Scarab 165 HOI tower warning label

[R502]

The label on the horizontal bar on the tower warns against towing inflatable towables amongst other obvious items (parasails, kites, other boats).
Seems odd that a tow tower couldn't handle a modest inflatable. Anyone notice this and tow them anyway? I'll have to admit I have and had nothing like stress cracks, bending etc. Anyone out there have any feedback on this?

 

[Micah Thompson]

I had the same warning on my 2005 Malibu Wakesetter tower, and I pulled inflatables all summer long for 10 years, and never a single problem. Not huge 6-person tubes, but normal 1-2 person toys.

There are other things to consider besides just strength of the tower. Since the tow point is so high I've actually heard of boats being pulled over to the side when a tube submarines, although I've never even come close to that happening, nor seen it happening.

Warning or not, I'll keep doing it and using my best judgment along the way. It works very well, and you get a ton of air time with the tow point so high. Plus it's much easier keeping the rope out from under the boat.

 

[ScarabMike]

Its not about hndling the load of an inflatable, its about the inflatable being prone to go airborne. They recommend towing inflatables using the lower tow hook below the rear seats.

 

[R502]

Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated. Safety first for riders towing no matter what tow point I use. The tower is much more fun for riders and easier to handle for the driver. Good to know it is not a load issue which I was concerned for.

 

[BobJohnson]

do some more searching here and around, because I believe it is a load issue. I don't have a tower, but know when our 2 person tube submarines the front of itself, I can feel the pull on the boat. That pull on a tower could crack or break something. Towers are, from what I understand, designed for pulling a rider who when falls, the only thing left hanging is the rope (skier, wakeboard, knee board...). Again, I don't have a tower, so not I am not a expert. But I do obsess about boating and read alot of the fine posts here. I will look. I believe there was a long post on this very subject last year that could give you some more insight.

 

[BobJohnson]

https://jetboaters.net/threads/do-you-tow-tubes-from-your-tower-or-lower-tow-hook.9290/

here is one. wow... I searched "tubing from tower" here and there are many posts about it. read this one. then do the search and you will find alot more info on the subject. Good luck.

 

[R502]

Thanks for the feedback Bob, never enough info to consider where safety is concerned

 

[Sbb808]

I had the same warning on my 2005 Malibu Wakesetter tower, and I pulled inflatables all summer long for 10 years, and never a single problem. Not huge 6-person tubes, but normal 1-2 person toys.

There are other things to consider besides just strength of the tower. Since the tow point is so high I've actually heard of boats being pulled over to the side when a tube submarines, although I've never even come close to that happening, nor seen it happening.

Warning or not, I'll keep doing it and using my best judgment along the way. It works very well, and you get a ton of air time with the tow point so high. Plus it's much easier keeping the rope out from under the boat.

I personally experienced it and it was really scary. Never felt anything like that while boating. I was told it was ok to tow tubes. I went back to dealer and let them know they need to get their facts straight before they get someone killed

 

[Beachbummer]

I wonder if you can rig something known to give at a certain load? say it pulls over 400 Lbs...snap, the 6 tie wraps/250 lb fishing line broke and all is well. Just a thought... something like a fuse for towing.