This Damn Lilly Pad

[GreenEnergy28]

A few years back my wife insisted we buy a Lily Pad. I hate the damn thing but the kids and the wife love it. Of course they don't have to transport it to the lake and deal with strapping it somewhere on the boat to get it to a day beach so yeah, great time for them.... (little rant) So when we drive the truck out, I usually throw it in the bed to get it out there. The thing takes up half the bed. Once we're at the lake, I usually just strap it to the grab handles on the swim step and go. Of course, the swim step is rendered useless until we find a spot and get it off the boat. Haven't messed with trying to get it out there when we're towing with the motorhome yet but I'm thinking I can tie it to the ladder and strap it to the steps. Has anyone come up with a better way tp transport these things?

 

[Gonefishin5555]

attach it with a slip knot and when it disappears enroute just act really surprised and accuse the homeless people in Barstow of stealing it.

 

[MK1MOD0]

Damn that looks like it hurt! A couple rules or motorcycling. Don’t follow vehicles with shit hanging off them. And if something falls off, aim for where it’s at, because by the time you get there, it will be somewhere else. A group of us were riding back from a run in the mountains when a truck lost a refrigerator right in front of the group. In all the chaos, no one hit it, or another vehicle!!! Still talk about that one.

BTW. The wife wanted a lillypad. I had to politely deny the request. Lol.

 

[regor]

A few years back my wife insisted we buy a Lily Pad. I hate the damn thing but the kids and the wife love it. Of course they don't have to transport it to the lake and deal with strapping it somewhere on the boat to get it to a day beach so yeah, great time for them.... (little rant) So when we drive the truck out, I usually throw it in the bed to get it out there. The thing takes up half the bed. Once we're at the lake, I usually just strap it to the grab handles on the swim step and go. Of course, the swim step is rendered useless until we find a spot and get it off the boat. Haven't messed with trying to get it out there when we're towing with the motorhome yet but I'm thinking I can tie it to the ladder and strap it to the steps. Has anyone come up with a better way tp transport these things?

That write up is classic and 100% spot on!!!

 

[Badchoices03]

I have refused to get one, here in Canyon Lake the beaches are small, when you pull up to a beach and there are 6 or more 15' long lily pads floating with nobody even using them, it gets pretty annoying...

 

[Dan Lorenze]

Damn that looks like it hurt! A couple rules or motorcycling. Don’t follow vehicles with shit hanging off them. And if something falls off, aim for where it’s at, because by the time you get there, it will be somewhere else. A group of us were riding back from a run in the mountains when a truck lost a refrigerator right in front of the group. In all the chaos, no one hit it, or another vehicle!!! Still talk about that one.

BTW. The wife wanted a lillypad. I had to politely deny the request. Lol.

And don't wear shorts, lol. Poor guy isn't gonna have fun in the ER when they use a stiff bristle brush to clean out all the gravel.

 

[mobldj]

i fucking hate ours

 

[C-Ya]

Lets face it, they are a fun item at the sandbar. Many uses with lots of enjoyment. But I hate dealing with them. It’s like hauling a foam coffin around.

Every time I put one away by myself…….. I look like I am making love to the thing!

 

[Riverryder]

@GreenEnergy28 i hate hate the dam thing! but there is not easier way. you either get one the not as wide so you can walk along side it or get one of the blow up ones.
the kids have more fun with the blow up ones because it it get slippery, they can use it as a slide. i will be selling mine to upgrade.

 

[77charger]

I got rid of mine recently.Daughter hasnt noticed it gone yet though since we havent used boat this summer yet.

 

[FreeBird236]

Don't let them touch your gelcoat when carrying them on the water or on the trailer.

 

[H20 Toie]

I just got the smaller ones
Easy to deal with

 

[Ziggy]

I just got the smaller ones
Easy to deal with

If we were to get one it'd be enough for the two of us or maybe just big enough to use as a table.

 

[Mototrig]

I used to transport it in the bed of the truck. Took up half the bed space, hated it. We took the Sequoia this last trip, obviously no bed. I strapped it to the swim step but attached the tie downs to the side cleats. It made the 500 mile round trip on the highway just fine.

