Towing limits for tubing - AR250?

[Erinpatricksmith]

I’m reading in the manual that the ‘24 AR250 is limited to 350lbs on towables. That seems light since I see plenty of 4-person tubes on the lake with 3-4 adults on them. Should stick to 350 lbs or is it overly cautious?

 

[biffdotorg]

Pop the corn, this discussion is about to go off the rails as it does multiple times each year. Do you what you feel comfortable with.

 

[OCMD]

Way overly cautious. I once towed a 320 pound center on the knee board as well as his brother and my kid on a tube at the same time, two ropes of course. Easily over 500 pounds.

 

[gthorson]

Pop the corn, this discussion is about to go off the rails as it does multiple times each year. Do you what you feel comfortable with.

I like your optimism for a show. But I think it is settled that as long as you hook the tow rope over the rear view mirror, loop it around your anchor light, then slip knot on the tower pull point, and finish by wrapping it around the ladder you are good to go, as long as you don't suck it into the jets.

 

[Emptytemples]

Hopefully you are towing tubes from lower tow point on the swim deck right? I'd say that is overly cautious. Don't tow the tube from the tower. I wouldn't tow a boat from the tow point but I think you would be fine towing more than 350. . . How much more is up to you.

 

[anmut]

Some thoughts on towing inflatables:

1. Don't tow from the tower - people do, but the lawyer sticker on your boat says "don't" - so why chance it.
2. Make sure your towable is inflated as much as possible. Underinflation causes unnecessary drag.
3. Look into creating a longer rope, or buying a "booster ball" so your towable reaches past the jet wash.
4. If #3 isn't available you can (with a little practice) "kick out" your riders out of the immediate wake and onto the port or starboard side to make the ride better.
5. Be mindful of docks, buoys and other boats when towing!

 

[Coult45]

I like your optimism for a show. But I think it is settled that as long as you hook the tow rope over the rear view mirror, loop it around your anchor light, then slip knot on the tower pull point, and finish by wrapping it around the ladder you are good to go, as long as you don't suck it into the jets.

I like to add one loop around my ankle so i can gage how they’re doing back there by feel without the need for an unnecessary spotter.

 

[anmut]

I like to add one loop around my ankle so i can gage how they’re doing back there by feel without the need for an unnecessary spotter.

LOL wait what? You put part of the tow rope around your ankle?? I need a clearer picture of that because it sounds like you want a wooden peg leg...

 

[Coult45]

LOL wait what? You put part of the tow rope around your ankle?? I need a clearer picture of that because it sounds like you want a wooden peg leg...

You're taking me and @gthorson WAY too seriously!

 

[Erinpatricksmith]

Some thoughts on towing inflatables:

1. Don't tow from the tower - people do, but the lawyer sticker on your boat says "don't" - so why chance it.
2. Make sure your towable is inflated as much as possible. Underinflation causes unnecessary drag.
3. Look into creating a longer rope, or buying a "booster ball" so your towable reaches past the jet wash.
4. If #3 isn't available you can (with a little practice) "kick out" your riders out of the immediate wake and onto the port or starboard side to make the ride better.
5. Be mindful of docks, buoys and other boats when towing!

1-using the lower tow point
2-10-4
3-have a booster ball from prior boat. Priceless
4-#3 covered
5-safety first

thanks for this!

 

[chippens]

We’ve done a lot of tubing with the AR250 already this summer. I have the booster ball (60’ rope) and a 5’ bungee extension, and tow from the lower toe hook. I’ve observed minimal to no jet spray when I’m driving. When I was riding the tube today with the kids, the only time I got some spray or misting was when the jet wash hit the booster ball just right and we were heading into the wind.