Re: Water toys
You didn't say how old your crew is!
My kids loved the tube before they were bog/strong enough to wakeboard and ski. The sit in/on tubes are great for even the littlest riders, the flat tubes offer a more challenging ride. (don't worry about the haters, nothing wrong with the tubes, just keep your distance from others boaters that may not like the wakes).
My son started on 2 ski's, my daughter on the kneeboard. Both have graduated to the wakeboard since, and last year my son started really enjoying slalom skiing. IMHO the slalom is the most difficult of them all, but very rewarding.
We have a lot of company on the boat so we try to make sure there is something for all ages and abilities. If this means we blow up the tubes, so be it. We actually have a towable that is 8' across for towing up to 4 at time. This is still a lot of fun for the kids (they can do it with their friends), even though when we are alone they never use a tube.
As for non-towables, we have noodles, aqua-saddles, and several throwable cushions for just "hanging out" on the lake. I prefer the cushions, you can balance on them with a little practice, and just chill.
