looking for a childhood toy for a friend (TO build waterproof stuff)

[The Rocketman]

I have an american friend whose birthday is coming up, and lately he was talking about how much fun he had as a kid with a certain toy. It allowed him to build waterproof stuff, with little engines and floating surfaces and so on.
He now has a young kid himself, so I think it'd make a nice present for him so they can build stuff together.

Now, only problem is I don't know what's it named. It must have been from the 80s, and it's name might have ended with an 'x', but I'm not sure. I guess it must have been a bit like construx? (But that's not it). Anyone know what it's named?

[Kagath]

Was it a building set with things like clear globes containing motors and such?

Yeah, I can't remember what it's called either.  

http://www.ilovethe80s.com/toys_toys_capsela.htm

Capsela is what I was thinking of.

[The Rocketman]

Thanks, that might have been it indeed!

[PeteRock]

 

I had Capsela as a kid! 

I had Construx as well!

Friends and I occasionally reminisce about that special kind of joy we felt as kids, a kind of "pure" joy, that came from playing with various toy favorites.  Despite many of us being fans of "grown up" toys like electronics, gadgets, etc, no matter the price tag or technological advancement, I don't think they're able to match that joy we felt as kids.

That of course is of little help in tracking down a Capsela set (or something similar), but I enjoyed the brief trip down memory lane. 

[Kagath]

Ehhh, there's some kits on ebay currently. Shouldn't be too hard to get some.

[Purge]

... it went bop when it stopped, and whirr when it stood still,
I never knew just what it was, and I guess I never will.

(ever since seeing the title, this song popped into my head)