Has anyone pulled a tube behind their boat? Thought it would be a great treat for the grandkids. How much rope would you need? Where would you attach? Any negatives other than the rope getting tangled around your prop? Thanks PaulH S/V Linda Belle 95 H26
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Daryl
Use a Polypro rope - it floats
I got one I pull with a fast dingy but have occasionally used it behind the sailboat. I usually tie it to the rear cleat so it doesn't intefere with the stern ladder. The line that came with it is about 50' long.
I got one I pull with a fast dingy but have occasionally used it behind the sailboat. I usually tie it to the rear cleat so it doesn't intefere with the stern ladder. The line that came with it is about 50' long.
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Ed Allen
kids love it.
But make sure you have a person dedicated to watching the kids. The water ski rules apply here, in most states its a mirror and or an observer facing aft. I have seen folks have a great time on a surfboard too, just holding on the rope.
But make sure you have a person dedicated to watching the kids. The water ski rules apply here, in most states its a mirror and or an observer facing aft. I have seen folks have a great time on a surfboard too, just holding on the rope.
Tube
We started pulling an inner tube behind the boat last summer. My 8 year old loves it. It has 50 feet of tow line (which usually floats), but we pull the line in closer to the boat in case we need to reach our daughter quick. We also use it while anchored as a float for the kids to swim around and as a "basket" for holding water stuff. I've seen people string "noodles" on the tow line for extra swim fun. It will slow the boat down a little when towing.
We started pulling an inner tube behind the boat last summer. My 8 year old loves it. It has 50 feet of tow line (which usually floats), but we pull the line in closer to the boat in case we need to reach our daughter quick. We also use it while anchored as a float for the kids to swim around and as a "basket" for holding water stuff. I've seen people string "noodles" on the tow line for extra swim fun. It will slow the boat down a little when towing.
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crazy dave
be careful
Yes it is important to designate a person to watch those being pulled. I suggest if you do that which I do not recommend, attach the line on the port side. I have seen on sailboats with an outboard that is generally on the starboard side as in the case of Hunter, the line being entangled in the prop. In addition, when towing in close, please do not think about that because life is more important than getting caught by the prop. I have pulled out one who was killed by a prop and that is not a pretty site so when towing, make the line long and have a designated watcher. Thanks and have fun.
Yes it is important to designate a person to watch those being pulled. I suggest if you do that which I do not recommend, attach the line on the port side. I have seen on sailboats with an outboard that is generally on the starboard side as in the case of Hunter, the line being entangled in the prop. In addition, when towing in close, please do not think about that because life is more important than getting caught by the prop. I have pulled out one who was killed by a prop and that is not a pretty site so when towing, make the line long and have a designated watcher. Thanks and have fun.
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Rick Webb
It Should Go without Saying
But just in case a person who is common sense challanged reads this and had not thought it through. The person on the tube needs to be wearing a ski vest. Not a regular type I or II but the type III vest. Check with your local marine police Coast Guard Auxiliary or Power Squadron Guys who teach Boating Safety classes there may be other requirements such as a flag to indicate you are towing a skier/tube and as mentioned before a spotter. Sounds like fun. I still get a chuckle when I think about the day we had a skier behind a buddies Prindle 18. Everyone was on the docks pointing at us as we went buy wish we had taken a picture.
But just in case a person who is common sense challanged reads this and had not thought it through. The person on the tube needs to be wearing a ski vest. Not a regular type I or II but the type III vest. Check with your local marine police Coast Guard Auxiliary or Power Squadron Guys who teach Boating Safety classes there may be other requirements such as a flag to indicate you are towing a skier/tube and as mentioned before a spotter. Sounds like fun. I still get a chuckle when I think about the day we had a skier behind a buddies Prindle 18. Everyone was on the docks pointing at us as we went buy wish we had taken a picture.
Fun Stuff
Our kids used a tube like the one pulled behind a motor boat. They enjoyed both being out there together. We had a short line attached to the tube so that if they fell off, they could fight their way back to the tube. All regs for water skiers apply – and when it’s time for them to board the boat, the motor is shut off (not just in neutral).
Our kids used a tube like the one pulled behind a motor boat. They enjoyed both being out there together. We had a short line attached to the tube so that if they fell off, they could fight their way back to the tube. All regs for water skiers apply – and when it’s time for them to board the boat, the motor is shut off (not just in neutral).
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Ron Mehringer
One warning
Other boaters don't expect a sailboat to be towing someone, so they might not "see" the person in the tube. The human mind is good a processing what it understands, but sometimes ignores what it doesn't expect. Ron Mehringer h26 Hydro-Therapy
Other boaters don't expect a sailboat to be towing someone, so they might not "see" the person in the tube. The human mind is good a processing what it understands, but sometimes ignores what it doesn't expect. Ron Mehringer h26 Hydro-Therapy
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Ed D
Did it this Summer with the Kids
I have a Hunter 23.5. I bought a tube from Target for about $20.00. I then looked at the tow ropes they had for $45 and went to the camping dept and bought a long enough/strong enough rope (that floats) fro about $7.00. We had a blast and the rope was definitely strong enough to pull a 9-12 year old kid (you're not going as fast as a speedboat). The kids loved zooming around, even though zooming is about 6 kts. You need to kepp a watch on the kids and keep the rope out of the prop. I always shut down the motor when boarding/unboarding folks via the swim ladder.
I have a Hunter 23.5. I bought a tube from Target for about $20.00. I then looked at the tow ropes they had for $45 and went to the camping dept and bought a long enough/strong enough rope (that floats) fro about $7.00. We had a blast and the rope was definitely strong enough to pull a 9-12 year old kid (you're not going as fast as a speedboat). The kids loved zooming around, even though zooming is about 6 kts. You need to kepp a watch on the kids and keep the rope out of the prop. I always shut down the motor when boarding/unboarding folks via the swim ladder.
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