What three person tube do you recommend?

[Wayloncle]

Who else used one of these back in the day? I was pretty young when we upgraded to a tube with handles.

I have no idea who the girl is, stole the photo from an image search.

 

[GTBRMC]

Anyone ever try one of these?

http://www.amazon.com/SportsStuff-5...qid=1432002916&sr=8-1&keywords=paparazzi+tube

 

[Evildwarf]

Big Mable has a high back and sides so the more timid spirits in the family feel safer because they are sitting "inside" something while enjoying a stable ride.

Turn the tube backwards and stand or kneel for a challenging ride.

Either the costco tube or the Mable will be fun, so perhaps this is an easy decision in the end.

 

[rkluck]

Depending on age and what your kids want to do can drive your choices of water toys. We went from the previously mentioned 3 person down to two one person tubes (and a hot dog tube). The kids are older and love to bounce/crash into each other. This also eliminates the really big floatable I have to haul around. Last year we would go back to the dock and put up the floatables when we were ready to ski and wakeboard because they took up so much room. I didn't have that option previously and it was a bit of a pain. But we always had a good time and that is what counts!

 

[Yamatuf]

My kids love the super mable - 3 person. 4 person is too big. Back rest and handles for comfort

 

[Bruce]

I think we may end up with an Airhead Viper 3



My kids are still young at 5 and 8 and enjoy the comfort of being down inside the tube.

 

[Ronnie]

Anyone ever try one of these?

http://www.amazon.com/SportsStuff-53-1750-SPORTSSTUFF-Poparazzi-Towable/dp/B002YAX20O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1432002916&sr=8-1&keywords=paparazzi tube

I bought one for $400+ when they first came out. Riders loved it, I hated towing it. It rolled over easily but the riders would often hang on while dragging in the water or just when they were on top of each other causing it to act like a rudder of sorts. The "wing/arch" is inflated but not supported so it collapsed under any weight. Sold it a year later at a 50% loss and was happy to be rid of it.

 

[cozilla]

This is the one my local costco was pushing this year. 3 person, down from 4 the past few years. Came with a tow rope and electric pump. $220.

Great deal since you can almost return or exchange it indefinitely. I exchanged a few years after I bought them for full store credit.

After years of tubing with all kinds of styles, sitting is the way to imho.

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@Ronnie that is the same one we have at our Costco. Tempted to go get it for the weekend. Seems like a good deal and with the return policy seems like a no brainer.

 

[Helipilot11]

We bought the Airhead 3G Force and love it. Perfect for older riders since it requires strength to stay on.


http://www.amazon.com/AIRHEAD-AHGF-...rds=AIRHEAD+AHGF-3+G-Force+Inflatable+Towable

 

[Ronnie]

@Ronnie that is the same one we have at our Costco. Tempted to go get it for the weekend. Seems like a good deal and with the return policy seems like a no brainer.

I see them every april but around here they are gone before may. This year was no exception. They must have had 20 when I first saw them, now none.

 

[Scuba_ref]

I think we may end up with an Airhead Viper 3

View attachment 22154

My kids are still young at 5 and 8 and enjoy the comfort of being down inside the tube.

@Bruce The Airhead Viper 2 was the first tube we owned. It was okay. There is nothing between you and the water except the nylon when you sit down in the tube. Our kids much prefer sitting up on the tube - a more comfortable ride. The Airhead didn't last long before seams started to give out. We patched it for a while and eventually gave up. We now own a Mable and the tube from Costco. The Mable seems indestructible and we have had young timid kids feel safe on it. We own the Mable because the Costco tube in each of the past two years has popped and it is usually after the Costco inventory has been depleted. So, we take it back and wait until next year to get a new one and ride the Mable in the mean while.

Apparently we are hard on tubes. Must have something to do with the acrobatics being performed by riders being ejected. I'm pretty sure it isn't the driver's fault!

 

[buckbuck]

 

[Englewoodcowboy]

I ordered a Super Mable yesterday on Amazon. It is due in tomorrow. I picked it because it can tow forward or backwards and offers more versatility. I also like the reviews of it, sturdy, can be used as a floating couch in a cove etc.

 

[sysinu]

Super Mable and the HO 3g, it's 6's . Sounds like you made the right choice. Just for reference, the 3g can be towed like a chariot as well, but no one ever does because it likes to submarine that way.

 

[Belleville_Boater]

How well do the 3-person tubes handle if just one person is riding? I was told yesterday that most are horrible with just one rider. Anyone have experience with this??

 

[0627Devildog]

This is the one my local costco was pushing this year. 3 person, down from 4 the past few years. Came with a tow rope and electric pump. $220.

Great deal since you can almost return or exchange it indefinitely. I exchanged a few years after I bought them for full store credit.

After years of tubing with all kinds of styles, sitting is the way to imho.

View attachment 22141 View attachment 22142

I have the 4 person version of this one. . . . . . . KILLER tube. Lots of fun and VERY stable

 

[Englewoodcowboy]

My SM handles fine with one person but it is a lot more fun with 2 or more for the rider.

 

[Yamatuf]

I would say if its a 3seater -perfect,sit in middle A 2seater you may be sitting on the handles or off balance the tube sitting to one side. Some may call that FUN!!

 

[cozilla]

I purchased the HO Delta 3 from Costco on Saturday and used it on Sunday. It was a hit. Everyone loved it. Another vote for the HO Delta 3. Only disappointment was that it didnt have a rear connection to be pulled backwards.

 

[mark_m]

I ordered a Super Mable yesterday on Amazon. It is due in tomorrow. I picked it because it can tow forward or backwards and offers more versatility. I also like the reviews of it, sturdy, can be used as a floating couch in a cove etc.

Just picked up super mable myself it is a lot of fun, kids love it. Parents used it as a couch, tied it off and bribed kids to swim us cans. Love the sidewall, like a comfy couch!