Are towable tubes safe?
Only tow a tube if the boat has a qualified driver and capable observer. Tow in control; ‘getting air’ is fine, but overdoing it, especially on multi-person models, can slam riders’ bodies into each other or objects and cause severe injuries. In any event, with 115 horsepower and proper pontoon set up, you can expect comfortable tubing speeds with a crew in the boat… a pretty nimble pontoon boat!In general, for someone to waterski or wakeboard, the boat needs to be moving at least 20 miles per hour, usually closer to 26 or 27. Tubing doesn’t require quite as much speed, and you can start to have fun at around 15 miles per hour. A pontoon boat with a 70 horsepower engine is plenty for tubing.The motors used to power tubes need to be able to provide about one horsepower for every 40 pounds of weight. The boat should be able to reach a speed of about 20mph in order to tow a tube.
How fast should you pull a tube behind a boat?
If you’re new to tubing, the general recommendations are to keep speeds between 15-25 mph. But as you continue to enjoy this amazing watersport you will dial in a preferred and safe range that will provide the perfect amount of excitement without being too wild. Tubing doesn’t require quite as much speed, and you can start to have fun at around 15 miles per hour. A pontoon boat with a 70 horsepower engine is plenty for tubing. At that level, you might be able to get up on skis too, but 90 HP will serve you much better.As you can see from this breakdown, the optimal speed for most watersports is only 22 mph (36 kilometers). Just about ANY pontoon boat with a 90-hp motor can do this as long as it isn’t loaded down with people.Horsepower and Speed Tubing doesn’t require quite as much speed, and you can start to have fun at around 15 miles per hour. A pontoon boat with a 70 horsepower engine is plenty for tubing. At that level, you might be able to get up on skis too, but 90 HP will serve you much better.But if your pontoon is 16 feet long and has a 115 hp motor and it’s loaded with passengers, the tube ride will be slow and leisurely. As a general rule, you can pull a tube behind a pontoon as long as it has enough horsepower relative to the weight it is hauling.
What is the best speed to pull a tube?
For 1- to 2-person tubes, a speed of 20 to 25 MPH is recommended. This is generally the safe limit for most towed tubes — speeds higher than this can place stress on the tube’s attachment anchor. For adults and larger tubes, 30 to 35 MPH may be safe. General Tubing Speed Guidelines If you’re new to tubing, the general recommendations are to keep speeds between 15-25 mph.