HM Sports Products inflatable towable tube water ski tube water sport

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Tube Basics: Types of Tubes and Tube Designs


When space is an issue, consider buying a single person or two person tube. These affordable tubes are lighter and won't overwhelm your boat once inflated. There are some larger two-person tubes on the market, so remember to check the dimensions if you need a more compact sized tube.

If you have younger children or your crew wants to do some side-by-side riding, consider getting a multi-person tube. Knowing your riders is one of the key components of providing a fun, carefree day on the water. Younger children or first-timers may want a buddy to ride along with them while older children and adults enjoy the camaraderie multi-person tubes promote.

Be sure you are not towing more people than the specified number of riders required for your particular tube. Adding additional riders above the manufacturer's recommendations is dangerous because there are only enough handles for the specified number of riders on the tube. According to HO Sports, one of our popular towable brands, exceeding the weight limit of your towable runs the risk of damaging and compromising the integrity of your tube resulting in unsafe conditions for riders.

Along with choosing the number of riders for your tube, choosing a design is just as important. Different designs accommodate different rider levels, ages and speeds while changing the experience for the rider.

Open top tubes

The original towable, these donut style tubes are versatile and popular for all ages and rider levels. You can ride this tube in several different ways, maximizing your fun. For a more relaxed ride, ride with your bottom in the middle and your feet draped over the side. For a more thrill-seeking ride, lie on your belly with your head forward and feet toward the back. Some open top tubes have larger holes and are better suited for larger kids, teens and adults always check the tube's dimensions.

Deck tubes

Deck tubes offer a fast ride and require a stronger grip to hold on. With a large, flat surface, lying on your belly and holding on for dear life is the best way to ride one of these popular tubes. The design lends itself to flipping over after hitting a wake or wave, but the large, flat surface makes it easy to board after falling off. And don't worry, falling off is part of the fun!

Hybrid deck tubes offer various modifications to the deck tube for riders seeking a dynamic, wild ride. For example, some incorporate stability or leverage fins to help keep you on while fighting centrifugal force during fast whips.

Ride-in & cockpit style tubes

Ride-in/cockpit tubes are great for younger kids or those seeking a more timid, relaxed ride. Riders sit low inside and toward the back of these tubes, resulting in a smoother take off and safer ride. Offered in a variety of shapes and sizes to accommodate one to four passengers, these tubes are stable and rarely flip over due to wakes and waves.

Dual tow point tubes

Popular tubes for families and great for all ages, dual tow point tubes offer two different styles of riding by adding tow points on two sides of the tube. In the seated front position, the riders get a comfortable back rest and stable ride. Tow the tube backwards for a chariot-style ride where the riders sit on their knees. The chariot-style accommodates older kids and adults looking for a faster thrill.

Banana or toboggan style tubes

These tubes are designed to be straddled for a sled-like experience. Most are built to hold anywhere from one to six riders, while can carry up to *0 people. Well-suited for pontoon boats due to their slim, aerodynamic profile, these tubes don't need as much speed to get going. Fun for the whole family; be sure to check the manufacturer speed recommendations as these types of tubes provide ample opportunities for riders to bump heads with one another.

Rocker tubes

A curved surface gives rocker tubes a distinct experience while giving the rider added maneuverability by allowing them to shift their weight from side to side. Rockers come in two designs for a truly dynamic ride: the three-stage and U-shaped. Three-stage rockers have winged tips on each side with a flat middle so riders can lie down or sit up. By shifting their weight, riders can ride high on one side or try to balance the tube in the middle. U-shaped rockers have a continuous curvature construction allowing riders to effortlessly rock side to side.

Built for more extreme riders due to the potential for harder whips and twists, rockers are exciting options for thrill seekers. If drivers avoid whips and higher speeds, younger children and first timers can also enjoy rockers considering they tend to flip less than deck or open top tubes.

Unique concept tubes

Looking downAlways make sure your tube is properly inflated, has no damage or holes, is functional and secured properly to the tow rope and tow point before going on the water.
Thanks to adventure seekers everywhere, innovative tube designs are becoming more prevalent in the towing world. Concept tubes are unique and almost every manufacturer has an up and coming design never seen before. Built to meet the demands of high-performance riders, these tubes are designed to roll, fly off the wake or accommodate multiple seating arrangements. Typically more expensive than your standard tubes, these tubes are also geared toward more advanced riders.