Pulling tubes

[Jeff W]

Say I have 6 people in the boat - can I pull from the rear hook or must I tow from the ski pylon?

I've heard conflicting reports. Growing up, I've always just pulled from the rear ski hook. But I've hard that it is not designed for the drag of a tuber.

Where do you pull from (for those without towers) and why? If you pull from the pylon - how do you keep from rear passengers getting chewed up when the rope swings way out.

Thanks!

[kaneboats]

I've used the rear hook often for pulling tubers when the boat's full. I thought that was what it was there for.

[Jeff W]

I've used the rear hook often for pulling tubers when the boat's full. I thought that was what it was there for.

I did too but heard a lot of conflicting information on wakeboarding forums.

[jester]

I would pull from the rear hook. less chance for someone in the boat to get injured.

[deerfield]

Jeff - The lower pull point of the rear hook lets the tow line drop in the water, spraying water in the face of your tubers. My kids noticed it right away. Therefore, the tow pylon is the better pull point. Unless they are little kids, avoid using the wakeboard tower to pull tubers. - Deerfield

[BensonWdby]

We usually pull from pylon - and obviously - anytime you have a rope on the pylon, you never have back row passengers. We use open bow for additional riders.

I can't imagine the rear center hook being a problem. But if you are really concerned, use one of the stern eyes. They are designed for lifting the boat (along with the bow eye) - I think...

And don't pull from the tower...

[sandm]

explain pulling from the tower being an issue?
never done it, always use the ski pylon as we have a vdrive, but what's the issue?

[zabooda]

I've used the tower for the last seven years and no problem and it keeps the rope out of the water. Some wakeboarding stuff puts more strain on the tower than pulling tubes.

[Razzman]

Pulling tubes from the rear hook does two things as mentioned, drops the rope and sprays the riders and puts undue load on that hook/handle assembly. I've actually seen a few tweak and distort. The rear hook is a ski leftover, some prefer it. IF you must pull that low then get a tow harness, it spreads the load.

Pulling from the tower voids your warrenty flat out, it puts undue side loads on the tower and causes excess flexing as well as gel cracks and in a few cases cracked towers. My dealer stated flat out they can tell when it's been done and won't warrenty. My brother-in-law used to do it until he cracked a weld. Tubes cause more drag than a boarder does.

[jester]

A tube causes alot of drag when pulling. If you pull from the tower this drag could cause a lot of stress on the tower. If you have ever pulled tubers and one falls off then on the return to pick them up the tube goes under water and the boat starts to drag think about the strain it is causing on the boat. That strain would be moved to the tower if you pulled from the tower.

On the other note a person can get a lot of air if you connect them to the tower. I would never do this on my boat but i have some friends that do it on theirs.