Pushing a Tube

[mthieme]

Any ideas on how to safely push (yes, I said push) a tube?

 

[OldePharte]

Re: Pushing a Tube

I am not sure why you would ever want to do that.

But that was not your question. I am not sure that there is any "safe" way as running over anyone who fell off would be a distinct possibility. I'll stop short of saying, first find 100 feet of really stiff rope, then . . .

 

[mthieme]

Re: Pushing a Tube

I had in mind not to push from the front of the boat for obvious reasons, but to push from the side using some apparatus similar to a device used for foot skiing (?).
The trick is to not "pull" a tube in some fashion.

 

[DutchMerc]

Re: Pushing a Tube

Still, why push? If you wan't to have the tube next to the boat, why don't you mount some sort of ski bracket on the front of the boat, take a short rope an pull the tube along the side of the boat.
I still think it is not a verry good idea, because as long as the boat is not in front of the tube, there will be always a danger when falling off and getting close to or even into the prop. Think about how to make a short turn, wich i think is more fun with a long rope. The longer the rope, the more fun....

 

[mthieme]

Re: Pushing a Tube

okay, here's the deal. The Socialist Republic of Maryland decreed that it is illegal to tow skiers, etc. behind a boat in a 6 knot zone. How one could ski at 6 knokts to begin with is beyond me. But this law has spilled over to include tubing although not specifically stated (got a professional legal determination). To my way of thinking, a small protected creek is significantly safer to tow youngun's in a tube (at 6 kt. max of course) than out in a busy river with jet skis singing past at 70+ mph, all the other skiers, etc...literally hundreds of boats.
The law says nothing about pushing though.

 

[rndn]

Re: Pushing a Tube

I would guess the authorities would still issue a ticket and let the judge sort it out. You would still be pulling the tube through the water as the tube could not move without external forces provides by pulling/pushing.

 

[mthieme]

Re: Pushing a Tube

I have the legal side covered.
I'm looking for ideas for the mechanical side.

 

[idrownworms]

Re: Pushing a Tube

the set up I've seen on boats like ski nautiques use a pole that fits over the ski pylon at a 90 degree angle to the keel. One would either hold on to the pole or use a short rope with handle. It is used to teach and practice barefootin.
As far as the ski restriction in the 6 knot? zones The kids i pull in tubes like to go fast but they still have fun when I idle through the channels in the area lakes (most of them are chains) . Please government take away my rights to protect me I'm scared. I'll shut up now before it bocomes a polical rant.
jamie

 

[mthieme]

Re: Pushing a Tube

I was thinking ofsomething along those lines...just haven't worked out all the details.

All it takes is for one person to complain and whammo - new law that effects everyone. What happened to democracy?
I've started a petition to change this particular one here in MD.
I have enough signatures...step 1 !.

 

[1976 Slickcraft]

Re: Pushing a Tube

How can I sign your petition? Does it matter if I'm not a resident of Md? We boat on the Potomac River near Hagerstown, our part of the river only has two no wake zones and we regularly pull the kids on our tube thru them. Never heard of this before.
Jesse

 

[mthieme]

Re: Pushing a Tube

Most people have not heard of this either. I see many people pulling tubes with little ones in the headwaters of the creeks. Typically, DNR does not patrol these waters. The Potomac doesn't really have any little creeks off of it like so many of the other rivers further north.
I discovered when, when coming in one evening I approached the 6 knot zone, dumped the tubes in with half the leash, and upon loading the kids, DNR came up and advised me of this ruling. I suppose it's a good thing they weren't actually in the tubes yet as they would have fined me for sure.
I researched the law and had asked a judge how he would rule on such a case which not in my (our) favor. He's the one that told me that the law said nothing about pushing a tube. Wouldn't it be great to have pictures of this in action for the hearing?
Fortunately, only 25 names are required for a petition. I have about a hundred. After I file the petition, they schedule a hearing. This is an important part. If noone shows up to support it, I'll be the only one there and look like a crackpot. Not that this bothers me but this is where power in numbers comes into play. I'm sure I could get a few neighbors to go, but it would be great to fill whatever room they use.
It's plain that the law is outdated. Many of the creeks never had speed limits when I was a kid. I even remember a ski jump in the middle of the same river (Cockey Creek off the Magothy) which is now restricted.

