Trophy Tube tow?-gctid396854

[Guest]

For all those with trophy's and trophy WA style boats, where do you hook up to tow tubers behind you? I was thinking the rear cleat on the starboard side but not sure. Any ideas?

[Guest]

I have a steel cable bridle that clips to both stern eyes ( where the transom straps attach when trailering)

one clip into each eye and makes a center point about 5' behing the outdrive, I think I got it at west marine, should be listed with all the tow rope and accesories.

I'm not sure about a couple of people tied off to a single cleat, seems like off center would be a tough ride for the younger set.

Be safe and have fun

Dave

[Guest]

Is this what you are talking about?

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=994418&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&storeId=11151&storeNum=51101&subdeptNum=51115&classNum=51116

[Guest]

That is the Y harness I have. It clips onto the two transom rings. I bought a quick connect extention because I may use more than one tube during an outing and it helps to quickly change tubes. And I have a 60 ft tube towing rope - I learned there is a difference in tube rope and ski rope!

[Guest]

Excellent. I will pick one up and I wasnt aware there was a rope difference either! Thanks. I am only going to tow tubes, so I will pick that up! Does anyone know the strain it puts on a boat to tow tubes? Im thinking not much at all since its a 4000 pound boat?

[Guest]

It won't strain the boat, but it does put more strain than a water skier, especially if you have several rugrats out there.

Definitely don't use the cleat, some cleats are only attached with wood screws and are not designed for sudden shock loads. It could rip out and slingshot back.

[Guest]

Didnt think of that. I am going to get that harness that clips on the tie downs and tube rope.

[Guest]

Also make sure the rope you use is designed for inflatables. The ones designed for waterskis specifically say not designed for towables, because they are lighter/not as strong.

[Guest]

Swivel-eze makes a nice pylon if you want to have you tow rope attach up top

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?r=view&i=18746&s_kwcid=adwords_adjustable_pro_ski_pylon&adpos=1t2

[smitty477]

We tow a heck of a lot the past 3 seasons and have seen a few things over that time......

FWIW - We have not seen a ski pylon yet that can stand up to heavy tubing. If you are really going to pull heavy tubes often it is best to make sure that your engine is propped for that task and your attachment points are up to the load.

Both skiing and tubing can load a motor up too high but tubing has the potential of really pushing them over the edge.

Prop down and plan your tow points well for a long and sucesfull towing season.

Hope this helps

[Guest]

Where do I find out the load of the transom tie down D rings? I really only plan towing a one person tube with only one at a time.

[Guest]

Those should hold a thousand pounds. Those are bolted on through reinforced parts of the transom. They are designed to hold the boat down to the trailer. Those two and the bow eye are the strongest "attachment points" on your boat. If you ever need to be towed, use the bow eye, if you ever need to tow someone, tubes, skiers, use the transom tie down eyes. The cleats are generally not fastened down strong enough.

All purpose boats and dedicated ski boats usually have an eye on the top center of the transom for towing skiers.

[Guest]

Sweet. Finally picked everything up and am heading out this saterday to give'er a go! Does the kicker motor get in the way at all and what are the speeds for towing?

[Guest]

Depends on how crazy the kids are.

Some don't mind flying into the air several feet. For my nephews, I barely go above idle, as they are young. For them it is still fun though. Teens will want a more exciting ride. Just pay attention to where you are going in addition to the people being towed. If you have a big cove that other toobers are in maybe stick to that and maintain the same direction of travel as everyone else.

It's pretty annoying when toobers are circling around narrow high traffic bottlenecks in a lake.