Towing a tube

[Drifter85258]

I did a couple searches and didnt find any past posts so I thought I'd ask, has anybody pulled a tube behind a dinghy? If so, what model and size of outboard? Thanks in advance. Admiral is bugging me to get something for the kids and curious if it's doable.

 

[Air O'Nautical]

My 11ft Baltic (wood floor) with 15hp two stroke will pull the kids around ....just OK, with two on the tube and two in the boat (remember you need a spotter).
I installed D rings through the transom then, use a Y line and a 50ft floating tow line.
It will plane the boat and tube but, not very fast...only really fun in tight turns.
It is hard on the engine and boat but, does work.

 

[KC_Sundancer]

We do the same with an 9 foot mercury and 15 hp mercury 2 stroke.
Put stainless tow eyes in the transom. No problems

 

[JimT]

Buy a PWC instead. I can pull a waterskier behind my Waverunner.

 

[Greg]

Have you tried pulling them on the tube with the big boat? We used to have a 340 and did that on the way to our anchorage all the time. Now with the 480 we have a center console dinghy with a 40 HP and it works pretty good as well, but not like the 340 did. It does use less gas though.

 

[Drifter85258]

Thanks guys. We keep the boat at a marina that has a dinghy dock. I really like the Pwc idea but we would have to put the ski in and out of the water each time and that just wouldnt work for us. My "thought" was we could get a nice rib and tow it to our favorite anchorages when we plan on doing over nights or long days. We haven't tried pulling a tube behind the big boat but don't think the admiral would like that anyway. I think she really wants to anchor and then I take the kids to go tube while she reads in quiet. Not sure how I got the short straw but I guess I do enjoy that stuff anyway. Sounds like a 15hp would work for what I want to do. My son is 5 so it doesn't need to be too fast. I'm thinking a hard bottom and a minimum of 9 feet?