6 replies to this topic

[NEEPER]

I have a large friend that I want to take out on my boat. I would love to be able to put him in a tube and give him the ride of his life. It's someting I know he's never done before. I know the tow robe had a high enough tensile strength, but I don't know if my C-180 will have enough power to pull him. He weighs between 400-500lbs. Has anyone pulled multiple people on a towable and had enough power? Any help is appreciated!

[jpeezy]

Make sure he leans back so you don't sub the tube. Also use a harness and not the ski pylon to pull em. My 2 cents.

jpeezy

[NEEPER]

Make sure he leans back so you don't sub the tube. Also use a harness and not the ski pylon to pull em. My 2 cents.

jpeezy

Do you mean the harness that's made to the back of the boat? That's what I usually use. Is this ok?

[SeaOneEighty]

Make sure he leans back so you don't sub the tube.  Also use a harness and not the ski pylon to pull em.  My 2 cents.

jpeezy

Do you mean the harness that's made to the back of the boat? That's what I usually use. Is this ok?

We have pulled 2 that would total 300-350 using the normal ski-rope hook on the C180. There were no problems getting up and bouncing them around at all. There were 3 on board at the time, 5 total - all adults ranging from 130-220 pounds or so. Assuming your 500lb friend could actually get on and off the boat and the towable, I don't see why the C180 wouldn't pull. I would test to make sure. Somewhere near shore, but deep enough to be over his head, make him jump in the lake and then climb back on board!

If you are worried about breaking the normal ski rope hook, tie the line to the tie-downs using a triangle or delta harness. One line attaches to the two tie-down loops, the tow line attaches to the first and can slide around.

[Pyrock]

I have a large friend that I want to take out on my boat. I would love to be able to put him in a tube and give him the ride of his life. It's someting I know he's never done before. I know the tow robe had a high enough tensile strength, but I don't know if my C-180 will have enough power to pull him. He weighs between 400-500lbs. Has anyone pulled multiple people on a towable and had enough power? Any help is appreciated!

I have a Bonzai raft that I got from Costco but also goes by the name of Big Bertha depending on the distributer. I once pulled three people on it with my C180. One weiged about 120, another weighed 130, and the smallest one weighed about 50...so that's 300 lbs. and the C180 had no problems at all even with three people on board while doing it. It also depends on how many people you have on board WHILE you're pulling that 400-500 pounder. If it's just two people and the heavyweight on the raft, I dont think you'll have any problem giving him the ride of his life. Keep in mind that you probably dont have to go very fast to give a 400-500 pounder the "ride of his life" because I would think that holding on to a raft while weighing 400-500 lbs. is no easy task.

The C180 would be huffing away but I still think you can make it fun. Just be sure that when he's on the boat, keep it balanced otherwise you'll be leaning hard one way or another.

[thumper]

what ever happens let us know - i dont mean that in a nasty way - its always interseting to know what these things can tow - but more importantly i doubt the boardin ladder is desinged for 400-500lbs or the grab handles - also beware that you dont overload the boat itself and your ride will be affected by where he sits.

[thumper]

also check his weight - 28- 35 stone is a big difference - can mean the difference to taking one less person - a small one anyway.