Tubing with a MKIII?

[Palssonater]

New to the Zodiac world. I have a MKI and Futura MKIII. Looking at going camping on August Long and was wondering if the MKIII is cabable of towing a tube.

I know I have the power to do so, but was wondering about the stresses on the transom? Is their a ski kit? or do you just use the loop on the transom plate?

Anything to watch for when doing this? I don't want to peel the transom off...

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Tubing with a MKIII?

It's strong enough, I installed d-rings on my transom and use a bridle.

 

[Lakeside_Cruise]

Re: Tubing with a MKIII?

hey Rat,

would you mind posting a picture or two to see how you did it.

I'm planning on getting a 12' Saturn, would that be able to tow on it, will be running 20-30HP motor.

Thanks

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Tubing with a MKIII?

Two ski eyes installed into the transom and a ski bridle is the accepted method. Eventually your transom will come loose, but it's going to do it anyway as you have a PVC boat.

 

[Lakeside_Cruise]

Re: Tubing with a MKIII?

is the transom the only method of doing this?

Also, how long will you give the transom before it gives way?

Will that be repairable, if so how hard will it be to repair, is there a way to reinforce it?

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Tubing with a MKIII?

1) You can glue D rings to the tube...But I wouldn't...And I wouldn't want to be the one being towed when they come flying off.

2) Depends on where you are in the world in relation to UV exposure. Yankees tend to get 7 to 10 years on PVC. Equator dwellers tend to get 4 to 5.

3) Yes, easy fix with PVC glue in a controlled environment

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Tubing with a MKIII?

Here is a picture of the D-ring starboard side. Make sure you use D-rings made for this purpose and not something you find at the Home Depot or somewhere. Seal with 3M 5200 or the like. This is really your only option for a soft hull boat. RIBs can mount towers with tow cleats to the deck, but obviously you can't do that on this type boat.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Tubing with a MKIII?

That's not a D-ring. That's a bow, stern or ski eye. A D ring is literally a D shaped piece of steel that is incorporated into inflatable material for gluing onto the tubes.