[mashymariah]

Hi all. Was hoping to gain some insight into what everyone likes to use to tow the kids behind the boat. I realise this is really up to the individual but am more interested in what effect it has on the boat, best speeds for wakeboards, biscuits, etc. Has anyone noticed any damage or stress to their boat (apart from fuel consumption which i have noticed!!!!!!). Are theyre any particular brands people prefer, single or double biscuits etc. Will welcome any feedback, Smooth waters to all.

[ShabahZ250]

I usually tow one tube (biscuit?) from the ski hoop on the transom. Never had any issues. I've even towed two, (one much heavier than the other), put about 500lbs of weight back there. You shouldn't have to worry about stress or damage, if there's a backing plate attached. With the older Mariahs, everything on the hull had a backing plate. Check behind your ski hoop (inside the engine compartment) and make sure there's a metal plate back there. If so, then you shouldn't experience any damage or stress.

Usual speed for tubing is around 24-30mph. I try to just keep the boat up on plane. If I've got a risk taker on a tube, I'll increase speed to their liking.

My girlfriend wants me to pick up a wakeboard this winter so we can try that out. Seems like it'd be a lot of fun. A few guys have wakeboard towers, and from what I've read, it's possible to wakeboard without a tower, it's just if you want to get into high jumps and tricks, it's better to have the rope up higher. Ideal speed seems to be between 18-25mph.

[dudders]

My son loves knee boarding so take him on that all the time, I keep the speed to suit his needs (he indicates faster or slower) but usually keep it at about 25mph.
We have a 3 person Hot Dog (we call it the "Hot Diggidy Dog"), the kids and wife love it to bits, but we go real slow on this one, shes tricky to stay upright which is half the fun, and particularly hard in the corners. Great fun. We tow 2 biscuits easily from both tow U bolts on either side and have even towed 3 using the middle tow hook as well. Its great fun for the boys who want to try to tip their mates out.
The fuel consumption goes up of course, but who cares, its still cheaper than a day at adventure world.
We have tried a wake boarder without a tower, and he did really well, couldnt get the big air like you can with the towers, but still had a ton of fun.
Come on Summer.

[mikeyt]

Pretty much just wakeboarding for my 14yr old behind the Mariah. Ideally around 20-25mph with a little extra trim out if he wants a slightly higher wake. I dont have a wakeboard tower so we just hook it thru the tow loop. Best thing i did for this kind of activity was switch to a 4 blade SS prop with a slightly lower pitch for a little more grip.

[harvestdj]

Pretty much will pull anything that floats, various tubes, wakeboards, skies, and kneeboards. All tubes are pulled from the transom hook and the speed depends on how crazy the person in the tube is. Wakeboards, skiers, and kneeboards are pulled from the tower as they get out of the water quicker. Kneeboards are mainly for the little guys with speeds betweeb 15 & 20 mph. Wakeboards and skiers range from 20 to 25 depending on the experience of the individual

[22empire]

I am looking to buy a tube.. Prefereable a large one with a closed top. Good for adults and kids. I don't know what brands are good, and would be open to whatever suggestions or advice you might have. Thanks a lot..

[WetWilly]

Hi 22empire,

I surf over to Overton's for towables and ski items as they have a pretty good selection (Click Here). I have been doing business with them for many many years and I am very satisfied with their products and service.

As for towables, I prefer the open tubes and personal "hot dogs" for towables but they require much more concentration to balance and control. We do have a few large enclosed bottom tubes for up to five people but they're more for cruising. I do pretty much the same as harvestdj, but maybe at a tad higher speed. Especilly skiing, cause I weight a bit more so it takes a "little" more speed to keep me afloat!

WetWilly