Installing transom-mount ski tow ring

[dccordell]

I have one of these on the way from iBoats:



Which, at first, isn't clear at all how to connect a ski rope to it. I've read of a few different methods, but this is the only picture I could find of one with the rope connected to it:



Is this the correct way to hook the tow rope to this tow ring? This is going to be used for pulling a tube...

Also, should I add a piece of aluminum to the inner transom as a beefier backing plate, in addition to the small backing "washers" that come with the tow ring? Or do you think it will be strong enough without? What would you do if you were installing on your boat?

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Installing transom-mount ski tow ring

To me, that doesn't look very secure. The way I've always done it is to pass the loop through the center, under the bottom and then hook it on the finger.

 

[dccordell]

Re: Installing transom-mount ski tow ring

I've read of people doing it your way, too, oldjeep. I think the reason they are doing it like that in the picture is so that the rope is pulling the ring more in the middle, a straight pull from the studs, rather than trying to pull from the bottom and twisting the ring upward.

I really don't know myself, so trying to get some opinions. I can't find any threads where the tow ring has failed in any configuration, but I'm sure one way is better than the others...