Anyone with tube recommendations?

[billb1981]

The wife and I are wanting to get a tube to piddle around with on the lake with friends and family. Obviously with only a 60EPLT Mercury we won't get a lot of speed, but for the average 30 something who isn't built for speed anymore, I assume that it would still pull pretty well on our Lowe SF214.


Question is....anyone have any thoughts on what would be best? Obviously just looking for a one person tube, but as far as getting the most speed out of one, do the ones with holes in them, or the ones that are covered better?

Something like this (Hopefully I'm allowed to put links here?)

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Boating/ ... _104638680

Or would this shape be better:
http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product ... ge&i=44576

Again, I don't really care what it looks like, just something that we could get the best ride for the $ on.

[curtiscapk]

we use the first kind. Love it! The more you lean the funner it is! and use your feet for a rudder for added movement.

[NonHyphenAmerican]

We have one similar to this:

It works for two kids or one biggun.

The little inflatable 'pads' near the back corners help give you a place to hold on with your knees.

Be sure to get one with a valve like this:





And we've discovered that a pump like this is handy.




We bought our float and pump at Academy Sports.

The float was about $70 and the pump was $12 with another $12 or so for a tow rope that floats.

[Strake]

I've had 2 styles. One like the flat one you show at Cabelas that has several hand holds and a second Giant one that held 2 adults with a big back rest.

I hated the first flat style one as it POUNDED you to death..... might be a lot of fun for kids, but only teenagers. Little kids would not hang on or get bounced off of it. I gave our's away to a neighbor who has 2 teenagers.

The second one is like this:

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product ... be&i=12999

Love this one..... very comfortable, stable, etc..... I would suggest looking for a smaller version of something similar. We see ones like this all the time on our lake, towing small kids.

Can't go wrong with Overton's....... I've bought a ton of stuff including both tubes from them.... especially right now as they have free shipping, no min.

[TDJ2591]

That's a really good price on the round tube at Cabelas. It's comparable in design to our O'Brien Super Screamer, one of the most popular tubes on the market, but 1/2 the cost. Our 10 yr. old granddaughter has a ball on ours as do our adult kids.

Your family will enjoy any tube you buy. You might want to avoid any oh the open donut designs or any where there is only nylon between the rider and the water. They tend to be much rougher on the riders.

Be sure to get a 12v air pump. I found a good, fairly inexpensive one at Academy Sports that bworks great.

[IrishLindy]

We are new to the whole tubing thing, so I did some research and decided we wanted a tamer experience. We opted for this one:

http://www.amazon.com/SPORTSSTUFF-53-22 ... =big+mable

It was a bit pricy, but I waited until the end of the season last year, and was able to get one for under $180, I think. I would have to double-check my receipt to be sure.

It is something my 7 year old grandson can handle, as well as my 67 year old hubby. Great fun! The only thing missing is the cup holders!

[RcgTexas]

I think the one with the back rest is the way we will go due to the fact that the little tikes can ride without falling off the back. on the other hand I have ways of making the most docile and conservative ride a real ass clincher for the older set!

[rancherlee]

The tube that experienced riders flock to is my Sportstuff Slalom Jockey, its steerable so the riders can go what ever direction they want while I just drive in a straight line. For groups I have a 4 seat Gladiator Great Big Brawler (overton's In-house version of the sportstuff Mable series) which needs to be pulled at least 17-18mph to be able to "fling it" over my wake.

[billb1981]

Thanks for the input folks! Several good options there. As much as I want one of those big inflatable "sofas" I was thinking the smaller tube the easier it would be to pull with the 60hp Merc.....We also don't have any young kids at this point, so it would be the 30 somethings that think I'm driving too slow, so something I can bounce people off of might be a fun option!

[curtiscapk]

Where do you boat neighbor?

[billb1981]

We decided to go for a slip at Clinton this summer. Wanted to go to some more of the area lakes, Hillsdale, Smithville, Truman, etc. Have some friends who have a pontoon on Truman which I see where you keep yours. Always been a fan of that lake as well. After pulling it with my 2011 Explorer and getting 9.2 mpg, I realized we'd get a lot more use out of the boat if we just kept it at one lake on the water for a year.

[curtiscapk]

Nice. What part of Truman are they on? Yeah towing every time to Truman would be a bitch . I have some pieces of dirt by Osceola I keep mine on.

[OK Toon]

In addition to the air pump that NHA posted above, I'd highly recommend this to keep the tow rope out of the water -- much less drag and keeps the spray out of the rider's eyes.
http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product ... ll&i=14181

Here's a video we shot of my nephew on our tube with the SportsStuff (sorry for the finger in the video - wife was videoing while I drove).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVTeWgEBHSw

[billb1981]

Nice. What part of Truman are they on? Yeah towing every time to Truman would be a bitch . I have some pieces of dirt by Osceola I keep mine on.

Pretty sure they are over at State Park Marina. It looks like the water is still way up there....

[justfishing]

We have had lots of tubes and have ordered this one

https://www.ravesports.com/media/catalo ... main_1.jpg


You might like this one

https://www.ravesports.com/water-beetle