Tubing tube?

[noclutch]

Not sure is the right forum to put this in, so Admin feel free to punt me to where it should be

I'm looking for a tube for the kids. Not literally an automotive inner tube (do they make those anymore??) but one of the purpose built "sporting" tubes. Me- never done it. I'm a slalom skier from back in the day and considered tubes the equivalent of three wheelers relative to dirt bikes :lol:

Anyhow, any suggestions on brands or features to look for or beware of? They want a 2-3 person one so that there is plenty of room for 2 teens 140-170# Obviously I don't want a disposable tube that will be trashed in one outing or have the eye pulled out of it right off the bad LOL

 

[fordmugg]

Re: Tubing tube?

I want to know too I've been looking at the airhead viper 3 for the kids

 

[spdracr39]

Re: Tubing tube?

We have a 2 person band wagon and love it. Good for single rider sitting laying or standing or tandem riders in line so no bonking of heads. It is a high quality tube we have had it for four seasons and was used when we got it.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Tubing tube?

Most of the major mfg's make quality tubes and they will last many years if properly taken care of. You need to decide what style you want before you start looking at prices/models. I prefer the delta-wing style to the round-style, as they seem to track a bit better. If your kids are older, you will likely want a flat-top tube instead of a tube you ride "in". It's easier to move around and shift your weight, as well as chicken-fight, on a flat-top tube. Look for tubes with lots of neoprene where the hands/knuckles, elbows, and knees are placed as it makes it a much more pleasurable ride when your skin isn't ripped up on rough canvas.

I also like the sit-in style delta wing tubes which put your feet out in front of you. Despite being in a seated position, it can be a heck of a time holding yourself in place while seated and fighting the lateral G-forces when going around turns. The also launch well off of the boat wakes since most of the rider's weight is toward the back of the tube.

I own a Connelly Cruzer (2-person) and it has lasted over 8 years and still looks new. I can move across the tube easily to position myself for the wakes/turns, and it's big enough for two adults or three kids.

 

[pckeen]

Re: Tubing tube?

Hi,

Here's a recent thread on this, thought it was aimed at little kids. Based on the advice there, we just bought the Atomic HO from Costco - it looks like good solid construction.

 

[frantically relaxing]

Re: Tubing tube?

Other than a tube-shaped tube that was given to us, I have no basis for comparison other than the Great Big Mable we just bought- We have 16 grandkids (and their parent) so I got the "great big" version, these also come in a 2 person (Big Mable) and 3 person (Super Mable) version... Main reasons I bought a Mable were the price, it's big enough, and can be towed both directions.

This is ours on it's maiden voyage, my son and his son in the middle (both these guys weigh over 220 btw), his daughter on the left, and her friend on the right. PLENTY big and buoyant enough!

--same ride a few minutes later, even with dad & son now facing forward, there's plenty of room. They seemed to like it, too!

About the only thing wrong with it, is that it's GREAT BIG! Thing weighs about 60 pounds out of the box, and it only gets heavier when trying to put it away wet!

I haven't yet towed it the other way (this is just an ad photo below), hoping to try that this coming weekend--

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Tubing tube?

I'm looking for a tube for the kids. Not literally an automotive inner tube (do they make those anymore??) but one of the purpose built "sporting" tubes.

Yes, they do make them, and believe it or not, they are a blast! I still have one in the garage that gets some use for someone wanting something more than a typical generic 'tube' ride. They take a fair amount of skill to stay on, and they give a much better ride to the victim!

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Tubing tube?

Yeah, I don't like any tube that is made for more than 3 people, and I really only prefer 2-adults just due to the amount of weight I'm having to toss around as a driver and where to store the thing when we're done with it. For me as a rider, I don't like having a ton of people on at the same time, but it's obviously different when towing younger children and those who just wish to "ride" rather than be "taken for a ride", lol.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Tubing tube?

I have teenagers, for us the best bang for the buck is single tubes, we prefer the ones with the hole in the middle, we have three now and a double so four total.

We bought the double first but quickly got tired of the kids arguing about who rode and when so we got a single, that fixed things somewhat, bought another single and suddenly driving became secondary as the battle of the tubes came about, the double became the tube for the little ones, then we fell into the third single and we have world war on tubes and driving is a blast.

My opinion get singles, yeah they will whine about it at first, get them out there and beat them up against each other the rest will take care of itself, get one inside the wake and bounce the other off the tube between the wake, talk about shot from a gun, get similar makes, any advantage of one tube over another will instantly create drama.

