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Serial boat owner Drew Maglio picks out 8 of the best boat tubes and towable toys that will add a shot of adrenaline to your days out on the water…

Few watersports are more fun for everyone involved than tubing behind a sportsboat – especially when you launch them skywards off the boat’s wake! Aptly named because they are generally constructed of an inner PVC tube and an outer canvas covering, basic towable inner tubes have been around for decades, but in recent years there […]

This article Best boat tubes and towable toys for boating thrills and spil*s appeared first on Motor Boat & Yachting.

Serial boat owner Drew Maglio picks out 8 of the best boat tubes and towable toys that will add a shot of adrenaline to your days out on the water…

Few watersports are more fun for everyone involved than tubing behind a sportsboat – especially when you launch them skywards off the boat’s wake! Aptly named because they are generally constructed of an inner PVC tube and an outer canvas covering, basic towable inner tubes have been around for decades, but in recent years there has been a proliferation of ever more extreme and entertaining designs and this guide is aimed at easing the paralyzing process of selecting the best boat tubes.

There are many defining features to look for in the best boat tubes, such as double-stitching and reinforcement around high load areas, quick connects for tow ropes, neoprene covered grab handles, scupper drains between the canvas and inflatable PVC tube, and the ability to inflate/deflate quickly.

Whichever model you go for, be sure to read the safety warnings, consider if you need to add any boat tube accessories, and take care when towing – the pendulum effect of a long tow rope means that during turns the tube will end up travelling much faster than the boat.

8 of the best boat tubes and towables

O’Brien LeTube

Best boat tube for beginners

Specs

Weight limit: 1 rider, Tow points: 1, Handles: 4

Reasons to buy

• Inexpensive

• Suitable for beginners

• Renowned durability/longevity

• Quick connect tow system

• Quick inflation/deflation system

Reasons to avoid

• Only designed for one rider

• More advanced riders will find this tube limited fun

The O’Brien LeTube is a basic inner tube that has been around for decades. Suitable for one person, the LeTube is inexpensive with a small footprint and is therefore a suitable entry-level boat tube option.

With its donut configuration, the LeTube is also suitable for boaters with small children, as riding inside the tube feels safer and more co*fortable for novice riders who tend to be a bit apprehensive about falling off when bumping over the edge of a wake.

Note: We may earn a co*mission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

O’Brien Screamer

Best boat tube for thriller seekers

Specs

Weight limit: 1 rider, Tow points: 1, Handles: 4

Reasons to buy

• Affordable

• High-performance tube suitable for thrill-seekers

• Padded grips

• Quick connect tow system

• Quick inflation/deflation system

Reasons to avoid

• Only suitable for a single rider

• Lacks versatility: designed for skillful riders

• Some QC issues reported

While still only suitable for single riders, the O’Brien Screamer — as its name would suggest — is a boat tube designed for more advanced, thrill-seeking riders.

Unlike the LeTube, the Screamer is specifically designed for riders who want to be whipped and bounced across a boat’s wake.

The flat top means riders can more co*fortably lay on their belly, not only to brace for impact, but also to better control the tube by shifting their weight back and forth and side to side.

O’Brien Super Screamer

Best boat tube for overall performance

Specs

Weight limit: 2 riders, Tow points: 1, Handles: 6, Package dimensions: ‎19 x 15.65 x 4.75 inches

Reasons to buy

• Best bang for the buck for a performance-oriented tube

• Padded grips

• Quick connect tow system

• Quick inflation/deflation system

• Able to carry two riders

Reasons to avoid

• Some QC issues reported

Much like the Screamer, but suitable for two riders instead of just one, the Super Screamer by O’Brien is a very versatile choice for boaters needing to tow a crew of more experienced and adventurous riders.

For a negligible price difference, I believe the Super Screamer to be a much better option as it will still be sporty enough for daring single riders.

Airhead Slice

Best all-round boat tube

Specs

Weight limit: 2 riders, Tow points: 1, Handles: 4, Package dimensions: ‎19 x 15.65 x 4.75 inches

Reasons to buy

• Great value

• co*es in different configurations and colors

• Padded grips

• Quick connect tow system

• Quick inflation/deflation system

Reasons to avoid

• Questionable reliability according to adverse reports from some users

• Not a high-performance tube, so may underwhelm some experienced riders

Airhead’s version of a mid-level, all-purpose boat tube, the Slice is a versatile option that co*es in various sizes to acco*modate up to four simultaneous riders.

co*pared to O’Brien boat tubes, Airhead offerings tend to be slightly less reliable, but typically offer more initial bang for your buck, as well as more options and variations to choose from.

The Slice is no exception, co*ing in marginally cheaper than the Super Screamer while offering the ability to carry an additional rider in its base configuration.

Airhead G-Force

Best boat tube for for versatility/value

Specs

Weight limit: 340lbs, Tow points: 1, Handles: 4, Deflated dimensions: 64 x 60 inches

Reasons to buy

• Great value

• co*es in different configurations and colors

• Padded grips

• Quick connect tow system

• Quick inflation/deflation system

• Integral bolsters help stabilize riders

Reasons to avoid

• Questionable reliability according to adverse reports from some users

One step up on Airhead’s performance spectrum from the Slice is the G-Force. Unlike the O’Brien Super Screamer , the G-Force co*es in various sizes to acco*modate the needs of different boaters.

Therefore, I would argue that the G-Force is just about the most versatile, performance-oriented boat tube on the market.

An additional differentiating feature on the G-Force is its integral bolsters, which help riders to stabilize themselves by restricting some lateral movement.

