Tube towing

[Coach]

Matt,
What do we do on the RZ2? There is no sticker or warning about tubing and the tie downs are under the swim step. My guess is all tubing will be going on from the pylon. I will need to take a closer look at how the pylon is attached. Plus I am pumped to have some hardcore music playing while tubing or having tube wars. Adding chaos to chaos, YA!

[Matt Garcia]

Matt,
What do we do on the RZ2? There is no sticker or warning about tubing and the tie downs are under the swim step. My guess is all tubing will be going on from the pylon. I will need to take a closer look at how the pylon is attached. Plus I am pumped to have some hardcore music playing while tubing or having tube wars. Adding chaos to chaos, YA!

Coach, you are right about no tube towing warnings on the RZ2 pylon however I have not heard anything about not towing tubes from there. I have done it a few times but with only one adult. It just seems to me that the pylon wouldnt be able to hold more than one skier or tuber for that matter. There is no reinforcement or solid foundation around the pylon on the rz2, not sure if its the same with the Ve series.

Like chpthril said the tow rings are too low which I think would make the tubes just nose dive the whole time.

My guess would be to follow the warning label and not tow more than one tuber or skier.

[Wake Havasu]

I used to tow using the ski pylon until I realized its paper mached onto the boat.

Switched to the tower.

Pulled a three person DISGO all summer with no problems.

[Graham Morris]

Does any one else use the tower. I agree tower seems much much stonger than the pylon. The Pylon attachment in 22ve is same a rz2.

I have heard of people say you can bend a tower. I have had three up behind tower on ski and boards wiht no problems.

When my 6' 4" 260 lbs son gets behind he cuts real hard and no flex at all.

I think I may go to tower instead.

There is no warning on tower at all

Graham

[dogbert]

Does any one else use the tower. I agree tower seems much much stonger than the pylon. The Pylon attachment in 22ve is same a rz2.

I have heard of people say you can bend a tower. I have had three up behind tower on ski and boards wiht no problems.

When my 6' 4" 260 lbs son gets behind he cuts real hard and no flex at all.

I think I may go to tower instead.

There is no warning on tower at all

Graham

Like I said earlier, I'd be more worried about submerging a tube behind the boat...you have no idea how much torque that exerts. I've actually had the towline snap...fortunately no one was hurt. My pylon is mounted to a rather sturdy steel frame attached to the stringers the same way my engine is mounted. I would imagine that if I had had it attached to my tower, I would have either capsized or torn the tower completely off the boat. Remember, your tower is just thru-bolted to the topdeck.

BTW, there was a thread on the RZ2's tow ring placement...I think we concluded that it wasn't designed for tubing

[Domsz06]

I agree with Dog. If you tow from the tower, you just HAVE to be careful and not submerge any tube. If your careful I think your fine, but you have been warned

[dogbert]

I agree with Dog. If you tow from the tower, you just HAVE to be careful and not submerge any tube. If your careful I think your fine, but you have been warned

By the time you realize the tube is going under, it's too late. Most of the time you can prevent it, but it's not 100% under your control.

[Domsz06]

dog,

couldn't this work to prevent all accidents? I mean if you just stop as soon as they fall, then a tub shouldn't submerge, do your low speed turn and your good. Just an idea. I know it's all easier said then done.

[dogbert]

dog,

couldn't this work to prevent all accidents? I mean if you just stop as soon as they fall, then a tub shouldn't submerge, do your low speed turn and your good. Just an idea. I know it's all easier said then done.

The few times I've had the tube submerge, the rider was still on. I've had riders fall of the front of the tube (very dangerous). Anyway, I know what I have to do...I was just pointing out the very real risk. My pylon is plenty strong and I have tow rings above the platform, so it's not an issue for me because I use either one. My tower has a warning on it not to use for tubing.

Just some things to consider when making your decision.

[Domsz06]

interesting. Guess I have never had a tube submerge. Like I said before we seem to rarely use them to tube, they get used for more floating when we are tired of standing and dancing

[dogbert]

interesting. Guess I have never had a tube submerge. Like I said before we seem to rarely use them to tube, they get used for more floating when we are tired of standing and dancing

I agree that tubes are pretty useless...fortunately as my kids get older, the desire to ride them decreases. Of course, there's lots of time when I make them choose between mom and the tube (mom usually wins and she hates to be in the boat when I'm tubing the kids). As a driver, I hate tubes.

[Domsz06]

I hate tubes as in the idiots that tow them in the smooth water, it's meant to be rough, you don't need to be in the smooth water. I tend to go closer to them then is quite right and turn my speakers up more, most of the times they get the hint.

[R&T Babich]

We use the tubes after the wind picks up and everyone is tired of skiing. As our kids have gotten older they still look forward to having fun on the tubes after the water is too choppy to do anything else. We prefer the large rectangular tubes that can carry 3 or 4 people and have a blast with them. They can easily be submerged if the weight shifts forward enough. The smaller round tubes just weren't as much fun. One reason we got our 2000 21V was because it has a stout ski pylon. Our old boat had a stern hook that was too low when pulling slow and the rope was half submerged. Maybe because our 21V has a stout pylon frame the transom eyes were installed like in the photo. I wouldn't pull anything with those. Hopefully Tige has upgraded those in later models. The hull was ground down so the nuts could be tightened flush with the end of the bolts. Nylon locknuts are supposed to be tightened 2 or 3 turns past the end so the nylon has something to grab onto. The transom eyes should be at least an inch longer with backing plates. I've got new ones on order.

[Moki]

It looks like they have started getting cheap on the new pylon supports. I also have the pylon attached to the engine mounts. It looks strong enough to pull several tubes, a barge, two aircraft carriers and a parasailer

[Graham Morris]

I hate tubes as in the idiots that tow them in the smooth water, it's meant to be rough, you don't need to be in the smooth water. I tend to go closer to them then is quite right and turn my speakers up more, most of the times they get the hint.

I use tube when weather chops up or have guests who have exhausted trys on the boards or skis and jsut want to have some fun rather than falling over all the time. Tube driven well can be a great hoot for old farts as well

Graham