Pulling tube with OB starcraft

[Rayzor]

My 16 holiday is setup with a 50HP merc and 4 horse kicker outboards. Everything on it speaks fishing boat. My wife decided to buy a float tube and has plans of me pulling her and the kids around in glee. Sooo, What do I need to hook it to the boat without ripping the transom off?

 

[1973Chieftain]

Re: Pulling tube with OB starcraft

When I rebuilt by transom I put two eye bolts through it backed by large washers. I think the bolts were 1/2" SS. Works great with my 40hp!

 

[djpeters]

Re: Pulling tube with OB starcraft

You could even pull from around the outboards midsection. No stress on the transom.

 

[Rayzor]

Re: Pulling tube with OB starcraft

I think I will look around for some stainless eye bolts to try as a hook point. Is there a type of rigging rope I need beside the pull rope? Dont want to wrap up rope in the prop. Sorry about the dumb questions, Im not the ski/tubing kinda guy. Hmm, I wonder if I can just hook up to the fishing down riggers

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Pulling tube with OB starcraft

If it ends up being something they enjoy, you might consider a removable ski pylon....

On sale @iboats........

Runabout Ski Tow Hitch - Swivl-Eze

1 of these reduces the chance to wrap the prop on an OB:

Currently on sale @iboats too Has a integral float...
12' Boat Tow Harness - Airhead


Bunker108 installed a pylon before he sold her & bought, gasp, a glasser

Oops, it's a tinny Holiday,right?


EDIT: Please take note of 64Crosby's post & the follow-up posts below about towing tubes w/ a ski pylon. MANY pylon mfg's recommend NOT to use a pylon to tow a tube.

 

[dozerII]

Re: Pulling tube with OB starcraft

I cut out 4"squares of 1/4"aluminum and drilled them too match the width off the stainless steel tow eyes, then installed them on the inside of the transom. There is no way they can pull through.

 

[64osby]

Re: Pulling tube with OB starcraft

Ski pylon should be used for skiing only, not for tubing according to all mfg's and the warning labels on them. Your experience may vary.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Pulling tube with OB starcraft

Ski pylon should be used for skiing only, not for tubing according to all mfg's and the warning labels on them. Your experience may vary.

I've only used them to ski behind & never heard that @towing tubes.... I guess that's why their SKI pylons not TOW pylons....

If that's the case, for sure don't tube from a pylon, but the 2 eye tow strap & float help w/ the prop wrap.....

 

[InMotion]

Re: Pulling tube with OB starcraft

Perhaps the newer poles are... we used to pull 3 tubes behind our boat at the cottage with 2 on the pole and 1 hooked to the eye rings... we have pulled 4 skier's as well or 2 skiers and a tuber... done that for 25 years and never had an issue with it.

That said, if the manufacturer now says not to... well prolly not the best idea then.

 

[bunker108]

Re: Pulling tube with OB starcraft

That pylon I installed was very strong and yes, I pulled tubes with it. I seriously doubt I was testing the limits of anything with a tired Merc and a 15p prop. I can understand the problems you might run into with a big hp outboard and three adults on a tube at high speeds. But a couple of kids or your wife behind a 50 Merc, you won't have any problems. Get a pylon, install it correctly, and have fun! I miss that boat!

 

[Rayzor]

Re: Pulling tube with OB starcraft

Thats a cool tow rope, I will pick one up for sure. Also going to try the eye bolts out the back as I need some anyway to nail my boat down to the trailer. Thanks!

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Pulling tube with OB starcraft

Google tow tube ski pylon & you get random mix of:

Pylon maker says it may damage my plyon

I did & it bent my pylon

I've been doing it for years, no problems

I do, but never an empty tube

My pylon makers info reads: not to be used to tow an empty tube


So like many things, if your pylon maker recommends against it's use, probably best not to use it to tow tubes. If it does, and you do anyway, please be aware that the pylon may be damaged.

If the tube submarines (1 of the most frequent MFG noted concerns) many problems can happen QUICKLY. Including snapping the ski rope & or pylon, at the peril of those aboard the tube & anyone in the boat....

Boat & tube safely.......

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Pulling tube with OB starcraft

I miss that boat!

I caught that, bunker.

 

[64osby]

Re: Pulling tube with OB starcraft

That pylon I installed was very strong and yes, I pulled tubes with it.... .... Get a pylon, install it correctly, and have fun! I miss that boat!

I caught that, bunker.

I saw that too. I know you put together a nice boat and a great pylon mount Bunker. I have a pylon and have been trying to figure out a location and a mount for it. May have to visit your old thread a little.

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: Pulling tube with OB starcraft

Sure would not hook a tow rope to the motor aIf the motor hold hooks come loose with a load on it your in big trouble , damage and Safety concerns about to happen there . Puget Sound

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Pulling tube with OB starcraft

The deal with towing a tube with a pylon isn't the weight or forces of the tube and the riders (even if it's like 27 adults). I think the issue is if the tube starts to submarine. That can quickly exert some MAJOR force and do some damage to a pylon. Not an issue with skiers since even a fat submarining skier will probably lose his arms before you lose your pylon I wouldn't use the outboard midsection either as it could interfere with steering. A bridle through the transom eyes is the best way.

 

[Rayzor]

Re: Pulling tube with OB starcraft

There are to tie down rings on the transom for nailing down to the trailer. I built some 4 inch square plates from 1/4 inch aluminum for backing. That should work yea?

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Pulling tube with OB starcraft

There are to tie down rings on the transom for nailing down to the trailer. I built some 4 inch square plates from 1/4 inch aluminum for backing. That should work yea?

That's similar to what Dozer is doing:

I cut out 4"squares of 1/4"aluminum and drilled them too match the width off the stainless steel tow eyes, then installed them on the inside of the transom. There is no way they can pull through.

The transon needs to be sound top to bottom and thru & thru....

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Pulling tube with OB starcraft

There are to tie down rings on the transom for nailing down to the trailer. I built some 4 inch square plates from 1/4 inch aluminum for backing. That should work yea?

Indeed.

 

[Rayzor]

Re: Pulling tube with OB starcraft

yep, he gave me the idea!