WATER PAD / LILY PAD --- 3 Layer vs 2 Layer
- Thread starter andy k
- Start date
- Jun 5, 2016
- 5,576
- Boat Info
- 410 Sundancer
2001
12" Axiom and 9" Axiom+ MFD
- Engines
- Cat 3126 V-Drives
I researched this issue last summer. The differences are mostly in the thickness, or number of plys. I ended up getting a west marine 3 ply (I think 6'x18') on sale. We like it a lot. After purchase, I was getting ads (surprise) and there was one manufacturer that had one with a soft diamond texture on the top...seemed like a nice upgrade.
mobocracy
Active Member
I have a two-ply "Aqua Lily Pad" I got at a really good price about 5 years ago. Mine is a slightly smaller (6x12) one, although it doesn't seem like we're missing the extra 6' of the "normal" 18' size.
The first summer we had it we had it tied up on the stern of our old runabout and a muskrat tried to nest in it. We had a bunch of bite marks, but none went through. Otherwise it has survived some kind of rough treatment with only a few nicks here and there. It seems pretty darn durable.
I did replace the built-in bungee lanyard/hook system with my own stainless eye on the pad and my own heavy 1/4" bungee. The stock bungee setup was really thin and on one windy day the wind caught it and pulled the bungee line taught. I did not want to chase it down, so I upgraded the bungee.
If I was ever to buy a new one, I would look for one with more of a "soft" surface. Ours is fairly coarse, although not really unpleasant.
I would also like one with a built-in cushion/pillow at one end. If you lay on it, your body weight (well at least *my* body weight) pushes down enough that your head is half in the water. It would be nice to have something to lean against and/or use as a pillow. I've been tempted to roll a pretty tight loop in one end "permanently" for this, but haven't completely worked out how to make the looped end stay put. Probably small grommeted holes at both sides and the middle with some kind of bolt/pin to hold them down.
I don't actually use it myself, much -- I live on my water saddle. The admiral and her friends like it, as do most of the kids -- it's great for young kids in life jackets to have something easier to climb on than the stern. We stow it on the port side bow, it's mostly not a big visibility obstacle.
The first summer we had it we had it tied up on the stern of our old runabout and a muskrat tried to nest in it. We had a bunch of bite marks, but none went through. Otherwise it has survived some kind of rough treatment with only a few nicks here and there. It seems pretty darn durable.
I did replace the built-in bungee lanyard/hook system with my own stainless eye on the pad and my own heavy 1/4" bungee. The stock bungee setup was really thin and on one windy day the wind caught it and pulled the bungee line taught. I did not want to chase it down, so I upgraded the bungee.
If I was ever to buy a new one, I would look for one with more of a "soft" surface. Ours is fairly coarse, although not really unpleasant.
I would also like one with a built-in cushion/pillow at one end. If you lay on it, your body weight (well at least *my* body weight) pushes down enough that your head is half in the water. It would be nice to have something to lean against and/or use as a pillow. I've been tempted to roll a pretty tight loop in one end "permanently" for this, but haven't completely worked out how to make the looped end stay put. Probably small grommeted holes at both sides and the middle with some kind of bolt/pin to hold them down.
I don't actually use it myself, much -- I live on my water saddle. The admiral and her friends like it, as do most of the kids -- it's great for young kids in life jackets to have something easier to climb on than the stern. We stow it on the port side bow, it's mostly not a big visibility obstacle.
mwph
Well-Known Member
- Jul 8, 2008
- 3,229
- Boat Info
- 1998 250 DA
- Engines
- 7.4L, B3
I've looked at them. Would love to use one. But my boat is just way too small to lug something that size on and off the boat, not to mention storage.
