Pulling a tube, what connection do I need?

[Bearcamp]

Bought an 81 Glastron with a 90hp Mercury outboard. First ski boat I ever owned and want to do some tubing. My question is..............How do I connect the Y rope to the rear of the boat? I have the one with the red end with the pully inside and the rope ends have the J-hooks to connect to the boat. No problem right?????????????But my boat doesn't seem to have an eyelet to snap them into place. All I have is the like T-shaped dock tie downs. Do I use them or do I need something else? I could always remove the J hooks and tie a good knot and just slip them over the T dock tie down. Just want to make sure I do it right and safe.

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: Pulling a tube, what connection do I need?

you gonna have to post some pics, it is a little difficult to make sense of all this .....

 

[rndn]

Re: Pulling a tube, what connection do I need?

Don't you have one ring on each corner of the boat on either side of the outdrive/outboard? Those are what most people hook things to unless you have a ski ring or pylon.

 

[Bearcamp]

Re: Pulling a tube, what connection do I need?

I do but their that low that at about 1/2 throttle it pulls the tube under water. The rings are about 1/2 way down the transom.

 

[imported_74baja]

Re: Pulling a tube, what connection do I need?

Bearcamp, I have the same problem with my tube and the low rings. I am going to try using the ski tripod, but wanted to see if that is safe, I seem to have some recollection of hearing that it was dangerous to pull a tube with a ski tripod. Does anyone know?
Thanks,
Jack

 

[Bearcamp]

Re: Pulling a tube, what connection do I need?

I've had a few answers and seems like it's because I was going slow instead of really throttling it to get to plane. I don't know and was hoping someone else had the same problem and a resolution for sure.

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Pulling a tube, what connection do I need?

a ski ring up high mounted to the transom is what I did

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Pulling a tube, what connection do I need?

My rings are kind of low as well. I have no problem pulling a tube as long as I trim all the way down to come out of the hole to plane and trim up from there. If you have power trim then this should help.

 

[Bearcamp]

Re: Pulling a tube, what connection do I need?

Yes I do have power trim. Should I start off with the motor trimmed all the way down?

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Pulling a tube, what connection do I need?

Yes I do have power trim. Should I start off with the motor trimmed all the way down?

That is what I do. The sooner you can plane out the better for my set up and trimming all the way down gives me a much faster hole shot.

 

[OldMercsRule]

Re: Pulling a tube, what connection do I need?

Bearcamp, I have the same problem with my tube and the low rings. I am going to try using the ski tripod, but wanted to see if that is safe, I seem to have some recollection of hearing that it was dangerous to pull a tube with a ski tripod. Does anyone know?
Thanks,
Jack

Hey Jack, SORRY: This answer is a little late. IT IS very Dangerous to pull a tube from a ski tripod. That is because the tube can dig in the water and break the tow line, (or the tripod, the harness on the tube) if the operator does not know any better. The line can snap back and take off a head or really hurt someone if yer not REAL CAREFULL. My $.02. JR

 

[hibbert6]

Re: Pulling a tube, what connection do I need?

How about at the tube, itself? Do I need one of those "quick release" gizmos? I've been tying my ski handle to the tube tow loop.

Dave

 

[204 Escape]

Re: Pulling a tube, what connection do I need?

We had a 1999 Viper Coral fish/ski, that had a tri-pod. The dealer told us that it could be used to pull a tube. NOT !!!!!!!!! Right on the upright pole, was a sticker that said PULL NO TUBES, (or something like that).

Anyways we didn't read the sticker, and hooked it up. It pulled the pole out of the hole.

We went with a "y" rope hook-up. The rope laid on top of the water all the time !!!! Didn't like that.

BUT, we found a solution.

We bought a 21' fish/ski deck boat (LARSON 204 Escape). with a tow ring. Problem solved !!!!!!!

 

[mike176]

Re: Pulling a tube, what connection do I need?

do not use a ski rope is not strong enough, you need a tube rope. Now when you pull the tube have the rider shift there weight to the back of the tube till your up on plane, if they don't it will nose dive every time.

 

[jevery]

Re: Pulling a tube, what connection do I need?

Not to hijack the thread, but would someone clarify what a Tripod is. My boat has a Single Pylon that locks in with a pin on the bottom. Can this be used for a tube? I assumed it was as strong as the ski tow ring on my last boat, but it's about four ft tall, so essentially it's a long lever. Is a tripod a three point pylon that's added aftermarket?

 

[tommays]

Re: Pulling a tube, what connection do I need?

Even on skiboats like Correct Craft they have gone to a tower BECAUSE of the problems keepin a pole in the deck


Are 1977 Correct Craft has to be taken apart in the spring because the pole mount has just worn out from a lifetime of use



Tommays

 

[OldMercsRule]

Re: Pulling a tube, what connection do I need?

Not to hijack the thread, but would someone clarify what a Tripod is. My boat has a Single Pylon that locks in with a pin on the bottom. Can this be used for a tube? I assumed it was as strong as the ski tow ring on my last boat, but it's about four ft tall, so essentially it's a long lever.



Is a tripod a three point pylon that's added aftermarket?[/QUOTE]

Yes. JR

 

[cbavier]

Re: Pulling a tube, what connection do I need?

mik 176 is correct:

do not use a ski rope it is not strong enough, you need a tube rope. Now when you pull the tube have the rider shift there weight to the back of the tube till your up on plane, if they don't it will nose dive every time.

This is the correct way and if you have a Ski Pilon it should work well with the trim all the way down until you get up on plane. Have the rider shift there weight to the back of the tube untill your up on plane, if they don't the tube will nose dive every time..I would not trust the Tripod as they look extremely dangerous and flimsy.

You might consider a Ski Pilon on each corner. they are not expensive and it would provide a safe place to hook the rope to and should get the rope higher out of the water than the rings or hooks for the rear tie downs are. Mine is only about 6 inches high above the transom. It seems to me that I've seen them two feet or more tall or maybe even three feet above the Transom. Check them out at West marine or any other marine supplier.

 

[John_S]

Re: Pulling a tube, what connection do I need?

There are multiple tube rope ratings for all the different person/size tubes. I use a 4-person rope on our 2-person tube. The qwik connects are nice and save on dragging the rope with the tube or untieing that pressure tightened knot after a days fun.

 

[cbavier]

Re: Pulling a tube, what connection do I need?

I did some searching this morning and the only place I could find them after looking in several catalog's is Overton's and Defender. They have two sizes. Also the tall ones they carry all state not designed for Tubing, As imported John S says they do also have the quick disconnects also and I think Defender also had the quick disconnects. They might work better.