Towable Water Tubes

[whitlock87]

I thought I would start a thread talking about Towable Water Tubes to see the pros and cons of the different brands and styles.

Last summer we got a 3 person Sea-Doo tube, had a lot of fun with it until a seam broke the third week out. Found out the Sea-Doo tube are made by Wham-O.
They had us send it back to them for a Warrantee Replacement. This was in August, and now it’s the middle of March and we still do not have it. They told me that it might be shipped by the end of April. Bottom line, if you have a Sea-Doo tube and it goes bad, Don’t send it back to Wham-O try to take it back to the place of purchase first.

Also we are looking into getting another tube.
Does anybody know of one that can be steered?
My kids would love something that they could steer in and out of the wake.
And there are the ones that say they can FLY. if they do get air, then how safe are they?
Thanks for any feed back
David

[Flying Tiger]

I went through the same thing.
The kids griped that the Sea Doo tube was too rough,, and it gave up the ghost after a few months and I trashed it.

Rather than burn through money trying to find what's good, some places have rentals you can try.

I've asked my kids to check out their friends towables too.
If you buy from COSTCO, you have 6 months to bring it back for anyreason.

Hard to recomend a tube.
I've come to the conslusion that ya have to test ride one.
If you do come across a fun good riding one,, let us know.
http://www.highperformancecars.com/hhangin/suicide.gif

[David]

We just bought a flat 2-3 person tube for when the younger cousins come on the boat. They all love It because they can lay down on It an all fit. We got it from costco for a good deal, not sure of the exact numbers though.

[Jeff LaHaye]

We have a flat Connelly Hot Rod that's 4 years old.
Lots of use, the cover is starting to fade but it's still in great shape.
The tube itself has developed leaks around the seams twice, but have been easy to fix with patch kits available anywhere tubes are sold.

The kids love it. I'd highly recommend it.

We also have a SeaDoo tube that we received as a gift.
Must say I haven't had any trouble with it. Cover seems pretty sturdy.
I can't imagine how rough a ride you must be giving to rip the seams out. I normally pull tubers at about 26 mph, and whip 'em good.

Best times are when we also borrow our friends Gemini tube (brand?), and have 5-6 people on 3 towables behind the boat. The kids love to battle!

I'm getting psyched for summer just thinkin' about it!

Jeff

[xpjim1]

we have two connelly convertible flat tubes. They hold 3 people each and I pull both tubes at the same time. No problems at all. They have held up 2 1/2 years. Only complaint is they are a little rough and not enough handles. Not enough handles makes it fun. Obrien has the super screamer which has more handles and neoprene on top which is a more comfortable ride i have heard.

[knelems]

Anything made by Sportstuff, they have a website also. We have never had a warranty issue with any of their tubes. Walmart sells the cheaper ones.

[Flying Tiger]

I have a two person tube I bought 11 years ago that still is teriffic.
Brutal construction.
A bit of a rough ride, but a teriffic tube.

Maybe a bananna this year.

[yllw20]

there is a u shaped open back tube the ripII and the slash. they are one and two seaters. they have fins on the back outer edge. the manufacturer claims they can be steered in and out of the wake.
haven't riden one myself.

[farmacist]

Bought a Big Mable last year. Everyone absolutely loves it. It is a big and bulky though. Shaped almost like a couch so we set it behind the boat for lounging when just sitting in the coves with our beverage of choice, very comfortable.

[2whlin]

any updates on towables? New to boating, hopefully getting a boat this Friday. Looking for a 2 person towable. Seems alot are set up for sitting in and not laying on, which is better?

[zad0030]

laying is defintely tougher and more fun imo. I think the sitting are more dangerous especially for little kids.

The o'brien Superscreamer is a popular choice for a flat 2 person.

[2whlin]

cool

[Waterski-Rebel]

We have the 2 and 3 person HO formula 2/3, a single person Sportstuff one that is kinda like a kneeboard that you are supposed to be able to steer (but you can't), and an old one made by O'brien that we call the "wild wing". They all get a lot of use.

[yllw20]

I have the airhead viper 2. it is a sit in, but feel safer w/the young kids in it.
It depends on who you plan on towing and how.
adults I would get a laydown. Smaller kids definately a sit in.

[sparky216]

We have the Bonzai from Costco.....have had it for 3 years and it is the best tube we have every bought.

[Jason B]

I have the Super Mable and the thing is rock solid. It's a three person but they come in 1/2/3 person configurations. I'd highly recommend them. The down side is that it's MASSIVE so carting that thing around when you're not using it becomes quite the pita.

Look on Ebay, there are some deals to be had if you're patient.

[AdaminMN]

We have a Sportstuff 145mm tube, my 8 year old has figured out how to steer the thing, but won't tell me how. He can go from wake to wake, even crossing it sometimes, stop and head back the other way even when I'm still going straight.

FYI there is a recall going on on some of the Seyvlor tubes...

1. Sevca LLC Recalls Sevylor(r) Tow Behinds; Quick Hitch Connectors Break, Posing Serious Hazard to Users: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09285.html

[R&T Babich]

We use 2 World Ski Lines UFOs. We usually have 2 or 3 teenagers on each one, but have had 5. They are 62"x70", 10" thick in front and taper to the rear. The kids love them. They jump from one to the other, sit, stand and kneel on them. The newer ones are yellow/green. We don't pull them over 20 mph into any wind or they will get airborne. The 2 little block chambers on the rear corners work great when sliding sideways by pushing your leg against it. Definitely use extra thick ropes like the Sportsstuff 6K.
Each towable has needed patches in different seams which may be related to an assembly difference rather than a design flaw. My guess is the seam sealing heat temperature was not consistent. They have only had splits next to seams. To patch the tubes I use strips of vinyl cut from an old towable and RV Goop from Walmart. Smear some Goop around the hole, back of the patch and all over the patch once positioned. The stuff stays somewhat pliable, but sticks to everything. Some patches are 3 years old with no problems.

[TigeTrojan]

I had a blast on my Sumo Tube until it stopped holding air. If you don't mind giving up comfort for a wild ride that Sumo was great. I also went through 2 Sevylor Wake Sliders that were semi-steerable. This one is a more comfortable ride, but still a blast. You can get air off the wake or just out of rough water waves and some of the more skilled riders were doing barrel rolls and riding upside down on it. Unfortunately, like I said, I went through two of them because they would start leaking air after a few days on the lake. I am extremely hard on them though.