Boat tubing has become one of the most popular pastimes in boating. But nowadays, you're not just limited to using a boat. Modern jet skis, Ski Doos, and other personal watercraft (PWC) can easily tow up to 4 riders -- if you do it the right, safe way.
Let's look at the jet ski tow equipment you'll need, and what best practices to stick to, when it comes to towing a tube with a jet ski.
How to Tow a Tube With a Jet Ski
Like towing a tube with a boat, properly towing a tube with a jet ski means buying the right towing hardware. There are important do's and dont's when it comes to towing with your personal watercraft -- lest you wind up damaging its hull, or causing injury to the tube riders you're towing.
Don't Tow With The Ski Eyelet
most jet skis have an eyelet mounted to the rear deck of the watercraft. These are made to tow water skiers and wakeboarders -- but they shouldn't be used to tow an inflatable tube.
Why? The drag and weight of an inflatable tube places more force on the eyelet than it was designed for. This force is enough to cause damage to the jet ski. A towed tube could rip the eyelet free from the hull, damaging the watercraft and potentially injuring the riders behind you.
Do Buy a Proper Tow Pylon
A towing pylon distributes the weight of towed riders and tubes across multiple points of contact on the jet ski's hull. This eliminates the risk of damaging your watercraft, increasing its towing capacity.
Height- and width-adjustable pylons like the Barefoot International Bass Pylon (pictured above) can be easily sized to fit compact watercraft, like a jet ski.
Don't Use a Static Water Ski or Wakeboard Rope
These ropes aren't rated to withstand the force of towing an inflatable tube. Ski and wakeboard ropes don't have any stretch, either. They're static, which means they'll transfer the full force of acceleration and sudden changes in direction through the jet ski's hull, and into the inflatable tube.
Using a static rope to tow a tube like this increases the risk of causing damaging to your jet ski, pylon, or tube.
Do Use a Proper Tube Tow Rope
Tube tow ropes are made to stretch, so they'll safely and effective dampen the shock of acceleration and turning. They also have higher weight ratings than ski or wakeboard ropes, ensuring they don't snap.
Don't Tow More Than Two Riders
Regardless of your jet ski's towing setup, you shouldn't try to tow more than two riders on an appropriately sized tube. Jet skis simply don't have the hull strength or power of a larger boat. They can't effectively hold up to the force of towing 3, 4, or more riders on larger tubes.
Accelerate Low, Keep it Slow
Jet skis accelerate far quicker than most boats, with some capable of reaching 60 knots (70 MPH) in open water. But these speeds are far beyond what's safe when it comes to towing a tube.
To prevent injury to tube riders, always accelerate slowly and keep an eye on the tow line while it takes up slack in the water. Once up to speed, never tow your tube riders beyond 25 MPH. Keep your speed capped at 20 MPH or less if you're in choppy water, or riding on a windy day.
Ready to Ride?
Check out our towed tubes! We have plenty of 1- and 2-person tubes available -- they're perfect for jet skis. Grab the right rope, and get an adjustable pylon to tow your riders safely.
