Anchor and tow points

[A.F.C. 8511]

Need to add my tow and tie down point on stern.
I got some ZAMAK bow and stern eyes. The package says 500lb safe working load. I am not sure if the 500 lbs is good for towing big adults in tubes. It would be 1 on each side.
Anyone have working knowledge on this.
Thank you

 

[HotTommy]

I assume you are talking about something like this:

In my opinion, maybe. Tow ropes are routinely rated for 1,000 pounds or more (i.e., 6,000 pounds for 4 riders). That is a clue that you can generate some very high forces for short periods of time while towing a tube. There is also the fact that the cleat is mounted vertically and the forces from the rope will be pulling horizontally. That means the forces trying to pull out the screws/bolts will be much higher on some than others. Finally there is the question of what the cleat is attached to. It should be attached to the metal structure of the boat, not just the deck. ..... I suspect your boat has a piece of that metal structure at the very back on each side (its behind a trim piece on my boat). I'd try to attach a 3/8" diameter stainless steel U-bolt to each side so it projects back toward the tube and use that for towing.

 

[ahicks]

Most pontoon tubes I've seen come with tie down points welded right to the tube in back? Are those located in a way inconvenient spot to do what you want to do? Normally you would use a "Y" harness fastened to those for skiing, so each side pulls evenly.

Optionally, There are specially designed tow bars, with much easier to access ski rope attach points. These are generally supplied by the boat manf, as they need to attach to areas of the boat that can handle the stresses involved. There are generic available, but those best left to folks with some experience rigging a boat like this.

Cleats are generally used to tie the boat to a dock, or maybe hang fenders from, where there are far lower amounts of stress than a ski tow rope. There, location/what they are fastened to far less important.

 

[A.F.C. 8511]

Guys I went with 1/2 inch stainless steel "U" bolts. The tensile strength on them 17000lbs....
we should be able tow any and everything...lol
thanks boat is coming along well.

 

[HotTommy]

That ought to work.

 

[ahicks]

Ought to work, but only if fastened to something substantial. If fastening them to the floor/decking of the boat you could easily get a rude surprise...

 

[A.F.C. 8511]

Gonna bolt through the "Hat" shaped stringers at stern of boat. Gonna go through both sides with nuts on front and back as to not stress the stringers to much on either side.
the u-bolts are 9 inches long so they will easily make it with room to spare.

thanks for all the help guys, this forum has been a huge help

 

[ahicks]

Now 'yer talkin!