We put nine of the best towables through their paces to find the perfect combination of fun, comfort, thrills and spills
Towable tubes are a great way for all the family T to have fun on the water. Unlike wakeboards or skis, they require very little skill from the rider and, provided the boat driver knows what they’re doing, they can be as safe or as exhilarating as you wish. But choosing the right one isn’t as easy as it sounds. Quite apart from the obvious limitations of size and price, you need to have a good idea of how the shape and style affects its towing characteristics and whether it’s suitable for the size, age and experience of the intended riders.
The only way to find out was to put them to the test, so we brought together nine of the most popular makes and models and submitted them to a rigorous series of tests at the hands of five fearless riders and one experienced boat driver. Their remit was to rate them all for comfort, thrills, versatility and value. Here are their findings...
AIRHEAD SLICE
As the name suggests this towable is shaped like a slice of cheese, with a thinner back end making it easier to clamber onto from the water. This beginner-friendly focus continues throughout the design, with comfortable neoprene pads and knuckle guards, although its small diameter meant our shins were left hanging off the back, bouncing across the waves.
While the Slice was easy to slide outside the wake at speed, its low centre of gravity and compact disc-like shape proved reluctant to jump over waves or tip off its occupants – fine if you’re looking for a predictable ride that won’t discourage young kids or nervous riders but a bit tame for experienced thrill-seekers.
On the plus side, it’s at the low end of the price scale and its compact dimensions and low weight mean it’s easy to carry, store and inflate onboard your boat. Its big sister, the Mega Slice, can hold up to four riders but costs over twice the price and for that money we reckon there are better options.
CONTACT: boatworld.co.uk
RIDERS: 2 HANDLES: 4 DIAMETER: 58in
PRICE: £139 (Mega Slice – £379)
MBY RATING:
★★★★★
SPORTSTUFF POPARAZZI
This wacky design isn’t just fun to ride, it’s also a great spectator sport with lots of opportunities for photos, which we assume is what inspired the name.
Its unusual arched shape enables riders to stand, kneel or lie down, and the curved hull means there’s less drag across the water and a higher freeboard for launching it over waves. With 12 different grab handles to hang on to, riders can shift their weight around to counterbalance the cornering forces, whilst the three foam pads guard against chafed knuck
