RZ2/RZ4 People, where do you pull tubes from?

[Cloud]

I've done a search and read a bunch of opinions a from a couple years and wondering if anythings changed.

I plan on towing a 5 person towable, probably around 700 pounds. Lots have said that the tow pylon is fine as long as it doesn't get loose.

The factory transom hooks on the RZ4 seem to low to pull from, and also was wondering about the experiences from the people who replaced their grab handle with the integrated hook. Was it high enough out of the water?

Also I read that towing from the Alpha Z tower would be fine since it's much stronger, and also read that someone's cracked from it.

Tige should have just added one like the Z3, but I guess the room isn't there?

[Coop]

On my RZ2 (and the 24V before that), I've always towed from the pylon. I tow a 4-person tube a lot, and I've never had an issue. I'm usually towing at least some kids, so I don't think we've ever been at 700 lbs -- we probably average more like 400 to 500.

In all the prior posts on this subject, I don't think I've ever seen a documented failure of a pylon. I think the worst I've seen is some surface spider cracks in the gelcoat around the pylon.

[talltigeguy]

On my RZ2 (and the 24V before that), I've always towed from the pylon. I tow a 4-person tube a lot, and I've never had an issue. I'm usually towing at least some kids, so I don't think we've ever been at 700 lbs -- we probably average more like 400 to 500.

In all the prior posts on this subject, I don't think I've ever seen a documented failure of a pylon. I think the worst I've seen is some surface spider cracks in the gelcoat around the pylon.

Well said. I had a friend that saw a pylon half ripped out, but he didn't take pics so it didn't happen. I towed from the tow hooks for a while, but that was an exercise in lameness. I then pulled my 5 man water weenie for many hours from the pylon and it was fine. Just keep your nuts tight and everything is less trouble.

[Wickedcummins]

people pull tubes still?

[Coop]

people pull tubes still?

Kids still love the tubes. Hard to find bigger smiles in the afternoon chop.

[Obama4President2016]

Get a piece of 3/16" stainless steel plate 2.5" X 24" for a top plate.
Get a piece of 3/16" stainless steel angle 2.5" X 2.5" X 24" for the bottom plate.
Take to machinest. Have top plate machined for rounded edges and tell him to make it look pretty. Have hole cut for pylon (1" I think).
Make four .25" fastening holes, countersunk that will fasten top plate to bottom plate.
Get SS hardware and some 3M 4200 caulk. (don't use 5200)

Take top plate to powdercoat specialist and have color of your choice applied. (top and bottom).

Install top plate to marry bottom plate using countersunk bolts.

**Note: bottom plate is an angle plate intended to disperse load in two dimensions. If enough 4200 sealant is applied to the 90 degree portion of the bottom plate, stress will transfer to the forward wall (if this makes sense???)

Re-install Pylon. Don't forget lock washer.

When finished, you'll have a ski pylon built strong enough to pull 2 jumbo tubes fully loaded plus three surfers.

The factory pylon is not made to pull excessive weight loads. The gel-coat will crack.

Happy tubing!!!!

Caution: Beware of nae sayers, diehards, purist and republicans on this forum.

[skippabcool]

I pull a big 5 man tube from the pylon, no issues. If you search, doesn't work as good as it use to, there are several discussion on this.

[Cloud]

Like I stated, I already did a search and read up on everything here. Just was wondering if anything new was discovered, like a actual documented broken pylon, or if someone made a transom handle replacement.

And yes, people still pull tubes. I don't know about you, but when we go out we go out with a big party. Not everyone wants to wakeboard or surf, but almost everyone will want to get on the tube.

[Cloud]

Well said. I had a friend that saw a pylon half ripped out, but he didn't take pics so it didn't happen. I towed from the tow hooks for a while, but that was an exercise in lameness. I then pulled my 5 man water weenie for many hours from the pylon and it was fine. Just keep your nuts tight and everything is less trouble.

Yeah, from everything I've read it seems like it's the way to go. Alot of people here have said they have pulled from the pylon with no issues, as long as the bolts are tight.

Did you end up with any spider cracks at all?

[Coop]

Did you end up with any spider cracks at all?

I did not.

[Timmy!]

Caution: Beware of nae sayers, diehards, purist and republicans on this forum.

Welcome Back, Nobody!

[IDBoating]

Just was wondering if anything new was discovered, like a actual documented broken pylon, or if someone made a transom handle replacement.

I had a transom handle replacement made with an integrated tow point. It's in a thread somewhere, but here are some photos.

The original factory handle:


The original (outer) and new (center) holes in the transom:


The custom plate I installed behind the new handle/towpoint to distribute the force across a larger surface area:


And finally, the finished product:


BTW, I used kevlar-reinforced epoxy filler between the plate and the transom to further distribute the stress. Otherwise it would just be concentrated on the line where the curve of the transom touches the plate. (The purplish spots elsewhere on the transom are that same epoxy, left over from various experiments.)

With that towpoint, and that backing plate, I don't worry one bit about stresses when towing even multiple tubes with lots of weight on them!

[talltigeguy]

Welcome Back, Nobody!

If that's not Nobody, then nobody is!!! Ignore him and he will eventually go away.

Although I am pretty impressed at all the handiwork to fix a problem that doesn't exist...that sort of sounds like a Democratic approach to government.

[robert theisen]

Being a Liberal is a disease! But unfortunately doctors haven't found a cure yet. Who would be supporting a candidate with a 30% approval rating?

[Obama4President2016]

Being a Liberal is a disease! But unfortunately doctors haven't found a cure yet. Who would be supporting a candidate with a 30% approval rating?

They ALL get low approval ratings in their second term, nobody really cares.

If that's not Nobody, then nobody is!!! Ignore him and he will eventually go away.

Although I am pretty impressed at all the handiwork to fix a problem that doesn't exist...that sort of sounds like a Democratic approach to government.

A problem that doesn't exist? Horse crap! We had at least 1500 lbs attached to our pylon. Give me a break! (get it? Give me a break??...crack??) Typical republican, pretend the problem doesn't exist as long as your keep is fine.