Connelly Daytona 2

Connelly suggests the Daytona 2 has a Mario Kart feel. We’re not big gamers, but we can certainly understand the reference. Two riders sit side by side on twin red and blue go-karts, with their feet straddling an inflated center column and their backs against an inflated backrest. Twin grab handles on that central column evoke a steering wheel. Below, the tube’s deck-style base is asphalt gray, with a checkered-flag graphic at the Daytona 2’s leading edge. There’s even a speedometer graphic, pegged at a “don’t try this at home” 90 mph. Go, Speed Racer, go!

While the seating arrangement suggests a race, it’s the tube’s flat bottom surface that makes the Daytona 2 a speedy ride, skidding easily in and out of the wakes. Riders did have some leverage to influence direction, but the boat driver has the most control, sending the Daytona on a series of S-turns. Riders initially feared that the seating position, combined with the relatively low position of the grab handles, had the potential to eject riders should those skids become a little too aggressive. But, ultimately, the Daytona 2 proved stable. Still, at 70-by-70 inches, it’s probably best enjoyed by the smaller riders in your pit crew.

Like all of the tubes we tested, the Daytona 2 comes preassembled with a heavy-duty internal PVC bladder wrapped in a durable nylon cover for protection. While the main deck easily fills and deflates via a two-part Boston valve, the central columns and backrests feature oral-inflation valves (think of a pool float), which didn’t always line up well with the corresponding openings in the cover as the bladders inflated. Soft EVA padding is stitched in place on each seat position to offer comfort and durability. Likewise, the fully padded handles are comfortable and backed with knuckle guards to prevent abrasion. When the race is finally done, excess water empties through covered mesh drains on the tube’s bottom edge. $259.99; connellyskis.com