You’ve seen them out on the water. This is why water mats are so popular! Get all our Water Mat tips and why you need one!
This is the best investment you’ll make all summer!
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Last year, my parents had the biggest surprise for the kiddos! They got a fantastic deal at Sam’s Club and purchased a Floating Oasis Water Pad. (You can also find this water mat on Amazon in other fun colors and patterns.) It was a big purchase, but it was our best purchase of the summer!
Also Read: Family Boating Essentials: 12 Must-Haves
Worth the Price!
If you asked my family, hands-down they will all say I’m too cheap. So, that should give you some perspective because I totally think these are worth the price tag!
These are a big investment, but I have to tell you, the cost-per-use is out of this world. Our kids use that thing all summer long! It’s perfect for swimming off the boat in the middle of the lake, floating around the boat near shore, or swimming off the end of the dock.
It’s a hit!
This is (at the time of this update) the BEST price for a floating water mat I’ve seen in a while!
Things to Love about Water Mats!
This was absolutely our best purchase of the summer – and maybe the whole year! There are so many things to love about water mats. Here’s a few of the reasons we are so obsessed.
Extra dock space for kids
These mats are so perfect for kiddos who aren’t comfortable with jumping right into deep water. They’re also a great piece of mind for parents who don’t feel comfortable sending their kids out in 30 ft water, even with a life jacket.
The water mat creates an extra space where they can get close to the water without having to jump in. It’s great to have a spot for them to play, especially when boats sit a little too high for them to enjoy the water. It doubles your space when you want to enjoy some family boating time.
Easy on and off the boat or dock
If you’re a frequent boater, you know that getting in and out of the water isn’t always that easy with kids. Sometimes they are afraid of the ladder. Sometimes they just want to dip their feet and splash around. It’s not all that easy in a boat.
We use our water mat off the pontoon boat and it’s the perfect way for the kids to feel comfortable. They can come and go off the boat as they please. No more breaking our backs dropping them down into the water!
We also love this off our dock. It instantly doubles the space they can play and makings getting on and off so much easier!
Good resting place
A water mat is a great way for kiddos to have a big “home base” to return to when they get tired. Or, they can scoot around it while still holding on and staying close. When they start to tire out, our kids just love to sit on the mat and relax.
Most of these mats can hold over 1000 pounds, so water mats are great for adults too. They are perfect for laying out and staying cool.
Also Read: Why Goldfish Swim Lessons are Life Changing
Hours of fun!
I talked about cost-per-use with these things, but if we broke it down to cost per hour, we’re talking pennies. Our kids are never not on the water mat.
We take this thing on pretty much every boat ride. We feel so comfortable with the kids being able to swim without adults having to get in and out of the water. They keep their life jackets on and we watch from the boat. It has allowed us to say “yes” to swimming a lot more often.
We also spend a lot more time swimming off the dock now that we have a water mat. If you’re on a lake that doesn’t have perfect, sandy beaches you know how it goes. Swimming off the dock is a lot more fun now that they can get in and out off the water mat.
Ensure your place as the coolest people on the water with this underwater scooter too!
Pretty easy once you get the hang of it
These things are big and cumbersome. We thought for sure it would be a pain to load this on the boat each time we went out. Not to mention unrolling and rolling it back up.
I have to say, by the middle of summer, we were pros at it!
It’s easier to carry than you think. My husband and dad hoist it on their shoulder, and I’ve found a way to hold the top strap and carry it on my back.
We had a total system down for unrolling it into the water and rolling it back up and into the boat too. It really starts to become second nature.
Also Read: Summer Staycation Ideas: Stay close to home and get out on the water
Water Mat Tips
So, as I said, we started to get into a groove and get the hang of the thing through the summer. I’ll share those tips, and more, with you!
Unrolling the mat
These mats are beasts! It can be pretty intimidating to roll at 15 foot mat off the boat, maneuver it, and roll it back up. However, you’ll find your own way and that it’s not too hard.
For unrolling, it’s pretty easily done by one person. Before you remove the straps, make sure you have the hook with the rope on the bottom side. We make sure to roll the mat so that portion is on the outside for securing to the boat, so we just flip it toward the floor before we start opening. This way, when we’re ready to take it out we don’t have to flip the mat.
First, remove the strap from one side by lifting that side a bit. Then remove the strap from the other side a little more carefully. It’s not going to spring open on you, so don’t worry.
We usually place it in the water and just have the kids walk across the water mat to unroll it.
Rolling the Mat
This is the part that had us looking a little silly until we got it down. This can be done by one person, but is much better with two.
The key is turn the mat so that you are able to grab the side opposite the rope first. You want the rope to remain on the outside for attaching to the boat. If you’re using this in a lake, there will be a little debris and we just swish it in the water to get it as clean as possible. Then, bring the end up on the boat and start rolling as tightly as possible. You should end with the hook and rope on the outside.
With one person on each end, start to put the open strap under one side of the mat. It helps for the other person to lift the end of the mat slightly. Make sure you have the velcro portion facing the outside and not the mat. Pull the strap through the hook and pull back to velcro it together. Now, repeat on the other side with the other person.
That’s it! As a two person job it becomes a piece of cake, but is totally doable with one person.
Be careful of sharp edges
These water mats are foam after all. They are a dense and floatable foam, but they will rip and tear if you have sharp edges on boats, docks, life jackets, etc.
The foam is so thick, it won’t affect the function as much as the aesthetic. So it will be a bummer when you see that first nick in your $300 piece of foam! Just be aware of the surfaces you rub it against. It will be fine.
Also Read: Beach Staycation in your Living Room
Water Mat Options
We’ve seen a lot of water mats out on our lake. Many of them appear to be the same color and size as ours, but there are plenty more out there!
This is (at the time of this update) the BEST price for a floating water mat I’ve seen in a while! (10’x5′)
Floating Oasis Water Pad
The only water pad we have personal experience with is the Floating Oasis Water Pad. As I mentioned, we got it from Sam’s Club, but the same size and brand water pad is available on Amazon. The price is higher, but they do have some fun pattern and color choices! I love these pineapples and the brightness of this blue and red one.
For reference, the water mat in our pictures is 6 feet by 15 feet.
Rubber Dockie
The current “Amazon’s Choice” at this time is a brand called, Rubber Dockie. How cute! They have good reviews and I like the look of the straps. Plus, the comparable size on this one is 6 feet by 18 feet and the price is slightly lower! In addition, it claims to have a Tuff-Hide outer layer to protect against everyday use and stay easy on the skin.
SOWKT Water Mat
Another water mat with good reviews on Amazon is the SOWKT mat. It is also 6 feet by 18 feet. There are quite a few color choices and nearly all the reviews rave about it! This one seems right on par with the others. Good quality and customers can’t say enough about it.
Wanna go crazy?
Last, I just have to share this one! You can get the ifloats Floating Water Pad in up to 75 feet!! I can’t even imagine! That would be the most amazing thing out on the lake. I mean, that is a floating mat almost half the length of an Olympic size swimming pool!
Those are three that standout on Amazon, but if you look around there are so many to choose from!
Be sure to check out our posts about Family Boating and our Top Family Boating Must-Haves!
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