As the weather starts to turn warmer, everyone wants to be out on their boats, enjoying the sun and having fun in the water. One way people enjoy spending time on the lake, river, or ocean is by participating in water sports, and one of the most popular options is tubing. If you’ve never towed a tube before, you probably have all kinds of questions about how to choose the right tube and tow rope. Keep reading to learn all about how to choose the best towable tube.
Number of Riders
The first thing you will want to consider when looking for a tube is how many people will be riding it. You will find tubes that can accommodate anywhere from one person to groups of riders. All of the tubes on the market are rated for adults, so if you will have children tubing, you’ll want to consider that as well when choosing which tube to purchase.
If you don’t have a ton of space on your boat, you should probably stick with a 1 or 2 person towable tube. These typically tend to be lightweight and more compact than multi-person tubes. If you are going to be towing many people, you will want to consider larger tubes that are designed to hold more riders.
It is important that you only tow the approved number of people the tube and tow rope are rated for. If you were to add more people than the manufacturer’s recommendation, it can quickly become dangerous. There are only a specific number of handles on each tube, and you could possibly exceed the weight limit, which could result in damage to your tube and create an unsafe situation for your riders.
Types of Towable Tubes
Once you know about how many people you will be towing on a regular basis, you should think about the design of the tube. Each type of tube accommodates riders of various levels, ages, and speeds, so you will want to consider these factors when choosing what design to get.
Open Top Tubes
Open top tubes are the original donut shape everyone thinks of when it comes to inflatable tubes. This design is versatile and ideal for riders of all ages and skill levels. It is possible to ride open top tubes in many different ways. You can sit in the hole with your legs over the side or you can lay on your stomach and your feet hanging over the back.
Deck Tubes
If you’re looking for a tube that can handle a fast ride, then you may want to get a deck tube. These tubes require a strong grip to stay on while you’re out on the water. The most popular way to ride a deck tube is to lay on your stomach facing the boat.
Ride-In Tubes
Ride-in tubes, which are also known as cockpit style tubes, are ideal for a relaxed ride. They are also perfect for younger children since riders sit low in the tube. The design creates a smooth take off and safer ride compared to other tube designs.
Dual Tow Point Tubes
As you can probably guess from the name, dual tow point tubes have 2 tow points on each side of the tube. This design is popular with people of all ages since riders are in a seated front position and have a back rest. You can also turn the tube around and create a “chariot style” riding experience.
Banana Tubes
Banana tubes, or toboggan style tubes, are designed to be ridden like you’re on a sled in snow. With a slim, aerodynamic design, these types of tubes are ideal for pontoon boats.
Rocker Tubes
Rocker tubes have a curved surface to create a unique experience out on the water. This design adds maneuverability since riders can shift their weight from side to side to create a rocking sensation. Most of these types of tubes come in a three stage or U shape. The three stage rockers have winged tips and a flat middle section so riders can lie down or sit up, whereas U-shaped rockers have a continuous curve so riders can rock side to side. This type of towable tube is ideal for thrill seekers, but beginners and young children can also enjoy rockers if boat drivers avoid higher speeds.
Unique Concept Tubes
Towable tube designs are becoming more unique because riders want an exciting new experience while they’re out on the water. These tubes come in a variety of shapes and unusual designs, and they are designed to meet the demand of advanced riders.
Properly Inflating Your Towable Tube
Inflating your towable tubes to the correct size is important for safety and integrity of the tube. They should be filled with air until the tube is ultra firm and the cover is wrinkle free. To be extra cautious, check the manufacturer’s recommendations for proper inflation techniques.
Every tube has a valve where you fill it up with air. There are three major types of valves, and they include:
- Boston valves - These are one way valves with two caps. Take off the cap to fill the tube with air, and to deflate, untwist the entire valve.
- Speed valves - This is an easy valve to use. All you have to do is use a speed valve fitting on an electric pump, place it in the valve, and inflate the tube.
- Stem valves - Stem valves are the easiest valves to use. Just place the electric pump deep in the stem valve to inflate, and to deflate, pinch the valve and press on the tube.
Be aware that inflation levels can change due to the hot sun and water temperatures. When not in use, you should deflate your towable tube, fold it, and store it where it cannot be damaged by sunlight or punctured.
Choosing the Right Tow Rope
In order to pull any towable tube, you must have the correct tow rope. According to WISA regulations, tube ropes must be at least 50 feet long but not exceed 65 feet. If your tow rope is shorter than 50 feet, the tube could get in the crest of the wake, which would spray riders in the face, and if your tow rope is longer than 65 feet, it could cause whipping.
In addition to length, you need to consider the strength of the tow rope. Typically, the lowest rope strength should be 2,000 lbs. while the highest rope strength will be around 6,000 lbs. depending on how many people you are towing.
Tow Rope Safety Tips
You never want to use a tow rope that is not designed for tubing. You cannot use a tow rope designed for water skiing, wakeboarding, or kneeboarding because they are not designed to hold the same amount of weight as a tubing tow rope nor are they designed to be as strong as these ropes. If your tow rope has knots, is frayed, or has sun damage, you should replace it and not use it on the water.
How to Properly Attach a Tow Rope
To ensure all passengers are safe on the water, you should make sure your tow rope is properly attached to the towable tube. Every tube has an approved attachment point, which will allow you to get the best and safest pull. Some tubes even come with a quick connect clip to quickly connect the tube to the tow rope.
Ready to Go Tubing?
Tubing is an exciting activity people of all ages will enjoy, and you won’t want to miss out on your next boating day! Still not sure what kind of tube you want? Look through our selection of towable tubes, and pick the best one for you!
And of course, be sure that you’re pulling your tubes from a top-of-the-line towing product like TurboSwing. TurboSwing creates smooth pulls thanks to its patented technology and even reduces rope drag water spray on your riders by raising the tow point over what you’d experience with a factory-installed tow point. Find the right TurboSwing for your boat today!
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