Best Towable Tubes for Boating

Story by Ray Clancy Sep. 07, 2018

When it comes to family fun on the water, you can’t beat towable tubes for boating. To help get you started, we’ve put together a list of our favorite towables.

You can add some fun and action to a day out on the with a wide range of towable tubes that now come in all kinds of shapes and sizes.

As with any kind of activity on the water, safety and durability are important when it comes to towable tubes for boating, but that does not mean that you need to sacrifice fun or style.

It is worth checking the quality of the material of whatever towable tubes you are considering with advice from experts suggesting that you need to look for heavy duty nylon covers and heavy gauge PVC for the main part of the variety of towable tubes that are currently available.

Size is also important with towable tubes coming in all kinds from a one-person tube to models that can carry four or more people.

Safety is vital and, as with many marine products, towable tubes for boating come in all kinds of prices, with a range for most budgets. You also need to take into account the price and quality of ropes and accessories.

No matter what type of day you like on the water, towable tubes add family fun and adventure and new designs, new materials, and new features have allowed tubing to expand to a hi-tech, thrilling experience.

There is now a lot of technology being put into towable tubes which make them safer and more durable. When it comes to the material used, the higher the denier, the stronger it will be. The strength varies from 420 denier for less expensive tubes, particularly those for a single rider, to 840 denier for larger models.

Those buying a towable tube for boating are advised to make sure they are familiar with basic safety issues such as using a safe area for towing, keeping a minimum 100 feet of unobstructed water on each side of the boat and at least 3,000 feet in front of the boat. Experts recommend that speeds should not exceed 15mph for children and 20mph for adults.

The top mistake owners make, according to most manufacturers, is not filling it up with enough air. When properly inflated it should feel firm to the touch, not soft or squishy. The nylon outer cover should be free of wrinkles and should fit like a second skin. Under inflation not only affects performance and longevity, but it also is a safety issue, because if the cover doesn’t fit the tube tightly, riders could become entangled

O’Brien Super Screamer

At the smaller end of the towable tubes market is the 70-inch O’Brien Super Screamer Inflatable Tow Tube suitable for one or two people. It comes with a quick connect tow hook and is made from 26 gauge PVC with 420 denier nylon for durability.

This model comes with six handles, which all have knuckle guards. It also features pull up straps to make boarding easier. It has just the one chamber for quick inflation and deflation.

The Super Screamer is described as being a basic model, but reviews suggests it is a popular all-round towable tube for boating and provides great fun without breaking the bank.

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SportsStuff Poparazzi

An integral arch gives the SportsStuff Poparazzi towable tube a cool look and the opportunity for fun whether you want to lie, sit, kneel or stand. It has a 72- by 68-inch base and is designed not just to look cool, but also to provide safety and fun.

This model of towable tubes has room for three people below the arch or two standing behind it, or a mix, making it versatile but not too large. It comes with padded grab handles which have neoprene knuckle guards in all forward positions. There are extra webbed straps inside the arch for those who want to apply a little added leverage.

It is the rockered bottom and weight shifts from a standing passenger that gives this towable tube its maneuverability. By changing the weight, passengers can carve in and out of the wake from the boat. It also has a simple two part, plug-style valve which means it can be inflated by a Shop-Vac or a designated towable tube inflator.

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SportsStuff Great Big Mable

If you are looking for a versatile towable tube for boating, then the SportsStuff Great Big Mable 4-Person Towable Tube can be ridden in multiple ways. It has two different tow points, so you can switch things up for two unique riding experiences.

Clearly this is a towable not meant to be towed behind your tiny outboard aluminum fishing boat. This is a massive towable tube and is designed to last with a heavy duty nylon cover, comfortable back rest, and fully covered K80 PVC bladder.

Other features on this premium towable include speed safety valve for rapid inflation/deflation, EVA foam seating pads, air cushioned side walls, self-baling drain vents, and much more.

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Airhead Hot Dog

For a different kind of experience, and a different shape, the Airhead Hot Dog 3-Person Towable Tube is marketed as being an incredible ride for the whole crew with its width of 44 inches and 8.5 feet in length. It has nylon-wrapped handles with neoprene knuckle guards and three seat pads for comfort. This tube has a heavy duty Kwik-Connect hook up system and it is covered with 840-denier nylon.

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Big Sky Thunder Blast

Thrilling water activities for two people can be had with the Big Sky Thunder Blast Seated Towable, which can comfortably fit up to three people with a maximum capacity of 340 pounds and is described as being tear resistant thanks to durable PVC, neoprene, and nylon.

This towable features six double-webbed foam handles with neoprene backing for knuckle protection, neoprene padded seats, and padded backrest. And if you happen to live in colder climates, the Big Sky Thunder Blast is durable enough to be towed by ATVs and snowmobiles.

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