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I have 4 kids and want to buy a tube to tow behind my 17 Newport with a 70 2stroke Yamaha. I was looking at one of the "Hot Dog" type tubes that can hold 3-5 kids in line. Anyone have one of these? Do I have enough power to pull all 4 kids? Any other suggestions on other tubes?

Thanks

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I can't speak to what your boat can tow, but...

I had a SportsStuff brand tube I bought from Costco about 5 years ago. It was really good quality, heavy fabric, the inflatable rubber material seemed strong. I was pretty impressed. I'd buy that brand again without question. The price at Costco was REALLY good...

One issue I did have was the rope getting caught in the wake. I was towing behind a 21' Wellcraft CC, your wake will probably be smaller. If it is a problem, this "Booster Ball" seems like a good solution:
[url]http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=SportsStuff-Booster-Ball&i=14181&aID=600G6&merchID=4006
[/url]

They blow up pretty good with a wet/dry vac...

Get a big rubbermaid-type storage bin to keep it in, unless you have lots of shaded storage.

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We have in our Family a Banana towable. It has seats for 5. If the water gets churned up so that the towable starts bouncing it can be fun for the kids. If the water is flat they stand up and try to bounce it themselves.

I think the kids have the most fun on the round towable we have. This one is O’Brian. It is a flat circle. This is the second towable we have had that is flat on the top and bottom. This O’Brian towable is large enough for two. It is a lot more fun for the kids as you can sling it out side the wake and bounce it across the wake much easier than the long straight towables.

I know my kids and others have more fun on the flat tube than the tow in line unit.

I pulled that flat tube behind my 70 yamaha and had a blast. I am thinking the hot dog will just stay in a line behind the boat and not be quite as much fun for the kids

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I agree.

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Thanks, it seems we would have a great time on both, the two at a time "standard" flat tube may be the way to start and see how it goes taking turns. It always seems I have about 6 or more kids with me, mine and a few friends, which is why i was looking at the in-line type.

Fly...is that an A4 cockpit? I was a helo-bubba in my former life, my wife and I still miss San Diego.

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T-45.

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Got it, after my time!

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Go with the round tube. And, go one person larger in size than you will have people on it, if the boat can handle it. I have a three person tube, but almost always only put two on. The extra size gives a little more room an stability, BUT its the extra hand holds that are the trick.

I pull my 3 man tube with a 15' whaler/70hp merc and they have a blast. I use the pulley bridle that attaches to the rear lifting eyes. The rope is low and can cause spray from the wake going into the riders faces. I am considering the ball thing mentioned in a previous post, if I can find one at a reasonable price. I may look into this winter, fabricating a removable ski pole (i forget the proper name) to raise the tow rope above the engine. I am also considering selling my 15 to move up to a montauk...

I keep the tube inflated in the garage, only time it deflates is for the vacation trip to Smith Mt Lake and winter storage. Its 3 years old and looks brand new. Made by Airhead, the Super Slice.

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Just bought a three person from West Marine after finding it on sale and borrowing my neighbor's, totest out the size. The rope does get caught in the wake when attached to the lifting eye, but that is some of the fun. The Newport with the 70 2-stroke pulls it just fine, haven't had the chance or the guts to try it behind the Hydrasports and twin 250s!

Thanks!

Matt

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Pulled the tube with the Hydrasports and twin 250s, worked ok , but a little scary with the size of the wake with the little kids. The Newport is more fun, easier, safer, and I would guess much better on gas!