Bungee Cord or Inflateable Ball Tow Rope?

[HappierWet]

We were down to Cabela's today looking for a tube. While we were there I also looked at some fairly pricey tow ropes.......one had a length of bungee cord worked into the core and the other had an inflatable ball apparently in the middle of the length of rope.
Does anyone have either of these and do you like it, if so why?

 

[Dave.Mishchenko]

Re: Bungee Cord or Inflateable Ball Tow Rope?

The bungee cord will absorb some of the jerk in the rope if you get a bit of slack and it'll also provide some surges in speed as the cord extends and then retracts.

For the ball here's a manufacturer's write up - http://www.sportsstuff.com/dyn_prod.php?p=SPT53-2030.

 

[HappierWet]

Re: Bungee Cord or Inflateable Ball Tow Rope?

I understand what the design concepts are.
Have you used either of these products?
That's really what I am after is real world this versus that instead of marketing hype.

 

[gjm700]

Re: Bungee Cord or Inflateable Ball Tow Rope?

Happier,
you don't need those fancy rigs. Use a good quality tube rope. (not expensive) & it floats better than standard ski rope. If you have a tower the elevation takes up the slack, if not the thicker tube rope has a little elasticity if on the regular slalom hook.

 

[iBrent]

Re: Bungee Cord or Inflateable Ball Tow Rope?

A buddy of mine has a bungee based tube rope. We sometimes tube in the ocean and with all those waves the bungee makes an interesting experience.

I thought it was a blast.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Bungee Cord or Inflateable Ball Tow Rope?

Personally a standard tube tow rope works just fine.
My 2 cents

 

[sleek2004]

Re: Bungee Cord or Inflateable Ball Tow Rope?

i have the booster ball it works well. it keeps the rope out of the water so no rope spray. it makes the tube slide side to side better too. the only thing is its bulky and we have to deflate it for room on the boat.