Towables

[actionljackson]

What does every one out there use for a towable? Do you pull the tubes or one of the newer ride now available.I was considering buying a tube that seats 3 people in it.My concern is how big the thing is 76"x84" my boat is only17.5' and I am thinking this may be too big? Also what do you use to inflate these giants.I may want to inflate it once out on the water but it seems to me it would take a lot of psi to get it blown up.
Thanks to all who reply your input is appreciated.
~Leo

 

[TMoNeE]

Re: Towables

I have a 2 person tube and blow it up with an electric pump that uses the cigarette lighter outlet.

 

[kellmike626]

Re: Towables

I use a cigarette lighter and an electric pump from my truck or van to inflate the tube.
As for the tube size, a 2 person size does me just fine, and my boat is 17'-6" overall. I also use a strong tow rope (towing capacity of 680 lbs or 4 people, only cost me $30).
You should be fine with a 3 person, but you might have a bit of trouble getting on plane if you have 3 adults or teens on the tube, and a 3 liter engine. Make sure you get the right tow rope as well, and read the towing capacity of the rope before buying it.

 

[Micahhaase]

Re: Towables

I have a pontoon and i use a 2 person round tube... I actually air it up at the marina at my lake they have free air plus i dont have to mess with any other compressors

 

[the rebel]

Re: Towables

What is your question? Too big for what?
I'm assuming you have plenty of power to pull a towable if you have a 17.5 foot boat. I have several sizes I pull. One is a 56" single rider tube, one is a 76" double rider tube, and one is a huge triangle shape two person raft looking thing that the riders sit in an upright position in. The lay down position on the tubes seem to be way more comfortable for the riders. I would consider two smaller tubes of the same size if you intend on more than three kids wanting to ride. You can get really creative with modern towables.
I can pull all of them behind my 16' aluminum fishing boat with a 75 Johnson. I can pull four people on two tubes, or five on three at the same time.

Dual tubes are the most fun you will ever have on the lake. I make all my ropes the same length so the towables will be side by side. When wake jumping they will bounce against each other like pinballs.
If I pull three tubes, the largest one is always in the center. It really gets fun when I get them behind my 7.4L Cobalt.


I use an electric inflator that came in one of my tube kits. It has a plug for a cig. outlet, along with an alligator clip adapter for power and works fast. You can also use it to deflate the tube if you want it vacuumed down to the smallest shape you can get.

I have several different size tow ropes, but the smallest one for the single tube will pull all you want it to. You won't break it during normal use.

This is the time of year they go on clearance pricing too. Have fun with the kids. :thumbsup

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Towables

We got this! Woo Hoo!

Unfortunately, it's too heavy to tow...but that would be awesome if we could!

 

[the rebel]

Re: Towables

We got this! Woo Hoo!

Unfortunately, it's too heavy to tow...but that would be awesome if we could!

Haha, you'd either need a cook or a bartender in that thing to utilize it's potential....

 

[Dave.Mishchenko]

Re: Towables

I've pulled 3 /4 person tubes with a 17' and 3.0 L engine - no problems at all. I usually pump it up at home and then top it off at the lake to take into account the temp for the day.

 

[actionljackson]

Re: Towables

Thanks everyone that helps a lot.As for being too big Rebel I was thinking too big to carry around on the boat and all the space a 3 person sit down tube would take up.I strap something that big onto the boat I was afraid there wouldn't be room for the 3 people to ride in it.As for horsepower I have a 4.3 with 190hp in my Larson citation 175 and she scoots pretty good.Still looking for the right prop for her but that is a whole nother post.
Thanks everyone once again.

 

[the rebel]

Re: Towables

actionljackson, that is exactly what I thought when I first read your post. Depending on your rear cleat position, you could tie it across the stern through the handles on the tube to the rear cleats with no worries. I have had two at a time tied on like that.
Which tube are you looking at?

 

[kailec00]

Re: Towables

I pull a one person round tube and usually inflate that at the house before heading out. Then strap it on the swim platform using the cleats. We also have a big 2 person tube that has seat lookin things on it that also blow up. I usually stow that in the ski locker and blow it up once we get on the lake and someone wants to use it. My boat has a 12v plug on it and I have a 10 dollar pump that plugs into it. It came with 4 different attachments for different type of valves. It takes maybe 5 min total to inflate the 2 different bladders inside the tube.
Well worth the 5 min to free up the space in the boat. I have seen some people tie the big tubes to the swim deck and let it hang off into the water, guess it would depend on how high you trim up and risk hitting it with the prop.