Guide to choosing towable tubes

Welcome to the paradise of tubing fans!

When summer starts and the water gets warmer, it's time for unforgettable adventures on the tube.

In this guide, we'll take you through the world of towables to make your adventure an unforgettable experience and ensure you enjoy your tube for a long time to come. Whether you have your own boat and want to buy a small tube for you and your family, or you run a rental centre and are looking for a towable for several people in professional use, at SPINERA you will find a huge selection of different types, sizes and materials. From the most important safety precautions to a variety of tube types, we go into detail and promise that you will find the right tube for you.

What is a tube or towable:

A tube is an inflatable fun sports device that can be towed by a motorboat or jet ski using an approximately 18m long tow line. 

These inflatable towables are usually made of sturdy material such as PVC and can come in a variety of shapes and sizes, including simple round tyres, bananas or towbales with multiple seats for several occupants.

Occupants usually hold on to handles or straps as they are pulled across the surface of the water. This activity is mostly enjoyed by recreational athletes, teenagers and children and offers an exciting way to play on the water and enjoy waves.

1. Private or professional use:

2. Size or number of passengers

When considering the purchase of an inflatable tube, it is important to know in advance how many people should be pulled on a tube. The number of passengers is a decisive factor when choosing your tube. The capacity of the tubes varies from one person to groups. In our range of inflatable tubes, we offer sizes from 1 to 12 people in the private sector and even up to 20 people in the professional sector.

Please note that all tubes are approved for adults. So if children are travelling with you, you should take this into account when making your decision. If space in the boat is limited, you should opt for a 1 or 2-person tube. These are generally lighter and more compact and can be stowed away to save space. Larger towables are suitable for pulling several people.

Make sure you strictly adhere to the permitted rider capacity and pressure we have specified. Overloading can jeopardise safety, exceed the weight limits and potentially be dangerous for passengers and cause damage to the tube. Each tube has a specific number of handles and exceeding this limit jeopardises both the integrity of the tube and the safety of the riders.

3. Material & quality

The choice of material determines whether you want to use your tube privately or professionally. If you use the tube a lot and want a higher quality, you can of course also benefit from the advantages of the Professional Line as a private individual.

Spinera Consumer Nylon Covered Tubes:

Consumer tubes, which are generally used for recreational activities on the water, are often made of nylon material coated in various thicknesses from 420D to 840D. The "D" stands for denier, a unit of measurement for the linear mass density of fibres. A higher denier value indicates a thicker, more durable material.

These hoses are designed for safety and some are equipped with a 2 or 3-chamber safety system. This system consists of multiple air chambers within the hose that provide additional stability and safety in the event of a puncture or damage to a chamber. Even if the air escapes from one chamber, the other chambers can keep the tube afloat and support the rider until they can safely return to shore or be rescued.

Spinera Professional Nylon Covered Tubes:

The Spinera Nylon Covered Towables of the Professional line are made of a very resistant nylon material, stronger end hooks, are more resistant to wear and tear and therefore ideally suited for intensive use in rental centres and water ski schools.

Spinera Professional Heavy Duty Tubes:

The so-called Heavy Duty Tubes are made from one piece and offer extremely long durability for many trips, which are popular in the water ski school/operator sector and also for frequent use in the private sector. The Heavy Duty Reinforced PVC material is a very high quality material, is insensitive to UV rays and has a low water displacement resistance. All our HD products are equipped with 2 or multi-chamber safety systems as well as H3 high-pressure valves and pressure release valves, depending on the size. 

4. Types

Once you have decided on a certain number of riders and equipment, you should look at the design options to find out your personal preference. Each tube is suitable for different levels, ages and speeds, so you should also consider these factors when making your choice.

Classic round tube (donut tube) for one or two people

The classic donut tube, also known as a water tyre or ringo, is usually round, sometimes triangular, is open at the top, has handles at the sides and/or front and is suitable for all age groups. Available in various materials and sizes in the Consumer and Professional lines. 

Deck-tubes, lay on top tubes or laydown tubes

These are perfect for anyone looking for an exciting and fast-paced water ride where you need to hold on tight to stay on board. The preferred riding position is lying on your stomach, facing the boat, so you can experience the rush of speed and excitement Deck tubes are recognisable by their flat shape, they are designed for adventure seekers and offer an adrenaline-fuelled water experience. They are the ideal choice for anyone who craves a thrilling ride on the water. 

Sofa tubes or sit-on-top tubes

Sofa tubes, also known as ride-in tubes, sit-on-top tubes or cockpit style, are perfect for a relaxed and enjoyable ride, especially suitable for younger children. With this design, riders sit low on the sofa, which ensures a smooth start and an overall safer riding experience. The relaxed design of these tubes ensures a safe and comfortable seating position, allowing riders to enjoy the thrill of being pulled behind the boat in a controlled and safe manner. Whether you're introducing your little ones to the joys of tubing or looking for a cosy water adventure, our Sofa Tubes offer the perfect blend of comfort and thrills for an unforgettable water experience.