The Super Mable impressed on test

Airhead Super Mable

Best boat tube for big groups

Specs

Weight limit: 510lbs, Tow points: 2, Handles: 16, Deflated dimensions: 79 x 78 inches

Reasons to buy

• Able to seat up to three riders

• Suitable for novice riders

• Affordable for such a large towable

• Padded grips

• Quick connect tow system

• Features an integral back rest

Reasons to avoid

• Takes up a lot of space on the boat once inflated

• Will tend to bounce with only one lightweight rider

• Needs a fairly powerful boat to get three people planing

The Airhead Super Mable is a good option for boat owners looking to tow young children or other apprehensive riders as well as more advanced tubers.

With the ability to carry up to three riders at once, the Super Mable is a good option for weekend party boats that are typically laden with several passengers.

While not as extreme as smaller, sportier variants, with a suitably experienced boat driver at the helm it can still deliver a surprisingly wild ride.

MBY editor Hugo Andreae is a big fan of this particular boat tube, writing in his review: “Unlike some tubes that seemed to rely on fear rather than fun to deliver their kicks, the Super Mable scored on all counts.

“You can tow it using the kicked up section as a back-rest or turn it around, attach the tow rope to the other side and use it as a foil to hide behind. This gave it much more versatility for riders of all ages, sizes and ability.

Airhead Jumbo Dog Rider

Best hot dog boat tube

Specs

Weight limit: 5 riders, Tow points: 1, Handles: 5, Deflated dimensions: 150 x 44 inches

Reasons to buy

• Able to seat up to five riders

• Suitable for novice riders

• Affordable for such a large towable

• Padded grips

• Quick connect tow system

Reasons to avoid

• Not suitable for high-speed tubing

• Experienced riders may find this tube boring

For those looking to tow up to 5 riders at a more leisurely pace, the Jumbo Dog Rider from Airhead is a prime option and an affordable alternative to the ubiquitous banana boat tube with its fun hot dog aesthetic.

Unlike the other boat tubes on this list, the Jumbo Dog Rider is only designed for towing at moderate speeds rather than more extreme wake riding antics.

In most cases, long, slender tubes like the Rider are typically used in coastal areas with moderate surf — many times even straight off the beach.

The ride isn’t as exhilarating as it is with faster boat tubes but the pitching and rolling through gentle coastal swells is fun, especially its enough to unseat one or more of the riders.

Sportsstuff Booster Ball

Best boat tube accessory

Reasons to buy

• Raises the tow rope out of the water, preventing annoying spray and whipping effects

• Reduces sudden jolting motion when tow boat accelerates

• Will smooth out ride, but also allow for more rider/driver control

Reasons to avoid

• An additional expense

• An additional failure point

• Makes setting up and breaking down take longer

While not a tube, the Sportsstuff Booster Ball can and should be paired with any of the best boat tubes on this list to enhance tubing performance.

One of my major annoyances while tubing over the years is when the tow rope drags in the water, causing water to spray into your eyes.

Additionally, a lagging tow rope can create a sudden whipping effect, which can cause less experienced riders to capsize if they’re not expecting it.

Designed to stop this happening, the Booster Ball works by raising the tow rope above the water’s surface.

Our crash test victims

Top tips for enjoying boat tubes safely

Fun as these toys undoubtedly are, it is extremely important that you take great care when using them. You only have to look at the number of disclaimers and warnings plastered all over them to get a sense of how badly things can go wrong. It is also worth noting that a lot of insurance firms will happily cover waterskiing but won’t touch ringos, donuts and other boat tubes. Check with your insurance provider to see where you stand.

Boat tubing equipment

As well as the toy, you will need to invest in some proper accessories. Ordinary lifejackets are out of the question and even most buoyancy aids won’t stand up to the kind of battering they are likely to get. Your best bet is a decent waterskiing jacket that provides both additional buoyancy and some level of impact protection. In British waters a summer wetsuit will also reduce water-slap, chafing and of course unwanted jets of water penetrating swimming trunks, bikinis and the like.

You will also need a proper tow-rope designed for pulling inflatables and rated for the same number of people as the toy. Unlike ordinary ropes they are woven to allow stretch and prevent sudden snatches – 50-60ft (15-18m) is the norm but you may want more on a big boat.

Driving the tow boat

Unlike waterskiing, in which the skier has some control over their direction, speed and stability, the rider of a boat tube is co*pletely at the mercy of the boat driver. They don’t even have the option of letting go of the tow rope, so it’s extremely important that you know what effect your driving is having and learn to adapt it.

Most manufacturers reco*mend you keep your speed below 20 knots but even this can be deceptive. Put the boat into a tight turn and the inflatable will accelerate out of the wake carving a much wider arc than the boat and reaching speeds well in excess of the boat.

This may be part of the fun but don’t assume that everybody will enjoy this treatment. Take things gently at first, stop to see how they are enjoying it. Above all make sure you agree some simple hand signals so that the rider can co*municate with the driver. You won’t hear the screams above the engine noise and the last thing most riders want to do is let go of their grab handles for any longer than necessary.

You must also have a lookout to let you know what’s going on behind so that you can concentrate on the view ahead. And whatever you do make sure you keep your engines in neutral or better still switched off entirely when picking people up from the water.

Didn’t find what you’re looking for? Head to Amazon’s dedicated boating page for more marine products.

This article Best boat tubes and towable toys for boating thrills and spil*s appeared first on Motor Boat & Yachting.