For watersports enthusiasts, a ski tube is perhaps the best marriage of hardcore watersporting and a relaxing dip - an inflatable inner tube with a ski tow harness to be towed behind a boat, requiring no balancing acts and compatible with almost any boat. How so, you ask? Let's take a closer look.
The Makeup
All ski tubes are made of strong PVC, which floats. Some ski tubes have an additional lightweight nylon cover (and most tubers recommend them). Ski tubes, which have handles on each side and a tow line connection, attach to boats via a separate nylon tow rope, which, because of its construction and material, also floats.
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Many types of ski tubes are on the market, and most of their differences are in the weight limit they can sustain and their shapes. Some are round, others are rectangular, and some are oddly shaped - such as multi-rider banana boats.
The Method
Ski tubes are designed to be used in tow of a boat. Simply attach the tube to the boat with a special towing harness, attach the tow rope to the harness, then attach the tow rope to the boat tube. Make sure all your equipment - tube, tow rope, and boat alike - is in proper working condition, and then simply maintain an appropriate speed, wake, and eye for other water traffic. Riders, depending on the type of boat tube used, will either sit in or lie on the ski tube as it's pulled.
