The question comes up with every quote request: what size slide for a boat should you choose? The answer rests on two measurements, and not only on the length of the vessel as is often assumed.
What size slide for a boat: the two measurements that decide
The first is the length of the boat. It determines the acceptable bulk, the storage space available and the visual balance once the slide is deployed. An oversized model on a small vessel looks out of proportion and gets in the way on board.
The second, more decisive and more often forgotten, is the height between the aft deck and the water. It sets the angle of the slide. Too little height and the descent lacks character. Too much height with a short slide, and the entry into the water becomes brutal.
That is why we always ask for these two measurements before starting production. A bespoke plan you have approved avoids the two classic disappointments: an uncomfortable start, and a landing too far from the boat.
70 centimetres: vessels of 15 to 25 metres
The TOBO GLISS 70 covers family use and seasonal chartering on boats of 15 to 25 metres. Its slide width suits children and teenagers perfectly, and remains usable by an adult.
It is the best balance of bulk, price and thrills. For a first piece of equipment, or to fit out several vessels in a fleet without blowing the budget, it is the logical entry point.
90 centimetres: real adult comfort
Going up to 90 centimetres only changes twenty centimetres on paper. In use, the difference is clear: the seat is wider, the descent better held, and adults stop feeling they are using equipment designed for someone else.
Three models share this size on the same 15 to 25 metre boats. The GLISS 90 is the direct version of the GLISS 70. The SPLASH 90 adds a styled silhouette that stands out at anchor. The SPLASH 90+ takes that design further with superior finishes.
If your boat regularly carries adults, or if you charter to families, this is the width to aim for.
110 centimetres: from 25 metres up
The TOBO EXTREM 110 is for vessels of 25 metres and up. At that size, the freeboard height allows a long slide and a clean entry into the water, which the 90 centimetre models cannot offer.
Its size calls for a very high-pressure 1,200 watt pump, supplied with the slide, to keep deployment under ten minutes. It is also the most distinctive argument for a charter operator: few boats have one, and it shows in the very first photograph of a listing.
What size slide for a boat: the mistakes that cost you
The most common one, when wondering what size slide for a boat to go for, is to decide on the length of the vessel alone. Two 20 metre vessels can have very different freeboard heights depending on their architecture, and therefore call for different configurations.
The second is under-sizing to save money. A slide too narrow for the people actually using it ends up barely used, which makes it the least profitable spend on the boat.
The third is forgetting storage. The folded volume stays modest, but it needs a place. On a boat where every locker counts, that is worth thinking through before ordering.
What size slide for a boat: how we go about it
To work out what size slide for a boat suits you, you send us the length of the vessel, the height between the aft deck and the water, and the width available. We come back with a model recommendation and a plan. Nothing goes into production before you approve it.
If you are torn between two widths, the Rental for one season settles the question better than any sales pitch. Many of our clients buy after renting.
The detailed specifications of each model are on the range page, and you can describe your boat from the contact page.