You can make the most of your time on the water this summer by enjoying water tubing. Towing a well-made, high-quality tube behind your boat is an activity everyone in your family can enjoy. Even better, it doesn’t matter if you are on the ocean, river, or lake, tubing provides hours of fun and excitement for young and old.
If you are new to tubing, you may be overwhelmed by all the tube and tow rope options that are available. While some tubes can deliver a fast and exciting ride, others provide a slower and much more leisurely ride. You will find an array of tubes that can accommodate full-sized adults, and kids comfortable, but it is a good idea to check the max weight for a tube and rider limits before you put several people on the tube.
If you want to ensure that your tubing adventure is safe and fun, keep the tips and information found here in mind.
NUMBER OF RIDERS
The first thing you will want to consider when looking for a tube is how many people will be riding it. You will find tubes that can accommodate anywhere from one person to groups of riders. All of the tubes on the market are rated for adults, so if you will have children tubing, you’ll want to consider that as well when choosing which tube to purchase.
If you don’t have a ton of space on your boat, you should probably stick with a 1 or 2 person towable tube. These typically tend to be lightweight and more compact than multi-person tubes. If you are going to be towing many people, you will want to consider larger tubes that are designed to hold more riders.
It is important that you only tow the approved number of people the tube and tow rope are rated for. If you were to add more people than the manufacturer’s recommendation, it can quickly become dangerous. There are only a specific number of handles on each tube, and you could possibly exceed the weight limit, which could result in damage to your tube and create an unsafe situation for your riders.
TYPES OF TOWABLE TUBES
Open Top Tubes
Open top tubes are the original donut shape everyone thinks of when it comes to inflatable tubes. This design is versatile and ideal for riders of all ages and skill levels. It is possible to ride open top tubes in many different ways. You can sit in the hole with your legs over the side or you can lay on your stomach and your feet hanging over the back.
Deck Tubes
If you’re looking for a tube that can handle a fast ride, then you may want to get a deck tube. These tubes require a strong grip to stay on while you’re out on the water. The most popular way to ride a deck tube is to lay on your stomach facing the boat.
Ride-In Tubes
Ride-in tubes, which are also known as cockpit style tubes, are ideal for a relaxed ride. They are also perfect for younger children since riders sit low in the tube. The design creates a smooth take off and safer ride compared to other tube designs.
Dual Tow Point (Sofa) Tubes
As you can probably guess from the name, dual tow point tubes have 2 tow points on each side of the tube. This design is popular with people of all ages since riders are in a seated front position and have a back rest. You can also turn the tube around and create a “chariot style” riding experience.
Unique Concept Tubes
Towable tube designs are becoming more unique because riders want an exciting new experience while they’re out on the water. These tubes come in a variety of shapes and unusual designs, and they are designed to meet the demand of advanced riders.
TOW ROPES
According to the Water Sports Industry Association (WSIA), tube ropes must be at least 50 feet in length but not exceeding 65 feet. A rope shorter than 50 feet will tow the tube in the crest of the wake spraying the riders in the face. Ropes are designed for different sized tubes and using the wrong rope can cause damage to it. For example, using a four-person tube with a tow rope rated for a two-person tube can cause the rope to break.
Additionally, never use a tow rope that has knots, is frayed or sun damaged. Inspect your rope before each use to ensure structural integrity before going out on the water. Remember to only use ropes designed for tubing when towing an inflatable tube. Water ski, wakeboard or knee boarding ropes should not be used because they are not designed to pull the same amount of weight and do not have the same break strength (also referred to as tensile strength) as tubing ropes.
| Riders | Max Weight of Riders | Rope Tensile Strength |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 170lbs. | 1,500lbs. |
| 2 | 340lbs. | 2,375lbs. |
| 3 | 510lbs. | 3,350lbs. |
| 4 | 680lbs. | 4,100lbs. |
| 5-6 | 850-1020lbs. | 6,100lbs. |
Note: Check with the manufacturer of your specific tube for tow rope specifications. The specifications outlined above are meant to be a guideline ONLY and are recommendations of the WSIA.
Tow Points and How to Attach a Rope Correctly
Tow ropes should always be securely attached to the boat at an approved attachment point, such as a transom eye or low transom tow point. The best way to attach a tow rope is to attach it to a fitting or "ski eyelet" on the center of the stern. Boaters push the loop of the rope through the hole in the center of the tow attachment, and then wrap the loop around the perimeter of the tow harness. They added that you should never tie a knot in your tow rope. Some inflatables come with a quick connect clip for easily attaching your tow rope to the tube, while others will have a designated attachment point for the tow rope.
Never pull your towable tube from a tower. Towers are not strong enough and the drag from the towable tube will put too much stress on the tower, possibly ripping it off your boat.