Tube recommendations needed

[golf101]

I'm not sure if this is the right forum or not, but couldn't find any others that appeared more appropriate. Sorry if I'm posting in the wrong place, but I am looking for a three person tube for my kids (aged 8-13). Any recommendations?

 

[chicknwing]

Re: Tube recommendations needed

There are many 3 person tubes out there, my kids fav is the viper 3.

found in the iboats store.

TC

 

[missruby]

Re: Tube recommendations needed

two is better than one. Two single person tubes make for great "battles behind the boat". Ski bobs were our favorite but the newer flat tube versions are fun too.

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Tube recommendations needed

Be aware that pulling two tubes can lead to serious injury. Witnessed two separate accidents last summer where the tubes collided and the riders were thrown into each other head first. In one accident both girls were knocked unconscious and were taken to hospital. In the other, again the two tubes collided and one of the boys had two teeth knocked out and split his lower lip open the the other suffered a badly bruised eye.

Food for thought.

 

[Vikesfan]

Re: Tube recommendations needed

I second the Viper. I have the one person Viper and it is very stable so the kids will stay in. (if that's what you want)

 

[golf101]

Re: Tube recommendations needed

Agreed that I don't want to do two tubes. I'm probably not looking at a tube to keep people in because they kids are older 10-14, and probably wouldn't mind being bounced off. Ever used the gull wing type tubes? How are those?

 

[Tabes117]

Re: Tube recommendations needed

My kids and wife love the Airhead Stingray two person tube. Fun ride, but dont fall off much.

You can do one adult and two kids or three kids on it.

 

[missruby]

Re: Tube recommendations needed

people get hurt. Sun rises in the east. Gotta pay taxes. Being a responsible boater/captain is where it's at. Go the appropriate speeds, protect the person in the water, STAY SOBER, wear a helmet (crazy i know) etc. etc. 1 tube or 2 does not insulate, or expose, any of us from the basic responsibilities of public recreation. Just my .02
Oh by the way, keep waving at each other! The nod, the wave, it means we're all in it together and looking out for each other.

 

[golf101]

Re: Tube recommendations needed

Tabes117: Great picture. Looks like you could ride that thing all day long.

 

[sickwilly]

Re: Tube recommendations needed

I bought the Connelly Skull and love it. It has a staged area in the back where a fourth person can ride. The main reason I love it, is this area makes it easy for kids to climb back in, which saves me from having to pick them up into the boat, pull the tube in, so that they can climb into it.

However, its cons are its huge. Also, you have the potential of riders bumping heads.

I am mixed if I would buy it again, because I have thought it might be better to have 3-4 small, sit in 1-person rider tubes and multiple tube ropes, so that there would be no head hitting.

 

[Tabes117]

Re: Tube recommendations needed

Its a very fun ride. All are friends really enjoy it. I have been finding a lot of water sports stuff off ebay lately.

 

[Tube 4 Life]

Re: Tube recommendations needed

Check this out, BIG BERTHA 68" tube BRAND NEW:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=270391542786#ht_1056wt_1165

 

[gtownky]

Re: Tube recommendations needed

Our local Wally World has them.

 

[Rogue427]

Re: Tube recommendations needed

The favorite tube that we have is a 2 person sportstuff half pipe. It works good for sliding the kids sideways without wiping them out and at the end of the run you can wash them off by going slow and building water in front of it so it subs. They make it in a 3 person also.

 

[High7eck Redneck]

Re: Tube recommendations needed

Just picked up a GT-3 tube from Costco, great three person towable and good price with the Costco gaurantee.

 

[gatesmoonwalker]

Re: Tube recommendations needed

All my kids favorite is the Molecule,but it is so big I hate to haul it to the lake.
My younger kids like the sit in type tubes and the kids in the age group you speak of like the flat tubes. The Connelly Convertible was my last purchase and it has been a riot. Flat tubes take a little more skill to ride and give dad the opportunity for a little pay back with a forced swim.

 

[Tubingluvr]

Re: Tube recommendations needed

I agree with the viper we started out with the one person and loved it so much we got the 2 person, the 3 person will be next years addition
http://airhead.com/airhead/viperf2.php

 

[tfret]

Re: Tube recommendations needed

We have 8 year olds and really like our Airhead Viper 2 seater. Very stable yet fun. Doesn't tip when it gets air borne is what I really like about it. And I also agree with missruby, being responsible and experienced, along with having some common sense and sobriety will navigate you around the vast majority of all problems typically encountered on the water (and else where for that matter).