Floating Mats For Boats (And How To Transport Them!)
When the sun’s out, the sky’s clear, and the waves are smooth, there’s no better feeling than lounging around on a floating mat.
With a floating mat and your boat, you can take relaxation and fun anywhere you want! But choosing the right water mat for your needs and ensuring you have the gear to transport it properly takes a bit of research. Customers often express their satisfaction with their purchase, highlighting the benefits of buying a high-quality floating mat.
Lucky for you, we’ve done all the heavy lifting in that arena! Enjoy this ultimate guide to all things to do with floating mats for boats.
Ready to enjoy your own little slice of paradise?
In this post, we’re going to cover:
- Why floating mats are making such a big splash
- Suggestions for choosing the best floating mat for boats
- How to transport a water mat with your boat
What Makes Floating Mats Amazing
Let’s face it, floating mats are one of the best ways to beat the heat. They’re fun for the kids and a great addition to a day out on the water for adults, even your four-legged family members. Floating mats are HUGE, non-porous mats of foam that come in many different sizes. The largest ones can float six adults on it without sinking. What a way to hang out at the sandbar, lake, reef, spring, or other body of water!
Here are 18 reasons why floating mats are fantastic:
Great for sunbathing
Perfect for letting kids and dogs play (and children adore them)
- They make a great platform for fishing
They can fit multiple people at once
Acts as an extension of your boat
Excellent for boat parties and entertaining
Kids get a lot of exercise with them
Great for family time; picnics on the water, relaxing, etc
- Perfect for relaxing with a drink and socializing with friends
- Easy to store and transport (especially with our Floating Mat Rack System!)
- They tend to be durable and long-lasting
- Perfect for lakes and calm waters
- You can use them for yoga or stretching
- Lightweight and easy to handle
- You can tether them together into a massive floating island
They’re fantastic for paddleboard practice
- You can clean and maintain them easily
- They provide a safe space for water games
That said, they can also take up a lot of space and overload your boat if you’re not careful. Here’s the best way to avoid overloading your boat. Enjoy!
How To Choose the Best Floating Mat
Choosing the perfect floating mat will depend on how you plan to use it. Will adults use this mat to relax in peace or will it be reserved for rambunctious kiddo fun? How many people do you want to fit on the water pad: just you or you and all your pals? These are vital questions to ask yourself before investing in a floating island. In addition, purchasing a cheap or flimsy floating island will likely result in a torn-up and unusable piece of junk before too long. It’s best to invest in a high-quality water pad that you can enjoy for years. Choosing floating mats made in the USA and/or by the following brands ensures durability and quality, thanks to top-quality foam known for its longevity and performance.
There are several trusted brands of floating mats to choose from, including:
Rubber Dockie Floating Mat
These floating mats feature tear-stop tech and treated foam for maximum durability. That means it can support weight well and endure wear and tear. Depending on your needs, it comes in 2 adorably named sizes – the Dockie or the Duckling:
Rubber Dockie Floating Water Mat (9×6 “Duckling”)
The 9×6 feet Duckling is the compact junior member of the Rubber Dockie family. It’s great when you have limited storage space and need maximum portability. Designed to be 100% non-absorbent, it resists mold and mildew, keeping it lightweight and easy to handle. Perfect for lakes, rivers, or the ocean, you can tether these floating water mats to stationary objects like pontoons, docks, or an old anchor for added stability.
Rubber Dockie Floating Water Mat Pad (9×5)
The Rubber Dockie 9×5 foot floating foam water mat is an even smaller version of the Duckling; ideal for lounging, playing, or sunbathing on the water. It’s a fantastic play area for kids, offering a safe and enjoyable experience. This mat is lightweight, portable, durable, portable, and safe, making it a perfect addition to your summer water activities. If you want a fun and secure way to enjoy the water this summer, the Rubber Dockie 9×5 foot floating foam water mat is an excellent choice. This choice is consistently rated highly amongst water pad reviewers.
Rubber Dockie Floating Water Mat Pad (18X6)
The 18X6 foot Rubber Dockie Floating Mat is the biggest Rubber Dockie mat; the ultimate water accessory for hassle-free fun. No need for air pumps, ladders, or any strenuous effort! Like the others, this Rubber Dockie is completely non-absorbent, so it stays free of mold and mildew and never becomes too heavy to use or store. It’s perfect for any body of water, whether lake, river, pond or ocean. You can easily tether Rubber Dockies to stationary objects for stability, like pontoons, docks, or even an old anchor.
Did you enjoy this post? You’ll probably like this one too: Lake Life Essentials: Best Toys & Accessories for the Water and Best Floating Mat Storage Rack for Boats
WavePads
WavePads offers a wide range of floating water mat sizes that you can customize to your needs. They craft these mats to the highest compliance specifications, using a closed-cell foam and a special film top layer. They pride themselves in using tough plastic grommets instead of commonly used Metal D-rings.
These floating mats are the ultimate choice for water fun and relaxation. Available in various sizes, from personal 6×4 feet mats to massive 60×6 feet rafts, WavePads offer versatility for any water activity. Here’s a brief overview of some of their popular mats:
WavePad Personal Float (6×4)
The WavePad 6×4 is perfect for solo relaxation on the water. Lightweight and easy to transport, it’s great for lakes, rivers, or the ocean. Secure it to docks or anchors with ease.
WavePad Party Float (12×6)
Perfect for larger groups, the WavePad 12×6 offers more space for friends and the whole family. Its durable foam ensures stability and buoyancy, making it perfect for fun on any body of water.
