Best towable tube in your opinion

[Norboo]

I like Sportsstuff Poparazzi

 

[robbo3]

HO Octane - make it as wild or mild as you want, it's a great 2 person tube (there's also a 3 person model)

Add on the bungee cord to make it more interesting.

 

[jcyamaharider]

Just got my Warbird Chariot 3 but no pictures on the water or experience on the water yet.

 

[TechRider]

x2 on the warbird. The wings on the sides keeps it from digging into the waves and wakes and keeps it stable. You can really whip it without worrying about it flipping.



second would be the grandstand for older kids.

 

[farrelltravis]

There are so many different tubes these days! And, boy, are they getting expensive!!!!

 

[mattschepker]

There are so many different tubes these days! And, boy, are they getting expensive!!!!

hell yeah they're getting expensive. I wonder where all the deals are?

 

[farrelltravis]

@mattschepker I have two tubes. I found them for great deals both on Black Friday. I think at Bass Pro.

 

[Norboo]

There are so many different tubes these days! And, boy, are they getting expensive!!!!

New business 101: Milk the guys with disposable income

 

[Julian]

I have to admit that we have FOUR tubes! 2 smaller Aero tubes, a larger 3 person sit in airhead (I think) and a 4 person Sportsstuff Bangwagon 2+2 that I bought when Walmart had the wrong price on it ($266). Each tube has a different use....depends on the age of the kids. Younger kids like the sit in tube. Teens love the smaller Aero tubes (so does my back), and larger groups of kids love the Bandwagon 2+2, they also love that they can stand/kneel on it.

 

[robbo3]

Tubes seem like a bargain when you start buying wakeboards and surfboards. For our tubes, we've mostly also found bargains. My favorite tube by far is the Octane, but the arsenal also includes:
3 person Super Mable - 2nd most popular, but a pain to deal with due to size, the big Mable is a perfect size.
2 person Airhead Viper (split seam - will give the cover away)
2 - 1 person half pipe tubes (picked up at a west marine closing sale at $50 each)
Sumo tube (same west marine sale for $25)
Rave Hydro (race car)
2 - single rider donut tubes

 

[jdonalds]

I'm sure you'll get a lot of opinions on "the best" tube. The one we've been using for three years is the Airhead G-Force. Every summer I take a bunch of youth out on my boat, part of a church "houseboat camp" event. I've often heard the girls complain that it is a lay-down tube as they say they prefer the sit-down / sit-in type of tube. But after riding it 100% of the guys and gals love it. The g-force has a low air volume so it is quick to blow up and deflate on board. It is very stable and slides sideways nicely. I've had some large male teens try to flip it on purpose and they could only with much effort.

I had to ask the youth to stop jumping hard onto it from the swim platform though. I patched it 3 or 4 times. Finally I was able to get a new bladder from Airhead. The outer shell is still in good condition.

 

[Julian]

Some tubing photos....Airhead sit in tube....

Aero tube:

The monster Bandwagon 2+2

 

[WickedPorter]

I'm sure you'll get a lot of opinions on "the best" tube. The one we've been using for three years is the Airhead G-Force. Every summer I take a bunch of youth out on my boat, part of a church "houseboat camp" event. I've often heard the girls complain that it is a lay-down tube as they say they prefer the sit-down / sit-in type of tube. But after riding it 100% of the guys and gals love it. The g-force has a low air volume so it is quick to blow up and deflate on board. It is very stable and slides sideways nicely. I've had some large male teens try to flip it on purpose and they could only with much effort.

I've been looking in to this one, actually. Quick question: What kind of tow rope (and length) are you using? Any special harnesses/connectors/etc you would recommend for this tube? This summer will be my first time towing with a jet boat... aside from the sharp knife on board to cut the rope when I suck it up, any other suggestions?

Thanks!
Nick/WP

 

[MikeyL]

I like Sportsstuff Poparazzi

I also vote for SportStuff PAPARAZZI as THE BEST TOWABLE - Period !

However, for practicality, size and a more reasonable cost, I vote for SportStuff's BIG MABLE !
SportStuff has the best overall reputation. And albeit their products are NOT "inexpensive," they do measure up in giving you back in Spades in the FUN FACTOR, for what you paid for. We sincerely hope this has helped you, and others, who are interested in this.
Wishing everyone a wonderful Friday, Mikey Lulejian - Stuck & unable to escape @ Hilton head Island, on the Beach.

 

[MikeyL]

AMAZON has the BIG MABLE with FREE shipping included @ $ 222.00
Hope this helps - Mikey Lulejian
http://www.amazon.com/SPORTSSTUFF-5...4681773&sr=8-1&keywords=sportsstuff+big+mable

 

[jdonalds]

I've been looking in to this one, actually. Quick question: What kind of tow rope (and length) are you using? Any special harnesses/connectors/etc you would recommend for this tube? This summer will be my first time towing with a jet boat... aside from the sharp knife on board to cut the rope when I suck it up, any other suggestions?

Thanks!
Nick/WP

I just use a ski rope. It's about 70' long. Longer helps keep the kids out of the jet spray. However I still try to keep them outside the wake as much as possible. Just run the end loop of the rope through the attach point on the tube, it works well. No special harness or connector. It's always good to have a spare Boston valve in case one is dropped overboard.

 

[TechRider]

Selling a only used 3 times Mable 2 rider if anyone is interested. http://www.amazon.com/SPORTSSTUFF-5...&qid=1394725647&sr=8-1&keywords=mable+towable

 

[Geiger41]

Whats the closest thing to the Kite Tube or Manta Ray nowadays?

 

[Glassman]

Whats the closest thing to the Kite Tube or Manta Ray nowadays?

I was going to mention that most of my tubes have been outlawed!! We had one of the first Manta Rays - given to us by the manufacturer to test drive and report back. Here's take off....my wife freaked when it climbed to about 30' with my daughter on board! So she dropped the camera, duh. And we have no pictures, but it was amazing. And yes, she landed safely. That's more than can be said about my ride. I didn't know I could bounce that far on water!

The other great tube we had was the Vortex....I can't find any shots on this computer, but it was designed to spin around - attached at the center on bottom, it had pockets that grabbed the water - three seats back to back in the center facing out. It was pretty funny (to me) when my wife and some friends got on and I took off. She hung on as the others got ejected by the furious spinning...we thought she was laughing, but it turned out she was screaming and holding on for dear life!

Later, when we got back I stumbled over the instructions.....do not exceed 15 mph I think it said. Rut Roh.

She was sick to her stomach for the rest of the day and she will never let me forget that trip!

 

[Rigger]

I was going to mention that most of my tubes have been outlawed!! We had one of the first Manta Rays - given to us by the manufacturer to test drive and report back.View attachment 2159 Here's take off....my wife freaked when it climbed to about 30' with my daughter on board! So she dropped the camera, duh. And we have no pictures, but it was amazing. And yes, she landed safely. That's more than can be said about my ride. I didn't know I could bounce that far on water!

The other great tube we had was the Vortex....I can't find any shots on this computer, but it was designed to spin around - attached at the center on bottom, it had pockets that grabbed the water - three seats back to back in the center facing out. It was pretty funny (to me) when my wife and some friends got on and I took off. She hung on as the others got ejected by the furious spinning...we thought she was laughing, but it turned out she was screaming and holding on for dear life!

Later, when we got back I stumbled over the instructions.....do not exceed 15 mph I think it said. Rut Roh.

She was sick to her stomach for the rest of the day and she will never let me forget that trip!

ROFLMAO!!!

"Stumbled over the instructions" You my friend obviously didn't watch enough Tool Time.