Towing Bridle Question

[lakergirltx]

I'm a newbie so bear with me. I searched past threads and did not find any info specific to my topic, so here's my question... I have a 20 foot Godfrey Sweetwater pontoon, 75hp Yamaha Outboard I want to tow a single rider tube behind. I have done this before with rental toons using a towing bridle - a steel cable that attaches to the back of the two pontoons (from one eye to the other) with a floater/pulley that you attach the tow rope to. The metal of the eyes on the toon that we purchased are too thick for the clips to go over, i.e. you can't clip them on. I've checked other towing bridles and the clips all seem the same size.

I was thinking I could install a U bolt (probably not the right term for this but it's a U shaped piece of metal with a bolt that goes through and across the top, with bolts on both sides - there's one on one of my front eyes) on both back eyes and clip the bridle clips to these, given the diameter of the bolt metal is smaller. My question is would this be a safe thing to do? And if it is OK, should I clip the clips to the U part of the bolt or the cross bar of the bolt? Or does it matter, strength-wise.

Also, I have a ladder on the back of my pontoon, which is right in front of one of the eyes I would be clipping to. The eye is in an open space, i.e. right between a couple of the steps, but the tow cable once attached would run in front of the left-side of the ladder. There's a possibility that the cable might not clear the ladder and would rub against it - which seems like a bad idea. So I was thinking of looking to see if they made the U bolts longer than the one I've seen, possibly giving a bit more clearance for the cable and the ladder. But again, is this a safe thing to do? I definitely don't want to rig up something that could hurt a rider, my prop or both.

Anybody else have experience doing this? Or an educated opinion? The kids will be really disappointed if we can't tube - one of the main reasons we got the boat.

Thanks!

lakergirlTX

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Towing Bridle Question

Lakergirl, I think you are talking about using anchor shackles to connect the bridle clips to the pontoons. if so, these will be plenty stong for the purpose. As for the ladder, if the pontoon hook is in the center of the ladder, just place the bridle thru the ladder. I did that for years on my ski boat. The bridle may rub a bit against the ladder, but I never had an issue.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Towing Bridle Question

You didn't mention if this was a brand new boat or just a new to you boat.

If it is brand new go to the dealer and ask them about a ski tow bar. Even if the boat isn't brand new they may be able to help. Sweetwater does offer ski tow bars on their pontoons. They are a bar that goes up and over the motor and has a hook at the center to attach the rope to. These really are the best for any type of watersport behind a pontoon.

Just for a visual reference look at the fourth picture over at this link.

http://www.sweetwaterboats.com/sw2180re3.html

It may not be inexpensive to add to your boat but it will be the best and safest long term solution.

 

[OhWellcraft]

Re: Towing Bridle Question

Go to a home depot type store and browse around in their chain and connectors area I'm sure you could find something that would work fine. A clevis or anchor schackle even a good carabiner (sp) would work well most of them are rated in lbs if you got two 600 pounders or so I cant imagine a tube pulling 1000 to 1200 lbs force. Or even try to get some more loop connectors (in same area of store) remove the small spring hooks that are on the bridal cable now, put some bigger ones that will fit your eyes on and re loop the ends of the cable with the hammer type connectors thats probably whats on there now. and you should be good to go. On the ladder could you take a noodle and cut it to proper lenght then split the side so it could slip over that section of the ladder, or a piece of good pipe insulation the black foam type. You could even use a zip tie to hold it on temporarily if needed.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Towing Bridle Question

i use these, they have the safety hook, i even have the as the hook on my winch strap, so the are plenty strong.

http://www.iboats.com/SeaDog_Snap_H...06409640--**********.839739741--view_id.39706

other selections http://www.iboats.com/Fasteners/dm/...ategory--**********.839739741--view_id.257629

 

[Boatist]

Re: Towing Bridle Question

I would not modify your toon but instead you bridle.

One easy way to do it would be to take a short line maybe a foot long and tie a loop or bolin in each end. Clip your bridle to the first loop run the other end thru your toon eye and bring it back to the bridle clip and you set. Use a line the same size at your tow line and your good to go. Of course your will need to do the other side also. Another advantage is you have no metal to metal comtact to make noise and scratch.

 

[lakergirltx]

Re: Towing Bridle Question

Thanks to everyone who responded. I've got several options now to work with, and I'm a lot more comfortable that I'm not cooking up some kind of disaster. I appreciate all the great advice. Y'all are the best!