Like the OP I hate not having swim steps.

 

[zbudman]

Two things, why is that jackass towing in the fast lane and why is the motorcyclist following him. If you're on a M/C, stay away from possible hazards like this.

 

[Flying_Lavey]

The wife wanted one back when we lived at Naci. I politely reminded her we would need to transport it on our 18' outboard on the lake. That stopped that real quick.

 

[TOOLEY]

Lol, don’t follow shit like that on your cycle. I wouldn’t even peddle behind that.

 

[JJ McClure]

That guy shouldn’t be riding a motorcycle... those are some seriously poor decision making skills. Hope he was ok.

 

[Singleton]

If we were to get one it'd be enough for the two of us or maybe just big enough to use as a table.

This. I got a short cut at the Havasu boat show one year. It was cheaper since it was an odd size and it is only 9’ long. Works perfect!

 

[Ct5]

Fuck those things!

We’re going to give the air track a try this year. Inflate when you get there and deflate to transport.

Our Lilly pad only lasted a year before it started falling apart (the kids put it in the pool several times). If the air track lasts a year at half the price, I’ll be happy.

 

[DRYHEAT]

Two things, why is that jackass towing in the fast lane and why is the motorcyclist following him. If you're on a M/C, stay away from possible hazards like this.

He appeared to be keeping up with the flow of traffic in that lane the middle lane certainly wasn’t going that fast. Motorcyclist should’ve seen that coming.

 

[4Waters]

Two things, why is that jackass towing in the fast lane and why is the motorcyclist following him. If you're on a M/C, stay away from possible hazards like this.

It happened in Minnesota

 

[DWC]

Had ours for a couple trips over a few months. Couldn’t wait to get rid of it.

 

[JJ McClure]

I’m at my moms in northern Minnesota right now... a little vacation. The lakes are wonderful, drivers not so much.

 

[retaocleg]

Two things, why is that jackass towing in the fast lane and why is the motorcyclist following him. If you're on a M/C, stay away from possible hazards like this.

first thing i thought, dont follow that

 

[LHC Kirby]

Two things, why is that jackass towing in the fast lane and why is the motorcyclist following him. If you're on a M/C, stay away from possible hazards like this.

THAT LANE - it's not illegal in every state. So, it might be okay there.

MOTORCYCLE FOLLOWING - idiot

 

[Badchoices03]

@GreenEnergy28 i hate hate the dam thing! but there is not easier way. you either get one the not as wide so you can walk along side it or get one of the blow up ones.
the kids have more fun with the blow up ones because it it get slippery, they can use it as a slide. i will be selling mine to upgrade.

Yeah they make good slip n slides

 

[Havaduner]

We have one for floating on the beach in front of the house. It won't see being on the boat.

 

[Rondog4405]

Those things are a major pain in the ass! Thinking of cutting mine up into sections and making floats for the pool. Just sits in the garage..

 

[FCT]

I have refused to get one, here in Canyon Lake the beaches are small, when you pull up to a beach and there are 6 or more 15' long lily pads floating with nobody even using them, it gets pretty annoying...

One of the guys that started Lily Pad lives in here i mountain bike with him all the time. You can thank him for selling so many here

 

[SHEP]

After the first 3-4 times we took ours out for the kids on the boat I realized they are old enough to do all the work necessary to take it out. They have to carry it to the boat, attach it, roll it up when done playing, and take it back to the garage. It doesn't get used that much any more. lol Hard to say no to the little kids though that love playing on it.

 

[69hondo]

Its a big pain in the ass but it is nice to hang out on in the water. We also have the blow up type that is shown in the video above. Its a pain in the ass as well. easier to store but heavy and you have to inflate and deflate every time.

 

[Badchoices03]

One of the guys that started Lily Pad lives in here i mountain bike with him all the time. You can thank him for selling so many here

Do they still live here? I thought the original family that started it, used to live on Longhorn, moved to like Indiana or something?? The family was cool, they would cruise through the campground and hand out small pieces of the lilypad material that were shaped like donuts or small kickboards to all the kids I still have like 4 of those that I keep in the boat....