WavePad Super Float (24×6)
The WavePad 24×6 is designed for big groups and activities. With superior buoyancy and durability, it provides a safe and enjoyable platform for lakes, rivers, and oceans.
Lightweight and easy to transport, WavePads are perfect for any (calm) water adventure. Explore the range of WavePads for your next outing!
O’Brien Water Carpet
This classic choice is bright and ultra-visible. These water carpets can hold up to 6 people and dry fast. The clever design of these classic floating mats makes it easy to roll up when the fun is done. There is no need to inflate these bad boys because they’re always ready to go! Unless you prefer the inflatable float or inflatable dock, which can be just as great in a different way. Inflatable docks often provide greater stability and structure compared to floating mats.
O’Brien Party Pit Inflatable Float (10×10)
The O’Brien Party Pit Inflatable Float is your go-to for social fun on the water. This versatile float features multiple seating areas and a built-in cooler so everyone stays comfortable and refreshed. Easy to inflate and deflate, it’s ideal for lakes and pools, offering a fun and relaxing experience for all.
O’Brien Water Carpet (18×6)
Versatile and durable, the O’Brien Water Carpet is a floating mat that holds up to 6 people. Measuring 18×6 feet, it offers plenty of space for fun and relaxation on the water. Its triple-layer construction ensures long-lasting durability and buoyancy. Lightweight and easy to roll up, it’s great for transporting to lakes, rivers, or the ocean.
O’Brien Deluxe Water Carpet (18×6)
The O’Brien Deluxe Water Carpet is an extra-thick, spacious, and durable water mat that holds up to 6 people. At 18×6 feet, it gives you plenty of room for relaxation and play. Made with triple-layer construction for maximum durability, it’s perfect for lakes, rivers, and oceans. The lightweight design means easy transport and setup, making it a must-have for any water adventure.
Aqua Lily Pad
Made from a unique, marine grade ‘Cross Linked Foam’ material, the Aqua Lily Pad prevents water absorption to avoid mold. FlexCore technology and a UV-resistant film add to its significant durability. This floating mat comes with a 6 ft tether system.
The Original Aqua Lily Pad
The Original Aqua Lily Pad offers several sizes up to a spacious 18×6 feet surface – perfect for lounging, playing, and socializing on the water. Crafted from durable, UV-resistant foam, it provides a stable and safe platform for fun in lakes, rivers, and oceans. Lightweight and easy to roll up, it’s simple to transport and store.
Tadpole Pool Pad
The Tadpole Pool Pad comes in two sizes; the single is designed for single-person, and the double is 2-person. This compact and buoyant pad is perfect for lake and poolside fun, providing a safe and soft surface for kids to play on or adults to relax on. It’s light and compact when rolled up, so it’s easy to handle and store.
Bullfrog Lily Pad
The Bullfrog Lily Pad comes in 3 different sizes; 6×15 (7-8 adults), 6×20 (10-11 adults), and 6×30 (12-14 adults). This giant mat provides enough space for large groups and activities. Built with high-density foam for superior buoyancy and durability, it’s ideal for any calm water environment, from lakes to rivers and oceans. This mat includes straps for convenient transport and storage.
There are many more (like Island Hopper water mats), but these are some of the best.
Whichever floating mat strikes your fancy, choose a bright color. That’ll make it easier to spot your floating mat in the water and keep an eye on the kiddos enjoying it. If you’re new to floating mats for boats, consider trying a smaller and cheaper option before upgrading to a larger mat.
Take Your Floating Water Mats/Foam Mats On-The-Go
With the ever-growing popularity of floating mats, there’s a growing desire to transport them on our boats. The frustration of transporting them is also growing. You may have heard stories of these floating mats flying out of the boat while underway. They’re true. And even when they don’t, they take up a ton of space and get in everybody’s way. That begs the question…
Where do you put them in your boat? How do you tie them down? Do you tie them on the T-Top? They take up more space than an adult passenger and block the walkways or seating of every boat, small or large. Maybe you’ve thought, “If I leave a family member at the dock, I can take the water carpet on my boat…”
If you think you can just tow your floating mat behind your boat, we’re sorry to say this idea is also a no-go. It goes against advised safety rules and can be dangerous unless you stick to snail-like speeds.
With the most popular brands of floating mats reaching up to 18 feet in length, recreational boaters have long struggled to find a way to safely and securely transport their floating mat to and from their favorite boating destination. Until now…
PROBLEM SOLVED!! Floating Mats Rack System for Boats
Manta Racks has designed a revolutionary product, making it specifically to provide a simple, quick, safe, and effective solution to the problem of securing rolled-up, bulky floating mats when a vessel is underway. Like our other Rack Systems, the FM Rack System also slides into the flush-mounted rod holders on the gunnel or transom of your boat. There’s nothing to install. It’s that easy. As we say at Manta Racks, another problem solved for the recreational boater.
You haven’t truly experienced all your boat has to offer until you’ve taken a floating mat out on the water for fun in the sun.
We get it – sometimes you want to get out on the water without expending energy kayaking or paddleboarding! With a firm foam floating platform to rest on, you can lay back and enjoy the day without breaking a sweat. We hope the tips in this article help you pick out the perfect floating mat and a matching rack to take out on your next boating excursion!
Transporting kayaks too? Check out our L2K Kayak Racks! (And here’s everything you need to know about transporting kayaks.)
