When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Walker Bay 310 RTL/RTLH 2008 and the Walker Bay Generation 390 2011 are inflatable rigid designs with inflatable construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Walker Bay Generation 390 2011 measures 12,8 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 11,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Walker Bay 310 RTL/RTLH 2008 at 1,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Walker Bay Generation 390 2011 tips the scales at 571 lbs — 440 lbs less than the Walker Bay 310 RTL/RTLH 2008 at 131 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 50 hp, the Walker Bay Generation 390 2011 has a 35-hp advantage over the Walker Bay 310 RTL/RTLH 2008's 15-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Walker Bay 310 RTL/RTLH 2008 is rated for 4 passengers, while the Walker Bay Generation 390 2011 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Walker Bay 310 RTL/RTLH 2008 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Walker Bay 310 RTL/RTLH 2008 comes in at 9 lbs per hp versus 11 lbs per hp for the Walker Bay Generation 390 2011. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.
The Walker Bay 310 RTL/RTLH 2008 has a documented top speed of 22 mph. Speed data wasn't available for the other model.
Bottom line: Choose the Walker Bay 310 RTL/RTLH 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 4 passengers and at 1,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Walker Bay Generation 390 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 3 that costs less to run day-to-day.