Best Tube for 2-4 little kids

[pckeen]

Hello,

I have a one person Airhead Rip II tube that we have used for both a single adult and a single teenager. I have kids, all under six years old, who want to try tubing. I'm looking for a tube that I can fit 2-4 kids on (as they have friends who will doubtless want to go). I've been looking at both cockpit style tubes like the airhead mach 2 below, and 'sit on' tubes that have defined seating areas, like the seadoo GX4. All three tubes are pictured below.

I like the idea of the cockpit style tubes because I figure they will be easier for small children to use and sit in. However, I'm nervous about the idea of putting the kids in a seating area - could it trap them if the tube flipped (I don't plan on high speeds, but want to plan for the worst).

 

[blmeanie]

Re: Best Tube for 2-4 little kids

A neighbor at the lake piles about 5 kids of all sizes on a Papparrazi (sp) but they are on the expensive side. Some lay down, some stand with hand holders everywhere

 

[eavega]

Re: Best Tube for 2-4 little kids

One thing you might also want to consider is the ease with which the kids can get back on the tube should they fall off. I had a tube that I thought was wonderful, only come to find out that if someone falls off, it was near impossible for them to climb back on. We have since gone to a low profile deck tube which is much easier to climb aboard.

The good thing about the cockpit-style tubes is that they are very stable in the water, and thus don't require much having to climb back aboard, especially if the boat operator does so in a sane manner

Rgds

Eric

 

[sickwilly]

Re: Best Tube for 2-4 little kids

I have a Connelly Skull. It has been a great tube for the smaller kids. I like the young ones to sit with their backs vertical and heads up over their shoulders. It has a smaller area where they can climb up the back. I highly recommend this tube.

However, now that mine are getting older, I am damn glad I don't have to drag this tube along and can bring a smaller flat one. If you weren't in Canada I would make you a deal you couldn't refuse for it

 

[pckeen]

Re: Best Tube for 2-4 little kids

I get it - $10 for the tube, $739 for shipping.

 

[rallyart]

Re: Best Tube for 2-4 little kids

Sit inside tubes are really nice for the little kids. If you get a three seat get the front seat set ahead of the outside two so fewer heads are bumped. However we have had really good luck with the Big Mable which sits up to three. You could put four little ones on it for a casual ride. Just make sure it is fully inflated.
The hardest part with little ones is making sure the nose does not dive as on many tubes the small kids have too much weight on the bow. That is why a sit down with a backrest works.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Best Tube for 2-4 little kids

In is better than on for the smaller children that are novices to this and you want to give a gentle but fun ride to.
Based on my experiences and preferences but others may well have better ideas. Either way good luck, be safe and enjoy !!!

 

[Britner]

Re: Best Tube for 2-4 little kids

I just bought a HO Atomic 4 for $200 from Costco Kalispell, sounds ideal for what you want. I also live in Canada, but it takes just 2 hrs to get to Kalispell Costco in Montana. Not sure if you could get it shipped??

 

[truckermatt]

Re: Best Tube for 2-4 little kids

i use a big mable. stable and still a fun ride.

 

[pckeen]

Re: Best Tube for 2-4 little kids

Hi Trucker and Britner,

Took a look at Canada Costco online - both the Big Mable and the HO Atomic are available there - good prices. Thanks for the tip!

 

[Britner]

Re: Best Tube for 2-4 little kids

Hi Trucker and Britner,

Took a look at Canada Costco online - both the Big Mable and the HO Atomic are available there - good prices. Thanks for the tip!

No problem. I just wish my boat worked so I could pull my tube! The tube has been sitting in the garage since I bought it 2 months ago, and been repairing my boat since. Oh well, I hope to get some use before the snow flies

 

[sprobst]

Re: Best Tube for 2-4 little kids

I bought an Airhead Viper II for my kids (ages 5, 8, 11), two years ago. We like it quite a bit. It's very stable. They also make a Viper III but I decided that was too large to haul around.

 

[mbfish]

Re: Best Tube for 2-4 little kids

One of the best for small kids has got to be the Airhead Hot Dog. It is really stable. I have three kids, age 10, 8 and 5. They have been on the Hot Dog for 3 years (at least the older two). It tracks right behind the boat no matter what you do. To the point of being annoying when the older ones want to hit some bumps and the boat is killing all the waves.

 

[pckeen]

Re: Best Tube for 2-4 little kids

There is a family on our lake that has the thee person hot dog -they love it - the Admiral was worried that becuase it was a 'sitting astride' tube, it would be too hard for small kids to use.

 

[eavega]

Re: Best Tube for 2-4 little kids

One of the best for small kids has got to be the Airhead Hot Dog. It is really stable. I have three kids, age 10, 8 and 5. They have been on the Hot Dog for 3 years (at least the older two). It tracks right behind the boat no matter what you do. To the point of being annoying when the older ones want to hit some bumps and the boat is killing all the waves.

I agree on the stability part, but those tubes are damn hard to get back on if you do fall off, at least solo. A bit easier between two if one holds down the tube while another climbs aboard, but if you are alone, its near impossible.

 

[pckeen]

Re: Best Tube for 2-4 little kids

OK - Finally ordered the HO Atomic from costco.ca

 

[pckeen]

Re: Best Tube for 2-4 little kids

Ok - so the HO Atomic worked great. Quality of the construction looks good. It is the largest of the 'flat' tubes that we had looked at. It was very stable, both with two small children, and with three small children and their grandmother on it, even when I accidentally managed to whip the tube over the wake. I would reccomend this. At $229 plus taxes, and free shipping, it even included at tow rope - and was also the least expensive tube we looked at.