Cruising on the boat with friends and family calls for a fun day of relaxing and floating on the water.
Have you ever brought bulky floats that don't pack well (then you have to blow them up), or brought bulky inner tubes that take up most of the boat deck?
And then....
Have you ever tried getting on your flimsy float in the water and then all of a sudden it's like you are a wet fish flopping around trying to get your grip to pull yourself up, while trying not to attract attention?
I think we have all been there with individual plastic rafts. Now that floating mats for boats have hit the market, there is no more performing the perfect balancing act to pull yourself up.
What about sharing your small float with others? It's hard to share when you can barely fit on the float yourself. That's why floating water mats are great to share with friends and family.
What Are Floating Mats?
The "unofficial" definition of a floating water mat is an outrageously large rectangular mat that is sturdy, yet bendable and portable, that floats in the water. Cool huh?
If you have seen these very large floating mats while out on the water, then you know that they look so much fun!
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What are the floating mats made out of?
Floating water mats are made from high-quality foam. Some float mats are made from XPE foam which stands for cross-linked polyethylene. Wikipedia has an article regarding XPE here.
Can you use floating mats in different bodies of water?
The answer is YES! Float mats are versatile which means you can use float mats for the ocean, float mats for lakes, float mats for rivers, and float mats for pools.
Now that we have reviewed what water float mats are and the versatility of floating mats, let's go into the...
Top 5 Best Floating Mats for Boats
Rubber Dockie 18x6-Feet Floating Mat
Specs and Features
Sizes: Comes in two sizes: 18x6 feet or 9x6 feet
Weight of float mat: 30 lbs or 16 lbs (depends on size)
Material: Constructed of High grade 2 ply closed cell 1 3/8 inch foam
Includes: 12 feet elastic bungee tether for anchoring and storage straps with buckles
Warranty: 1 Year Manufacturer Warranty
The Rubber Dockie is the ultimate fun for floating mats. It is a solid floating mat that holds several adults and children. The quality and durability of this floating mat are fantastic as it features a tear-stop inner matrix and features a tuff-hide outer layer. It comes in two size options which are ideal when choosing a floating mat to fit your boat's specifications. It is highly ranked with some of the best overall reviews.
SOWKT Newest Model 18x6 Feet Floating Water Mat
Specs a Features
Size: 18x6
Weight of float mat: 34.7 lbs
Material: XPE foam
Includes: 12 ft teether and carabiner for anchoring and 2 straps for fastening.
Different color options
Warranty: 1 Year Manufacturer's Warranty from time of purchase.
The SOWKT is a great alternative option to the Rubber Dockie. It weighs roughly 5lbs more than the 18x6 version of the Rubber Dockie but it has additional color options to choose from. It has great reviews with the consensus being good quality and comes as described per the product description. When this mat is rolled up, it's approximately 18-20 inches high by 6ft long.
Goplus Floating Water Pad
Specs and Features
Sizes: 18x6 and 9x6
Weight of float mat: 25 lbs or 10 lbs (depends on size)
Material: XPE foam (three-layer, tear-resistant)
Different color options
Includes: Two 4.9 ft bungee tethers
Warranty: We did not see a warranty option
The Goplus Floating Water Pad is a great option for using on the lake, ocean, or pool. It features two tether pointers on the 18x6 float pad to keep your float securely anchored. It also comes in two sizes with a few different color options.
GYMAX Floating Water Mat
Specs and Features
Size: 12x6 feet
Weight: Not listed
Material: XPE foam
Includes: Grommet tethering system
Few color options
The brightly colored GYMAX floating mat is a great option for those wanting to enjoy the perfect day boating. It features two different anchor points so that you can stay put while out on the water. Overall, it has positive reviews regarding the price point and product material.
Wow World of Watersports Inflatable Floating Water Walkway
Specs and Features
Size: 10x6 feet
Weight: 30.49 lbs
Material: Heavy-Duty PVC Construction
Includes: Two 6 ft ropes
Different color options
Warranty: Did not see a warranty option
The Wow World of Watersports Inflatable Floating Water Walkway is a great option for those who want to connect their floating mats together while boating. For example, each end of these floating mats has zippers in which you can zip together additional Wow float mats. However, this mat is inflatable, meaning that it would have to be blown up with an air pump once on the water.
FLOATING MATS FOR BOATS: Questions Answered
We've reviewed a lot of questions regarding boat floating mats and these were the most questions asked:
How to take care of your floating mat?
We recommend power washing your float mat every once in a while to keep algae from growing on it. For instance, if you leave your float mat tied to the dock for a few weeks, it might be a good idea to take it out and give it a good wash.
How to store your boat floating mat?
Once the season is over, keep your float mat stored in a cool, dry place.
How to anchor floating mats?
We suggest anchoring your floating mats by a tether to the back of the boat or using a boat or kayak anchor (with a buoy) to keep your float mat from drifting with the current.
How to strap your floating mat for the boat?
We recommend that you strap your boat mat towards the aft of your boat. We've seen various boaters with their float mats secured with straps in the area under the gunwale or under the back seat in the cockpit.
Floating Water Mat Accessories
After having our own experience with floating mats for boats, we've gathered a list of accessories that can help while you are out on the water:
Conclusion of Best Floating Mats for Boats
When choosing a floating mat for boats, there are a few important factors to consider before making a purchase. We recommend that you check the overall weight of the floating mat and the size of the water mat so that it fits with your boat's specifications.
We hope that you found this post informative and we hope you have an amazing time out on the water!
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Hello! I'm Tiffany, a creative travel writer, mother to three awesome kids, and Floridian. We like to visit beautiful Florida resorts and beaches, Florida State Parks, and explore destinations by boat. I like to write about our travel adventures and provide tips to other families traveling or relocating to the Sunshine State.