Towing Toys Behind Sib, Any Experience/Advice?

[The Bass Stalker]

I've had my quicksilver 430 with a 30hp 2 stroke for about 5 yrs now and always have had the insurance to tow toys but never have. Now the kids are definitely the right age, I really want to try. Options are ringo, knee board, wakeboard, skis

Cruising speed on flat water is about 18knts but will do 22knts 2 up with a lot of winter fishing gear. I'm thinking it will be better to keep 2 on boat to help keep bow down and observation. I do have a tiller extension if needed.

Some boating mates have said it would put a lot of strain on transom, might pull the back around on the corners, would be dangerous etc, yet every one I've seen has a ringo with it. The transom has a hoop on each side ready for a bridle. Even people that sell the sea pros say about pulling toys.

People have even told me this set up could even pull a skier under 10 stone?

So, what do you know guys? Any advice?

[Deekus]

Always Always have at least 2 with the helmsman on board whilst towing.

Safety first

[Budgie1]

I used to have similiar set up (Valiant 3.8 +25hp) and towed ringos/kneeboards/wakeboards (both my kids also learnt to wakeboard off the back) using bridle off transom eyes never had a problem,

I would recommend Obrien screamer as a bit of fun for all the family and youngsters will pick up kneeboarding very quickly and have great fun, (wakeboarding will take a lot more patience!!)

[The Bass Stalker]

Thanks. Will look that up. Keep the opinions coming.

[jyasaki]

In California (I think every state has slightly different regs), you are required to have an adult spotter/flagman in addition to the pilot. Seems reasonable to me, as it's tough to keep an eye on the tube/skier/whatever and on where you're going (especially with the possibility of other skiers down in the water ahead.)

I'm not all that hot on towing things, but have done it on occasion (though I've got a few more ponies than you do.) It will likely take a bit of experimentation to figure out what you can and can't do with your setup (hard turns while towing eats up a lot of energy, for instance.)

Have fun, and be safe;

jky

jky

[The Bass Stalker]

Yes, I forgot about the momentum on hard turns. I don't think I'll be doing too many tight turns as its a lot to handle with a tiller. I'm just trying to find out what others have had success with so I don't waste too much money buying toys that won't work.

I can imagine myself trying to turn tight to throw them out of the ringo, but end up throwing myself out!

Thanks

[Locozodiac]

Some issues,

The only way you could possibly pull off a transom or around the corners would be if glued parts has lost their bonding properties due to age, excessive sun or by running a under inflated sib constantly.

Will need a Y tow rope with a cork after engine to avoid rope entanglements on prop, once mate is on the water will need to stretch tight the line against sib and start throttling evenly and gradually to full wot if you like. That way will avoid unwanted stress on transom and toy rings.

Be aware that if you use a Y tow rope in close turns rope could end abrading end tubes, will need to reinforce end tubes on that particular rub portion which will need to be determined by water experimentation with pvc/hypalon fabric patch to avoid direct rub issues against tubes. Usually you use a tow bar bolted against rib's floor, but not on a sib.

Happy Boating

[treerat]

On the sib I used to put a rope around the front eyes, down the sides and then fixed to an A shape behind the boat to attach teh tow rope to.

I found this put no strain on the transom and was easy to control.

[Festinghouse]

you wont rip the transom off as the rope is pulling against the very thing that is pushing the boat along. i would say get a donut first and play with that. theres is loads of fun to be had but there is a definite technique to cornering as the drag wants to keep the boat going in a straight line. learn to get a pendulum effect going and youve cracked it - get the donut skimming sideways, then accelerate in the direction you want to go. i used to have a yam 360s with a 25 on the back and managed the donut no problem, though i doubt it would have got a skier up too well.

[Landlockedpirate]

Towed a variety of toys with a Zodiac Futura and a HonWave T40. Attach the rope to the transom with a bridle (buy a proper one and floating rope to minimise chances of fouling prop).

Always carry a spotter and use your tiller extension if it gives you decent control and dont overestimate the capabilities of your sib.

I would only buy a single ringo (the doubles take a huge amount of power to get them on the plane) then kneeboarding is probably the easiest thing to learn. Waterskiing and wakeboarding both require really good technique to get out of the water when you only have a small engine, but with practice your boat should tow kids fairly easily (upto about 50kg ish).

