simple question about towing tubes and skiers.

[S.S__P.O.S]

ok i got a bass boat with a 115hp johnson and i want to pull a tube or skier but the only thing i have to hold a rope is ONE of the ....cant rember what is called... umm eye hooks in the back the other is missing the boat was made in 1979 do u think that the one thing can hold a wakeboard or tube??? and what would happen if it broke it??

 

[jeffmock]

Re: simple question about towing tubes and skiers.

Hey S.S.<br /><br />I have a fish and ski and I use a ski pilon (boy, that dosn't look right). The main leg goes into hole where the seat pedestal goes and two "outrigger" legs fasten to clips to the side and aft of the center leg. The tow rope rides above the motor in the center of the boat. You don't have to worry about ripping the transom out of your rig and the skier's rope is out of the wake when skiing outside the wake.<br />Good Luck

 

[Solittle]

Re: simple question about towing tubes and skiers.

S.S. - One should hold it but why not repalce the missing one and use a ski bridle? Your boat will handle much better.

 

[Link]

Re: simple question about towing tubes and skiers.

SS<br />I agree with both JR and SoLittle. Replace the bow eye (yes I know it's on the stern) Then you can deciede on a ski pylon or ski bridle. I use the bridle because its easy to stow away (I have a very small boat) and I can also throw it on friends boats when we are with them.<br /><br />Happy Boating<br />Link

 

[Cobotr]

Re: simple question about towing tubes and skiers.

Since you can't remember what they're called, if you mean a cleat, don't do it. Otherwise I agree with the others.

 

[trumpetbucks]

Re: simple question about towing tubes and skiers.

S.S. - SInce you called it an "eye hook" I'm assuming you mean bow eye and not a cleat. I agree that you should replace the missing one no matter what.<br /><br />Since you say you have a "bass boat" with no more detail as to make/model, my next question would be do you have a pedestal seat in the center or back center of the boat that you could consider using a pylon? If your only pedestal hole(s) are too far forward, it's way better to go with a bridle.

 

[S.S__P.O.S]

Re: simple question about towing tubes and skiers.

yeah thars the guy a bow eye thing and yes i do have a seat in the back i could put a pylon there but i just got boat and im trying it for first time sking so dont want to invest any $$ can someone tell me the deatails on a pylon vs. bridle like how much and how they work? <br />im learnig bout outboard boats but slowly so get ready for more dumb questions!!

 

[Solittle]

Re: simple question about towing tubes and skiers.

A pylon is a post of some type attached to the boat along the center line. The tow rope attaches to the top. The force from the tow is at the center of the boat. The bridle ia a line attached to the stern cleats or rear eyes bolted through each side of the transom. A plastic pully is attached to the line and the tow rope to the pully. The pully rides the line to and fro responding to the direction of force from the tow rope.<br /><br />If you attach the tow line to only one side of the boat the handling reacts differently as the force of the tow comes from one side or the other.<br /><br />I just read this and don't think what I wrote is very clear. Perhaps someone else can give it a shot.

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: simple question about towing tubes and skiers.

if you're just wanting to have a way to ski, then you can tie the rope to the eyelet on either side of the back of the boat. that's all my family did for a decade before we'd even heard of ski bridles & pilons (still not sure of the names)<br /><br />just my 2c worth.<br /><br />the boat might strain a little more when the skiier is off to one side, but we normally only went about 26mph anyway. when you start wanting to do 40mph and maybe jump some small islands & ski barefoot, then you can buy the high$$$ stuff <br /><br />PS- that is, unless you're talking about pulling 300# persons over large surf, on big tubes that tend to catch each wave like a windsock - lol<br />(we were on inland lakes)

 

[rage]

Re: simple question about towing tubes and skiers.

As an avid wakeboarder i have used both. Bridles SUCK. I dont know what your skill level is or if you care that the rope is not steady with a bridle, but i recomend a pilon. However the bridle should be cheaper. I just never liked them since the wake hits the rope when you are trying to ski.

 

[philtheskipper]

Re: simple question about towing tubes and skiers.

My boat has an eight foot beam with an outboard engine. Do I need a 12ft or 8ft ski bridle? I will be attaching it to the eye hooks on the transom.

 

[bmorris1]

Re: simple question about towing tubes and skiers.

What type of setup is needed to pull anything. I wonder if my 16 ft mirrocraft could be used to pull a wakeboard, kneeboard, tube etc for some fun around the bay.<br /><br />Its a 16ft V-hull Mirrocraft, with a 40 HP Suzuki outboard. It goes plenty fast when my Father in law and I cruise out to our fishing spots, but we've always wondered what else it could do.<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Brian

 

[Jim@KSC]

Re: simple question about towing tubes and skiers.

Although not the same configuration as your boat, this link will show you what a pylon looks like...<br /> http://www.bartswatersports.com/catalog.asp?P=6628 <br /><br />You may have to paste into your browser.

 

[philtheskipper]

Re: simple question about towing tubes and skiers.

Can a bridle be used with an outboard? Won't it rub on the motor when turning?

 

[n0ukf]

Re: simple question about towing tubes and skiers.

philtheskipper,<br />#1. I would think you need a 12' bridle for that one, if 8' and 12' are your only choices.<br /><br />#2. How sharp are you turning with a skier in tow, anyway (whiplash)? If it does rub in a turn, it shouldn't be with much force.

 

[philtheskipper]

Re: simple question about towing tubes and skiers.

Thanks, won't be turning to sharp. I'll be towing a tube, not a skier.

 

[catmania]

Re: simple question about towing tubes and skiers.

Put in your other bow eye then go with the bridle, its way cheaper, once you get good you can think about the pilon setup. For towing tubes height doenst matter as much. You will be turning tighter with tubes than with skier, but if your bridle is 12 feet and your beam 8 them you should clear your motor.