Tow Rope Attachment Point

jstucky

Cadet
Joined
Apr 6, 2020
Messages
27
First time boater here so I apologize for the dumb question. I bought and fixed up a 1975 Newman 18ft runabout with an 888 Merc I/O. The kids want to tube. There are 2 pretty good sized hooks on the back of the transom about 16 inches out from the center. I assume this would be the best place to attach a tow rope. (currently the system will not let me attach a picture). I purchased a 5K 12ft tow rope. When I attach the rope and stretch it out, it sure looks like the rope will just get into the prop? Am I missing something? Do I need to extend the two pieces of rope so the point of the triangle is further back? Mount in a different spot? Thanks for your help!
 

jimmbo

Supreme Mariner
Joined
May 24, 2004
Messages
12,944
Almost every Tow Rope is made of Polyethylene, or Polypropylene, both of which float. Most Bridles have a Float where the the Tow Rope would Connect.

12 ft is way too short, should Guarantee the Tubers having a lot of Missing Teeth when they slam into the Stern of the Boat and Outdrive.

Attach the Bridle to the Eyes on the Transom,
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
47,307
most tube tow ropes are 75 feet. are you sure its not just the bridle that is 12 foot long? that would be my guess.
 
Joined
Mar 1, 2005
Messages
923
The tow harnesses that alldodge linked to are what you need. Attached each clip to each transom eye, then attach your tubing rope to the end. I have the one in the first link made by Airhead and it works great for tubing and skiing behind my fishing boat. One thing to consider is that you are towing from a lower point, so the rope may drag in the water. It might also pull down on the front of the tube. I used to have to hold the rope while tubing to keep the tube's nose from diving down. Then I bought a booster ball and it solved all of my tubing problems:
https://www.scheels.com/p/sportsstu...n-pseNdfaVn1Ip8sKUuBq9mKNYwTYIiRoCsq0QAvD_BwE
 

Outlw36

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Sep 29, 2018
Messages
35
plus 1 on the booster ball! with out it the becomes a submarine. I was also going to get a cheap snorkel and mask but they were outta stock locally lol

Jim Allen
 

NatedoggAZ

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Mar 7, 2018
Messages
182
+1 for the Airhead Heavy Duty Harness.

I too was afraid that my older boat's tow ring would rip off from pulling a huge tube and many people

I saw the tow harness at my local Walmart on the shelf for $12 reduced last year so I snatched it up:

Tow harness:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/AIRHEAD-HD-Tow-Harness-Yellow-Red-12-ft/17400070

I got this sucker for under $140 last year on clearance as well - which was the concern for the ski ring. I have pulled 4 kids on this / 2 adults / 1 adult and 2 kids.. etc with no problem:
https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/...ube-17ahdudsgptstp3twwsr/17ahdudsgptstp3twwsr

I quickly found out that I could not clip the Heavy Duty Harness to the cleats on the back - so I bought these large carabiners to clip through the cleats - and then clipped the harness to the carabiner:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07P9VLBJ7/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

ND
 

Kristys

Recruit
Joined
Feb 8, 2021
Messages
2
I am a spammer and I have been banned. :( :)
 
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