Questions about pulling a tube

[thunderroad]

My boat is an oldie but goodie. 69 Formula F-190 w/mercruiser 160. It has had a prety easy life and is in good shape BUT it is almost 40 years old. I use it on the Missouri river..probably 10-12 afternoons per year. Some of the kids want me to get a tube to pull them around on. I initially thought..sure...but then began to wonder just what amount of strain that tubes or skiers would put on the drive train. I'm in no position to shell out BIG bucks for a needless repair if it can be avoided. They're not my kids, just friends, so I don't feel all that obligated.<br />What could I expect..and what would be some tube suggestions if the verdict is to go ahead and try it?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Questions about pulling a tube

I'd keep finding Excuses.................

 

[QC]

Re: Questions about pulling a tube

Tubes generally seem to put less strain on my boat than a skier. They plane out at a really low speed. However . . . My oldest is now 17 and they ride them two at a time and I pull two tubes at a time. There's some load going on there.<br /><br />If you keep the load down and gently swing them from side to side you should be OK. The boat and the kids like the "biscuit" type the most. These don't have a "well" or hole like a doughnut. They are more bouyant and help with the ease of getting them on plane. If somebody pushes down on the front they will plow really bad, but they'll stop that as soon as they stop choking . . . <br /><br />Edit: BTW, I actually feel more like Bondo, but the wife won't let me be a mean old man . . .

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Questions about pulling a tube

No strain at all for single tubes, but a three person tube requires more work from your engine especially if you want to do sharp turns and jumping over your wake.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Questions about pulling a tube

back in the 70's, we got a tube from a big front end loader. just tied a rope on to it. what fun, we were the inovators. kids today want to ride, not develope skills. try riding a 3' diameter 1/2" piece of plywood ( no handle, no boots just plywood). kinda like a skim board of today.

 

[swist]

Re: Questions about pulling a tube

I pulled my kids on a tube when they were small - there was a warning on the tube that said to limit it to 20 mph - I think for little kids this was a good max speed - if you went much faster and the kid got ejected from the tube, the collision with the water was not as soft was you would be comfortable with.<br /><br />Having said that, the problem for the boat was that 20 mph was a pre-planing speed - I was significantly plowing through the water and I could feel the stress on the engine - it's not where you want to run for extended periods. Now in this case the boat and motor were relatively new and in good condition, but I was glad that this was just an occasional activity.

 

[eeboater]

Re: Questions about pulling a tube

I'd be more concerned about pulling other people's kids behind my boat.... in this sue-happy world; you never know...

 

[thunderroad]

Re: Questions about pulling a tube

Good point, eeboater. The "kids" in question are mid 20s or so...mostly girls...the guys are either too chicken or too cool I guess. I told them if they wanted to go together and buy a 1 person tube I'd pull them around some. I figured the thought of coughin up some cash would cool them off but they're headed to KC tomorrow in search of a tube, rope and acc.<br />I guess there are worse things to do on a hot summer day than pull a bunch of 20-something girls around on a tube.

 

[eeboater]

Re: Questions about pulling a tube

Originally posted by thunderroad:<br /> I guess there are worse things to do on a hot summer day than pull a bunch of 20-something girls around on a tube.

True... And you're right.. I wouldn't mind pulling some 20-something girls behing my boat either

 

[QC]

Re: Questions about pulling a tube

FWIW, the solution to swist's concern is a set of trim tabs. They make a HUGE difference for pulling tubes and wakeboards.<br /><br />The newer tubes can really go. I have had my oldest near 50 in a straight line. I do currently have to patch my tube, but how could that be related . . . hmmmmmmm. Pretty weird about the girls and guys thing. The teenage girls in our crowd will go for a ride once in a while, but I have to kick the guys off to do it.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Questions about pulling a tube

Im carrying around a torn rotator cuff from an accident on a tube about 10 years ago! Still dont know what I was doing on that thing at 48 years old, It was fun though!<br /><br />Smart tabs as suggested, make a huge difference and a much more enjoyable expeience for the tubers and the driver. You dont have to go as fast if ya dont want to. Also, it you can tie the pull rope on a ski pole, you will keep the rope out of the water and it works much better.

 

[swist]

Re: Questions about pulling a tube

If you carry kids, you gotta educate them properly. Tell them it's not IF they fall off, it's WHEN, and if they are afraid of dumping they should not go out. Try some low speed "on purpose" dumps so they know what to expect.<br /><br />From what I've read the danger in coming off a tube for a small kid is not in being injured from hitting the water.(Assuming you are going a reasonable speed for the size of the kid, and their PFDs are on and properly secured). But rather the kid may freak and become disoriented and not even know whether their head is in or out of the water. A particularly scary scenario for small kids is if they wind up underneath a capsized tube - they wind up perfectly safe but in the dark so they freak and may try to actually swim downwards into the water. Even in this case you can certainly do a dry run test to see how they react.<br /><br />I brought up my kids on the water and always had friends of theirs around. I concur that you can never be too careful.

 

[thunderroad]

Re: Questions about pulling a tube

I've seen smart tabs mentioned a lot but really haven't looked into it that much. Do they help most any boat..and can they be mounted on pretty much any type? Here's a pic of the back end of my boat.<br />

<br /><br />Would they fit ok?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Questions about pulling a tube

nice older girl, yes they should work fine. get the kids to chip in 1/2, to give them a better ride. i make mine pay for 1/2 the gas.

 

[ricksrster]

Re: Questions about pulling a tube

Mid 20's Girls. This could get be a way to meet women. I'll cruise around the lake dragging the tube and see if I can get any reponses.

 

[thunderroad]

Re: Questions about pulling a tube

thanks,tashadaddy...I didn't hit them up for gas last year..they're all good kids and strugglin just like everyone else...but I may have to if we end up doing the tube action. <br />I'd wondered if that lower step would be in the way of mounting the tabs. I'm sure it could be moved if necessary. I didn't know if a boat this size (19'9" supposedly) needed them or not. It planes out great with just the back to back seats filled. If there are a couple bigger people in the back jump seats, it's a little bit more of a struggle.<br />Hey..I never thought of that rcksrster, I could tell the girls they gotta bring their mama....on second thought, maybe just pitchin in for gas would be best.