The Breakdown: Tubes

We carry over a hundred tube models, which is a lot to sort through. Reuben works through the whole category in the video below — sizes, the three styles, covers, ropes, tow points, inflation and storage.

Reuben on choosing and looking after a towable tube — 10 minutes 41 seconds.

1. How many riders

Everything else follows from this. We do one person, two person and three-plus person tubes.

One thing that is the same across the range: every tube we sell for two riders or more has a heavy-duty 840 denier nylon cover. That is what lets a tube take everything you throw at it over a season.

2. Which style

Traditional flat deck

Big, durable and the most versatile of the three. Two to three-plus riders, or lie down with just one or two on board. The trade-off is that you are lying down holding yourself on, so they take a bit of arm strength over a long session.

Sit-in and sit-on (couch style)

You sit down and the tube holds you in, so it is far easier on the body — the pick for younger riders and older riders who want to cruise and have a laugh without paying for it the next day.

Many have a reversible tow point. Tow it as a couch with your feet forward, or flip it and ride kneeling in a chariot position holding the backrest. That second position is a lot more of a ride, so as the kids grow you can get more out of the tube you already own rather than replacing it.

Wing style

The fastest and the most fun. The turned-up wings on the outside cut drag so the tube skims across the surface quicker than a flat deck or a couch — while still giving you the same amount of surface area to lie on. Available in one, two and three-plus.

3. Covers — nylon, neoprene, or both

The 840 denier nylon cover is about durability. Neoprene is about your skin. A soft-top neoprene deck stops the nylon rash and burn you can pick up on your elbows and knees over a full day of tubing.

Some tubes are neoprene across the whole top. Plenty of others put neoprene just where your elbows and knees land and keep the same 840 denier nylon everywhere else — heavy duty where it needs to be, comfortable where you are.

4. The rope

This is the most important part of the setup: it is the only thing connecting the boat to the riders. A rope that is too thin for a loaded tube can snap, so match the rope to how many people are on board.

• One person tube ropes
• Two to three person tube ropes
• Three to six-plus person tube ropes

If you are between two, buy the stronger one. An over-strength rope costs you a little extra weight and nothing else.

Bungee ropes

Worth it once you are on a three-person tube or bigger. The bungee section soaks up the energy when the rope comes tight at the end of a whip. That means a smoother ride for the riders, and less wear on the tow point of your boat or jet ski and on the tube's own tow point. We also sell the bungee section by itself so you can add it to a rope you already have.

5. Attaching it to your boat or ski

Tow from the lowest point, as far back as you can get it. On a lot of boats that is the small cleat towards the transom.

• Inboard or V-drive: straight onto the tow point.
• Jet ski: you can thread the rope through and back on itself, but you will redo it every session. A quick connect stays on the ski and your rope threads onto it in seconds.
• Outboard: use an outboard bridle — from about 2.8 m up to 5 m for wider boats with bigger engines. A loop at each end goes to your cleats or rings, and a swivel pulley runs along the rope so the pull stays centred instead of dragging to one side.

There is a full walkthrough of every tow point in how to attach a tow rope to your boat or jet ski.

6. Inflation

Use a volume air pump — a double-action hand pump or a 12-volt volume pump. Do not use a compressor: it can over-inflate and pop the tube.

A properly inflated tube is firm enough that you can stand on it without it depressing much around your feet. The trick on the bigger tubes: get it as tight as the volume pump will take it, then finish with a double-action hand pump to force the last bit in. A soft tube drags.

7. On the day, and afterwards

• Soak it first. Pump it up, then float it for two to three minutes. Cooler water shrinks the air inside and it will look like it is going down — it is not. Top it up from there and you have the right pressure for the temperature it will be at.
• Do not leave a well-inflated tube in the sun. Five to ten minutes is enough to over-inflate it and pop it. Let some air out when it comes off the water.
• Store it dry and empty. Valve all the way out, all the air out, tube completely dry before folding. Packing it damp causes mould in the cover, and water can work its way into the bladder — you want air in there, not water.

Common questions

How many people should my tube hold?

