TOWABLE SKI TUBE BASICS
Why get a towable ski tube? Because towing a ski tube extends the fun you can have with your powerboat. Towables allow riders to have an experience that's similar to water-skiing. Passengers can enjoy water sports without knowing how to water ski
Some boat towable tubes can be ridden by several people at once, making it a great experience to share with friends. Children that aren't old enough to water-ski can ride in boating tubes and participate in a fun day on the water. Kids ski tubes can be towed by all kinds of boats... including boats that aren't necessarily good ski boats.
HOW WATER SKI TUBES WORK
A simple boat ski tube is nothing more than an inner tube with handles and a connection for a tow line. The inner tube (sometimes called a "bladder") is typically made from strong PVC material. Better quality tubes feature a nylon cover to protect the tube. It's worth the extra couple of bucks to get a covered tube.
The tube is attached to a special ski tube tow rope. The rope floats because it is made of nylon. The rope connects to the boat using a special water ski towing cleat or a towing harness. Ski tube tow ropes are typically 60 feet long.
Children should be towed with a shorter rope to prevent them from gaining excess speed if they move from side-to-side across the boat's wake.
Never tow with a rope shorter than 20 feet to reduce riders' carbon monoxide exposure from the boat's exhaust.
Installing a tow harness is easy. You simply attach two closed hooks to your transom tie-down eyes.
The harness forms a "Y" behind your boat. The tow rope attaches to the center of the "Y".
Harnesses are made of nylon rope and features a built in float so they stay on the surface and clear of the propeller.
If your boat does not have a water ski towing cleat you can add one. They usually cost less than $50. Note that a towing cleat must be installed at a specific location on your boat. The location varies from boat to boat. Call the manufacturer to determine the specific placement on your boat.
TYPES OF WATER SKI TUBES
As towable tubes have become more popular, more tube designs have become available. Choosing the right ski tube is a matter of knowing what you want to do with your tube.
SINGLE RIDER TUBE: As the name states, a single rider tube accommodates only one rider. Single rider tubes tend to be high performance tubes. These tubes are more maneuverable. They are better suited for tricks, jumping, flying and high speeds. They make great jet ski towable tubes.
Single rider ski tubes tend to be more affordable and easier to store. Single rider tubes can safely use standard strength ski tube towing line and a standard towing harness.
MULTI-RIDER TUBE: These towable water tubes can accommodate 2-6 people, depending on design. These tubes are inherently larger, slower and heavier than single rider models. Multi-rider tubes are great for families that want to slowly pull a group of kids. They're also good for a group sociable adults who just want to play around. Multi-rider water ski tubes are larger, more expensive and bulkier to store.
Note: Multi-person boat tubes require use of a heavy duty tow rope and a heavy duty towing harness. Careful attention to ski tube equipment weight and stress limitations is required. Without heavy duty lines, the tow rope will snap. The snapped line will fling back like a whip and injure riders with amazing force.
STANDARD TUBE DESIGN: A standard ski tube is similar to a large inflatable innertube. It may or may not have a "floor" on the "inside of the doughnut hole." It will have handles on top. Riders can lay on their stomachs across the top, sit with their rear in the "doughnut hole" or sit upright with their rear on the top of the tube and feet in the "doughnut hole." Standard boat tubes come in both singer and multi-rider designs.
DECK TUBE: A deck ski tube is a flat tube that's not unlike a mattress. There is no "doughnut hole." Riders lay on their stomachs. They hold on to forward handles. These tubes get your face close to the water and give a greater sensation of speed. These towable tubes offer the best "high performance" features.
"RIDE IN" TUBE: A ride in ski tube is similar to a small boat. Riders sit on a dry seat or floor, with sides surrounding them.
CONCEPT TUBES: Other fun water tube designs include stand-up chariots, inflatable kneeboards, ride-on-top jet skis, hydrofoil boats and multi-rider “hot dogs."
