Ski/tube rope for extended transom?

[Loudo]

I have a 2006 Boulton aluminum skiff with an extended transom (what Boulton calls a "gill bracket") and would like to pull tubes and maybe skis with it. It has a wakeboard tower but I don't plan to use that for anything right now. I haven't seen someone with a boat similar to mine towing watersports equipment so I don't know what to use...seems to me just about anything would cause the rope to rub against the motors. I note that I can attach a rope to each of the eyelets in the corner of the transom, but this rubbing thing worries me. Should I just attach the rope to the starboard side eyelet and call it good? The rope would only come close to the motor in a tight-ish left turn. I could also drill holes and attach eyelets to the rear of the bracket...the thing is made of thick aluminum and it would be no problem.

If anyone's struggled with the same question, I'd be interested to know what you did. Thanks in advance.

 

[saxrulez]

Re: Ski/tube rope for extended transom?

I cant tell exactly where your transom hooks are, but
http://www.iboats.com/Airhead-Self-...83905285--**********.808959027--view_id.38991

usually does the trick.


edit: Just took a better look. I think I would honestly just end up with hooking up to your starboard side and have to leave it at that.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Ski/tube rope for extended transom?

Well, with your setup, you could just take a normal tow-pulley setup and simply extend the ropes a bunch so that they clear your motor/kicker. Otherwise, you could try just using one tow hook, but I like to err on the safe side and use both tie-down hooks. The other option, depending on what that hull-enxtension is made of, it to install a couple of additional tow hooks so that you could use a standard rig.

It's all up to your personal preference really.

 

[skibrain]

Re: Ski/tube rope for extended transom?

There is no problem in towing from one of the transom eyes. It would take a lot of load to affect handling. You may require some extra care to keep the rope from fouling on the extended transom - like your spotter may need to help hold the rope clear until slack is out.

Try it and see how it works.

If you are going to start drilling holes, a pair of eyes straight up from the extended hull, about 18" -24" apart on either side of the main OB would work. Add a bridle behind that and it would clear things pretty well. In a tight turn (as with any bridle used on an outboard) the far side rope will lay against the lower unit if the skier pulls out wide. Maybe scuff the paint on the OB over time but do no damage.

Looks like a cool boat.

 

[indy440]

Re: Ski/tube rope for extended transom?

cool boat

 

[bigpoppakdog]

Re: Ski/tube rope for extended transom?

cool boat....man the leaves sure fall early wherever your at.

 

[SeanT]

Re: Ski/tube rope for extended transom?

I say pull the skiiers and kneeboarders from your tower, it looks pretty beefy.

Pull tubers from the one side. If that doesn't work, I bet it would be easy to jury rig a harness long enough to skirt both your motors and float behind. Maybe a combination of a tube harness and one of those floating balls that some people use to keep their tube ropes out the wake?

Also, cool boat indeed!

 

[likalar]

Re: Ski/tube rope for extended transom?

Beautiful boat! I would consider this: Thru-bolt 2 large SS eyebolts, with backing plates to the gill bracket as shown in the photo. A "V" towing harness will attach to the eyebolts. This position totally clears the kicker motor at all times. Experiment with the towing harness. Maybe a pulley setup is NOT the way to go. Maybe it's best to have a fixed loop at the point of the V, that the tow rope attaches to. At the very least, buy some clear plastic soft tubing (Home depot) to pass the harness rope through. The soft tubing will be much gentler on your engine paint than harsh poly rope. Maybe even a layer of soft foam pipe insulation or equivilant will help.

It looks like the V harness will stay clear of the engine, except in extreme, tight turns. Good luck.

Larry