What is tubing behind a boat called?

Towed tubing usually takes place on a large body of water such as a lake or river. One or more tube riders (often called “tubers”) tether their tubes to a powered watercraft such as a motor boat or a personal watercraft. The riders are then towed through the water by the watercraft.

Is it safe to tube behind a boat?

Safety begins with a personal flotation device that fits properly. Kids can fall off tubes, so it’s best that they be wearing a life jacket that stays put. There are literally hundreds of options, but we also recommend bright colors for kids because it makes them easier to see in the water.

What kind of rope do I need to pull a tube behind a boat?

According to the Water Sports Industry Association (WSIA), tube ropes must be at least 50 feet in length but not exceeding 65 feet. A rope shorter than 50 feet will tow the tube in the crest of the wake spraying the riders in the face.

What age do you have to be to go tubing behind a boat?

(Most tubes are not designed for use by children under six years of age.) Follow the manufacturer’s limits and specifications regarding the number of riders, maximum size/weight, and top towing speed. As a general rule, keep your speed under 10 mph when towing kids less than 12 years old.

How safe is tubing?

One of the reasons why tubes are so dangerous is that they do not provide riders with much control over their movement. The National Institutes of Health have revealed that the most common type of injury due to tubing accidents are strains and sprains, which represent approximately 27% of documented injuries.

Is there an age limit for tubing?

As a general rule of thumb, it is not recommended for kids under five to water tube. While water tubing may be widely regarded as an activity open to people of all ages, children under the age of five should probably leave water tubing to the older kids.

What size boat do I need for tubing?

A pontoon boat with a 70 horsepower engine is plenty for tubing. At that level, you might be able to get up on skis too, but 90 HP will serve you much better. After that, the more HP in your engine, the more adventurous you can get with your water sports. It’s important to note these numbers are generalities.

Is 135 hp enough for tubing?

Towing a single tube is possible with 35HP. Skiing needs more power, and while a child can ski with 20HP, a heavier adult needs at least 60 HP on an appropriately sized boat. While you can wakeboard with as little as 25 HP, a quality wake generally requires a 135+HP loaded boat.

Is 35 mph fast for a boat?

A typical 26 feet pontoon with 200 hp motor easily reach speeds up to 40 mph. Even under full load conditions, you can go to 30 mph. From my experience, the optimum speed for water sports is 15 to 35 mph. So your pontoon might be a little slow but will be just fine for any water sports you like to do.

Do you need a helmet for water tubing?

#1 – Be Safety Aware Some of the most common tubing injuries happen when tubers collide with each other or debris floating on the water. If you want to have multiple riders in the water at once, choose a multi-rider tube and ensure that everyone wears a safety helmet.

How do you pull a tube behind a boat?

Designate a driver and a spotter. Attach the tow rope to the tube. Tie off the rope to the stern (back) of the boat. Review safety hand signals for communication between spotter and those riding on the tube.

Where can I get a tube for my Boat?

Large specialty retailers like Bass Pro Shops, Overton’s, Bart’s, West Marine, and others offer huge selections that let you get the right tube for the riders you plan to pull. To pull a tube, you’ll need a tow rope, and they’re sold based on the number of people you’re planning to tow, so choose appropriately.

Where did the idea of boat tubing come from?

Boat tubes started out pretty humbly, with someone lashing one end of a rope to a truck inner tube and the other end to a boat. That’s how water tubing was born. Water tubes have come a long way since those humble beginnings and we’ll get to what’s new in due time.

What makes boat tubing so great to ride?

Like ski ropes, ropes for tubing have a little “give” to them. In fact, some tow ropes for tubes have a “bungee” function to them, which makes the ride a little more fun if you have riders who can handle it. What makes tubing so great is that you can do it with virtually any kind of boat.