Types of Ski Tubes

Deciding to invest in a ski tube might be easy - and certainly relatively easy on the pocketbook - but deciding what kind is best for you and your needs could get tricky when faced with the array on the market. Here, we'll take a look at some of the major types of ski tubes and their primary users. Single Person Ski Tubes As stated in the name, a single-rider towable tube is designed for a solo tuber. These affordable water tubes are generally lighter and able to perform well for the rider who wants to be able to conduct difficult maneuvers and tricks. Single-rider ski tubes use a standard tow rope and harness. Multi-Person Ski Tubes While bigger, heavier, and slower than single-rider ski tubes, multi-rider ski tubes can accommodate two to six riders, depending on the design, and are ideal for groups who want to tube leisurely. Be sure to outfit a multi-rider boat tube with a heavy-duty tow rope and tow harness.

Standard Ski Tubes
The standard towable tube design is doughnut-shaped, and may have a "floor" at the bottom of the center hole. Riders can sit in the hole or on the side, which will have two handles.

Deck Ski Tubes
Unlike standard boating tubes, deck tubes are, as they sound, flat. They are shaped like a pancake rather than a doughnut. Riders can lie along the top, getting closer to the water than in a standard water ski tube.

Riding and Specialty Ski Tubes
A number of specialty-shaped boat tubes exist, many for multiple riders. Riding tubes echo small boats or canoes, and shaped tubes can resemble other watersport equipment, such as a jet ski or boat, or something crazier - a hot dog, for example.

Concept tubes These are specialty tubes such as stand-up chariots, inflatable knee boards, ride-on-top jet skis, hydrofoil boats, and multi-rider "hot dog" or "banana boat."

Banana boats A multi-rider ski tube, the "banana boat," or "hot dog," is a long, narrow inflatable (hence its name) that can fit anywhere from two to 12 riders at one time. Like most multi-rider ski tubes, it is slower and can be more expensive than a single-rider ski tube.