tubing how fast is to fast?

[m.qualls89]

How fast is to fast for tubing adults? We have been running 35-40 mph and its fun. But is it safe?

 

[MJG24]

Re: tubing how fast is to fast?

The short answer is, no, 40 MPH is not safe. But there are so many other factors than just speed. Water condition, how you drive, and the experience of the tubers, and the kind of tube as well.

I would bet if you are running that speed, you will eventually have (possibly significant) injuries. But, no water sports are "safe" anyway.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: tubing how fast is to fast?

25mph is the fastest I pull most tubers in a straight line. When you swing the tube outside the boat's wake, you effectively double the speed of the tube. So when you make a turn @20mph, the tube accelerates to near 40mph. I have pulled some of my college friends up to 30mph, but even that was pretty crazy. Slow down before you seriously injure someone.

 

[rallyart]

Re: tubing how fast is to fast?

If you swing the tube out, it can be going 50-80% faster than the boat. I can knock anyone off any tube at 15-20 mph if I want to but I usually just try to get them airborne with a soft landing so they will go again.

 

[spdracr39]

Re: tubing how fast is to fast?

Yep 25mph is max. Most tubes will say not to exceed that speed because it will damage the tube and potentially cause injuries. Besides if you fall off at that speed you probably won't want to ride again.

 

[snowman48047]

Re: tubing how fast is to fast?

If you don't slow down make sure you have good insurance.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: tubing how fast is to fast?

Yes, I concur with 25 mph as being the general maximum speed. I have taken the tube up to 32 mph on a flat straight run for about 20 seconds or so . . . BUT injury can/will occur at those and higher speeds, so 40 mph is definitely too fast.

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: tubing how fast is to fast?

Way too fast - up to 80 on a turn
Make sure your liability insurance covers this - it may not if they consider it negligence

 

[oldjeep]

Re: tubing how fast is to fast?

Way too fast - up to 80 on a turn
Make sure your liability insurance covers this - it may not if they consider it negligence

60-80 in a turn with your average fat guy tuber and something is going to break - rope, tube, attachment point.

 

[spoilsofwar]

Re: tubing how fast is to fast?

How fast is to fast for tubing adults? We have been running 35-40 mph and its fun until you fall off. But is it safe?

Edited for you. Hitting water at 40mph sucks.

I concur with the 25mph straight line general consensus.

 

[444]

Re: tubing how fast is to fast?

I pull tubers fast sometimes because it's fun. However I watch the tuber(s) as I drive and have to watch the speed in the turns. Falling off when going too fast hurts!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: tubing how fast is to fast?

and before someone brings it up, don't be guided by what professional or highly skilled water skiers or others in similar sports can handle.

In my experience there is way less control that the person riding on a tube has, than on a ski, wakeboard, knee board, etc. That person can make some choices about speed and staying safe. A person on a tube is as much a victim as bait used for trolling. For one thing, that places 100% of the responsibility on the boat driver, as opposed to a skiier who may choose to try a difficult/dangerous cut or jump.

Never rely on the person on the tube being in a position to signal you (the driver) as to what is safe or not. When it gets hairy, they simply can't.

 

[theBrownskull]

Re: tubing how fast is to fast?

25 MPH is the max or somebody will get hurt.

 

[southkogs]

Re: tubing how fast is to fast?

and before someone brings it up, don't be guided by what professional or highly skilled water skiers or others in similar sports can handle.

I agree: I used to like to slalom around 30, but wasn't doing anywhere near the outside the wake pulls you do with a tube. Hitting the water at 30 hurt bad enough that I'd call for a speed reduction from the driver before I did a big cut across the back of the boat.

My brother and I were goofin' off a couple of years ago and he tossed me off. He was driving at about thirty and I was pulling outside the wake ... got the wind knocked outta' me.

 

[Rentaltux]

Re: tubing how fast is to fast?

25 max. A friend and I got tossed together at about 30-35. He blew an eardrum and I shredded my hamstring and spent 2 weeks in bed and 1 month off work, not fun at all. I wouldn't want injuries on my conscience if I was driving to fast. That would be driver fault. Injuries will always happen but there is no need to increase the odds, I say slow down or it will catch up to you..

R

 

[aspeck]

Re: tubing how fast is to fast?

Hardest I ever hit the water, the boat was doing 52mph, I was slalom skiing and the boat was turning and I was cutting hard ... I was definitely on the upper side of 80mph and maybe closer to 100. I was told it was a spectacular fall! That was during my "young and dumb" speed skiing days (should have had a helmet and protective wetsuit on, but didn't).

I would never take YOUNG people on a tube that fast, I generally keep it at 25 or lower. But someone someone in there 20's who knows tubing and the inherent risks involved and I have had experience with them tubing, I will push the envelope to faster speeds. It all depends on the driver, the tuber, and confidence and risk level that all want to take.

Risk is a funny thing and we all have different risk levels. Just know that at those speeds someone COULD get hurt, and that injury could cause paralysis or worse. But then again, no one might get hurt and you could have a fun afternoon. What do YOU and YOUR TUBERS want to do?

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: tubing how fast is to fast?

Fastest I have ever been pulled on a tube was close to 50mph behind a jet ski. I neglected to inform my friend of the towing speeds (non-boater), so he preceded to pull me near WOT for a minute or two until he made a cut so hard that the line went slack and I bailed! Couldn't see where I was going because the jet spray was hitting the front of the tube directly creating a wall of water in front of me. As an experienced tuber/water sports guy, I was never so scared for my life on the water. It's no game, keep the speed low. You can still give the most experienced tube riders a great time without breaking the 30mph barrier.

Side note: fastest I have ever hit the water was with that same friend while riding b*itch on that same jet ski. He made a sharp turn while at WOT which ejected us at somewhere around 60mph. I luckily hit the water on my back and skipped two or three times before going under. Had a headache for hours after that, and had to swim back to the jet ski for what seemed like 10 minutes.

 

[1ArmBandit]

Re: tubing how fast is to fast?

same thing happen to me while i was down in ok on lake eufala...that was the last time i let him drive, lol

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: tubing how fast is to fast?

same thing happen to me while i was down in ok on lake eufala...that was the last time i let him drive, lol

Lol, agreed. I make it a point to do a "intro to not killing us" talk to all new-to-boating people. It was a decade ago when it happened, so I no longer assume common sense when dealing with boats and people

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: tubing how fast is to fast?

I have no problem riding slalom at 36 and cutting out to increase my speed in the turns. However, I absolutely will NOT ride a tube behind my son. He is out to kill the rider and will cut to swing the tube outside the turn. I am too old to hit the water at that speed. I had my turn breaking open Stearns vests skipping over the water. Now I let someone else do it.