Tow Bar for Inflateables

[LTE]

I have a Hurricane 217 Sundeck that we purchased new with the factory tow bar option. The bar is a typical cantilevered design and is bent after a few seasons to the point of requiring replacement. We primarily tow a two person tube as opposed to skiers and so I see no value in replacing the bar with one of the same design (the dealers agrees and admits this is a common problem when pulling inflatables). Anyone out there have pictures and/or knowledge of a manufacturer of a better tow bar design that might retrofit on our boat?

[espurling]

Ski Pylons are not meant to pull tubers (never mind a double tube). Typically they will bend and then snap. I know people use them for this, but they are not designed for it. Use a harness attached to the transom eyes (not your cleats). Even true ski boats, which have a much, much stronger ski pylon in the center of the boat tell you not to pull tubes with it.

I am surprised your dealer did not tell this to you.

Edited September 16, 2010 by knot now

[LTE]

Ski Pylons are not meant to pull tubers (never mind a double tube). Typically they will bend and then snap. I know people use them for this, but they are not designed for it. Use a harness attached to the transom eyes (not your cleats). Even true ski boats, which have a much, much stronger ski pylon in the center of the boat tell you not to pull tubes with it.

I am surprised your dealer did not tell this to you.

I agree with all of your comments and always felt that the cantilevered design was not adequate for pulling inflatables. The dealer has suggested construction of a custom bracket with added supports as opposed to using a harness attached to the transom eyes as I originally intended. He says that the harness is always in the boat wake and is problematic. No doubt that one could build a tow bracket that would be structurally robust enough and hack up the boat trying to find a suitable location to attach the added supports, but why? Is it that much of a constraint towing off of the transom eyes?

[espurling]

Towing from the transom eyes is a little more of a pain, but really is no big deal. I am sure you dealer could rig something up, but the reality is no mater what he does, it is a ton of stress- you'll be dealing with stress cracks etc. Not for nothing but your dealer sounds like he is either ignorant to the obvious or trying to make a few bucks. Either one would concern me.

[tubtoy]

is the ski hook on the stern acceptable for pulling tubes?

[LTE]

I would recommend that you direct that question to the boat manufacturer (not the dealer) and in your inquiry state if you are pulling a single or multi-passenger tube.

[LTE]

Towing from the transom eyes is a little more of a pain, but really is no big deal. I am sure you dealer could rig something up, but the reality is no mater what he does, it is a ton of stress- you'll be dealing with stress cracks etc. Not for nothing but your dealer sounds like he is either ignorant to the obvious or trying to make a few bucks. Either one would concern me.

Thanks for your feedback.