The idea of skiing behind a boat sounds like a great idea. But what are the best tips and tricks for tubing behind a boat?I’ve been tubing for years, and I’ve seen people hit their heads, neck, and shoulders on the boat or the shore. So, while tubing may seem like an easy and fun activity, it can lead to serious injury.
But don’t worry. I’ve compiled a list of the best boat tubing tips from around the internet. You’ll find everything from how to pack for your tubing trip, what to wear, and more.
tips for tubing behind a boat
5 Tips to Make Your Boat Tubing Experience Memorable
1.Know Your Boat
When you’re tubing on a small or large boat, make sure that you’re familiar with it. You can check the listing for the boat’s speed rating on the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement. Check out each boat for different levels of speed.
Also, a boat will typically last about 5-6 hours of tubing. So, when looking at boats, make sure they have enough capacity for the 5-6 hours you’re expecting to spend tubing.
There are several companies that rent boats. But if you’re unsure about renting one, I suggest you ride behind another skier.
One of the best methods for tubing is for a family to rent a boat and then buy a private rowboat for each of them. This option is cheaper than renting a boat from a boat rental company. If you can afford the entire family to do this, that is definitely your best bet for safety.
2.How/What to Pack
The number one thing you need to remember when packing for tubing is to make sure you have a plan for your day. For me, that means making sure I have a car that will be right by the trail I’m going to go on. So, I’m sure to be back before sunset.
Make sure to pack a bug spray and a hat. But if you can’t swim with a hat on, then go for sunscreen cream.
Bring a towel to help you dry your hair. Also, don’t forget a swimsuit. Plus, you’ll need something to wear when it rains. Hence, packing a rain jacket will a good idea.
Most importantly, pack food and water. It’s a good idea, especially when tubing for long hours. After all, you want something to boost your energy and keep you hydrated.
3.What to Wear
Getting soaked is one of the things that people should keep in mind when tubing. But you’re only going to get wet in the water, not while you are in the boat. Therefore, if you plan on tubing for a few hours, wear a t-shirt, pants, shorts, or a bathing suit underneath your clothes.
Then, for the purpose of the tubers in the water, cover up with a sweatshirt or jacket. There will be plenty of opportunities to remove your clothes once the boat stops. However, people should not wear anything that might catch on the boat or the shore.
If you’re wearing cotton, you’re going to get soaked. The same goes for running tights. Also, jeans are great for tubing because they provide more freedom of movement than any other pants.
Throw on flip-flops. But if you hate the idea of flip-flops on the boat, bring a pair of waterproof shoes, preferably sneakers.
4.Safety Tips
The number one rule of boat tubing is that you have to wear a life jacket. You can bring your own, or you can rent a life jacket from most ski resorts.
Do you know how often people get sunburned in the summertime on boats? It’s pretty crazy. Don’t want to be in pain? Hence, invest in a good sunscreen to protect you from any harsh sun rays.
The ski boats I’ve seen for tubing are pretty basic. Most are pretty much a ski boat with a few extra seats and a ski rack. Hence, before choosing a boat, make sure you check your insurance policy.
Ensure the boat has onboard stabilizers. It’s a great feature to make sure you don’t slip out of the boat or hit your head on the boat while traveling down the river.
Also, if you want to hit the water safely, make sure to purchase a life raft. While most rivers are flat, you never know when you might hit a rock and end up floating out of the boat. In addition to a life raft, you’ll want to look for emergency flares. These devices are great for divers and rescuers.
5.Fun Tips
Be sure to wear your sunglasses if you want to see the world while tubing. And don’t forget a camera to catch every moment of tubing. Most ski resorts will let you borrow a camera from their store.
Conclusion
A fun activity, tubing behind a boat can help you and your family get a bit of exercise, enjoy the great outdoors, and have a good time. This list of boat tubing tips is just a little slice of what you can do.
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