what is the ski tow eye rated for on a crownline 202

[ped]

I just bough a 2004 crownline 202 br. had a few questions what is the ski tow eye rated for on the boat. It will be used for family water sports, so looking to upgrade the prop to stainless steel high five/ or 4 blade. boat has mercruiser 5.0 carb engine. what prop would fit this best? And I would like to install perfect pass star gazer wake edition. anyone have any experience with this system ( install and is it worth it, does it work well) ? thanks

 

[oldjeep]

Re: what is the ski tow eye rated for on a crownline 202

Never seen a rating on a tow eye. Why do you ask?

As for the PP Stargazer Wake, that is the factory system on my FIL's Malibu Response. Pretty nice cruise control system.

 

[dan02gt]

Re: what is the ski tow eye rated for on a crownline 202

I can't say what the one on your Crownline is rated for but the one on my Stingray is rated for 300lbs. They are not made for pulling a tube as the they are not typically reinforced enough to handle the loads one can put on the hook. A skier will be fine though.

For water sports the Hive Five is the prop you want. It will give the best hole shot and low speed planing of about any prop. They are not great for cruising or top speed though.

 

[ped]

Re: what is the ski tow eye rated for on a crownline 202

Never seen a rating on a tow eye. Why do you ask?

As for the PP Stargazer Wake, that is the factory system on my FIL's Malibu Response. Pretty nice cruise control system.

The reason I ask is because the boat came with a LARGE tube, I am not a huge fan of the size but hey it was free with purchase of boat. Tube has a warning saying it requires a 3000 lbs tow attachment point? just don't want someone to get hurt with broken attachment point or rope, or damage to boat.

 

[CC245]

Re: what is the ski tow eye rated for on a crownline 202

Never seen a rating on the tow eye either. What the heck are you going to be pulling? As long as it's not barge you should be ok!

Stargazer's are nice, my friends Malibu has it. With an I/O it will help hold it on plane at wake speed. Is it worth it, depends on how much you wakeboard.

Congrats on the VTX Oldjeep! Sweet ride, when did you pick it up?

 

[dan02gt]

Re: what is the ski tow eye rated for on a crownline 202

Most ski hooks are just through bolted into a 1/4" of fiberglass with either a small piece of plate metal to distribute the load or sometimes just large washers. The reason that tube says the it needs a 3000 lbs tow attachment is because they have a tendency to snap when the rope get loose exerting a lot of force on the tow attachment and they can submerge. If a tube submerges you might as well be pulling a barge because it's going to offer about the same resistance. I know people that pull them from their ski hooks all the time with no problems, but then again I've seen picture of the the ski hook ripped clean out due to a tube submerging. The best way to pull one is use a y strap that connects to your transom hooks.

You can always call Crownline and ask them about it.

 

[thumpar]

Re: what is the ski tow eye rated for on a crownline 202

On my 202 the tow hook is part of the handle to get back in the boat from the water. There has been a lot of weight put on ours with no problems. You might post on the CrowniHQ.

 

[rallyart]

Re: what is the ski tow eye rated for on a crownline 202

The PP Stargazer is an easy install and a great benefit for board sports and skiing. You can also just set it as a cruise control for a long run. It takes less than an hour to install. The hardest part is just finding the tach wire.
I've seen many tow ropes break with tubes but I've never seen a ski tow point pull out of the hull so I think you'll be okay with the big tube. The trick to the tube is when it submerges it can create huge force and that's why they need to strong tow rope. In most situations it won't but much force on the transom. Just don't pull from a tower.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: what is the ski tow eye rated for on a crownline 202

Congrats on the VTX Oldjeep! Sweet ride, when did you pick it up?

Bought it a couple weeks ago, now I can just dream until spring.

 

[CC245]

Re: what is the ski tow eye rated for on a crownline 202

Bought it a couple weeks ago, now I can just dream until spring.

Sweet, enjoy!! Going to be a long winter!

This is a case of over thinking. Millions of boaters tow tubes from the tow hook, that's why it's called a tow hook! The tube cover or rope will snap long before the tow hook will pull out. If you are nervous, use a harness from the ubolts. You will also need a rope float because of how low to the water the rope will be. This method is use by small cruisers because they usually don't have tow hooks on them.

 

[thumpar]

Re: what is the ski tow eye rated for on a crownline 202

I used to tow 2 tubes off the tow hook on our old boat it was the kind that just had the tow hook mounted straight to the boat. On the 202 they used extra mounting points. 2 at each side and one in the middle. I think you will be fine. If you don't don't want to try it we have been looking for a large tube.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: what is the ski tow eye rated for on a crownline 202

but then again I've seen picture of the the ski hook ripped clean out due to a tube submerging. The best way to pull one is use a y strap that connects to your transom hooks.