 

[AZMinyard]

Re: Pushing a Tube

I think you are setting yourself up for a legal battle with the push versus pull issue. Semantically speaking, unless the force moving the object in question is behind said object you are pulling.

Let?s say you rig a pole out the side of your boat and hang a tube/line from it ? you are pulling the tube beside you. Rig it in front of the pole and you have safety issues.

You might also check regulations regarding how far out to the side of your boat you can have a protrusion ? I am sure there are restrictions. Not far enough out and you still risk having a child under your boat and into a prop.

My two cents worth ? forget rigging something to push a tube, it?s just not safe. Focus your efforts on getting the law changed. Its election season around these parts, not sure about if it is where you are, but I would pick a candidate who says they support outdoor activities and drop by their offices. I?m sure you could convince them to send a couple volunteers along with you.

Good luck!

 

[Uraijit]

Re: Pushing a Tube

You'd have to rig some sort of pole, and have it behind the tube. Still, nothing about it sounds very safe. What happens when the tube/boat start moving up and down. Now you're dragging a pole over your kid's head! I agree; focus on getting the law changed. If you hurt yourself/kids doing this, you're FAR more likely to harm your cause as well.

Also, what's the fun in pushing a tube? Why not just build a small platform on the side of the boat, and sit on that? It's essentially the same thing... The fun of the tube, is being pulled around across the water. Otherwise, we'd just sit on the boat the whole time.

On that note, it's sad how some folks still claim to live in a "Free country", even though just about every aspect of their lives is micromanaged by Big Brother...

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Pushing a Tube

no way would i want a person in the water in front of a prop.

 

[chrisg]

Re: Pushing a Tube

Gee, this sounds familiar (DNR making up rules to remove fun) We are having the same issue with the DNR creating rules that make it impossible to ski or tube. (See my rant in a thread on another forum, somthing about "how many times have you been pulled over").

Sounds Like the DNR are the same in all states! Who made them boss!

OK, I'll get off my soap box now.........

 

[mthieme]

Re: Pushing a Tube

Yeah, everybody else has seemed to miss the point.
I'll put a blow up doll in it just so I can take a picture of it to the hearing.

 

[chrisg]

Re: Pushing a Tube

I know what you are trying to do. I went to court over my 3 tickets, got others to do the same, We got everyone there, from state representitive to DNR officals for the area, I had pictures and a presentation. Judge chewed them out and throw out all the tickets ( Its worth taking them to court). I have not had a run-in since.

Tell us how it goes!

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: Pushing a Tube

All it takes is for one person to complain and whammo - new law that effects everyone. What happened to democracy?

I've started a petition to change this particular one here in MD.
I have enough signatures...step 1 !.

There ya' go. You're on the right track with the petitions, showing up at hearings with plenty of friends, etc. Hat's off to you, that's the way our democracy works and not many people would have the gumption to do the legwork. Let us know how it goes.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Pushing a Tube

Any ideas on how to safely push (yes, I said push) a tube?

Ayuh,....

That sounds as likely to happen as Pushing a 30' Chain......

 

[haskindm]

Re: Pushing a Tube

I have the legal side covered.

No you don't. You have a position from a judge that has interpreted that the law is limited by the word towing and that you could get around this limitation by not towing the tube. By trying to "push" the tube you are getting into other areas of regulation. I believe that any law enforcement officer that saw you trying to "push" a tube or tow it directly beside the boat would classify this as "negligent operation" which is a more serious offense than tubing in a no-wake zone. You need to get the judge to rule that the important part of the legislation is the 6-mph speed and reduction of wake. While you can't ski at 6-mph it is certainly possible to pull someone in a tube at speeds of 6-mph and less. The judge will need to state that the regulation should not apply to tubing at speeds of 6-mph or less.