"Island" floats are those that are big enough for two or more people but not simply air mattresses. A lot of them are round, and multiple rings is a common configuration. I don't like the multiple ring ones, because they are very sturdy. I like stressing inflatables. You can get multiple people on the same ring to stress it, but more irregular shapes are better for my purposes.
I own a lot of watermelon-themed floats from several manufacturers. I like the ones with radial segments separated by baffles, and I prefer the ones that are all one chamber. The segments bulge when you load the float unevenly, and you can feel the weight of other people on the float with you.
Some of these designs have an outer ring, and whether that ring is a separate chamber or just a baffle forming a ring, the purpose is the same. It keeps the weight from all transferring to the outer wall of the float. The ones without the outer ring tend to split seams on the outer edge.
Swimline makes a 61-inch watermelon float with 12 radial segments and an outer ring that is not a true separate chamber. The whole float, including the center, is one chamber. This is my favorite large float. The segments bulge nicely under load, and you can feel the weight of other people on the float with you. I use this float as a base on which I pop other inflatables, and I've had multiple heavy people on this float with me.
The similar Intex float has an outer ring that is a separate chamber. It seems sturdier and is less interesting to me.
"US Pool Supply" has a 12-segment radial design that does not have an outer ring. I like stressing floats, and this one feels more stressed under load than the Swimline, but I haven't used it enough to know how much less durable it is.
Then there is the nine-segment Pool Central float that is smaller at about 49 inches. Fewer segments means each of the baffles takes more of the weight, and this one doesn't have an outer ring, either. This one is exciting, but I don't have many of them so I've been careful with them.
I also have some chinese knockoffs, and some lemon slice variants from the same manufacturers.
I own a lot of watermelon-themed floats from several manufacturers. I like the ones with radial segments separated by baffles, and I prefer the ones that are all one chamber. The segments bulge when you load the float unevenly, and you can feel the weight of other people on the float with you.
Some of these designs have an outer ring, and whether that ring is a separate chamber or just a baffle forming a ring, the purpose is the same. It keeps the weight from all transferring to the outer wall of the float. The ones without the outer ring tend to split seams on the outer edge.
Swimline makes a 61-inch watermelon float with 12 radial segments and an outer ring that is not a true separate chamber. The whole float, including the center, is one chamber. This is my favorite large float. The segments bulge nicely under load, and you can feel the weight of other people on the float with you. I use this float as a base on which I pop other inflatables, and I've had multiple heavy people on this float with me.
The similar Intex float has an outer ring that is a separate chamber. It seems sturdier and is less interesting to me.
"US Pool Supply" has a 12-segment radial design that does not have an outer ring. I like stressing floats, and this one feels more stressed under load than the Swimline, but I haven't used it enough to know how much less durable it is.
Then there is the nine-segment Pool Central float that is smaller at about 49 inches. Fewer segments means each of the baffles takes more of the weight, and this one doesn't have an outer ring, either. This one is exciting, but I don't have many of them so I've been careful with them.
I also have some chinese knockoffs, and some lemon slice variants from the same manufacturers.
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