4 Boat Toys That Make the Water Your Playground
When people talk about “the boating life,” conversations often begin with things such as horsepower, performance, passenger capacity, add-ons, and other features. But eventually another question arises: What do you want to do out there on the water? Besides wakeboarding, wakesurfing, waterskiing, tubing, fishing, swimming, and snorkeling, what are the other options? That’s where boat toys come in.
From drones and jetboards to clear kayaks and floating walkways, we found a few alternative water toys. If traditional watersports aren’t your thing, or you just need a break from them, check out these options for on-the-water fun.
Jetboards
E-foil technology just gets better and better every year. While these are among the most expensive boat toys you can get, the prices are coming down.
Ranging from around $1,000 to north of $10,000, these boards use a hydrofoil “wing” attached to a mast that extends below the surface to produce lift. They use an internal battery that typically has a couple of hours of run time and allow the rider to glide along above the waves. With some practice, riders learn to carve figure-8s and even do jumps and flips.
Upper-end boards—Fliteboard’s AIR and PRO models are examples—come with a dedicated controller the rider uses to adjust speed and change gears. Plus, they connect to an app that records a ton of information from your rides, even connecting you with other nearby board users.
This category of boat toys on our list may involve the steepest learning curve. You have to learn how to ride, yes, but you also have to figure out how to adjust the lift, learn about the types of wings you attach to the underwater mast, figure out weight ratios, and more. But, man, the end result looks like it’s probably worth it.
Transparent Kayaks
Do you do your boating in an area with clear water and good visibility? A transparent kayak or paddleboard is a simple toy but one that can provide hours of fun. Getting an up-close and personal look at the underwater denizens can be a captivating experience for kids and adults alike.
The Crystal Kayak company is an established manufacturer that makes one- and two-person kayaks. You can go crazy, though, should the mood strike. The manufacturer’s Crystal Cruiser is a $43,000 double-decker, motor-driven vessel that has a 12-person capacity. They are hard-sided watercraft featuring low but comfortable seatbacks and “hullsides” high enough to keep most of the water out. Buyers can accessorize these boat toys with adjustable paddles, waterproof pouches that double as flotation devices, and many more add-ons.
Prices for basic kayaks and paddleboards begin at just a few hundred dollars. Your options are many, beginning with transparent paddleboards and inflatable kayaks. Then you have hard-sided kayaks and hybrid kayaks, which have transparent plastic floors but sturdy opaque sides.
Floating Water Mats And Walkways
For people with smaller boats, a great way to expand your available footprint on the water is to get yourself a floating mat or walkway. This ingenious use of modern plastics and PVC technology allows manufacturers to create mats that can support a shocking number of people and weight without sinking.
For the biggest, most stable, and indestructible ones, you might look to the type made by companies like Rubber Dockie. Their layered foam mats are some of the most popular. Smaller ones support two to three people, but one stretches 18 feet long and holds up to 1,400 pounds. That’s about seven adults. These mats have a tough, scratch-proof surface, so your boat dogs can enjoy them.
A smaller, more intimate model comes from Intex, which makes a durable, inflatable water pad that can accommodate three adults. These types are intended for more sedate people, as they aren’t suited to running on or jumping off. But they’re great for keeping you cool on hot summer days, as the design is built to allow some water to accumulate in the open pockets on the surface.
Another option is WOW’s walkway mats. These 10-foot-by-6-foot inflatable mats can be zipped together to create a larger pad or even a walkway between boats or docks.
Prices for these boat toys run the gamut. You can spend less than $50 for a one-person floating mat. Or you can part with several hundred dollars for a larger model.
Waterproof Drones
Are you a drone enthusiast? Then you know how finicky these devices can be. Wind and rain can shut you down, or, worse still, destroy your expensive toy.
Fortunately, manufacturers have heard the salty cry of water enthusiasts and taken the time to develop drones that stand to splashing or some odd salt spray. And they come in handy for a variety of boat user types. Anglers can take a look around nearby waters to see if any lunkers are lurking. You can scope out potential anchoring spots if you’re out on a wilderness lake. And watersports enthusiasts love getting amazing footage of sick tricks and wipeouts.
The sight of a wakeboarder in action with a follow drone capturing every move makes for an endlessly exciting and dynamic film, just for fun, or to study for improving technique. Just make sure you look for a drone that is rated waterproof to IP67 if you intend to use it around the water. Prices can range from a few hundred dollars up to $10,000 for commercial drones.
Some popular brands include:
- Swellpro Splash Drone 4. This is a solid fishing model that features night vision and can carry up to 2 kilograms.
- Poweregg X. Need some long range and filmmaking ability? Consider a drone with 4k/60fps capability.
- Parrot Hydrofoil mini-drone. A forgiving beginner model, the Parrot can glide on its foils on the water’s surface. When it’s not flying, that is.
Conclusions About Boat Toys
Life on the water never needs to be boring as long as you update your collection of boat toys! Whether you want to be in intimate contact with the water or just get a better look at it from the security of your deck, these are some great ideas to up your fun-time game on the water.
Kurt Brighton