Pulling a tube problems

[kac215]

Re: Pulling a tube problems

Oh and the tube was fully inflated as far as I could tell. I inflated it with one of those inflators you hook to your battery and then topped it off with my lungs to get it as hard as I could.

 

[kac215]

Re: Pulling a tube problems

Does it immediately nose dive when you set off before the boat is on plane ?? or does it nose dive during the run ??? when turning ?? or what ??

Immediately when setting off before boat is on plane

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Pulling a tube problems

Immediately when setting off before boat is on plane

How many people in it ??? and what weight ??? Looks like a kind of wierd set up with 2 people in the front !!!

 

[kac215]

Re: Pulling a tube problems

Never tried with more then 2 100lb people on my boat, but it has worked on the other boat with three 15 and 16 year old girls. Your right about the 2 people up front design, seems weird.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Pulling a tube problems

Your right about the 2 people up front design, seems weird.

Seems like it is nose heavy which is not a good idea. Looks like it would be better towing from the other end.

 

[kac215]

Re: Pulling a tube problems

yeah, maybe I'll cut my losses and buy an old-school round donut tried and true tube that doesn't require a physics lesson to put some smiles on the kiddos.

 

[Campylobacter]

Re: Pulling a tube problems

I can't tell from the pics of your tube if this is the case or not, but on my tube there are two straps at the front, one comes from the bottom and the other from the top. The bottom strap is threaded up through the top strap and then the the rope is then attached to the bottom strap. This give a bit of lift to the tube when you take off. Any chance you hooked it up upside down?

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Pulling a tube problems

I can't tell from the pics of your tube if this is the case or not, but on my tube there are two straps at the front, one comes from the bottom and the other from the top. The bottom strap is threaded up through the top strap and then the the rope is then attached to the bottom strap. This give a bit of lift to the tube when you take off. Any chance you hooked it up upside down?

Excellent point.

 

[sickwilly]

Re: Pulling a tube problems

I guess if I were you I would sit in the water about 25 yards off the side of the boat and have someone hit it with the boat and see how much bow lift you are getting. I guess its conceivable that the back end really digs in and the wake rise is higher than your tow point.

You are trimming all the way down for take off, right, versus keeping the outdrive trimmed up a little for speed?

 

[sickwilly]

Re: Pulling a tube problems

This is a pretty crummy video, but look at the initial bow rise on this vindicator

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqSzR7eBebk&feature=related

 

[cpubud]

Re: Pulling a tube problems

I would get a better pump for inflating it .I find it hard to believe that you are getting the right psi with your lungs. it needs to be blown up properly . may not be the total problem but I bet it would help.

 

[kac215]

Re: Pulling a tube problems

Yeah I trim all the way down on takeoff; I have too because of excessive bowrise. That video could be me at any hole-shot. I do believe mine is that bad. Do you think I should try a different prop? I called Powertech props (they are here in Shreveport) and they said they could port the prop. What does that mean and if I don't like it is or ruined?

 

[kac215]

Re: Pulling a tube problems

Oops, I forgot to address the straps at the front of the towable. Yes, they are hooked up right to where they pull the bottom of the tube up but still no luck behind the Vindicator.

 

[Ace52]

Re: Pulling a tube problems

Do you have any friends with a boat that might let you pull that tube on their boat and try out a diff tube on your boat?

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Pulling a tube problems

if you look WAY back I said to pick up a 4 blade prop with less pitch for tubing.... what are you running now? If you drop pitch and increase surface area (4 blades) you will be AMAZED at your holeshot... it only takes a couple minutes to swap props.... don't mess with your speed prop, just get another..... TRUST ME you will wonder why you didn't do it sooner

 

[TBarCYa]

Re: Pulling a tube problems

Do you happen to leave the tube in the water for a while before trying to pull people on it? I've noticed that my tube gets water in the cover and has to be emptied before I can pull it. I just open the zipper and pull it out of the water by the rope until it's empty and the kids are happy again.

 

[sickwilly]

Re: Pulling a tube problems

OK then, I think you have your solution. The tube checks out on a different boat -- check.

You have a speed prop and get a ton of bow rise -- check.


I would just pick up an aluminum 4 blade Solas Amita from iboats -- $100 bucks. Your only out a little money, and if you like how it performs overall, you then can step up to a nice stainless steel 4 blade, or go with the ultimate stainless steel 5-blade hi 5, from the performance shop. You then still have a high speed prop and have one for water sports.

You might also consider smart tabs or a foil to help with the bow rise on start up. People swear by the smart tabs and say they don't kill your top end. I have a foil, so I can't vouch for the tabs, but people love em and write droves about them.

However, trying a different prop is task number 1.

 

[livin4real]

Re: Pulling a tube problems

That tube is massive, 8' long and 9' wide. It would take alot of force to drag it around. I agree with the others on re-propping. I would also get a different tube personally. The airhead kwik-tek "Big Slice" and "Mega Slice" are nice, big, flat tubes and amazon has them cheap.

 

[jdlough]

Re: Pulling a tube problems

Maybe try one of these things:​

http://www.iboats.com/4k-Booster-Ball/dm/*******.511649692--**********.595662116--view_id.484190​

It holds the rope up out of the water. It may help.​

 

[dorelse]

Re: Pulling a tube problems

Maybe try one of these things:​

http://www.iboats.com/4k-Booster-Ball/dm/*******.511649692--**********.595662116--view_id.484190​

It holds the rope up out of the water. It may help.​

I cannot say enough about the 4k Booster ball...so I took video! I have a Sportsstuff Starfighter that only worked with a high tow point. On my boat, I use the Y harness to get around the outboard, its extremely low. That automatically made the tube submarine...each and every time. Other boats, it would tow awesome, the tow point was always higher. Another issue I had was that the tow rope would also catch the wake, causing the kids to whip erratically, and it wasn't safe at all.

I know I sound like an paid actor, but, honestly, I won't tow without it on whatever boat or tube I have.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0tFOfEyM20

I'm not 100% sold on the repropping deal, my little 85HP outboard was no speed demon, I've also towed it with 18ft 130 I/O's (again smaller HP), a 90HP outboard and a 4.3L V6 on an 18ft Larson that jumped up on plane no probs. From my particular experiences, it was always the angle of the tow rope, never the boat or motor.

The 4k booster ball kept the rope & angle of attack just where it needed to be to keep the tube & rope where it needed to be to keep the tube up on the water.