Any links to that picture? I've seen a tow eyelet pull out when a tube submerged, but it was on a boat that should have been cut into pieces many years before. The transom was EXTREMELY squishy...

Personally, I'd say go ahead and tow with it! Its stronger than you think, and if you do submerge the tube, the eyelet isn't the weak point. The rope will break, or the tube will rip apart first.

 

[dan02gt]

Re: what is the ski tow eye rated for on a crownline 202

Any links to that picture? I've seen a tow eyelet pull out when a tube submerged, but it was on a boat that should have been cut into pieces many years before. The transom was EXTREMELY squishy...

Personally, I'd say go ahead and tow with it! Its stronger than you think, and if you do submerge the tube, the eyelet isn't the weak point. The rope will break, or the tube will rip apart first.

Sorry smokingcrater I don't have a link. I found it doing a search on the same thing OP is asking about. It seems rare to have one pull out and most of the stuff I found were people saying they started seeing stress cracks in the area around the ski hook but didn't have other problems.

The basic Overton's 2 person tube rope that I use is rated at 2375 lbs while the larger nicer 4 person one is rated for 4100 lbs so don't be so sure the rope is going to snap first.

I don't really think the OP with have problems. I just want to make sure he knows that there are areas of concern, and a reason why the manufacture of the tube states that the tow connection should be rated for 3000 lbs. A simple call to Crownline would probably answer if that tow hook is rated for the 3000 lbs or not.

 

[gtochris]

Re: what is the ski tow eye rated for on a crownline 202

Sweet, enjoy!! Going to be a long winter!

This is a case of over thinking. Millions of boaters tow tubes from the tow hook, that's why it's called a tow hook! The tube cover or rope will snap long before the tow hook will pull out. If you are nervous, use a harness from the ubolts. You will also need a rope float because of how low to the water the rope will be. This method is use by small cruisers because they usually don't have tow hooks on them.

I agree, In all the boats I've had and all the contraptions I've towed I've only ever used the ski tow hook, I've also used it for towing some broken down boaters back (slow speed) with no issue or thoughts.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: what is the ski tow eye rated for on a crownline 202

once a tube is on a plane, it weighs practically nothing! If it nose-dives, it's an anchor--but that happens at low speed, and once it starts, you throttle down.

If stern tow hooks were dangerous for towing water sports devices of all sizes, the manufacturer's insurance companies wouldn't let them put them there, or there would be warning signs all over the place--so I wouldn't sweat it. if the boat has some age to it, keep an eye for stress marks.

One of the reasons I prefer a harness is that not only does it divide the weight, there is built-in safety if one snaps, the other is likely to hold, at least for a while while you throttle down.

IOW don't sweat it; go have fun.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: what is the ski tow eye rated for on a crownline 202

I have had three tubes on mine form the one center hook, one large three man tube and two smaller singles, that was fun lots of carnage, since then the kids prefer to tow with the large tube on the center and the singles attached to the side cleats, not their intended purpose but never had an issue.

I have towed many boats from the center point but now I have made a custom harness for towing using all three rear points on my 248. I towed a smaller older boat that the transom separated on and the only way I kept it above water was to tow it a bit faster then I wanted to and loaded the center point more then I liked so I came up with this harness, once I got the old boat to the ramp it swamped nearly immediately but at that point we had manpower to get it loaded up.

I don't think you have anything to worry about, the loads I have put on my center hook are pretty incredible, para sail, 14' diameter 3 person spinning tube, even one of those crazy flying tubes not to mention the tows I have done, don't sweat it your Crownline is a fine well made boat. Congratulations and don't forget the pics!

 

[cannonman]

Re: what is the ski tow eye rated for on a crownline 202

I have the same boat, with the same engine setup. I have pulled two tubes at once without any problems from the tow ring. You should be fine.
I also have the Perfect Pass installed on mine. I would hate to think of not having it. It's been 7 years since I installed it, but I don't recall having any problems with it.
I wish I could tell you what prop I have, but my mind must be too cold to remember such summer things.
I also installed a wakeboard tower that I love and a swim platform from SwimPlatforms.com on mine.
I can't say I've never wished for a bigger boat, or for more power, but in the long run we are very happy with our 202.

 

[drrpm]

Re: what is the ski tow eye rated for on a crownline 202

A big guy on a slolam ski will put a lot more load on the tow hook when he cuts than a couple of kids on tubes will. The tubes will won't submarine once you get them on plane so the load should be pretty light as long as you don't submarine them at the start.

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: what is the ski tow eye rated for on a crownline 202

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUQ6m9I1iVg

I'm thinking the eye can handle alot. Earlier this year out by the islands. I don't think I'd be standing anywhere near that tow cable.