Overspray while pulling a tube

[Blwalters]

New SX190 owners and we need some advice. While pulling a tube with a 60’ rope, which seems to be the recommended length for tubes, riders are pelted with spray from the wake to the point of not wanting to ride. Is that normal with the jet drives? Advice?

 

[Scottintexas]

It's not for me but others report it,
How fast are you going?

You could make your own little mud flap to help knock it down

 

[Babin Farms]

We added 20’ of rope & it gets them out of the spray

 

[HangOutdoors]

We are at 75' and it has helped tremendously. My 4k rope is 65' plus a 10' added 4k section. Plus I went to Costco and purchased 4 packs of 3 swim goggles each so that if anyone wanted them they can grab a set.

 

[Blwalters]

It's not for me but others report it,
How fast are you going?

You could make your own little mud flap to help knock it down

About 20-21.

 

[Blwalters]

We added 20’ of rope & it gets them out of the spray

Did you just use dock line or actually purchase something pre made?

 

[HangOutdoors]

You are right in the zone. Jut lengthen your rope 10' - 15' but not too much longer than that. It should push them right back out of the spray.

No never use dock line. Use tow line only. Also if you are towing more than 2 I recommend a 4k rope for safety, I only use a 4k rope.

What I did was purchase another 4k line that had an extension on it and used the extension on my longer line.

Also all of my ropes are floating. From tube rope, to waterski rope, and Wake board rope.

 

[HangOutdoors]

This rope has a 50' Section and a 10' Section. Cant find the exact one I have, but you get the idea. Put the 10' on your 60'. Not sure what rope you have but this is a 4k. Same brand I have. Works fantastic and floats.

Amazon.com : Airhead 2-Section Tow Rope | 1-4 Rider Rope for Towable Tubes, One Size (AHTR-42) : Waterskiing Ropes And Handles : Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com : Airhead 2-Section Tow Rope | 1-4 Rider Rope for Towable Tubes, One Size (AHTR-42) : Waterskiing Ropes And Handles : Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.com

Whats also nice is if my 60' breaks or gets frayed, I still have the 50' section to replace it with so the day is not a total loss, till I can get a replacement.

 

[jamesk]

Went to 85' feet with a tow booster ball.
It's much better, not great.
Harder for me to control the tube while driving.
The spray still hits the rope and get in their eyes sometimes.
I have a 50' bungee rope, plus the booster ball (60') but I removed one side of the ropes so it is 50' plus the booster ball plus 30'.
The tow hook is low plus the jet wash, it just makes alot of spray as the rope goes through the jet wash.
Last boat was 19' i/o...50' rope worked great, no spray and I could control the tube much better while driving.
Hangoutdoors, you have all most the same boat as me plus the tower....do you tow from the tow hook or from the tower?

 

[Babin Farms]

Did you just use dock line or actually purchase something pre made?

Used a 20’ tow line

 

[HangOutdoors]

I have the booster ball and hate it. Can't stand it. Was really hoping it was magical, but it was not. It is in the garage and available for cheap if anyone wants it.

@jamesk I stopped at 75', didn't want to go too much farther for safety reasons, too many asshats flying around for me.

 

[Blwalters]

Went to 85' feet with a tow booster ball.
It's much better, not great.
Harder for me to control the tube while driving.
The spray still hits the rope and get in their eyes sometimes.
I have a 50' bungee rope, plus the booster ball (60') but I removed one side of the ropes so it is 50' plus the booster ball plus 30'.
The tow hook is low plus the jet wash, it just makes alot of spray as the rope goes through the jet wash.
Last boat was 19' i/o...50' rope worked great, no spray and I could control the tube much better while driving.
Hangoutdoors, you have all most the same boat as me plus the tower....do you tow from the tow hook or from the tower?

We bought the one without the tower, wouldn’t fit in the garage Bought the tube from my brother in law, he pulled it behind a sea ray. No spray. Wish we had went out with someone that had a jet drive before we bought, definitely a learning curve.

 

[Blwalters]

I have the booster ball and hate it. Can't stand it. Was really hoping it was magical, but it was not. It is in the garage and available for cheap if anyone wants it.

@jamesk I stopped at 75', didn't want to go too much farther for safety reasons, too many asshats flying around for me.

Yeah it’s the same in Ky. Had a jet ski with a father and son(I’m guessing) cut 15’ behind my boat Saturday completely oblivious they were doing anything wrong. Luckily I was not pulling the kids.

 

[HangOutdoors]

@jamesk I tow from both points. The tower gets far less spray but takes more work and is real jerky in a chop with bow going up and down. From the lower tow point more spray but better ride. Hence the lengthening. Just throw some extra feet at it and will be much better. Proper strength tow rope, I would suggest for what you are doing.

 

[Blwalters]

@jamesk I tow from both points. The tower gets far less spray but takes more work and is real jerky in a chop with bow going up and down. From the lower tow point more spray but better ride. Hence the lengthening. Just throw some extra feet at it and will be much better. Proper strength tow rope, I would suggest for what you are doing.

On amazon now!

 

[Ronnie]

If exposing my tube riders to high speed water pellets wasn’t my favorite (but seldom done) move I would use a booster ball like the one pictured.

 

[HangOutdoors]

@Ronnie Does that one work? I have the one below and have had it under inflated, medium inflated and very over inflated and it just gets caught in jet wash wake a lot when towing from low tow point. Messes up the ride.

Amazon.com : SPORTSSTUFF Towable Booster Tube : Waterskiing Towables : Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com : SPORTSSTUFF Towable Booster Tube : Waterskiing Towables : Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.com

 

[Ronnie]

I don’t know if it works or not as I’ve never had or used one. I just assumed it works because of the reviews I’ve read here and on Amazon.

I had a 100’ tow rope once used for waterskiing, it was too long especially for some of the narrower river sloughs I boat in. The long length just made it more likely that I would run over the line.

 

[JohnB]

Was just out with the tube tonight. I found a 60' rope with 2 bugee extensions hooked together worked well. Put the bungees on the boat end or they drag in the water and the knots throw spray at the tubers.

Here's the extensions I'm using:

Amazon.com: WOW World of Watersports Bungee Tow Rope Extension, Stretches up to 5 Feet, 19-5030 : Tools & Home Improvement

Buy WOW World of Watersports Bungee Tow Rope Extension, Stretches up to 5 Feet, 19-5030: Bungee Cords - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[gallobg]

I have had great success using the Thrust Vector Wake on a 2019 AR195. It effectively drops the jet spray to about 10’ in front of the tube at 20mph. I use a 60ft rope attached to the tower and the riders stay pretty dry. Sometimes my kids wear still goggles because they don’t want any water near their eyes, but none of the adults do.

I’ll also point out that the angle of the jet spray is highly affected by the attitude of the boat in the water. You could also try moving people around inside the boat to find what works for you.