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We, here at Shopping Bug, know first hand how incredible it can be to get out on the water with friends and family for a beautiful day of relaxing in the sun and participating in exciting watersports. Having a blast out on the water is a top priority, of course, but safety comes first. Below we have provided some important safety tips for the convenience of our customers and all members of the boating community. We encourage all boat owners and drivers to adhere, at minimum, to the rules and guidelines below. Follow these guidelines and ensure that your family and friends enjoy a safe and exciting time while on the water!
General Safety Tips
Always read warning indicators on the tube and be certain of all weight, age, speed limits and other safety recommendations or requirements. Drivers need to make sure that all tubers position themselves and hold on correctly for a safe and exciting ride.
Make sure the rope you are using is made specifically for towing inflatable ski tubes and that the rope is in good condition. The engine should be turned off each time swimmers are entering or exiting the boat from the swim platform or ladder.
Always provide a snug fitting United States Coast Guard Approved Life Vest for all tubers riding behind the boat. Children under 6 years of age should wear a life jacket at all times.
Ensure that your vessel is outfitted with all necessary safety equipment such as life jackets, paddles, a marine first aid kit, a fire extinguisher and a working VHF radio.
The driver should also be fully aware of all rules and regulations governing the body of water where the tubing is taking place. Always keep a safe distance from the shore whether towing a tube or not. Drivers should also know where any and all sandbars, reefs, and other obstacles are in relation to their boat and tube at all times. Try to stay at least 50 yards away from other boats and potential hazards.
Maneuvering the Tube
Steer the boat gently from side to side in a zigzag pattern and the natural force created by the turn will whip the tube back and forth across the wakes.
Turning the boat left will force the tube to the right of the boat and vice versa. Take extra caution when completing full turns, as the force of the whip can often double, even triple the tube’s speed compared to the speed of the boat.
Be constantly aware of your oncoming boat traffic. Never begin a zigzag pattern if there is another boat approaching yours. The oncoming boat driver may not see the tube you are pulling and mistake you for a reckless and out-of-control driver with no care for boating safety. Allow the boat to pass before you start turning from side to side.
Operating at a Safe Speed
The driver is ultimately responsible if an injury occurs. So, know your surroundings and watch your speed. A safe towing speed will depend upon several variables. These variables will include regulations for the specific body of water, the age, size, weight and physical ability of the riders and overall water conditions. If you are towing young children, (most tubes are not designed for use by children under six (6) years of age), maintaining a slower speed becomes even more important.
As a general guideline, keep your speed under 15 mph when towing tubers 12 years of age and younger; under 20 mph for younger teenagers (13 to 16); and under 25 mph for older teens and adults.
When driving over boat wakes or in choppy conditions, slow your speed, especially if your tuber is lying stomach-down on the tube. Excessive and abrupt bouncing can cause injury.
Spotter Safety
Each boat should also have a designated “spotter” onboard to alert the driver if riders fall off the tube and keep track of the location of the swimmers in the water. If a tuber does fall, the spotter should hold up a safety flag to let other boaters know that a rider is down in the water.
Spotters should also alert the driver if ever there becomes slack in the tube line. If slack in the line occurs, drivers should slow their speed significantly and immediately to avoid possible injuries to the tuber.
Drivers should confirm with their spotters that the rope is clear and the riders are ready before restarting the boat’s engine and throttling up.
Before the driver begins towing any tubers, check to see that the towrope isn’t wrapped around anyone’s head, hands, arms, legs, etc.
Care should also be taken to prevent the towrope from becoming entangled with the boat’s propeller. In the event this does occur, turn off the engine immediately and take the key out of the ignition before trying to remove the rope from the prop. Always keep a toolbox on board with a knife to cut lines and ropes in the event that they become entangled in the propeller.
***This has been just a brief review of important safety and operation tips for boaters who enjoy the fun and exciting world of tubing. Happy boating! Have fun on the water and BE SAFE!
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