Multiple tubes mean you need an on board air compressor, trust me on this, I have an inverter and a 110 VAC air compressor I can fill three tubes in 5 minutes and deflate them even faster, keep the limited area within the boat clear and everyone is happy!

 

[noclutch]

Re: Tubing tube?

Great feedback guys!! The number of tube makes and designs is dizzying!
I tossed this decision to the kids this morning and they surfed up this as their weapon of choice, so we'll see...

The other thing that I haven't noodled out just yet is how to manage this 5-6' doughnut in a 20' bowrider in between sessions. I even contemplated trying to figure a way to strap it over the bow seating if we are relocating to a different section of river, or just drag it along empty.

LipCJ7- thanks for the advice about filling the tube. I was thinking of just this foot pump for now, and maybe move to a 12v one if this whole mess gets serious? Another thing I didn't think about is deflating this thing when they're done- so maybe electric is the way to go??

Thanks again for all the input! The kids are giddy with anticipation! - and me too

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Tubing tube?

Multiple tubes mean you need an on board air compressor, trust me on this, I have an inverter and a 110 VAC air compressor I can fill three tubes in 5 minutes and deflate them even faster, keep the limited area within the boat clear and everyone is happy!

No need for a compressor... The dedicated tube inflators work MUCH better than any compressor and you don't need an inverter, they are DC powered.

This is the big-daddy model, 25 amps at 12 volts so don't run it off a cigarette lighter! It puts out 20 CFM, there is no compressor on the planet that can do that at 120v. (or even 240 for that matter, need gas to get into that range) The one I've got draws 10 amps so it can run on a cigarette plug, it fills a tube in about 3 minutes.

Rule Hi-Speed Inflator-Deflator - Jabsco iD20 - iboats

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Tubing tube?

Whoops, I said air compressor but I meant pump, I had a 12vdc pump and it worked fine but I got a 110 vac pump as a gift and its way faster, inflates and deflates, thing sounds like a jet engine but its incredible how fast it works, as for the inverter thats personal preference more then anything, you don't need it but it sure is nice to have.

mine looks a lot like the one Smoke posted only 110v

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Tubing tube?

The Air Pumps are the way to go.
The Towables need ~2.5 psi.
That is considered High Pressure in the Tube World.

Low Pressure Pumps (<2psi) need to be topped off manually.
The Inner Bladder actually stretches slightly until it fills the Cover Completely.

It is more air and a much harder tube than you would expect.
I was afraid the tube was going to explode the first few times I did it.
There should be NO Wrinkles in the cover when fully inflated.
The Tube in Post #6 does not appear to be fully inflated.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Tubing tube?

Actually, I have a Coleman 12V cordless rechargable pump that I keep on board. You can find them for less than $20 at most big box stores. Inflates them very quickly and doesn't need to be charged for weeks at a time. Eliminated the issue of how to power them, and save a lot of space for storing the tube when you're finished with it.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Re: Tubing tube?

We've owned a couple Airhead tubes and have been impressed with their quality.I just bought their G-force 3 tube for 3 riders. Very fun!

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Tubing tube?

It has been scientifically proven that the amount of fun increases with the square of the number of tubes, thus two tubes are four times the fun of a one tube.

We have a pair of O'Brien Super Screamers. They are 1 or 2 person, basic, flat round tubes that are very ruggedly built and loaded with grab handles. We have 4+ seasons of heavy duty use on them and no issues.

We use an Intek double quick air pump. It's manually operated so it does not disturb the peace like the electric pumps and it fills the tubes very quickly.

 

[spdracr39]

Re: Tubing tube?

Get the electric pump or you'll only use the tube once if you even get it inflated. Be sure to get a step up higher pressure one so you get plenty of air in. The cheapest ones just don't quite do it for our tube. They also suck the air out for easier storage when your done and after a bit of tubing when your tired is not the time to try to wrestle the air out.

 

[carey965]

Re: Tubing tube?

I have 2 of the cheap airhead tube. One is about 6-7 years old and one is brand new. Can't tell any difference between the two both hold air perfectly and the older one has had a lot of big guys on it. They are a good brand and i would purchase the brand again

 

[noclutch]

Re: Tubing tube?

OK. Talk about impulse buying! The Prowler, an Airhead 12v pump and a foot pump to top off, a 3-4 person tubing rope and harness, and another neoprene PFD are en route All for the price of just two tanks of gas! Something tells me my average MPG on an outing is gonna change.... LOL

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Tubing tube?

Good to hear, sounds like you're on your way to a fun weekend.