Watersports towables can be like choosing which thrill ride to take at a theme park. If you want to laugh and scream as your waterborne joyride is towed behind the boat, then it depends on your level of courage.
What makes towables so cool? As opposed to skiing and wakeboarding, they do not require a lot of skill, which makes them ideal for all ages, depending on the size, shape, and speed. It's just a matter of climbing aboard, sitting or lying down, and hanging on.
Inflated truck-size inner tubes tethered by a row rope were the predecessors of today's towables. After the ride is over, many towables can double as sun loungers, tethered to a boat or dock or pulled onto the shoreline and used as beach chairs.
Bring thrills, laughs, and dares to your boating lifestyle with a towable. You can go fancy or you can stay basic. With a water toy that can be tossed in the water and enjoyed by all, you get the most bang for your buck. Here's a helpful guide to help you decide which is right for you and your family. Here at our experienced boat towing Tampa bay, we offer boat towing service for people seeking boat towing Tampa bay.
TUBE SIZE & SPACE
Towables are classified according to how many riders they can carry. It is ideal for younger children or first-timers to ride in a one- or two-person tube while an older child or expert rides alongside. Their compact size makes them ideal for smaller boats, especially outboard-powered boats with small cockpits.
Depending on garage space, you can inflate the towable at the start of the season and deflate it at the end of the season. You can also deflate after each trip. In that case, you will need a battery- or electric-powered pump to make the process faster and easier.
Don't tow more riders than the manufacturer recommends. There is a risk of damaging the tube and it alters the ride's performance.
It may be possible to fudge a bit on the space limitations, both inside the garage and aboard the boat, by shopping for tubes of different shapes. Listed below are a few ideas.
DONUT TUBE
In the old original round tube design, where and how you sit makes it so much fun. You can relax your ride by putting your backside in the middle and draping your legs and feet over the sides. The top can be positioned belly flat with the head facing forward and the feet pointing backwards for thrill-seekers. First-timers will find budget-friendly top tubes to be the most versatile.
DECK TUBE
With its flat surface, this tube style is an all-around popular choice when speed is needed. The deck tubes are prone to flipping over after crossing a wake, but what the heck, that's part of the fun! There are multiple handholds on the side of the SportsStuff Rampage 2-Person Towable so you can stay onboard when the boat driver guns the throttle. Deck-style tubes are so popular that fins are available to keep you onboard during whipping turns.
SIT INSIDE
Kids and riders who want a relaxed ride will enjoy this style of tube. For a more secure, safer ride, you sit inside the tube below the top. Because cockpit tubes are wider than donut tubes, they plane smoother and are more stable than donut tubes.
TOW ROPES
Tow ropes should be selected based on the manufacturer's recommendations for safety and performance, taking into account their tensile strength and length. It is not possible to tow water skiers and wakeboarders with tow ropes because they are too weak to tow riders and tubes.
According to the Water Sports Industry Association, tube ropes must be at least 50 feet long and no longer than 65 feet. For single-rider towables, the rope must be rated at 1,500 pounds, and the tensile strength increases with the diameter of the tube.
CONNECTION TIPS
When towing a towable, never use a knotted, frayed or sun-damaged tow rope to prevent the line from snapping. Connect the rope at both ends to an approved attachment point, such as the eyelet on the tube. Ski tow pylons or rings on the boat and a tow rope with built-in clips on the towable are the ideal setups. Do not tie a knot in the rope or connect the towable to a tower.
INFLATION TIPS
Use a DC-powered pump that can be powered aboard the boat to save time and energy. Alternatively, you can use AC-powered pumps, but they cannot be taken on the boat.
Make sure you have the appropriate fittings for the pump, according to the type of stem on the towable. Boston valves, stem valves, and speed valves are the three standard types.
Inflate towables until the tube is firm and wrinkle-free. Temperatures in the water and exposure to the sun can also affect inflation levels.
BE SAFE
When towing a tube and riders, use common sense. Start the engine only when riders are onboard and give the sign that they are ready to ride. As you drive, designate a spotter who can see and hear you. Throttle up gradually, first pulling the tube inside the wake of the boat. After the riders are settled in and comfortable, you can add speed and let the fun begin. Swing the tube from side to side and even across the wake of the boat by making some gentle S-turns.
Watching the riders smile, laugh, and scream is just as fun as driving the boat. In addition, it might be your turn next!