Burgess 50: From snorkels to submarines – 50 years of watertoy history

To celebrate Burgess’ 50th anniversary, each month we’re highlighting a different element of the yachting industry. This month, we’re shining the spotlight on watertoys – exploring their evolution over the past 50 years, from simple collections of trusty toys to the expansive, high-tech world they are today.

A world away from the simple setups of the past, today the focus of the next generation of watertoys is shifting towards eco-friendly options, multifunctionality, and integration with advanced technology and design. Classic favourites like kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkelling gear remain popular, but they now share space with electric tenders, hydrofoils, and specialised adventure toys.

This change is driven by a desire for unique, active experiences that go far beyond the waterline – a progression that began decades ago and has steadily reshaped what ‘play’ means at sea.

1970s

In the 1970s, a yacht’s ‘toy box’ was small and functional. Most carried a single tender – often a rigid hull or wooden launch – used for going ashore, ferrying guests, or heading out for light fishing trips. It lived on deck, hoisted by davits, or in a modest garage if space allowed.

Watertoys were simple but dependable: snorkels, fishing rods, and waterskis were staples. Early towable inflatables appeared in the form of small donuts, while the more adventurous yachts carried diving gear – though safety standards were a little looser than they are today. It was the dawn of leisure on the water, but still very much rooted in practicality.

1980s-1990s

By the 1980s, the focus began to shift from getting ashore to having fun on the water. Rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) became the go-to tender for shuttling guests, while larger yachts started to carry a second, more stylish wooden or aluminium runabout for day trips. In the 1990s, purpose-built luxury tenders appeared, often hidden away in newly designed garages rather than cluttering the decks.

Watersports also took off. Waterskis and towables – from inflatable donuts to banana boats – ruled the scene. Windsurfing was in its heyday, and many yachts carried one or two boards alongside small sailing dinghies. Diving gear grew more sophisticated, though still a pursuit for the bold.

Then came the game-changer: jetskis. From the first WaveRunners to Sea-Doos, they exploded onto the scene in the early ’90s and quickly became must-haves on larger yachts. Wakeboarding soon followed as a flashier, more extreme alternative to waterskiing. Other innovations crept in – early underwater scooters, better dive compressors, floating trampolines, and the first primitive ‘beach clubs,’ little more than floating mats but the seed of a future design revolution.

Jetskis were now a given, joined by wakeboards, Hobie Cats, kayaks, snorkelling kits, and a growing array of toys for every age and appetite. Late in the decade, the first SeaBobs and improved underwater scooters hinted at a future where electric fun would dominate the toy garage.

2010s-now

The 2010s brought the electric revolution. Seabobs, eFoils, electric surfboards, and hydrofoils took the industry by storm. Inflatable technology pushed boundaries, creating sprawling floating playgrounds, multi-deck slides, and entire obstacle courses tethered to the stern.

Beach clubs became signature features, doubling as launch pads for toys and even driving ranges, complete with biodegradable fish food golf balls. For the adventure crowd, yachts started carrying gear that could take guests far beyond the water: quad bikes, 4x4s, snowmobiles, and helicopters for heli-skiing or remote island access.

Personal submarines from brands like Triton and U-Boat Worx moved from novelty to charter brochure highlight, allowing guests to explore wrecks and reefs hundreds of metres below the surface. Flyboards brought acrobatics into the mix, while ROVs and underwater drones blurred the line between play and exploration.

Today, a superyacht’s toy list isn’t just a catalogue – it’s a statement. It tells you whether the yacht is built for adrenaline junkies, family fun, scientific discovery, or all of the above.