Towing tube behind 260 SD

badtothebones

badtothebones

Member
Oct 22, 2015
136
Florida
Boat Info
2015 260 Sundancer
Engines
ECT 350 MAG MPI BR3
Hello all.. So my family wants to do some tubing next week, never done it before. Few questions that maybe you all can help me.
-is it feasible on my 260?
-tube you all recommend?
-do's and don'ts that I need to be aware?

:huh:

Thank you in advanced!
 
#1 - YOU drive the boat, and watch where it is going.
#2 - Someone else watches the tubers and tells you what is going on.

I've never pulled tubers, but I have seen 2 minor tubing accidents. Both were caused by the driver of the boat watching the tubers instead of where they were driving. One hit a small bouy, the other ran too close to shore and chewed up his props so bad, he had to get towed.
 
Agree with the above, pulled a tube for the first time yesterday and i drove and used a spotter and we had a great time, i dod turn to see the tube at times but 99% of the time I just drove. Couple things, if you go to slow the tube will want to submarine so you do need to faster than you might think but not real fast. Your spotter needs to understand when to tell you to slow down as the tube starts to sling in a turn, it is fun but can get the tube going too fast for small riders. I got an airhead tube for 3 riders and a 60' tow rope it was a lot of fun and was easy to learn to pull, the kids had a blast. I ran around 15 to 20 mph most of the time and did lots of circles amd weaving to get some sling and cross my own wake to make some fun bumps and jumps.
 
You absolutely can. Use a 50-60ft rope. Be aware it takes quite a bit of throttle to get a tube up. Speed wise 25mph or so is what we always did, the tube will swing much faster than the boat in turns. Just take it easy until everyone gets the hang of it. Find a cove or spot with plenty of room and not too crowded. You drive, designate someone else to spot. Can't speak to what kind of tube, last time I did it was with a friends, but checkout the places like Overtons. We used to literally use an old truck tire inner tube, pulled it behind our Correct Craft, a wonder none of us got seriously hurt.
 
I pull tubers all the time. Speed is usually around 18-20 mph. This is dependent upon rider's age and fear tolerance level, of course.
I have a rear view mirror, so i know where my tube is at all times, but a spotter is a must, and probably the law in your parts.
Longer towline means higher speeds when turning with tube outside of wake. I can control where tube goes with steering, I can bump them outside of wake with very little steering wheel movement, and bring them back in also. Just takes practice. Remember, the rider can not control tube, only you can! Be safe.
 
Thank you all for the input, really appreciate it. Going to WM today to get tube, rope, etc. excited!
 
Just Keep your tabs down, it will make it easier to get out of the hole and keep on plane if you dont want to tow too fast.
 
Just be safe and make sure your not pulling in a high traffic area.... See way too many schmucks pulling people down the state channel here and I don't know what they could possibly be thinking


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SloBurn said:
. Remember, the rider can not control tube, only you can! Be safe.
Click to expand...

When I'm being pulled on the tube, I can control it a little by dragging my feet in the water. Adults can take a bit more than kids though LOL.

Be Safe.
 
I tube often and I make sure that my riders know the hand signals on the tube, you know thumbs up for more speed tumb down for less speed right arm over head is done riding, both arms bent over head is everything is OK, of course you can make up your own and purchase a flag to display when rider falls off to alert other boaters of person in water, plus we make them put there arms up to help other boaters see them, have fun be safe
 
Well, thanks to all for the input. We are having a great time this wk. First day we did it crossing from Anna Maria Island to Egmont key and spend the day there, today at Longboat Key. Weather been good, with only typical summer late afternoon showers/thunders. Looking forward to rest of the wk!
 
Here are some pics! :smt001:smt038

image.jpgimage.jpg
 
Looks like you figured that out pretty quick! Glad you had fun. So a funny story, a friend of mine that we used to raft up with about every weekend on LKN, he had a WaveRunner and we would pull the kids on the tube and kneeboard. All was well until his daughter was old enough to pull US on the tube - she convinced us to go for a ride on a tube like you have, boy was that payback time! So be careful, you don't want to be on the wrong end of the tubing rope crying uncle one day! That tube feels like it is going A LOT FASTER when you are on it vs watching from the boat.
 
BillK2632 said:
Looks like you figured that out pretty quick! Glad you had fun. So a funny story, a friend of mine that we used to raft up with about every weekend on LKN, he had a WaveRunner and we would pull the kids on the tube and kneeboard. All was well until his daughter was old enough to pull US on the tube - she convinced us to go for a ride on a tube like you have, boy was that payback time! So be careful, you don't want to be on the wrong end of the tubing rope crying uncle one day! That tube feels like it is going A LOT FASTER when you are on it vs watching from the boat.
Click to expand...

Yep, payback can be he!!. Being the captain means I don't get on the tube much, and when I do, I only let another boat owner/captain drive. That helps keep the revenge/payback factor in check.
 
I did many times with my 26. Burnt a bunch of gas though...lol Get them up to like 16-18mph and they will feel like they are flying...Oh..then turn hard right then quick left and keep it....LOL. Be careful. Have a spotter.
 
This probably doesn't concern you since you boat on the open sea. When boating on inland lakes you run in to smaller areas to tube or ski. In theory everyone is supposed to tube or ski counterclockwise in coves or bays.
 
BillK2632 said:
Looks like you figured that out pretty quick! Glad you had fun. So a funny story, a friend of mine that we used to raft up with about every weekend on LKN, he had a WaveRunner and we would pull the kids on the tube and kneeboard. All was well until his daughter was old enough to pull US on the tube - she convinced us to go for a ride on a tube like you have, boy was that payback time! So be careful, you don't want to be on the wrong end of the tubing rope crying uncle one day! That tube feels like it is going A LOT FASTER when you are on it vs watching from the boat.
Click to expand...


Oh yes! Already did my payback and for sure felt faster from behind. Ha, my wife complained I was "bossing" too from the tube. :grin:
 
MrHappy said:
This probably doesn't concern you since you boat on the open sea. When boating on inland lakes you run in to smaller areas to tube or ski. In theory everyone is supposed to tube or ski counterclockwise in coves or bays.
Click to expand...

Interesting! Never heard that before. Anybody else familiar with that concept?
 
Yes, grew up on a small lake, rule was traffic in general kept to the right - counter clockwise around the lake. Especially in coves.


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