Tubing Question

[riden]

Newbie Alert<br /><br />New to me boat and I want to tube with my kids. I have never done it. 4 kids, all very different weights.<br /><br />I have been warned that cheaper tubes flip easy. Also that I need a very good tube if I put two kids on, cheaper ones will flip if the kids are not the same weight.<br /><br />Can somebody point mne in a good direction before I waste any $$?

 

[QC]

Re: Tubing Question

How young is the youngest? Very young kids will probably want a more "traditional" type that is a ring and they sit down in it. Kids over about 8 seem to be OK with the "biscuit" type which are a round raft that they ride "on" instead of "in". This is the type I would recommend if the kids are a little older . . .<br /><br />The flip thing is more under the boat operator's control. Even imbalanced they don't flip if you go straight. Yes, I know, a big kid can flip it on purpose by leaning out, but if no one is trying to flip it, the boat operator has a lot of control . . .

 

[riden]

Re: Tubing Question

Youngest is 10.

 

[QC]

Re: Tubing Question

Biscuit type. I just checked here at iboats, and based on price and the only experience I have, I like this one:<br /><br /> Airhead Slice <br /><br />and this one:<br /><br /> Ski-Tech Terminator <br /><br />Neither is too big, so they won't be as likely to get airborne. I see a lot of people with smaller kids in the "chariot" type, but my kids (youngest is 10, middle 12 and oldest 17) like the freedom of these flat types . . .

 

[blouderback]

Re: Tubing Question

We use something similar to this:<br />

<br /><br />The 5 year old loves it and feels very secure with either Mommy or her 9 year old brother. They sit good and low in the seats. We've even done 3 at a time, Mommy in one side, 5 year old on the other, and the 9 year old in the middle.<br /><br />When the 9 year old goes by himself, he sits in the middle and I can get that thing whipping around pretty good. He "challenges" me to knock him off, and I could if I wanted to, but the Admirial (Mommy) says no... <br /><br />When it's just me a my 40 something year old buddies, we give each other rides like you wouldn't believe. They last about 10 seconds.

 

[bamadave]

Re: Tubing Question

Check out the latest and greatest. Wego Kite Tube for the adventurist. Can be hanessed not to fly or to fly, your decision. Guaranteed not to be boring.

 

[bamadave]

Re: Tubing Question

harnessed, sorry. Oh yeah, made by Sportsstuff.<br />sportsstuff.com

 

[riden]

Re: Tubing Question

Thanks guys

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Tubing Question

in the dark ages, we went ot the tractor supply store and got a used tractor tube. now there was a challenge.

 

[npd4432]

Re: Tubing Question

I use the Connelly swept wing design for its stability. All of the kids I have ever taken on it have no problem using it. I am on my third one now.

 

[dorelse]

Re: Tubing Question

We use the Sportsstuff Starfighter and an Airhead Slash II. <br /><br />Both are extremely stable, and we haven't been able to flip them...although my oldest is 9, so he's still just getting comfortable with tubing.<br /><br />The Slash II is a nice 2 person steerable tube that has served us for 4 years now with no issues.<br /><br />The Starfighter is just plain fun.

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Tubing Question

This is the one I use. Lot's of fun and quite safe.<br /><br /> http://www.qualityinflatables.com/images/20024toplarge.jpg

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: Tubing Question

Why waist money on a tube, a wake snake is far more fun and all the kids can ride it together ....

 

[SteveNix]

Re: Tubing Question

If you're looking for single rider tubes...go for a 60" diameter over a 56". its amazing what an extra 4 inches will do for stability. <br /><br />I'm a big fan of the HO 2XS tube.

 

[ruf1967]

Re: Tubing Question

After you figure out which tube is best for your family, make absolutely sure all the kids have properly fitting ski vests, not just the orange horse collars. I was at Pueblo Res. in CO when an 11 year old, wearing a horse collar, fell from a tube, swallowed water and became separated from the life preserver. He ended up in 30 feet of water and the dive team did not find him until about 5 hours later.

 

[KRS]

Re: Tubing Question

Be sure you have enough boat passengers to keep an eye on each child if they were to fall off in different locations... you don't want to know where the last one fell off but not the first