Help with tow point

[Shamsra]

We abandoned the tubes long ago. There was a steady progression from boredom to injury almost every time we took it out. Besides, your fellow boaters will thank you for not churning up the water and driving like a nutter. Ban the tube!

[jemcnamara1]

Hi Jeff.

By 'bar' do you mean the grab rail on the transom? I'm not sure that that is a good place to tie a tube to. I can't see there being much support behind that as it is only intended to help you climb onto the swim platform.

D.

Yes I think I am, it has a tow hook on the back side of it to tie a rope and there is nothing else on the transom I that I could tie too. I’d share a picture but says I am not allowed from the app I’m using on my phone.

Thanks




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[Jonny Quest]

I would never pull a tube from a ski pylon — too much torque/force. Good way to bend or break things. Tubes today go up to 5 riders. That weight is waaaay more than any ski pylon is designed to take. The lifting ring on the back of my SNOB has a warning decal that says 2 skiers maximum load. I pull my 2 little granddaughters on a medium-sized tube off the lifting ring but that’s all. Nice and slow.

there are some after-market transom mount tow hooks available, but I would install a significant metal backing plate to spread the load. I would even fiberglass the backing plate to the transom for additional strength.

While I wholly support the statement: “get the kids out skiing” I also recognize that there are times when a tube is a nice option to have — particularly with the kiddos or when it’s too rough to ski.

JQ

[jemcnamara1]

Thanks folks, as noted by many, we didn't buy the boat for tubing but my kids do like it when they are tired of wakeboarding or have friends with them. Appreciate the responses.

JMc

[2001SAN]

Yes I think I am, it has a tow hook on the back side of it to tie a rope and there is nothing else on the transom I that I could tie too. I’d share a picture but says I am not allowed from the app I’m using on my phone.

Thanks




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If there is a hook then you are likely grand. Sounds like it has two purposes. Nice feature on newer boats I guess!

D.

[Kenv]

If there is a hook then you are likely grand. Sounds like it has two purposes. Nice feature on newer boats I guess!

D.

Yes...on the 2015 G21 there is a dedicated "T-bar" to hook the rope to just behind the grab handle to get up on the platform. That is the only "Low" tow point on this boat.

[Infinity]

jemcnamara1 That bar at the back of the transom is designed to take the stress of pulling a tube. It does limit how much you can "whip' people cause of the rope dragging or catching on the water and will also kick up water spray like you stated. They sell an inflatable "ball" that is designed to be placed approx in the center of the tow rope and it keeps the rope from dragging in the water.

https://www.amazon.com/SportsStuff-5...NsaWNrPXRydWU=

[WakeUT]

After reading this I’m still not sure if it is better to pull tubes from the tower or ski pylon (2001 SAN)

While I don’t like tubes my kids are little. The older 2 will wakeboard when it is nice but the youngest not yet. I don’t pull them fast or try and dump them.

[mcosub]

This is what some are talking about. This is the grab handle right above the swim platform. My 210 was like this but my GS 22 doesnt have the T bar to hook ropes to

[Kenv]

Yep...that's it. T-Bar stands for "Tube Bar".....LOL....

[Rbt]

After reading this I’m still not sure if it is better to pull tubes from the tower or ski pylon (2001 SAN)

While I don’t like tubes my kids are little. The older 2 will wakeboard when it is nice but the youngest not yet. I don’t pull them fast or try and dump them.

I don’t know how your tower is constructed but I’d probably pull from the tower. Small kids going slow put very little strain on it. Plus it keeps the rope out of the water so it’s not splashing them.

[2001SAN]

Not that we tube much, in fact not at all anymore, but we have always towed from the ski pylon on a 2001 SAN. Over the years I have seen many boats pull tubes from the ski pylon with no issues. Back in our early days a friend would pull tubes using a Ski Centurion Barefoot Warrior to the point of tube and rider destruction with no issues on the ski pylon (at speeds I will not mention). Disclaimer: not safe but we had waaaay less sense back then.

However, with a slow and careful tow with kiddies I am sure you would be fine from the tower.

D.

[Gtsum2]

If the tower can’t take the stress of pulling a couple of kids weighing 200lbs total, how In the world can it take the stress of bigger, professional wakeboarders cutting as hard as they do? I pull tube for the kids from the tower. If my power actuated tower breaks from that, think I’ll be looking for a different boat


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[WakeUT]

I’ll probably keep pulling from the tower. My wife tells me she can feel me pull the boat when I cut on the wakeboard, I don’t feel the kids doing that on the tubes.

[SkiTower]

For the OP, keep it to a 1-2 person tube with kids and you should be fine with the tower. If you’re actually skiing, though, adding the ski pylon would be a nice addition and flatten out the wake a little. For those arguing about tube vs ski or wakeboard, the extreme loads on a tube come from either the tube submerging or trying to pull the really big ones. If you got a really big one AND submerged, that will damage you boat.