pulling a tube

[boogie1]

Hi I'm new here and this seems like the best place to post this if there is a better place please move it or let me know. OK I have a 22' center console boat(Triton) w/ a 200 hp. merc, my boys decided they wanted to go tubing. So I bought a brand new hydroslide arsenal 3 person tube. I got the tow rope for pulling tubes 50'-60' long and I got the yoke to attach to either side of the motor. On the top of my transom on either side of the motor are two eye bolts that I used to attach the yoke to. The problem is I can't get the tube on top of the water the nose goes under water I've tried going faster going slow with 1 kid 2 kids 3 kids and no body at all on it. I am very frustrated as there are other boats blowing by us pulling tubes with no problems? HELP PLEASE

 

[skibrain]

Re: pulling a tube

Is the tube inflated adequately? A tube with low air has a tough time breaking free of the water and planing.

 

[ryansdata]

Re: pulling a tube

My kids have learned to pull up and lean back as the tube starts; be aggressive with the throttle when they learn this, to get them on plane. Also, look at the rope-tube connection. On mine, the rope had an eye-loop, and initially I looped it "down" thru the plastic hole; but instead, I looped it "up". I might be hallucinating, but I think it gives a small pull in the up direction.

 

[the_anarchy16]

Re: pulling a tube

the tuber needs to use their weight to help the tube get up..... as for you at the helm punch it till they plane out

 

[WakeMe]

Re: pulling a tube

Agree with Ryansdata, run connection loop up through other loop and inflate tightly

 

[craze1cars]

Re: pulling a tube

How old are your kids? If they're quite young and light weight/short, that may simply be too much tube for them. As stated, they need to have as much of their weight at the BACK of the tube during take-off.

Looking at some pics of that tube, it looks like the handles are way at the very front of the tube. Can your kids stretch way out flat and still reach the handles? With their legs and majority of body weight behind the centerpoint of the tube?

If no, and they are too short to reach the handles securely while having their body weight behind the centerpoint, I find it possible that it might just be too big for them....

Also, Yoke hookups to each side of the motor are usually very low...and this might be contributing to the problem. I doubt you have much alternative for hookups regardless, but a person of sufficient size/strength should still be able to lean back on that tube to help it plane out....

 

[trejac]

Re: pulling a tube

One thing to cosider is the weight of the rope. I found that the four person 4100 lb rope slumps into the water.

The quick solution is like everyone said have them move back on the tube to start.

The second solution is to buy one of those towable booster balls, I hear that those help keep the rope out of the water.

 

[snake77]

Re: pulling a tube

I second the booster balls it really does make things more enjoyable and wont have that problem again. They do run 60.00 though