Pulling a tube?

[FH alumni]

Anyone pull a tube with an inflatable?

I have a 13'9 Mark II GR Zodiac with a 25HP Yamaha 2 stroke. Hole shot is pretty good to plane. 9yo daughter wants to go 'tubing at the lake when we go on vacation next week.

I have two eye bolts on the rear of the transom, figure I will put a rope with a pulley between the eye bolts with a small float, then attach the pull rope to the pulley. This should reduce the strain on the rear and the float is an attempt to keep the rope out of the prop.

Anyone tow a tube? results? futile? awesome?

 

[chickendog2010]

Re: Pulling a tube?

Check this out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jre157lCK68&feature=PlayList&p=12E96577CCE019EC&playnext=1&index=32

 

[njrextreme]

Re: Pulling a tube?

Give it a try. I would'nt think a 9yr old is going to complain if it does'nt go fast enough.

 

[Luvinflatableboats]

Re: Pulling a tube?

Hi,

I have a 370cm RIB with a 20hp Yamaha and I pull up to 3 kids with it. I can give them a ride for the whole day for $10.00 worth of gas and we can reach speeds of 20-25MPH.

I use two eye bolts on teh transom as well. I bought a harness with a float and use it otherwise the rope gets caught on the prop.

I believe with your setup you can very successfully tow your kid and give them hours of joy.

I also have a 90hp runabout and I find it is intimidating for the kids.

Last weekend I gave my nephew a marathon pull with my RIB for 11 miles to another lake and back. After lunch he asked for another ride.

You should have no problem at all with 25HP.


Darryl

 

[FH alumni]

Re: Pulling a tube?

Thanks for the replies. I am headed to the lake for a week on vacation and will have to let you know how it goes.

 

[FH alumni]

Re: Pulling a tube?

Well, tried it out yesterday. (got to love modern tech-computers while camping) worked like a dream. I not only was able to give my daughter a great ride, it worked like a charm for adults too. Trick was to make sure heavier riders were fully on the tube. We were able to get to 25 mph + pulling a single tube (measured on gps). This was the limit presented by the tube, water conditions and the riders backs! When one consders the limit of the tube there was no difference between my 25hp and the twin 275s hanging off of the boat moured beside me at the slip. Best part was as mentioned earlier I only used up 3.7 gallons of gas yesterday.

I have gotten more interest in my zodiac than the 35K boats parked next to me. You should have seen the attention I got when I unpacked it out of my P/U in camp and put it together. Then I got it into the water and started out performing the typical Bayliner type boats. I have had tons of folks want to know all the details. The boat store in Portland needs to give me a commission as I know I sold at least two boats this week.

I shot some video and will try to upload it and post a link when we get home next week.