Start there before anything else. We stock one, two and three-plus person tubes. Every tube we sell that seats two or more comes with a heavy-duty 840 denier nylon cover, so durability is not the thing separating them — size and style are.

What is the difference between a flat deck, a wing and a sit-down tube?

A flat deck is the versatile all-rounder: big, durable, and you lie down on it. A wing style is the fastest — the turned-up wings cut drag while giving you the same area to lie on. A sit-down or couch style holds you in and is far easier on the body, which suits younger and older riders.

Which tube is easiest for kids and older riders?

A sit-down or couch style. You are seated and held in by the tube rather than holding yourself on, so there is much less strain. Flat deck and wing tubes have you lying down, which takes a fair bit of arm strength over a long session.

What is a reversible tow point?

It lets you tow a sit-down tube two ways: as a couch with your feet forward, or kneeling and facing forward holding onto the backrest. The kneeling or chariot position is more of a ride, so as the kids get older you can get more out of the same tube instead of replacing it.

Why are tubes covered in 840 denier nylon?

It is a heavy-duty cover that stands up to being dragged, whipped and loaded all summer. Every tube we sell for two or more riders has one.

What is a neoprene soft top and do I need one?

Neoprene on the deck stops the nylon rash and burn you can get on your elbows and knees over a long day. Some tubes are neoprene across the whole top; many have neoprene just at the elbows and knees with 840 denier nylon everywhere else.

What size tube rope do I need?

Match the rope to how many people are on the tube. A rope that is too thin for an overloaded tube can snap, which is dangerous. We stock one-person, two to three person, and three to six-plus person ropes. If you are in any doubt, go up a size — an over-strength rope costs you nothing but a little weight.

Is a bungee tube rope worth it?

On anything three-person and up, yes. The bungee section absorbs the energy when the rope comes tight in a whip. That is a smoother ride for the riders and less wear on both the boat's tow point and the tube's. We also sell the bungee section on its own to add to a rope you already own.

Where on the boat should I attach a tube rope?

From the lowest point, as far back as you can — on a lot of boats that is the small cleat towards the transom. If your boat has no centre tow point, an outboard bridle solves it.

How do I tow a tube behind an outboard?

With an outboard bridle. It is a length of rope, from about 2.8 m up to 5 m for wider boats with bigger engines, with a loop at each end that goes to your cleats or rings. A swivel pulley runs along the rope so the pull stays centred instead of dragging to one side.

How do I tow a tube behind a jet ski?

You can thread the rope through the tow point and back through itself, but you have to redo it every time. A jet ski quick connect stays attached to the ski, and your rope threads onto it in seconds.

How hard should I inflate my tube?

Firm enough that you can stand on it without it depressing much around your feet. Use a volume air pump — a double-action hand pump or a 12-volt volume pump. Get it as tight as the volume pump will take it, then finish with a double-action hand pump to squeeze the last bit in.

Can I inflate a tube with a compressor?

We would not. A compressor can over-inflate and pop the tube. Volume air pumps are designed for the job.

My tube went soft after a few minutes on the water. Is it leaking?

Probably not. Cooler water shrinks the air inside and the tube looks like it is deflating. Put it in the water for two to three minutes before you tow, then top it up — that gives you the right pressure at the temperature it will actually be at.

Why does my tube keep going down?

Nine times out of ten it is a cross-threaded valve. The thread is plastic and crosses easily, which causes a slow leak. Pull the valve all the way out and thread it all the way back in so it seats properly.

How should I store my tube?

Take the valve all the way out, get all the air out, and make sure the tube is completely dry before you fold it. Storing it damp causes mould in the cover, and water can work its way into the bladder — you want air in there, not water.

Related guides

• How to correctly inflate your tube
• How to locate a leak on your tube
• How to patch your tube
• How to attach a tow rope to your boat or jet ski

Shop the gear

• Ski tubes
• Tube ropes — including bungee ropes and extensions.
• Tube accessories — pumps, quick connects, bridles and repair kits.

Over a hundred models is a lot to work through on a screen. Give us a call or come into the Brisbane store — tell us who is riding and what you tow with, and we will narrow it down fast.