Towing with the lifting ring

[macstac]

Hi

Has anyone used the lifting ring to tow with? Is it possible or will it cause damage?

I would like to tow a tube/biscuit from there if it isn't going to cause any damage.

Thanks

[SkiTower]

there have been a LOT of threads on this subject. Some do, some would never. Bottom line is this is designed for a vertical load, not horizontal.

[swc5150]

I would maybe pull a small child on a pair of combos using the lifting ring, but not a tube. The drag of a tube puts way too much pressure of the towing appartus. Like ST mentioned, you'll conflicting opinions on this, but it is only designed for vertical load - there is no conflict on that reality.

[ccs]

I assume the above opinions reflect the lifting ring only and not the new pop up pylon / lift ring combo ?

Its my understanding that this combo is rated and fine for use with towing as well as the vertical lift...correct ?

[Quinner]

I assume the above opinions reflect the lifting ring only and not the new pop up pylon / lift ring combo ?

Its my understanding that this combo is rated and fine for use with towing as well as the vertical lift...correct ?

Interesting, did not realize they have combined those functions on some models, great idea!

Would be very interesting to see a photo comparison from below deck of the connection/reinforcing of these (3) types: a typical lift ring, a combo lift/tow ring and a rear pylon/tow point.

The only model I am aware of with a rear pylon/tow point is the 93' Ski Nautique (would imagine the 90' thru 96' would also have one).

I am of the opinion, other then tube(s), most anything else that would not create a very large sustained resistance "should" be OK to pull from a lift ring.

[AirTool]

I assume the above opinions reflect the lifting ring only and not the new pop up pylon / lift ring combo ?

Its my understanding that this combo is rated and fine for use with towing as well as the vertical lift...correct ?

I don't think so. IIRC the pop up tow point is separate from the lift point. Someone that owns one can confirm.

[ccs]

I dont think they would advertise this combo as a lift ring / pop up pylon unless it were solidly capable of pulling skiers / tubers etc etc. as well as utilized as a lift ring - - the cool thing is it cetes itself and becomes flush with the back of the boat to be out of the way so as not to stub your toe on it

- - Im looking for a couple good pics to post (one below shows it down in, flush with boat) - now need one of it up showing lift ring and pylon exposed.

....Based on what I read, this combo was not available until 2011 (not sure exaclty what models) but ordered it on our 2012 Team 230.

[ccs]

Heres a picture with the lift ring / pop up pylon in the up position.

[SkiTower]

Yep, the tow/lift combo they have now is very sweet, and to answer AT it is all one piece (at least on what I've seen). Yes, I think they would design it for towing forces if they added the towing feature. But anything more than a single tube would be suspect.

[shag]

Actually, I would tend to think that the new tow/lift combo might even be more secure than the tower.... And I have it in my 09 230.

[EntiatSkier]

Heres a picture with the lift ring / pop up pylon in the up position.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]15517[/ATTACH]

That looks exactly like the one on the Ski Nautiques... My 98 SNOB has that same pylon but it doesn't popup or go down...

[SkiTower]

If it has a feature at the bottom for the rope, I'd be more inclined to use it. But personally I would still see what CC says about it. And still wouldn't put a multi-person tube on it.

[bscott]

The Nautique promo video for the Sport 200 shows the boat pulling a tube from the pop-up pylon.

[jllogan]

The other issue with towing from a low tow point such as that or the lift ring is the rope often gets caught up in the wake which is annoying if you are trying to get any movement on the tube. I would not personally tow from the lift ring unless it was reinforced. If you look under the deck at what it is connected to I think you would change your mind as well, its not very substantial and doesnt have any real support for a pulling load.

[ccs]

jlogan - - I'll assume that you must be referring to the "lift ring" specifically and not the lift ring/pylon combo....as Im pretty certain correct craft wouldnt advertise this as a towable pylon without having the proper support structure in place to handle it.