Are Deck Boats Good For Tubing?

Tubing is a great family sport of even ones you can do with friends if you are too old to take family vacations (although is anyone really?). It is a great way to cool down during the warm spring and summer months, and it is also great exercise. Not to mention, it will pull everyone out of the house and away from their phones and television shows.

Now that you know how great tubing is, you might be wondering what boat you should rent for tubing. Because we all know you cannot just tube on any old boat (and if not, then now you do). If you have been looking at deck boats lately and are wondering, “Are deck boats good for tubing?” then we have got you covered.

Let’s get started!

Are Deck Boats good for Tubing?

Deck boats are great for tubing. They are super spacious and have a lot of deck space for friends and family to enjoy a day on the water. Everybody will want a turn being pulled on the tube behind your deck boat.

Tubing is also a very low maintenance sport as in, you do not have to use one specific boat to do it. Deck boats are great for tubing because of their spacious deck (there is room for people, their belongings, and even some space for foods and drinks) since it is so accommodating.

However, what happens if you want to rent out a deck boat but they are all unavailable at the moment? We understand the struggle. If you are in an area that is filled with families then the chances of that happening are quite high. Do not worry.

Although we do recommend deck boats for tubing, if there are not any available then you can try these other boats: pontoon boats, cruiser boats, ski boats, and bowriders.

How to Pull a Tube Behind a Deck Boat

If this is your first time pulling a tube behind a deck boat and you would like a general rundown before the big day, we have got you covered.

How to Pull a Tube Behind a Boat

● Equipment check:

● Designate a driver and a spotter:

  • Please do not get on the boat without first deciding who will be the driver and who will be the spotter.
    • The driver has to know his or her role and cannot get distracted by what is happening behind him or her.
    • The spotter at the same time, cannot get distracted either.
    • You can switch turns later on but to have everyone know their role is important.

● Don’t forget to attach the rope to the tube:

  • This is literally what your tube will be hanging on to so do not forget to do this.

● Tie off the rope to the (back) of the boat.

  • Positioning is super important. If you are unsure, do not be afraid to ask for help.

● Have signs:

  • Sometimes it is so hard to hear or know what is going on. If someone is in trouble or danger, make sure to have hand signals so everyone will know without words being used.

Tubing Recommendations

As you may or may not have known, there are a lot of different kinds of water tubes, some water tubes can hold a bunch of people, some are made for two, and others are made to hold a single rider.

They are great if you have a smaller group or a larger one or maybe a group where everyone just wants to go on their own. It does not matter because there is a water tube for all of your needs.

If you love to go with a bunch of people, check out the “banana” style tubes. Yes, we know the name is a bit funny but trust us when we say they are a lot of fun. Banana style tubes can hold up to six people at a time!

Frequently Asked Questions | What You Need to Know

  • What does tubing mean?
    • Tubing is super fun and entry-level water sport that almost everyone can take part in.
    • This is a great family activity sport because the younger kids will not feel left out while the older kids will not complain that it is a baby’s sport.
Are Deck Boats good for Tubing?
  • What happens if there is a hole in the tube?
    • This is a good question and more common than you might think. Accidents happen, sometimes beyond our control. The good news is a lot of water sports retailers sell patch kids for water tubes.
    • It is similar to patching a regular inner tube so if you have experienced that, then you are good to go.
    • If not, do not be afraid to ask for assistance or check out some video tutorials online.
  • What do people wear when tubing?
    • Most people wear their regular bathing suit beneath a life jacket. While others opt for a wet or dry suit-depending on the weather. If it is warm and sunny where you are then a bathing suit is fine.
    • However, if you want to go tubing during the colder months of fall and winter then we would highly recommend a wet or drysuit.
    • Either way, the most important article of clothing is your life jacket. Do not forget it and remember to remind others to wear theirs as well.

The Final Takeaway | Have Fun, but be Safe

Tubing sounds like the perfect group activity. While a few of you are in the tub, splashing around and laughing, the rest of the group is enjoying the warm summer rays. Does it get any more perfect than this?

While tubing is more on the low-risk side of water activities it does not mean that you should not be cautious. Always wear your life jacket, whether you are in the tub or whether you are on the boat. It does not matter if you are the best swimmer in the entire world, please put on a life jacket.

The truth of the matter is, you do not know what is going to happen and even if you and your party are following all the rules you cannot control what others around you might do.

Another boat’s driver might have a bit too much to drink or be distracted by something on his or her phone, and if you are not well aware then it could be dangerous.

Other than that, we hope you enjoyed this article and learned more about tubing and deck boats in general. Happy boating!