Towable Recommendations

[wdd5885]

I am going to purchase a towable for the summer. I've never owned one, so I need some help from you all. I have two small children (3 and 1) and I need a child friendly towable. I have read submarining can be a problem, so I was hoping to get some good advice from veteran boaters. Thanks in advance.

David

 

[Scott0321]

Towables

David,

I've had some experience with using the link posted below. At the time I was with two small children 4/6. It was a Yamaha jet that was pulling them and there weren't any issues with dunking us underwater. Very stable

I got my first boat late last year but will probably go with this style but get the three seater. It looks and feels well built. I have two boys 5 / 9 and it will be perfect for them.

http://www.hosports.com/product/306595/31288/_/Formula_2

 

[CypherAZ]

David,

I've had some experience with using the link posted below. At the time I was with two small children 4/6. It was a Yamaha jet that was pulling them and there weren't any issues with dunking us underwater. Very stable

I got my first boat late last year but will probably go with this style but get the three seater. It looks and feels well built. I have two boys 5 / 9 and it will be perfect for them.

http://www.hosports.com/product/306595/31288/_/Formula_2

The only drawback to this kind of tube is that your butt gets assaulted and we find that sitting up without a neck support can be a killer on the neck and shoulders.

 

[Dr Honda]

Any towable will beat up the rider... but I really hope you aren't going to put a 3 year old out on it. (unless they are excellent swimmers) Even a big towable, with an adult on it... if there is a problem, it could end badly.

OK... with that said... Sevylor had an outlet on eBay, and last year I bought 2 things from them. The larger of the 2 was a large, delta shaped two person inflatable with an inflatable windshield, and a nylon shell with a 4 point harness built into it. Even with 2 adults... it did not submerge.

Oh... and the best thing was... it only cost me $25 shipped!!!

The other thing was a large inflatable play house for my kid. ($13 shipped, new retail was $70)

My personal opinion is... get one cheap if you can... because it won't get used much. All of last year... mine only hit the water twice.

 

[Dr Honda]

looks like they still have their outlet. here is a link to one of their auctions. this is the manufacture, and the items are new, and supper cheap. :cheers:

Just click on their store to see what else they have.

Good luck.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Sevylor-Inflata...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2558c08ac1

 

[CypherAZ]

Any towable will beat up the rider... but I really hope you aren't going to put a 3 year old out on it. (unless they are excellent swimmers) Even a big towable, with an adult on it... if there is a problem, it could end badly.

OK... with that said... Sevylor had an outlet on eBay, and last year I bought 2 things from them. The larger of the 2 was a large, delta shaped two person inflatable with an inflatable windshield, and a nylon shell with a 4 point harness built into it. Even with 2 adults... it did not submerge.

Oh... and the best thing was... it only cost me $25 shipped!!!

The other thing was a large inflatable play house for my kid. ($13 shipped, new retail was $70)

My personal opinion is... get one cheap if you can... because it won't get used much. All of last year... mine only hit the water twice.

Really? We use our towables every trip out.

 

[hitman782]

Yeah, i just put a bid on 2 of those, thats a steal, even with shipping. We'll see how they hold up and how the ski handles while pulling one.

I guess i am going to bring up a question, are the rules for pulling someone on a tube the same as a person on a wakeboard/skis?

 

[phough5757]

HO Slider

I have an HO Slider we have been using for a couple of years.
My friends are Buying two cheaper units per year because they wear out.
Good luck and Be safe!

 

[Dr Honda]

I understand about the cheap ones that Target, and Wal-Mart sell... but I was surprised that the one in my pic above weighs about 30 Lbs. It's very thick, heavy vinyl.

The outlet is just selling their discontinued items. You won't be disappointed with the quality. :cheers:

 

[hitman782]

Well, i won both auctions on the ones i wanted, should be interesting pulling a tube with one of the GTX's, though i will enjoy flinging my coworkers off from one... i should probably stick to the learning key for it though, dont want to "accidently" take them up to full speed >.>

 

[wdd5885]

Thanks for the responses. It's advice I need. IF the 3 year old wants to go, she will have to go with an adult, if her mother will let her. I have friends with older children that we may end up with on the boat, and I might want to ride too! I'll take a look at that website you suggested Dr Honda. Thanks again.

David