Where do I hook the rope to?

[MAXXIE]

I want to buy a towable 1/2 person tube. Where is the best place to hook the rope to the boat? Would I use the transom tie-down rings? I was looking through an Overton's catalog & saw the ski pylon's for like $239-$280, not bloody likely, I'm still surprised at the price of the towable's. Anyway, what do you hook to? Thanks, MAXX BTW: It's a bowrider W/ O/B

 

[jelli]

Re: Where do I hook the rope to?

yep thats where i hook mine ti the transom tie downs works 4 me

 

[ovrrdrive]

Re: Where do I hook the rope to?

It's best if you're going to use the tie down eyes to get a ski bridle. It's just a rope that goes from one eye around the motor to the other with a pulley on it for you to hook the tow rope to. It will make the tow rope pull from the center and make it easier for you to drive. You just have to watch the rope and the prop. Bridles are under $20.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Where do I hook the rope to?

If there's no fixture such as a pylon you get or make a bridle to clip onto the stern eyelets. It consists of 2 swivel snaps with a coated cable between them on which there is a pulley block with a float and eye behind it. The floating eye is where you attach the tow line.
Main rule of towables is engine off when there are bodies close behind the boat. 2nd rule is no reverse while the bridle is deployed. It is good to have a spotter who grabs one end of the bridle and flips it up in front of the engine when you aren't towing, this requires holding the tow rope or shipping the towable. This way you may use reverse, plus there's less stuff trailed out behind the boat to break or lose.

Have fun safely!

 

[ddrieck]

Re: Where do I hook the rope to?

You need a tow harness like the one in the link...

http://transom-jack.com/Airhead-HD-Tube-and-Ski-Tow-Harness-P1002714.aspx




They also have the bungy cord type tow rope....makes for an interesting ride.

http://transom-jack.com/AIRHEAD-Bungee-Tube-Tow-Rope-50-ft-P1002687.aspx

 

[convergent]

Re: Where do I hook the rope to?

In addition to a harness, I HIGHLY recommend getting a Sportstuff Booster Ball if you are towing inflatables from the stern hooks which are very low to the water line. I found that the rope kept getting hung up in the wake which makes for a very unpleasant towing experience for the rider. When the rope gets hung, the tube slows down and actually spins around backwards and then when it comes free it really jerks the tube which can damage the tube, as well as unnecessarily whip the riders. With the ball, it literally rolls across the wake and keeps the spray in their face down some, as well as it makes wake crossings very smooth. I paid about half that price for by shopping around online. It includes a very good rope and quick release, so the price at that point isn't bad. We keep an inflator on the boat so I just deflate it when we aren't using it... takes about 30 seconds to fill.

 

[180Fisherman]

Re: Where do I hook the rope to?

Are those things really primarily tie down eyes? I always figured their primary purpose was for towing and that they just doubled as tie downs.

 

[convergent]

Re: Where do I hook the rope to?

Are those things really primarily tie down eyes? I always figured their primary purpose was for towing and that they just doubled as tie downs.

I think its like the chicken and the egg!

Seriously, many, many years ago when I learned to ski, that is where the rope was hooked. I don't remember people even tying down the stern to the trailer when towing back then. I could have been hanging out with idiots that didn't know to tie it down, but seems like they are perfect for dual purpose.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Where do I hook the rope to?

Can they be used for tubing and skiing? Here we are...16 miles out into the Atlantic Ocean...skiing when the fish aren't biting!

 

[MAXXIE]

Re: Where do I hook the rope to?

OK, I guess that answers my question. Tanx. Holy S**T, 16 miles out in the ocean! Aren't you all afraid of sharks & stuff? I would be. Cool picture & thanks everyone for the advise. I think I'll post up that question to see if it's a 50/50 split here on the forum. Ski hooks or Tie downs you decide. chicken or egg

 

[riptide09]

Re: Where do I hook the rope to?

I just bought some new equipment for towing a tube. I looked locally and then online. It was hard to beat iBoats so I got my stuff here. Example was a 4 person tow rope. On sale for $15 here, $30 locally at West Marine. Buy here, you won't get a better deal.

I got a Y connector, rope, tube quick disconnect and a new tube for $91 plus shipping.

 

[MAXXIE]

Re: Where do I hook the rope to?

That's a hell of a deal rip, The stuff I was looking at was way more than that. I'll check here. I was in a rush to get it because I was going Boating/camping with my son this weekend, but the weather is a little "iffy" so I think we'll see what next weekend looks like. That will give me some time to shop around & get a deal. Most of the 2 person riders were anywhere from $150 to $300 & up. I don't want to spend a ton of cash, but on the other hand I don't want a piece of crap either. I guess like most things "you get what you pay for". What's the better name in "Towables" ? The "Airheads" name seems to be everywhere I look & it seems to be decent stuff, not too far out there pricewize. I'm going to go over to the shopping section now....................

 

[riptide09]

Re: Where do I hook the rope to?

Here it is:

Heavy Duty 4K Tow Rope - SportsStuff 57-1532 $14.87
http://www.iboats.com/Heavy-Duty-4K-Tow-Rope-SportsStuff/dm/view_id.197613

4K Towable Y Quick Connector - SportsStuff 57-1660 $17.51
http://www.iboats.com/4K-Towable-Y-Quick-Connector-SportsStuff/dm/view_id.484176

4K Towable Quick Connector - SportsStuff 57-1655 $5.67
http://www.iboats.com/4K-Towable-Quick-Connector-SportsStuff/dm/view_id.483950

Blast Tube Towable - Airhead AHBL-1 $53.24
http://www.iboats.com/Blast-Tube-Towable-Airhead/dm/view_id.166401

 

[timdan94]

Re: Where do I hook the rope to?

OK, I guess that answers my question. Tanx. Holy S**T, 16 miles out in the ocean! Aren't you all afraid of sharks & stuff? I would be. Cool picture & thanks everyone for the advise. I think I'll post up that question to see if it's a 50/50 split here on the forum. Ski hooks or Tie downs you decide. chicken or egg

The skier just didn't realize he became bait. The fish weren't biting so it was time to find the sharks..

 

[Captain Caveman]

Re: Where do I hook the rope to?

I'll likely get blasted for saying this, but you can also make your own. Saying that, it is very important for me to stress that you've got to make sure that you use equipment and materials that are made to handle the load and stress levels from pulling a tube and/or skier.

Essentially though, a tow strap running from stern tie down to stern tie down will work if it's got a high strength ring or pulley running on it.

 

[eli_lilly]

Re: Where do I hook the rope to?

Are those things really primarily tie down eyes? I always figured their primary purpose was for towing and that they just doubled as tie downs.

Even crazier, in the Florida Keys, everyone hangs their boats from the davits by them.

-E

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Where do I hook the rope to?

The skier just didn't realize he became bait. The fish weren't biting so it was time to find the sharks..

That's why we put a PFD on him. Technically, now he's not only bait, but a bobber as well!!

 

[bigskiohio]

Re: Where do I hook the rope to?

how do those connectors work, do you use them together?