2 Way Tow Tubes - Tubes with two towing points

Some sofa tubes have not just one, but two towing points on each side, so that the tube can be pulled from both sides. Riders can experience more than just the thrill of a seated position. The unique design makes for a dynamic riding experience, and for those looking for an extra twist, these tubes can be rotated for a 'chariot' style adventure. Whether you prefer the classic seated position or the exciting Chariot style, these tubes offer versatility and riding fun for riders of all preferences.

Rocker tubes or wing tubes

Rocker tubes are designed to redefine the tubing experience with a unique, curved surface for added manoeuvrability. With its 'wings', the wing simply lifts off the water and is happy to leave a few metres in the air behind. Thanks to its sleek shape, this tube has very low drag and therefore optimum gliding properties. Get in, carve and fly! The rocker tubes are versatile, as they can be ridden both lying down and sitting up. Whether you are looking for a thrill or want to introduce young children to tubing at lower speeds, the Rocker Tubes offer a marvellous adventure for everyone. Strap yourself in and get ready for a unique water experience.

Spinning Tube - Extremtube 

Our Spinera Spinning Tube series with the Endless Ride 4-6 and Endless Ride 8-12 is the absolute eye-catcher on the water and an absolute bestseller among adrenalin junkies. A tube that also spins on its own axis during the ride - where can you find something like that? With SPINERA! The Spinera Professional Endless Ride really leaves nothing to be desired. With its extremely generous amount of space and a capacity of up to 12 people, fun on the water with friends and family is guaranteed. Thanks to the extra-reinforced PVC material, the Endless Ride is extremely durable and resistant to abrasion and damage. At the bottom, the tube rope is pushed through a rotating cylinder. As the speed of the boat increases, the tube rotates faster and faster around its own axis. 

Banana boats & multiriders

Banana boats offer sled-like rides with a sleek and aerodynamic design. These tubes are designed for thrill seekers who crave an adrenaline-fuelled experience on the water. The slim profile makes for a dynamic and fast-paced adventure and makes them ideal for larger boats where you can maximise your high-speed potential. We also offer these variants in the Consumer and Professional Line. The Operator series also includes multiriders and watergliders such as the double banana for up to 20 people.

All Spinera Professional Multiriders are made from a 5-ply rubberised fabric that is resistant and extremely durable. This high-quality material is insensitive to UV rays and has a low water displacement resistance due to its excellent gliding properties. All seams are double glued. Specially bonded abrasion strips on the sides protect the fabric from abrasion and damage. Protective end caps are fitted to protect the Multirider and at the same time ensure greater stability. Numerous handles, which are firmly glued to the Multirider, prevent you from accidentally falling into the water.

Inflating the towables correctly

The general rule of thumb is that an inflatable tube is full when it reaches a remarkable level of firmness. Tubes covered with a nylon cover must be wrinkle-free and perfect. When an adult stands or lies on the tube, there should only be a slight gradient of a few centimetres. To achieve this balance during inflation, the elasticity of the PVC bladder plays a crucial role, which emphasises the importance of careful selection of the inflation device. The pump has the task of supplying a large volume of air and at the same time generating enough pressure to stretch the PVC tube. Optimum inflation of drag hoses combined with careful maintenance guarantees a long product life and exceptional performance.

Choosing the right tow rope

Tubing ropes are shorter compared to other watersports ropes, usually around 18 metres, which reduces the risk of riders being dangerously ejected. Towab ropes are also stretchier than other watersports ropes, which prevents damage to the tube or injury to passengers if the line goes slack. In this way, the tube is not damaged and passengers are not injured if the line goes slack. Tube ropes are shorter, thicker tube ropes are required for larger tubes and all our tube ropes specify the maximum number of people that can be safely towed.

Like all watersports ropes, tube ropes have a loop at each end that easily attaches to your tube's quick disconnect and your boat's tow point. If you're being towed by a jet ski, you can use quick connect bridges on the back of the jet ski so you don't have to pull the rope through the loop every time you want to tube. 

Attaching the tow rope correctly

To ensure the safety of all passengers on the water, it is important that the tow rope is properly attached to the tube. Each tow buoy has one or more approved attachment points to ensure the best and safest tow. 

With the Zenith Quick Release you are always safe when travelling. The Quick Release is attached directly to the tube between the tube line and the tube attachment hook. The short line, which is attached around the wrist of the person lying on the tube, allows the person to release themselves from the boat at any time. If the person lying on the tube falls into the water, the tube is automatically released from the line. This means that the person who has fallen off always has the opportunity to hold on to the tube in the water and save energy until the boat returns for the next run.

Note:

A towing line is not included in the scope of delivery of the inflatable tube and must be purchased separately. A sufficiently powerful motorised boat is recommended, especially for larger inflatable tubes with several people on board.

We generally recommend a maximum pulling speed of 16 km/h for children and a maximum pulling speed of 30 km/h for adults. It is always recommended to wear a 50 N life jacket on an inflatable tube for safety reasons. Of course, we also offer matching nylon or neoprene life jackets and buoyancy aids in our shop.