I was really lucky as a kid and spent holidays on Windermere being dragged behind a variety of tournament ski boats on pretty much anything we could get our hands on, but I honestly think my kids had more fun playing behind the Futura on Ullswater than I ever did behind a Mastercraft.

[beamishken]

I've waterski'd behind a bombard 380 & a 25hp yam I was about 12.5 stone at the time
Id say you shouldnt have any problem with your 30hp

Great fun draging kids around on anything that floats

Kneeboards ar probably the easiest after ringos & kids love em

Im sure you will have fun whatever toys you buy

[Locozodiac]

Originally Posted by treerat

On the sib I used to put a rope around the front eyes, down the sides and then fixed to an A shape behind the boat to attach teh tow rope to.

Although the towing method is excellent, keep in mind that you could be pulling off both ring fabric that holds them onto patch if happens being fabricated with thin fabric while towing a heavy load.

Happy Boating

[Peter_C]

The shock loads from towing a tube/ringo can be extreme. More than you can probably realize without seeing it in person. They can break ropes easily. My point is that you need to be careful how you use them, and try not to shock load the rope/boat/tube.

Even a wakeboarder can produce around 800#'s of force. I know I sent a non stretch spectra 80ft line straight into the boat with a lot of force. Fortunately the handle was caught by someone watching, without hitting any one.

With kids the forces are minimal. An adult can pull a SIB almost in circles while wakeboarding. I can drag mine all over the place, then again I can change the direction of a comp boat. It requires full throttle just to keep it near 20mph, and I prefer to ride at 24.2mph as that is when my board comes alive. Kids won't need as much speed, so less horsepower is probably okay.

For tubes/ringos, use a stretchy rope to lessen shock loads, since the tube will not fly into the boat. For wakeboarding and kneeboarding use a non stretch rope as it will keep it from flying into the boat.

I made my own tow harness using a piece of spectra line, some stainless links, and a float. My boat also has some stainless eye bolts, although I believe most Zodiacs come with galvanized eye bolts.

[rik_elliott]

I've towed a ringo behind my old caribe 4m with a 30hp mariner - worked fine two up.

My bombard with 18hp managed to plane towing a ringo, but was definitely affected by the rings momentum a lot more - the tail was wagging the dog a lot more than I expected. It was still fun , but a lot more work to ensure a fun, safe tow. I don't think more power would have helped a great deal- the aerotec is just so light even with moderate loading and two up that the forces generated in turns were non-negligible.

As long as you take care about your attaching of the tow line and take it easy I don't see a problem with your rig, but go easy until you know how it's going to handle.

[The Bass Stalker]

Thanks guys. It all sounds very exciting. All the advice is pretty positive. I will definitely give it a go this year.
One thing I would like to ask is when you guys refer to pulling the back all over the place, is that just very unnerving or is it dangerous. I cant really imagine what it must feel like. Does it pull the boat off the plane or just change its direction?
Being an ally deck quicksilver it does weigh in at 115kg, engine 52kg, plus transom wheels, extra seat etc so it is a lot heavier than a bombard.
Any advice on a knee board?

[Locozodiac]

Just keep that Quicksilver well tube and keel top inflated, go for a spin as suggested, assume a knee board has less drag under board than a ringo, so must be easier to plane faster with less throttle than full wot.

Happy Boating

[kelson]

It's definitely true that a well bonded transom can handle the loads applied when towing recreational skiers. I have a Zodiac Futura with a 40 hp outboard and it easily pulls full size adults wakeboarding and foiling. A single slalom ski is a really tough proposition and my boat just doesn't make that worthwhile.

Tubes and other inflatables should always be towed from the transom, but it is possible to tow from a low pole as is shown in the second pic. I was surprised at how stable the inflatable is when towing.

Have fun out there!

[The Bass Stalker]

Thanks. What is that in the second picture? It looks like a hydrofoiling seat? Is a zodiac futura hard bottomed, what size is it? Great pics

[jyasaki]

Kelson; You have more info on your ski pole? I assume it's gotta be bolted in; is it fairly easily removable?

Not looking for one, just curious.

jky

[The Black Pig]

Costco uk are doing this delta 4 man towable inflatable, looks like a lot of fun it seems bigger when you see it

Works out at £185 of our English pounds with the vat

New HO Sports Delta 4 Towable Water Tube Boat Lake Ski Inflatable 1 2 3 4 Person - HutShop.com