 

[FCT]

Do they still live here? I thought the original family that started it, used to live on Longhorn, moved to like Indiana or something?? The family was cool, they would cruise through the campground and hand out small pieces of the lilypad material that were shaped like donuts or small kickboards to all the kids I still have like 4 of those that I keep in the boat....

Yeah they Moved but Ron is still here. It was the other guys wife and Ron who started the whole thing. It Got bought up for millions though and They kept Ron on for sales still.

 

[Badchoices03]

Yeah they Moved but Ron is still here. It was the other guys wife and Ron who started the whole thing. It Got bought up for millions though and They kept Ron on for sales still.

Oh I know Ron through passing, have partied with him a few times, I always thought he was just part of the sales team, didn't know he helped start it up...we were at the campground once a few years ago, and my buddy had a lilypad that didn't have one of those anchors, and Ron came down and cut the hole in it and installed the anchor at no charge...

 

[FCT]

Oh I know Ron through passing, have partied with him a few times, I always thought he was just part of the sales team, didn't know he helped start it up...we were at the campground once a few years ago, and my buddy had a lilypad that didn't have one of those anchors, and Ron came down and cut the hole in it and installed the anchor at no charge...

He’s a good dude!

 

[Riverryder]

We also have the blow up type that is shown in the video above. Its a pain in the ass as well. easier to store but heavy and you have to inflate and deflate every time.

think the inflate/ deflate isnt as much of a pain in the ass as having the huge thing on the tansom.

which you prefer? when the lily pad is on the back. we can not stop and jump in for a quick dip besides the kids because it can just throw them in the boat from the side. adults have to wait till we beach it.

 

[69hondo]

think the inflate/ deflate isnt as much of a pain in the ass as having the huge thing on the tansom.

which you prefer? when the lily pad is on the back. we can not stop and jump in for a quick dip besides the kids because it can just throw them in the boat from the side. adults have to wait till we beach it.

That's good question but if I had to choose between the two I would take the inflatable. Using it as a slide is great, more people can hang out on it. You can put chairs on it if you want. I got the biggest one they made at the time so its fucking huge. I thing its like 6.5 feet wide and 20ft long.

 

[69hondo]

I put the lilly pad on the swim step once and hated it. Like said makes the swim step pretty much unuseable and it changed the way the exhaust sounded when I was driving and made me think something was wrong. Weird I know but it did so now i side tie it to the bimini mounts and lay in on top of the hatch.

 

[ltbaney1]

a guy i boat with has one, kids love it. i love watching him try to roll the damn thing up and tie it onto his boat. he hates the damn thing but his wife and kids love it.

 

[Flying_Lavey]

Shit..... I never realized the tumble track we have for the girls to practice their cheerleading on is basically an inflatable Lilly pad. They are actually making an elite cheer performance floor out of those now as they are supposedly safer for the athletes.

 

[Riverryder]

@69hondo you smart mfer you! im going to strap mine like this next time to see isnt as bad!

 

[GreenEnergy28]

I put the lilly pad on the swim step once and hated it. Like said makes the swim step pretty much unuseable and it changed the way the exhaust sounded when I was driving and made me think something was wrong. Weird I know but it did so now i side tie it to the bimini mounts and lay in on top of the hatch.

View attachment 1119727

I just picture it rubbing on the engine hatch and wearing on the vinyl like that. I don't know, I never tried it that way...

 

[Mototrig]

On the plus side you can always transport a kid in the thing if you need more room in the boat.
I threaten my youngest with it all the time, straightens her right up

 

[69hondo]

I just picture it rubbing on the engine hatch and wearing on the vinyl like that. I don't know, I never tried it that way...

Been doing it that way for the last couple years. I am not seeing any wear

 

[Riverryder]

I just picture it rubbing on the engine hatch and wearing on the vinyl like that. I don't know, I never tried it that way...

it would be wearing the back of the boat aswell if it did?

 

[69hondo]

All this talk and digging up pictures really makes me want to be at the river. Thanks guys LOL

 

[Todd Mohr]

I was thinking of cutting mine in half, they make a nice table in the water.

 

[Lucky Larry]

Apparently this is how you do it ~

“Wifey”