Advice on best method of towing inflatables, skis, wakeboard

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samander

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Jul 10, 2012
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Hey guys, Im baffled at what the best towing solution would be for my boat. I tried tubing using my transom hooks but found it to be too low. My boat is a 1988 Sea Ray Seville 18 outboard with a platform in the back. I don't believe a pylon can be drilled though the top lip and mounted to the floor. Anybody have any experience with this and have advice?? Attached is a photo of the situation..Cheers!
 

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samander

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Thanks for the advice. I was looking for something a little higher up and more versatile. Would like to be able to tow 2-3 single tubes, kneeboards, skis, and wakeboard. Im wondering if something like this would work:

http://www.iboats.com/Adjustable-Ski...iew_id.1185839


Im mainly concerned with finding something that can handle the weight
 
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Chris1956

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That Pylon may fit, but it will take up a lot of room in the cockpit, where it would be mounted. You could use the cleats you already have, if your make sure they have proper thru bolts and backing plates. You could also mount stern eyes or cleats higher up on the stern of the boat to tow with. These would also need backing plates and bolts.

BTW - Why do you want to tow 2-3 single tubes at one time? They would just clump together. Of course, if you make the ropes different lengths, you get to decapitate some of the riders.
 
smokeonthewater

smokeonthewater

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Dec 3, 2009
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For tubes.... two booster balls on two stern eyes with two tubes... Done deal

Two tubes is fun... The riders can 'battle' each other and it's pretty easy to sling one outside while keeping the other inside the wake...

Obviously you have to watch em and don't do any extreme stuff like jumping the wake at high speed because you don't want one tuber landing on top of the other...

The pylon would likely work but as chris said would be a royal PITA in my opinion to have to climb over in the boat.... I wouldn't give up that much deck space in my 30'er much less in a smaller boat BUT it's your call.... Maybe before plopping down the money get some PVC and duct tape and mock it up in your boat just to visualize having 5 people (3 tubers, driver, spotter) cooler, life jackets, tubes, wakeboards, skis, and that pylon in the boat...

Maybe it'll work or maybe you need to lower your expectations for your water sports OR MAYBE you need to be shopping for a bigger I/O boat possibly with a tower.
 
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samander

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Jul 10, 2012
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I was more thinking of mounting it like in the attached photo but having a hard time finding a pylon that would fit this setup. I had a pylon like this on my old 16 and it was perfect for our needs. It did eliminate two stern seats however!

As for the three tube experience, we have pretty much mastered it (would never tow this with kids however). Here is a video we did last summer using three O'brien Screamers on a different boat:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOA3WfhnWOE

Nothing too fast, no donuts but nice "s" curves. The tubers pretty much control their own position.
 
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