With thanks to EAMS Yacht Tender Center and an army of superyacht captains and crew!
Yacht captains and senior crew are busy people, particularly when the owner is on board or a charter is underway. Downtime is at a premium and they are completely at the service of all those on board. If the owner or charter party make a request then the expectation is that it will be delivered – and quick.
This pressure dictates that captains and stews require lightning quick reactions to ensure they can handle everything that’s thrown at them (and it’s safe to say they have to deal with some pretty bizarre requests). That’s where Yachting Pages – the captain’s bible – comes in.
Our industry-leading search engine has been by the side of captains and crew for more than 15 years, helping them to source the products or services they need. But sometimes what they’re looking for is knowledge, which is where our library of insightful content comes to the rescue.
In our Tried & Tested feature we task industry experts to conduct real-world tests on essential crew products and services, before providing a comprehensive breakdown of their findings.
Water toys are one of those essential products. Popular for the excitement and fun they create, toys are a staple part of life on board – so it’s important for captains to have a flawless knowledge of the best new products on the market.
Yacht toy specialist EAMS Yacht Tender Center joined forces with Yachting Pages and an army of experienced crew in the south of France to review the products that will be trending in 2021. The crew, consisting of captains, officers, instructors, and engineers, each provided scores across a range of helpful metrics that we’ve averaged out to provide an overall result.
In alphabetical order, these are the water toys that have been put to the test.
The airBEACH inflatable platform is among the leading products of its style. Offered by Hovercraft, the platform is versatile, particularly easy to use and a great extension of the dive platform for smaller boats. Personalisation is available from the manufacturer too.
A high-performance jetboard that offers the latest in electric propulsion, the Awake RÄVIK electric surfboard is designed to provide adrenaline-fuelled fun to both experienced and inexperienced riders. With a top speed of 34mph and a battery time of between 20-45 minutes, it’s a product that can provide thrills – but only in short bursts.
SipaBoards are designed to offer an all-round enhanced SUP experience, bringing the outside world closer. Designed to help the rider to explore at his or her own pace away from the yacht, the SipaBoards are quick and easy to use – perfect for the whole family.
Ever wondered what it feels like to fly? Well wonder no more. A high-quality and modern-looking inflatable board, the Fliteboard Air e-foil is suitable for riders of all experience levels. It boasts almost the double the volume of the standard Fliteboard, making learning even easier – ideal for guests who may only end up using the toy once or twice.
The Jet-Boat is exactly what you might imagine: An inflatable boat designed to be pushed by attached to a Jet Ski. The boat can carry up to six passengers who can sit and enjoy a high-speed ride – whether it’s for fun or a practical second tender solution.
The electric JETSURF board boasts the same DNA as the others in the brand’s range, but with the added benefit of being more environmentally friendly. Fast and with good manoeuvrability, it’s a board designed for thrill seeker. It has a top speed of 31mph and can run for around 35 minutes per battery cycle.
The JETSURF Race is exactly what you might think: A powerful race board. Unlike its electric sibling, JETSURF Race has a 2 stroke 100cc engine that has been rigorously tested in the toughest racing conditions, ensuring it provides a powerful performance on the water. It offers staggering speeds of 55 km/h and the ability to make sharp turns.
The SEABOB is another water toy that propels riders underwater to explore what lies beneath the surface. Providing relaxed gliding and impressive agility thanks to its electric E-Jet Power drive, SEABOBs are an environmentally friendly way of experiencing fun and freedom on the water.
Jet Skis are almost guaranteed to be great fun to use, and the Sea-Doo Spark is a game-changing PWC (personal watercraft). It’s cheaper, lighter and easy to use as a beginner, making it an accessible and instantly thrilling water toy to get your hands on. Utilising a powerful Rotax 900 ACE engine, Spark promises a fast and fuel-efficient ride.
A water toy that offers riders the ability to fly, the Waydoo Flyer One takes advantage of everybody’s inner superhero. Lightweight, emission-free and easy to set up, the Flyer is a pacey and exciting e-foil, particularly for experienced riders.
There were some very high scores from some exceptional toys, but the undisputed winner of the Tried & Tested: Best Water Toy is the Sea-Doo Spark! Our selected army of captains and crew were unanimous in their decision, citing the craft’s intoxicating rider experience.
Our superyacht captains and crew offered some glowing reviews after testing the Sea-Doo Spark. Here are some of their comments:
“Fun, small Jet-Ski - good for guests” – Arthur, Captain, M/Y Spontaneous
“Amazing value for money and experience - extremely fast and almost too easy” – Rob, Captain, M/Y Lady Rose
Check out our three in-depth videos to get a greater insight into the yacht toys that were tested!
Read more Tried & Tested articles in our back catalogue, which includes a brand new 2022 edition of Tried & Tested: Best Water Toys! Our library also features reviews of the best deck shoes and crew footwear.
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