Adding a center mounted transom ski/tow eye

[Shadow91]

Just bought a 94 Capri and first trip out i noticed there was no center mounted tow eye. I had to run a Y harness off the transom tie down hooks which kept the rope pretty much in the water and very little action for the tuber.

I would like to add a centered tow eye, just want to check for the best method. Reading online, i should drill through the transom, reinforce with a large piece of marine ply or 1/4 inch aluminum and then seal it all with 3M 4200.

Also, for tubing, would i be able to mount to a wake tower? or a tripod ski pole? VERY mixed answers online.

 

[hemi rt]

don't use a ski pole to pull a tuber or a wakeboard, get the proper equipment

 

[Shadow91]

don't use a ski pole to pull a tuber or a wakeboard, get the proper equipment

Thats exactly what im asking about.. Proper equipment.. I didnt say i had been using a pole or tower. I asked if it was an option or not. Im trying to do the right thing and ask, read and make the right decision. Above the ski pole question im asking about properly fitting a tow hook to pull a tube...

 

[Scott Danforth]

regarding the center pull, make sure the hull is seriously reinforced. when pulling tubes, it is recommended to use the transom eyes

no, a wake-boarder or a skier can be pulled from a tower, however a tube should never be.

if a wake-boarder catches water or a skier catches water, the rope is pulled from their hands

if the tube catches water, it will flip the boat and you may die

the pull from a skier or a wake board is about 3-400# on the rope max

the pull from a tube that catches water can easily exceed 5000#

 

[JimS123]

My boat came from the factory with a center transom mounted Ski tow eye. It was the first thing I ripped out. Too close to the outdrive. A V-bridle with a float attached to the stern mooring eyes is the best solution. Just my opinion.

 

[Maclin]

Look up Booster Ball they work pretty good for keeping the tow rope out of the water for tubing, might seem a little pricey. I think that is a sportsuff brand, but there are several makes. I did not see any on iBoats but I did not look very hard.

 

[Maclin]

If you have the room with some coaming around the top of the stern, one of these little doobies is pretty cool. The boat I put it on was perfect for it. Has to be on a horizontal surface. They are available on eBay right now. Look around though, price varies, where I got mine still has them at $15 or so.



Pic of install, chrome cap poking up in the middle on top, had to cut the wood trim (not current boat!)...





video of how it works...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...&v=-3UFyU6raFg

Actually the cap is shaped on the bottom such that all you have to do is pull on the rope end and the spring loaded cap moves up and the rope is on the pylon.

 

[H20Rat]

if the tube catches water, it will flip the boat and you may die

the pull from a tube that catches water can easily exceed 5000#

I grew up pulling tubes from a tripod mounted on a small bayliner, never once died! What I did do with surprising frequency is flip tubes over. If the tube decided to dig in, either the shockloading would rip the rope at the knot, or the tube itself would disassemble or shred. (the tube and cover would separate and we would have to deflate the tube to get it back where it belongs.)

Not saying to pull a tube off a tripod, but I have zero issue with a tube on my center mounted pull points on my current boats. Pulling tubes off transom hooks sucks, they are too low to use for water sports and you are just dragging the rope in the water the entire time.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Look up Booster Ball they work pretty good for keeping the tow rope out of the water for tubing, might seem a little pricey. I think that is a sportsuff brand, but there are several makes. I did not see any on iBoats but I did not look very hard.

This is what we use, mounted to the transom hooks with a bridle. We also have attached it to the center tow point. Does a great job of keeping spray out of the riders' faces.

https://www.iboats.com/shop/catalogsearch/result/index/?ib_brand=48988&q=bob