Harness for tubeing

[cliffblue]

If you can see the pic of my transom, I have been connecting the tow rope to the tie point directly over the out drive. I'm seeing some pulling out or bowing of the transom above this tow point. I have "submarined" the tube a few times. The transom is aluminum with a laminated wood square between the bell housing and out drive. The wood was replaced a couple of years ago. If you can tell where the tie downs are, do you think a harness that low would be a better setup? I have seen the type with a pulley that are self centering and just a simple Y rope type.

 

[H20Rat]

I'd be more concerned with how sturdy the wood is at this point. A couple years ago doesn't mean it isn't rot free... Your passengers will hate you if you tie off the low tiedown points. The rope will constantly be kicking up spray into their faces.

 

[cliffblue]

The spray would not be good. The wood is definitely not rotted. I believe the tow point was just not up to the drag of a submarined tube.

 

[Maclin]

You could try a booster ball, Sportsstuff and Hydroslide and maybe Airhead make them I believe. I have a link to the Sportstuff model below. The rope to the tube is hooked to a larger inflated ball, and the ball is hooked to the boat. So you could try a harness connected to the outside tiedowns to hook the ball to, the ball is supposed to help keep the rope out of the water, kind of a straight shot to the tube.

http://www.iboats.com/4K-Booster-Bal...view_id.484189

 

[JASinIL2006]

We use a a Booster Ball and it works well. I'd much rather attach my tube to the transom U-bolts than the ski hook, using one of the pulley and bridle devices.

 

[cliffblue]

Thanks for the input. I'll look into the booster ball and harness.

 

[cliffblue]

I see cable and rope centering tow harnesses are available. Is there a preference?.