Set-up for pulling a tube

[rlc3854]

What is the best way to set-up for pulling a tube behind a pontoon? Do you need to stay center of the boat or can you tie on to one of the toons eyelet?

 

[5150abf]

Re: Set-up for pulling a tube

The eyes are welded to the tube and they are normally great big thick castings or extrusions BUT, they are welded to the tube which is only .080 and they really don't like side loads, if you bend them enough the welds will crack and you have a leaking tube.

A better plan is to use some stainless U bolts at the deck corners right above the brackets, strongest part of the boat, and a harness, it is a rope that attaches to both eyes and has a pully that slides back and forth on the rope.

You are dealing with ahuge amount of force here so be sure you go through the crossmember and right above the brackets and I would put the U bolt in at an angle with the bottom narrower so you are putting more of a straight line pull on them rather than a side load.

iboats has the bolts but not the harness, maybe someone else will chime in where to get those but I would imagine any ski shop or marina would have them, here are the bolts you want.

http://www.iboats.com/EYE-U-BOLT-Attwood/dm/*******.854177004--session_id.132321232--view_id.931943

 

[treker]

Re: Set-up for pulling a tube

This is the one we have and works good, keeps the line away from the motor. Pulley works good

http://www.amazon.com/Kwik-Tek-Airh...F8&qid=1342610799&sr=1-1&keywords=tow+harness

 

[BOWMAKER1]

Re: Set-up for pulling a tube

You would also be well advised, if the anchor points are low to the water, to get one of the booster balls to keep the rope up out of the wake. When the rope gets down into the water is really slows things down and you won't be able to swing the tube around outside of the wake much at all, at least I couldn't. Every thing that I have read about these booster balls say that they really help. I bought one but haven't had the chance to try it out yet, but it has got to be better that what we had.

 

[rlc3854]

Re: Set-up for pulling a tube

Thanks folks for all the info. I actually have the airhead trek tow rope but not the one with the self centering pulley. I will pick one of those up and as suggested by 5150abf some ss eye bolts. Loveing this pontoon boating.

 

[upstatematt]

Re: Set-up for pulling a tube

Thanks folks for all the info. I actually have the airhead trek tow rope but not the one with the self centering pulley. I will pick one of those up and as suggested by 5150abf some ss eye bolts. Loveing this pontoon boating.

I also have the self centering pulley system. It's harder to whip people around corners, but puts the weight of the tube evenly on both tubes. It works really well for us also.