Do I need a spotter for a tube?

[ZmOz]

I've been looking over http://boatoregon.com, but I can't seem to find any information about this. I know I'm required to have a spotter in the boat if I'm pulling a skier, but what about a tube? Me and a friend like to go camping/boating together...with just us. We'd love to be able to use an inner tube...

 

[Spidybot]

Re: Do I need a spotter for a tube?

It would make some sense if anything you tow falls under the same rule.<br /><br />As sense is not always present in such rules, you'd better ask the authorities who'd handle an incident in your area.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Do I need a spotter for a tube?

Yeah, I sent an email to them...but being friday I don't expect a reply any time soon.

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Do I need a spotter for a tube?

Why would you not use a spotter? We tubed quite a bit last year...people do fall off tubes too...especially if you turn fast and send them into the wake!!! <br /><br />I don't even care what the laws are. Common sense says you should have a spotter.

 

[dansoph]

Re: Do I need a spotter for a tube?

we tube a lot and even thou we have a mirror we still use a spotter. also we use hand signals. do it the safe way.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Do I need a spotter for a tube?

A mirror is required if you don't have a spotter. But not having a spotter is asking for disaster, especially on a crowded lake where the skier may get run over if you don't circle back quick enough to protect them. Very hard to see a bobbing head in alot of waves at speed!

 

[Seaboo2]

Re: Do I need a spotter for a tube?

Ditto to what RB said.... I was just going to type (more or less) the same thing.

 

[blifsey]

Re: Do I need a spotter for a tube?

I would say you should have one, whether Orgeon boating law says you must have one nor not. If you do tube without a spotter, at least have a good, large mirror.

 

[muskyone]

Re: Do I need a spotter for a tube?

http://www.boatoregon.com/OBG/OBG3.html if i'm reading this it says it's a basic law

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Do I need a spotter for a tube?

Originally posted by RB:<br />A mirror is required if you don't have a spotter. But not having a spotter is asking for disaster, especially on a crowded lake where the skier may get run over if you don't circle back quick enough to protect them. Very hard to see a bobbing head in alot of waves at speed!

Yeah, we would have a mirror, wouldn't be going very fast, and if the lake is crowded I'm not there. I would be on the tube myself and would feel plenty safe if there was no spotter, so would my friend. In Oregon, I know for sure that it is required with a skier, mirror or not. I would never ski without one, but a tube is completely different.

 

[flashback]

Re: Do I need a spotter for a tube?

I didn't even read any of the posts above..............If you are towing a human being, or even a good dog, you need a spotter.........period..........

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Do I need a spotter for a tube?

ZmOz <br /><br />Whatever you are comfortable with, do it...

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Do I need a spotter for a tube?

Originally posted by RB:<br />ZmOz <br /><br />Whatever you are comfortable with, do it...

That's exactly what I plan on doing, as long as it's legal. All that matters here is if me any anyone being pulled feels comfortable doing it.

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Do I need a spotter for a tube?

Sounds like only adults are being pulled? If kids are involved, please use a spotter! What adults do with their lives and the risks they take is their own business. With kids that's another story... A split second of looking ahead instead of the tuber and disaster can strike. Of course, it all depends on the waters you boat in. I've seen some lakes where anchoring buoys are out in the middle of nowhere! Two sets of eyes can spot these (driver and spotter).<br /><br />Again, it all depends on the circumstances.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Do I need a spotter for a tube?

Unless you own your own lake this is a bad idea. If you are looking in a mirror what are you not doing? What do you say when something terrible happens cuz you can't look both ways at the same time? Other people on the lake deserve your complete attention when you are driving around in a one ton vehicle driven by blades.<br /><br />Do what you want if legal, but could you give us a heads up before you go out.

 

[muskyone]

Re: Do I need a spotter for a tube?

yes you have to have a spotter it's the law

 

[Capn Mike]

Re: Do I need a spotter for a tube?

I teach Coast Guard Auxiliary boating safety courses in Oregon & Washington, and yes, it's the law in both states that any boat pulling a towing device must have an observer, as well as a "skier down" flag, and can tow only between the hours of dawn and dusk.<br />In Oregon, the reference is: http://www.boatoregon.com/Library/SkiingPub.pdf <br />Oddly enough, Washington does require, but Oregon law does not require a life jacket on any tuber, boarder or skier over age 12; only that one be carried in the boat.<br />Sad....anyone contemplating tubing without an observer or life jacket deserves the chance to be removed from the gene pool.