Harness or Tow bar?

[newcomlr]

Have a 1997 Sun Tracker Signature 25' Party Barge. 60HP Merc Big Foot Two Stroke.

Would like to pull a tube. No high speeds and on our private lake, we're limited to one rider at a time. My preference would be for a Stainless Tower but I haven't been able to find one to fit my toon online. Anyone have a recommendation, let me know. I know they can be pricey...

Don't really want to tackle getting one custom made, nor do I think I can fabricate myself anything that would be attractive and functional.

Then I started wondering if I really need a tow bar...maybe a harness tied to the lifting eyes. Problem is in researching on the forums, opinions are about 50/50 whether that's a good idea. People warn about cracking welds on the eyes, etc. I see people do it on my lake, but that doesn't make it a good idea.

Towing a tube is not something we will be doing a lot of, just an occasional thing.

Opinions?

 

[The Rooster]

Re: Harness or Tow bar?

With only 1 person at a time for occasional use, just use the lifting eyes or better yet, the transom cleats. Double check your backing plates for the cleats and you will be fine. I'd imagine you will only be towing approx. 10-14 mph. If you were talking about big V6 power and 25-35 mph you would want a proper tow bar. We did it all the time w/ a 24' StarCraft & 90 hp Merc. Good luck !!!

 

[Old Screwball]

Re: Harness or Tow bar?

Bought an outboard harness at Wal Mart. Hooks into the tie down loops on any outboard. I use the lifting eyes on the 'toons. I think it was about 12 bucks on sale last year. Nest door neighbor spent $600 for a stainless tow tower. your choice.

 

[ahicks]

Re: Harness or Tow bar?

I think the biggest difference might be in use. You'll find you are not going to have much luck backing the boat with the ski rope in the water in back of you, therefor will need to retrieve it, or at least be pulling in on the slack while backing. Getting your hand on that rope MUCH easier when it's attached to a place easily reached by somebody onboard?

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Harness or Tow bar?

I have the same motor and boat albeit shorter. I had planned to attach two shackles through the frame just below the back end of the deck, a floating harness and a retrieve line clipped to the top of the back rail. I'll see next season how it will work out.I would have liked a tow bar but found the cost to be prohibitive.

 

[MaPaHa]

Re: Harness or Tow bar?

The height where the rope connects makes a big difference. When its low and dragging the water (like the eyelets on the pontoons) you don't have much control of the tube. Also, the rope can bounce off the water and spray the rider. It's much nicer to have the pull point up high and where you can get to it when you need to pull the rope in. If you can find a tow bar for a reasonable price you will like it better.

 

[ahicks]

Re: Harness or Tow bar?

I have the same motor and boat albeit shorter. I had planned to attach two shackles through the frame just below the back end of the deck, a floating harness and a retrieve line clipped to the top of the back rail. I'll see next season how it will work out.I would have liked a tow bar but found the cost to be prohibitive.

Now that seems like a pretty reasonable option if you're on a budget! Haven't seen that one done yet.

 

[OK Toon]

Re: Harness or Tow bar?

I use a harness between the lifting eyes on the toons - it allows the tube to travel both directions. To prevent the rope from dragging and the spray, I use one of those power balls. It really works great even with our 90hp. I have to work a little bit, but I can sling a rider out for a great ride.

 

[jjohnson120]

Re: Harness or Tow bar?

I tried all sorts of ropes, harnesses, whatever you want to call them, and have had the best luck once I decided to build my own tow bar. Does everything I need it to do and more.

 

[mr geets]

Re: Harness or Tow bar?

a harness worked ok on my 18 foot boat but sucks on my pontoon boat with 90 horse efi Merc. ok in a straight line but hangs up on the wake on turns and holds the tube from swinging out over the wake. I thought about a tower too but thought since I put in the first $30,000 that the kids could buy the tower for the 3 times a year they want to visit and tube

 

[OK Toon]

Re: Harness or Tow bar?

a harness worked ok on my 18 foot boat but sucks on my pontoon boat with 90 horse efi Merc. ok in a straight line but hangs up on the wake on turns and holds the tube from swinging out over the wake. I thought about a tower too but thought since I put in the first $30,000 that the kids could buy the tower for the 3 times a year they want to visit and tube

Have you tried with a Powerball? It really does a great job of keeping the tow rope up out of the water.
Hydroslide Powerball Tow System | Bass Pro Shops

 

[Silver Eagle]

Re: Harness or Tow bar?

I drilled a hole in my back railing and put in a eye bolt in it. then I use one of those heavy duty snap rings with a sky rope .works for us.

 

[BigDfromTN]

Re: Harness or Tow bar?

I drilled a hole in my back railing and put in a eye bolt in it. then I use one of those heavy duty snap rings with a sky rope .works for us.

I hope your railing is more substantial than mine!!! I would not suggest this as most railings are not designed for the forces of towing.

 

[crb478]

Re: Harness or Tow bar?

I do not tow often, but I have two u bolts fastened to the upper outside edges of the motor transom, and a floating harness that attaches to it. The rope is lower than I would like, but this set up works and was fairly cheap. I would like to fabricate a tow bar for the extra height, but suitable stainless is hard to find.

 

[newcomlr]

Re: Harness or Tow bar?

I hope your railing is more substantial than mine!!! I would not suggest this as most railings are not designed for the forces of towing.

Agreed. I've read reports of tow bars bending, breaking, collapsing, and getting pulled apart when a ski tube suddenly submerges. Can't imagine what could happen to thin aluminum railing...

 

[Capt Sully]

Re: Harness or Tow bar?

You could use a tow bar for more than just towing people, like mounting a few Rod Holders, a BBQ grill, Flags, ect.