How to carry a large tube 66 x 60

dmctruby

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I am looking at a 3 person towable tube. It measures 66 x 60 (product is called the big bubba). Any suggestions on how to carry this on the boat. I can tow it in the water once out on the main lake but at some point I know I'll need to carry it onboard. Strapping it on the back I am concerned about rear visibility and keeping it secure at speed. Any pictures of large tubes being carried. I have a 2250 RCW
 
I am looking at a 3 person towable tube. It measures 66 x 60 (product is called the big bubba). Any suggestions on how to carry this on the boat. I can tow it in the water once out on the main lake but at some point I know I'll need to carry it onboard. Strapping it on the back I am concerned about rear visibility and keeping it secure at speed. Any pictures of large tubes being carried. I have a 2250 RCW
I always inflate when ready to use, I keep one of these on board

http://www.amazon.com/OBrien-1800979-12-Volt-Inflator/dp/B0017W3Z5C

Ron
 
Lay it on the loungers and strap it down. You can't see over the boat on the trailer in most vehichles. That is where we put our Big Mable. It worked for us. good luck
 
Thank you for the replies. For clarity, the boat is in the water in a slip. No trailer issues.. I don't want to strap in down inside the boat (on the seats) as some times I'll have a full people load and can't lay it over seats. I presume that suggestion was for when I trailer the boat.

I was trying to avoid deflate and inflate, but that seems to make the best sense. I have a far bit of room on the stern deck but the bubba is like the big mable and it's quite bulky so unless someone has a great strap down solution I think I am leaning towards the "inflate when you need it advice"
 
The big problem is tubes tend to submarine when towed empty. This can put a tremendous amount of strain on your attachment points.
 
The big problem is tubes tend to submarine when towed empty. This can put a tremendous amount of strain on your attachment points.
Right on, Boomer. Empty tubes tend to drag under wakes and waves, causing the boat to immediately slow down. This also puts too much weight/strain on the pylon or ski tow bar. If this happens accidently, immediately pull off the throttle.
 
Thanks again for the sound advice. I purchased a good quality pump to use on the boat and will fill and deflate as needed. I may make an attempt at bringing it onboard somehow. I stated the measurements wrong, it actually measure 79 X 70 " ...so it's quite large. I may end exchanging it for a normal round 3 person tube which would be alot easier to deal with.
 
We have done quite a bit of tubing over the years and it is much safer to inflate when you are ready to tube. With the boston valves on most of the new tubes, they inflate quickly. I have heard of a person with an inflated tube on the boat that dislodged with the tow rope wrapped around a teens leg. Was not a good ending. Things happen very quickly on the water as many of you know.
 
I has a very successful day towing the large multi-person tube using the guidance given. I had a two rope for the ski pylon and tube appropriate for the weight. A simple overhand double loop of the closed loop pylon end kept the pylon rope secure and and tracking well. I never towed the tube empty, brought it onboard and deflated when not using. The overton's highvolume pump worked great to inflate the tube quickly and deflating was not the hassle I thought it would be. I was very impressed how the ski pylon kept the line out of the water at all times, and we had no issues at all towing a 4 person "tube". It worked very well and the elevated towing angle really helped with performance as starting and pulling were not as stressful on the boat as I expected.
 
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