Water mats and water pads are popular accessories that can make your boating experience even more enjoyable. These waterproof foam toys are like floating rugs that let you lounge, play, or even walk on the surface of the water—yes, right out in the middle of the lake, bay, or river.
While there are lots of upsides to floating mats, there are some downsides as well. These mats are tons of fun, but they’re also big and bulky. You wouldn’t keep a rolled-up rug in the middle of your living room. So don’t let a floating mat take up valuable space in your boat, either.
This post covers everything you need to know about floating mat storage options, including:
- Why everyone loves water mats
- How to safely store them (and why safe storage is important)
- Where to find the best floating mat storage rack for center and dual console boats
Without further ado, let’s dive in!
Why Floating Mats Are So Popular
Floating mats are one of the coolest water trends out there. Boats are an ancient form of transportation, so when something new comes along, it definitely makes a big splash. People love water mats for a long list of reasons.
First, mats make it easy to lounge, play, and generally enjoy yourself on the water. Unroll a water mat from your boat and you instantly have more options. Kids and dogs love to play on the mat while adults will enjoy sunbathing, relaxing, and socializing too.
Water mats are a great option for crowds too. Oftentimes, boaters will link up in the middle of a cove to soak up the sun together. What better way to enjoy each other’s company than chilling comfortably on your mat? Some of the largest mats can fit up to six adults. Floating mats are also easy to use. Since these mats are a single layer of foam, they’re lightweight. You can unroll your mat and start using it in seconds. Then roll it back up and put it away when it’s time to head to shore. That brings us to our next topic: storage.
How to Safely Store Your Floating Mat
If there’s one negative to being out on the water, it’s the lack of storage space. You can only carry so many items on your boat! Not only are you transporting people but also food and beverages, flotation devices, towels, water toys, fishing poles, and maybe even a water tube.
While your boat may have more room than many other types of boats, there’s still a limit to how much you can haul. This becomes even more obvious when you’re trying to find a place to stow a floating mat.
Depending on the size of your mat, it can take up a ton of space. Those six-seater mats can be up to 18 feet long x 6 feet wide! Imagine trying to wrangle something this size at the end of the day: the mat is wet, the kids are cranky, and you’re tired. Not fun.
A rolled-up water mat can be inconvenient, taking up entire rows of seats or blocking your walkways. It can also be a hazard if it’s not securely attached. It has the potential to catch the breeze and fly out of boats on the go. This puts your passengers at risk and could cause problems for other boaters as well. Luckily, you can safely store your water mat with a floating mat storage rack for boats. These racks are safer, more convenient, and even help keep your mat in great working order.
Looking for a way to store your wakeboards and skis?
The Best Floating Mat Storage Rack for Boats
Manta Racks arguably has the best floating mat rack for center console and dual console boats. Our state-of-the-art design makes it fast, simple, and easy to store your water mat when it’s not in use. Say goodbye to bulky mats that block your seats and cause safety hazards. Our FM Rack System includes everything you need to carry one floating mat, up to 20’ long.
In addition, this rack system helps you roll up your floating mat when it’s time to go home. Simply get someone to help you on the opposite end of the mat, start to roll it, then place it in the cradle of the rack and continue to roll it from the inside of the tube which is formed. The cradle keeps the floating mat from springing back.
The FM Rack System features two racks that slide into the flush-mounted rod holders you already have on your boat’s gunnel or transom. We designed this system for the recreational boater with fast, simple installation. We want to help you enjoy the water, not keep you busy with installations. The system rotates and locks every 22.5 degrees, so it’s parallel with your gunwale.
Our boat float mat storage rack is a secure, safe home for your water mat when you’re not using it. We even include straps to keep it firmly in place. Choose between a black or white finish to match the look of your boat. You can even add multiple water mat storage systems if you have more than one mat!
Explore the Best Water Mat Storage For Boats
Here at Manta Racks, we love the water as much as you do. That’s why we created the FM Rack System: to help everyone make the most of their boating experiences. This rack system is simply the best way to store your floating mat! Click here to learn more about the FM Rack System, or get in touch today with any questions you might have.
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