Carrying the tube/towable on the lake

[Flying Sushi]

Re: Carrying the tube/towable on the lake

Good suggestions? I start seeing more and more people tow large tubing with short rope in my area (river) and they would say it is ok until 35 MPH then wind would flip it up? I personally use 120V rapid pump (with 1000W) inverter so it will inflate and deflate very quick? However I do tempted to tow it back to home sometimes?

 

[pinecrestwoods]

Re: Carrying the tube/towable on the lake

I guess it kind of depends on how your boat is set up. Do you have a swim platform, deck on the rear, etc. Mine is such that I have one rope with carabiner that extends from the middle of the rear bench seat and hooks to the front of the tube (where the tow rope attaches). Then one rope/carabiner with a slip knot that attaches to handles on the tube and the rear cleats on the boat. The tube rides perfectly on the rear of the boat (out of the water), is able to drip excess water off the back, and there is no way it can slide back or side to side. I figured enough rope that it would sit back far enough not to hit anyone in the head. It has never moved, even at WOT (40mph or so).

(In short, what I described is much like wtr4fun's but we have a larger platform/engine cover and a bit of a smaller tube, so it doesn't hang in the water).

I've thought about getting a pump too, but don't really want the water inside my boat. If we did other activities, like skiing and such, too, that would be another story, and my tube set-up would be in the way of getting off the back of the boat.

 

[Flying Sushi]

Re: Carrying the tube/towable on the lake

Since the most said it is bad idea so I had to test it out myself for towing a large tube in typical cruising speed. I think it is depend on what tube is. Last few days we towed our Warbird 2 behind our Boat (Four Winns H260) with a 10? rope everywhere we went. Weather was good but little windy but we managed spent good 5 hours on water (running) The tube bounced little but the most of the case it towed very well between 30 to 38 MPH range and never showed sign of dig into water as some people mentioned. The tube did flipped when we went 42 MPH so we felt it reach the limit of this particular tube. Since our boat has clean wake so tube behaved very well between two wakes. I have checked Tube after the day is over and there was no sign of rip or wear and tear on towing strap stitches. I feel confident that I would not have any issue with towing this Warbird 2. Since I own a summerhouse right on water so I hate to inflate and deflate air every time kids want to ride a tube. We keep this tube inflate and put on the corner of the boat house?

 

[tmh]

Re: Carrying the tube/towable on the lake

Be VERY careful towing an inflated tube. I used to just have someone keep a hand on it in the back, often with the rope still attached to the tow eye in case. Last year I heard of a local kid who's leg was SEVERED when a tube being carried in their boat flew off the back and the rope wrapped around his leg. When the tube hit the water, the force ripped his leg apart!

I checked into it and found that tubes flying off boats cause many severe boating injuries. So, whatever method you use, STOW THE TOW ROPE while moving!

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Carrying the tube/towable on the lake

From the view over the rear of your I can see why you would have trouble pulling it in, that warbird II is big and heavy I have one too. It looks safe enough to me as long as someone is watching it so you can keep your eyes on whats ahead.

 

[htv]

Re: Carrying the tube/towable on the lake

12 volt inflator /deflator on a boat is great. When we move from one area to another I pull up the tube snug against the ski pylon and it sits mostly on the swim deck and a little on the water. It's out of everyone's way and I can travel with it over 45 mph.

2008 Regal 2200
5.7 VP 325hp

 

[Jane Warren]

Re: Carrying the tube/towable on the lake

Despite all this weather, it won't be long until we are out on the water again.
We can either tie it to back of boat swim platform, or let some air out and then inflate later. Just always have to be careful with the tow ropes, as others mentioned before.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Carrying the tube/towable on the lake

Despite all this weather, it won't be long until we are out on the water again.
We can either tie it to back of boat swim platform, or let some air out and then inflate later. Just always have to be careful with the tow ropes, as others mentioned before.

Welcome to iboats.
We inflate / deflate with the 12 volt pump into the boats power outlets when necessary. When at the cottage it stays inflated by the dock and we come and get it when needed. same with the ski's

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: Carrying the tube/towable on the lake

They also make a tube hauler. Its basically like a bimini that goes over the bow portion of the boat, has loops that go around the tower and a big cinch strap thats built in to the top. So you fold it forward put tube on tighten it down and go. I don't have one but looked at them just because of this same problem we encounter every time at the lake. We still do the inflator thing but man those big tubes can hold alot of water after they are deflated and you are trying to put away.

 

[dachyk22]

Re: Carrying the tube/towable on the lake

oh yeah i hate carrying the tube to specially if you got some skis and a rope and a tube waste half your boat just for storage we usually just deflate them

 

[cr2k]

Re: Carrying the tube/towable on the lake

I just have a small tube and I tow it behind the boat BUT on a very short leash. Like just long enough to clear the outdrive. Never had a problem even at WOT.

I got this idea from others doing it. I have seen big 3 seaters towed this way at speed with no problems. When you let out some rope is when it can whip and bounce. Just put a second loop in the tow line with just enough line to clear the drive and you should be good to go.


Then when the mood strikes, or you hit that sweet spot of calm water you don't have to wait to pump it up.

 

[DaNinja]

Re: Carrying the tube/towable on the lake

I imagine the OP figured something out since last July but, we found our 18v DeWalt shop vac was a great thing to have onboard. In blower mode, it can blow up a 5' tube in a couple of minutes.