha through some ten miles of quite tough evaluation fully expecting to find this first venture by Walker Bay into ‘real RIBs’ would soon display some obvious shortcomings, rattles and foibles. It did not, so in this task we failed dismally.
Whether gently planing, cruising or (rather unfairly) exploiting the inevitably uncomplaining Yamaha to the ‘n’th’ degree the little Walker Bay steadfastly refused to put a foot wrong. We ran down the sea, across it, up it and even sought out the infamous ferry wakes in a bid to put the Generation’s hull off its stride – and again we failed dismally.
Even deliberately winding the steering from lock to lock, and playing the throttle at the same time, would not induce the hull to lose grip or ‘be naughty’. Instead the boat simply leaned on its huge tubes, steadfastly refused to misbehave and then just safely relaxed back onto an even keel – as if waiting for us to finish playing silly B’s.

COMFY & SMOOTH
I am forced to admit that even for my somewhat knackered back the Generation’s ride is comfy, smooth, soft on the bum and about as traumatic as travelling in a classic Citroen DS19. The handling also proved equally precise with well positioned controls and plenty of leg room; only let down by a rather stiff steering system – not the boat’s fault. The small extra initial investment in hydraulic steering would be on par with fitting power steering to a small hatchback – pure luxury but an ‘essential’ optional extra.
No doubt purist ribbers will (quite sarcastically) say that we did not push the Generation through really rough seas in order to get a true measure of its ability. To which I would reply that very few, if any, of those to which this stylish boat will undoubtedly appeal would derive any pleasure (or see any point) in such a painful and sadistic exercise. However, I have no doubt that if caught out by bad weather the Generation, or its occupants, are hardly likely to come to any grief – assuming the boat is handled with any semblance of skill. To say that the boat is unsinkable is this year’s greatest understatement to date – it is also remarkably and delightfully dry.
For a craft that does not have the acutely razor edged spray rails of a Ring, the acutely Vee’d hull of a Scorpion, the sexy tapered tubes of a Pasco, or the deep chines of an Avon, the Generation certainly does precisely what you’d expect from a pedigree RIB. I don’t know where Walker Bay found Paola Rista, the Generation’s designer, but they certainly want to keep him securely under wraps – together with the production team who have put together a well built and equipped boat that displays remarkable attention to detail.

Pics to follow this evening