Floating islands

[mraz72]

Does anyone bring something like this out with them, maybe inflate at the sand bar, deflate for the trip back?

 

[DBamaC]

I have a small inflatable similar to the one below that I keep shoved up in the front of the ski locker un-inflated for when we're just hanging out. It's small enough that it's no trouble to carry and it weighs (probably) 10 lbs or less. Anything much larger I think would be problematic.


By the way, I have a friend who has one of those islands and I helped him inflate it once while on a dock. It took forever with two pumps going.

 

[njmr2fan]

Ha Ha we were just talking about these after we saw them at Costco. Seems like a lot of work to pack, inflate, deflate, and load so we passed.

 

[Westbeach Bum]

We have an old inflatable island we bought at Sams in 2004. The only headache is letting the air out when were ready to go, it takes forever. I roll it up and put it in one of those plastic bins from Walmart. We only take it a couple times a season when we will be anchored all day.

 

[Evildwarf]

We just bought one of these and have yet to use it.
Looks like great fun for hanging around with friends.
The price was right so we bought it...remains to be seen how much it will get used

 

[mraz72]

it does seem like it would be awesome is water without much chop

relax, sip some beer and enjoy!

I can see my kid wanting to drive off of the thing over and over...

 

[buckbuck]

@JCampbell has one that gets a lot of use.

 

[Julian]

Deflate them with a pump too...I've considered one, but there was no room to store on the old boat....might get a small one now....

 

[Ronnie]

We got one from Costco last year for $100. Very big with a mesh floor in one part so you can lay on top of the water,
Cup holders for all and a small cooler compartment. The most liked feature is the canopy. We only used it twice both times when we were camping for the entire weekend. Is a great place for anyone not riding the boat or skis to hang out as opposed to the campsite.
Easy to inflate (4 large valves with removable dial action covers) and deflate of you use an electric pump.

 

[john94si]

I got this one for our memorial day party. Everyone loved it. Not sure if i'd take it on the boat as it is HUGE.. even deflated.

 

[0627Devildog]

Ha Ha we were just talking about these after we saw them at Costco. Seems like a lot of work to pack, inflate, deflate, and load so we passed.

WAAAAAAY - Too much work. . . . Maybe to keep it dock side, but no way I'd bring it on/blow it up from the boat.

 

[0627Devildog]

I got this one for our memorial day party. Everyone loved it. Not sure if i'd take it on the boat as it is HUGE.. even deflated.
View attachment 39273

1. How much
2. How long to inflate/deflate?

I have been looking for one to leave tied to the dock.

 

[john94si]

It has like 5 separate chambers to fill. We used a dry vac style to inflate it down by my dock and used the jet ski to drag it out into the lake for the kids.
It was only a few minutes using the large vac. I may try my electric leaf blower next time.
The tube came with a rope and bag to fill with sand as an anchor. The kids then used their paddle boat to ride out to it and swim off it.

 

[mraz72]

that looks like a lot of fun, I am sure my kids would love it. I might get something like that....

 

[OrangeTJ]

We have the one in the picture at the top of the thread. Super fun...but only lasted 1 season with kids climbing all over it. It is also very, very heavy to load/unload from the boat and carry up the dock and stairs to the parking lot at our marina!. Takes about 15-20 minutes to fill with an electric pump. However, it was worth it and the kids had fun with it.

 

[Rene Miami]

1. We bought ours at BJ's for 69.99, and really like it. It is not as big as the one from SAMS (first post) and quality wise feels more durable. It takes around five mins to inflate and 5 to deflate.Wife is not going to the sandbar without it.

 

[mraz72]

Looks like fun

How do you get out of that boat maze lol

 

[0627Devildog]

Been kicking around this one for the shade. . . . but $3oo is a buku bucks for something I am afraid will pop.



https://www.amazon.com/Bestway-CoolerZ-Tropical-6-Person-Floating/dp/B0009V89NK

 

[mraz72]

I know what you mean, they aren't built like tubes, seems easy to get leaks.

 

[Ronnie]

Been kicking around this one for the shade. . . . but $3oo is a buku bucks for something I am afraid will pop.



https://www.amazon.com/Bestway-CoolerZ-Tropical-6-Person-Floating/dp/B0009V89NK

$300? That is the same one I bought from Costco last year for $100 or $120. It feels and looks thicker than a pool float but not a boating towable. The pic doesn't show it but the area under the canopy is mesh so you can lay in the water or just put your feet in it.

It's easy to inflate and deflate but weighs around 60 lbs and takes up about as much room as a deflated SUP.