Sportsstuff Booster Ball

[OnTheWater]

Anybody on the forum have experience with one of these? I have a Poparazzi tube and the front sinks on the kids sometimes and I am thinking this may help.

Thanks!
Tim

 

[jawsf16]

Tim,

At the risk of starting yet another debate, I find that towing tubes from the tower keeps the front from nose diving. I also don't get too rowdy with transverse Gs around corners either. I know several guys use them and say they work great, but it looks like a bit of a hassle to me.

 

[txav8r]

They do work, but one addition thing to air up and deflate. And then manage during the day. It keeps the rope out of the water fairly well, but I am sure that the tower does a much better job of that, if you don't overload the tower or over stress it.

 

[GTBRMC]

We have one, works great. Great solution for the tower-free crowd.

 

[OnTheWater]

Thanks for the replies! The reviews look pretty good on it and it seems like it may even cut down on spray. I think I'll look for a good deal and try it.

Mel - I agree with you on the one more thing to manage. 6 kids from 1.5 to 16, wife, huge tube, and a blow up ball...gets crazy!

 

[robbo3]

I have one and it works well, but I only use it when towing the super Mable. Anything smaller than a three person tube, gets towed from the tower and it's not a problem.

 

[MikeyL]

They do work, but one addition thing to air up and deflate. And then manage during the day. It keeps the rope out of the water fairly well, but I am sure that the tower does a much better job of that, if you don't overload the tower or over stress it.

I own one. Pre-Yamaha, I got "roped" (I know ... It's a bad pun .... LOL !) into buying one. I was using it originally when towing a Big Mable with 1 of my fast, and reliable, and FUN SeaDoo's.
At first, it "appears" to do a good job. But then it's EXACTLY like Mel talked about, above.
It's 1 MORE thing to inflate, and be responsible for. Also, it "eats up" a fair amount of room on-board if you're using it, along with an inflatable like a Big Mable, and away from your home base on the water.
The Yamaha tower tow point does a MORE THAN ADEQUATE job.
The one thing the Booster Ball DOES DO well is to help eliminate the rope "spray" when towing from a LOW hook-up point (such as the back of a PWC/jet ski).
The BOOSTER BALL is a lot LARGER IN PERSON once inflated than it appears.
My vote: Try and be satisfied WITHOUT it.
Or ............ Just buy mine.
I sincerely hope this helps you decide. Mikey Lulejian - Lake Oconee, GA

 

[OnTheWater]

Thanks Mikey!

 

[PEARCE]

We have one and it works well for us. We have a steerable tube so it's really a necessary thing. If I had a tower I wouldn't bother to have one. It does do a good job of doing what it's designed to do and that's keeping the rope out of the wake. We don't tube every time we go boating so it's not a big deal for us.

 

[OnTheWater]

I went with the Hydroslide booster ball. Reviews all looked good and 60% of the cost of the Sportsstuff. It doesn't have the vinyl wrap on it, but that didn't come up as a concern in reviews. I figure if we like it and it doesn't last, then we can either get another one or try the SS model.

 

[Julian]

I have one sitting in its box in the garage....want to try it out with our Bandwagon 2+2 monster tube to see if it helps me swing it out over the wake. Right now with an adult on that tube I have to hit 21.5 mph to get it swinging wake to wake. With the booster ball it might be easier....

 

[TechRider]

I have a brand new one for sale if anyone wants one

 

[Julian]

Used mine over the weekend....did make it easier on an SX to swing the tube side to side.....but not sure its worth the hassle.

 

[farrelltravis]

I have been considering getting one of these too. It appears that they work as intended pretty well. If I did have a tower, I too, would tow a tube from the tower.

 

[MOA_Chaser]

I also tow from the tower with no ill effects, so I don't plan on buying a booster ball.

 

[farrelltravis]

I wish I had the option to tow from the tower!

 

[farrelltravis]

Does the booster ball attach to the current tow rope without modification of the original tow rope? Or, do you have to have a rope from the boat to the booster ball, and then a second rope to the tube?

 

[txav8r]

The booster ball is the tow rope. The ball is mounted between two sections of heavy duty tube weight rope.

 

[farrelltravis]

What???? So how the heck would I still use my fancy dancy Yamaha blue tow rope....!! Dang!

Hmmm, not so interested now...

 

[MikeyL]

Used mine over the weekend....did make it easier on an SX to swing the tube side to side.....but not sure its worth the hassle.

Julian: This was our experience and feelings also, EXACTLY.

"Not sure it's worth the hastle" ........... excellent SUMMARY.

Take the savings you get from NOT purchasing this and start a savings program for an IBR Killer SeaDoo JetSki ! LOL !

Y'all enjoy a really GREAT week ! Mikey Lulejian - Lake Oconee, GA