Playtime!

These innovative small craft and water toys add up to hours of family fun on the water.

By Bill Ando

Waterborne Memories

The Liquid Image Explorer Series Camera Mask is made for use while having fun in the water. With a maximum depth rating of 15 feet, it isn’t going on any scuba-diving expeditions, but this camera is ideal for capturing images while swimming, snorkeling, and having fun with the family around the boat.
The Explorer Series 8.0MP features a 74-degree lens. It records both 8-megapixel (MP) (3456 x 2304) still images and VGA video (640 x 480) at 30 frames-per-second. The mask has a micro SD card slot, meaning its memory can be expanded up to 32 GB, enabling it to record thousands of still images or hours of video with audio. The camera operates on two AAA batteries. Estimated lithium battery performance is over two hours of video/audio. MSRP $99; liquidimageco.com

Two Boats in One

It’s a sailing trimaran. It’s a kayak. Actually, it’s both. That’s why it’s called the Triak. When the wind is up and you want to sail you can unfurl the craft’s North Sails main and off you go. Heading downwind, you can even launch the spinnaker—also by North Sails—from the snuffer on the foredeck. No wind? You still have a stable rowing platform. With wave-piercing amas (floats) designed by America’s Cup multihull gurus Morrelli and Melvin, Triak weighs 100 pounds completely rigged and has a deep-draft, foil-shaped daggerboard to enhance its ability to sail to weather. It breaks down easily—just undo six hand-bolts and it’s ready to be car-topped. Triak comes with a roller-furling mainsail, spinnaker snuffer, compass, and one-year warranty, in your choice of yellow, red, or blue. MSRP $5,499; triaksports.com

Quiet Time

Torqeedo, a leading maker of electric boat motors,  has teamed up with ElectraCraft, one of the leading manufacturers of  electric powerboats. The result is ElectraCraft’s new 14CSv, designed to use Torqeedo’s Cruise 2.0 motor. Measuring 14 feet LOA with a 7.3-foot beam, the 14CSv comes loaded with standard features, including a stainless-steel wraparound railing, Bimini top, Sunbrella fabric panels and cushions, and aft helm with bench seating.
Weighing 37 pounds, Torqeedo’s Cruise 2.0 is much lighter than other outboards in its power class. It can be powered by traditional-type batteries or with Torqeedo’s high-performance lithium-manganese batteries. It operates on 24V and offers thrust up to 6 horsepower, and it’s ultra-quiet. The ElectraCraft 14CSv has a limited-time starting price of $13,875; electracraft.com

Swim Free of Jellies

Nettle Net Boat Pools can be used in a variety of situations to create a jellyfish-free swim area. You can deploy them from sail or powerboats, with or without a swim ladder, as well as from most piers and docks.
To use a Nettle Net, simply take the pool out of its storage bag, unravel it, and inflate the float ring with the included foot pump. The float ring stays above the water while the netting’s weighted line lets the interior of the pool sink to a depth of eight feet. The fine-gauge mesh allows water to enter the pool but keeps jellyfish below and outside of the pool. All three pool sizes (8-, 12-, and 20-foot-diameter) can be launched in minutes. MSRP $499.95-$1,399.95; nojellyfish.com

Small but Luxurious

Featuring the same widebody design and deluxe features found on the 390 and 430 models, the Generation 360 now joins Walker Bay’s Luxury RIB lineup. The 12-foot RIB has a walk-through interior and ample storage space. A hatch opens up underneath the pilot seat, allowing access to the stern storage compartment. Heavy-duty, high-density cushions provide exceptionally comfortable seating. An attractive teak inlay has been added to both the bow step and the pilot seat boarding step. The three-chambered vessel will take up to a 40-horsepower long-shaft outboard and has a weight capacity of 1,317 pounds. walkerbay.com

Be a Rebel

All things considered, the Sea Rebel kayak, above, from Rave Sports is a great deal for just $199 (MSRP). It’s an inflatable, sit-on-top, 8’7″ kayak with a recumbent-style sling seat, adjustable backrest, and three bottom fins that assure straight tracking. This one-person craft inflates in minutes. It weighs only 22 pounds and with four handles, and is easy to portage.  Deflated, it’s an ideal water toy to store onboard a boat. Features include a water-resistant dry bag, water bottle holder, and an adjustable backrest. The Sea Rebel also comes with a paddle, hand pump, carrying bag, and a limited one-year warranty.
Want to learn how to water ski or wakeboard without all the spills? Rave also offers the Aqua Buddy Trainer. This inflatable device is easy to use thanks to its catamaran-style design, which allows the skier to practice deep-water starting without even getting into the water. Simply sit on the Aqua Buddy and let the boat pull you up. It’s a great way to get used to the feeling of being pulled and to slowly learn how to stand up. Made of 28-gauge PVC, it weighs only 6.1 pounds, has three air chambers, and comes with a limited 30-day warranty.  MSRP: $49.99; ravesports.com

Walk on Water

You’ve seen pictures of people seemingly standing on the water, with just a paddle in their hands.  It’s called SUP (Stand-Up Paddleboarding) and it’s gaining rapidly in popularity. Shops devoted to SUP are springing up much like surf shops. Surfboard builders are shaping SUPs now, too. The sport is fun and it’s easy to get started. You can rent boards for the entire family; they come in various shapes and sizes—depending upon your size, experience, and comfort level. Soon you’ll be shopping for a boat big enough to bring your boards along. precisionpaddleboards.com

Ride in One, Wear the Other

Spinnable towables—is it possible to have more fun? Kwik-Tek, manufacturer of Airhead Towables, recently introduced the spinning Gyro, below right, a bullet-shaped towable that can be sent into a spin with a simple turn of the boat. Its stainless steel swivel-tow system allows the Gyro to roll over and over again with the rider inside while he or she watches the action through the porthole at the front of the tube. MSRP: $169.99
Then there’s an inflatable Sumo Suit, left, the only inflatable you wear while being towed behind a boat. Connect a standard tow rope to the Sumo Splash Guard and you can steer the Sumo Tube back and forth, jump the wake, and roll 360s. MSRP: $199.99. We’re not sure how you dream these toys up, but there are many more where these came from; just visit airhead.com

Cool Down

This looks like something you’d see on the bridge of the Starship Enterprise. Designed to beat the heat during almost any activity, it fits comfortably around the neck. Utilizing evaporating water, it delivers a cooling sensation to the entire body. It lasts up to four hours without needing to be refilled with water.
Coolware runs for 20 continual hours on one AA battery. Two power settings allow for adjustable cooling. Simply fill the water chamber, turn the power switch on, put the device on the neck and within five minutes, Coolware creates a refreshing, cooling effect regardless of the ambient temperature or activity. MSRP 29.99; coolwarecomfort.com

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