We Know You’ll Love The Best Boat Tubes
Best Boat Tube
Airhead Comfort Shell Boat Tube – Top Pick
Key Features
It is completely made from Neoprene, a material that gives great comfort. It has a quick connect loop for the rope, a speed safety valve, and boarding straps. This deck tube has great speed and it guarantees you a comfortable yet fun-filled ride.
This is luxury at its peak! This deck tube has practically everything you want for a perfect tubing adventure. It is very comfortable and every time you go on a cruise with this deck tube you would wish the ride didn’t have to end.
Pros
- It is made from Neoprene which is very friendly to the skin, you’re at zero risks of having a cut or skin rashes
- Perfect for everyone, adults, teenagers, and even kids
- It is very easy to operate so even if you are tubing for the first time you have nothing to worry about
Cons
- It is quite heavy and holds water in
Airhead Mach Boat Tube – Perfect for Amateurs
Key Features
This boat tube has several amazing features such as the Kwik-Connect that allows you to connect your tube to a rope with no stress. It has a speed safety valve that enhances quick inflation and deflation.
The tube comes with padded handles that make it easy for you to grip. It also has a backrest and can accommodate different sizes of people.
Sitting comfortably while you engage in an exciting activity like tubing allows you to enjoy the ride without holding back. The Airhead Mach boat tube has an inflatable bottom held in by a nylon cover so you have nothing to worry about, sit comfortably and enjoy your cruise.
Pros
- Great for amateurs and children
- Conveniently accommodates two riders
- The tube is very easy to use
- Withstands rocks and mild currents
Cons
- It is a bit difficult to inflate
- The seam tends to rip apart easily
WOW Watersports Boat Tube – Best Thrill
Key Features
The WOW water sports thriller deck tube has really bright colors that make it quite visible in the water. It is made from a very durable nylon material and comes with a speed safety valve. The handles are well padded which makes it easy to hold on firmly while tubing.
The deck tube offers you a premium ride, it is indeed a THRILLER deck tube. You would have one of the most memorable moments of your life when you ride on this tube. Undiluted fun all the way!
Pros
- It is made from tough shell nylon hence very durable
- It can accommodate even 3 people conveniently
- It is very easy to store when not in use, all you need to do is deflate it and fold
Cons
- It doesn’t have a hook for the rope, only a nylon loop
Best Boat Tubes Buying Guide
Taking a day out of your busy schedule to go on an adventurous tube cruise with your family and friends especially during the summer period can be so thrilling.
It comes with so many unforgettable memories, using a great boat tube makes the whole experience super amazing. In this buying guide, we have highlighted the most important factors to bear in when looking out for a boat tube in 2023.
What Material Is It Made From?
The best boat tubes are made from the best materials. There are several materials out there but these 4 materials top the list.
Nylon
This is the most commonly used material for the best boat tubes. The thickness is measured in “denier”, the higher the denier number the thicker the nylon.
When you see boat tubes with a 420 denier then you should know that it may not accommodate more than one rider. A boat time with 840 denier nylon is stronger and can take on even 4 riders.
You should endeavor to always check out the denier number of a boat tube made from nylon material before purchasing it.
Poly vinyl chloride
This material is popularly known as PVC, it is used for the bladders and inner tubes of the boat tubes to ensure durability. The thickness of this material is measured by “gauge”.
Ideally, boating tubes made from PVC range from 24-30 gauge, anything less than that is not suitable for tubing on the water.
Polyester
Polyester is another commonly used material in boat tubes. It is mostly used alongside PVC to give the thickness of an 840 denier nylon.
This material has great color retention and doesn’t fade easily. It is used mostly for towable boat tubes designed for 1 to 2 riders only.
Neoprene
This is the best of them all, it is soft and stretchy, perfect for all types of boat tubes. It is skin-friendly and provides an added level of comfort to the rider.
No skin rash or chaffing occurs when Neoprene is used for boat tubes. It sometimes used to cover nylon and polyester in tubes for extra comfort.
So before you buy a boat tube make sure you check out the material it is made from and take note of the thickness as well.
What Shape/Design Does It Come In?
The shape or design of a boat tube determines how easily accessible the tube will be to the rider and also how it performs on the water.
Deck tubes
Deck tubes are fantastic! They are ideal for teenagers and young adults that are keen on thrilling adventures. A rush of adrenaline comes with a ride on a deck tube
The tube has a flat design and the rider lays on top all through the ride. The shape could be delta-shaped or round, and they are fully covered. With this tube, the rider comes really close to the water which makes it more exciting.
Ride-in
Just as the name suggests, the rider sits inside the boat tube and rides. This design can accommodate up to 4 riders at a time, the more, the merrier right?
Some ride-in boat tubes have headrests to enhance comfortability. It offers more safety and thus perfect for children.
Ride-on
For ride-on boat tubes, the refer sits atop. There are two common designs, the torpedo tubes, and recumbent tubes. Either of the two can accommodate up to 6 riders simultaneously.
Torpedo tubes are long and narrow hence they have a high center of gravity and are not so stable. The recumbent ones on the other hand allow the riders to sit upright with head and backrests.
Round
The round boat tubes are the oldest shape/design of towable tubes. It has a small size and hence a high center of gravity. It isn’t quite ideal for children because it can roll over easily but adults can work their way around it.
It can be used as a lay-on-top towable tube, all you need do is lay on it, hold on to the handles and enjoy your ride.
How Many of You Will Be Riding?
While searching for the best boat tube to buy you need to bear in mind the number of people that would be riding it. This factor is very important because the shape/design of the boat tubes is dependent on the number of riders as well.
One person?
Is it just you? Then you could think of a deck tube, ride-on, or around boat tube.
Two?
You and a friend? A deck tube would be great.
Three?
You and two of your kids? A ride-in would be perfect.
Or four?
The more the merrier oh yeah? Your best bet is a ride-in.
What Is Your Budget?
Your budget is a very important factor, there are a lot of boat tubes out there ranging from about $100-$500. So it all depends on your budget.
People Also Asked
A: Ideally, children below age 6 should not be allowed to ride on a boat tube.
A: Several types of boats are used tubing; jet skis, ski boats, deck boats, cruisers, etc.
A: Better safe than sorry right? A tube should be about 100 ft behind a boat.
A: Many people make the mistake of choosing just any type of rope to tow their boat tube. The number of riders and their weight determines the exact type of rope that would be used to tow. The recommended tensile strength for 1-2 riders is 2,375 lb, 3 to 4 riders should use a rope with 3,350-4,100 lb.
