Tubing accident on Sunday

[Rob]

FYI-


http://www.citizen.com/July2004/07.28.04/news/moultonboro_07.28.04a.asp



Rob

[HotDog]

wow that sounds pretty bad hope he is ok. :eek:

[madrasahs]

The nature of towing tubes invites injury.

Most boats towing tubes will describe a figure-"8" pattern, while the operator looks at the tuber (tubee?) behind instead of the waterscape ahead. The boat's wake gets very choppy, and the boat passes back and forth through it, making it even less predictable.

Today, I watched a boat change from towing a single skier to towing two seperate tubees.

Apparently, there was only the one ski rope, so the operator tied a loop in the middle and towed the two tiny tubees about 37-feet behind the towing boat. (Breaking Madrasah's Rule of 75's).

(I suspect there is a carbon monoxide hazard there, but don't know if it exists closer or farther than 37 feet from the towing Malibu-type skiboat).

[Jan]

This was a sad accident although it sounds like it could have been worse.

Our motor is always off when the tube is anywhere near the boat. I think it's very risky to pick up or release riders with the motor on but I notice that many people do just that. That's why we hear about these kind of accidents.

[gtxrider]

I read the article and it states the cause is under investigation. I have an idea but will with hold comment.

We always shut the engines down whenever we are picking up a skier or swimmer.

[JG1222]

The nature of towing tubes invites injury.

Most boats towing tubes will describe a figure-"8" pattern, while the operator looks at the tuber (tubee?) behind instead of the waterscape ahead. The boat's wake gets very choppy, and the boat passes back and forth through it, making it even less predictable.

(I suspect there is a carbon monoxide hazard there, but don't know if it exists closer or farther than 37 feet from the towing Malibu-type skiboat).

Madrasahs - just to let you know, it is OK to have an unexpressed thought every once in a while.

I certainly appreciate the fact that you participate in these forums, as I've learned many things from your posts. However, whereas most members contribute for any one of several reasons -- to educate, to entertain, to help, to seek advice, etc. -- it seems to me that your motivation is simply to complain... alot... and about everything.

Although you have a considerable amount of knowledge about many subjects, please remember two things: (1) Nobody likes a "know-it-all", and (2) it is possible for someone's complaining to reach a saturation point with the audience.

PS - I don't plan on responding to your reply, so you're certainly welcome to (and I'm confident you will) have the last word on this.

[Coastal Laker]

I could see how this could happen a number of ways and so I pay careful attention to the steps taken when I tow tubers myself:

This could happen if:

Tube is at swim platform while boarding and engine is running or
Tube is boarded at swim platform and engine power is used to move away from it. Dangling legs are still near the transom
Boat stops short while underway, causing tube to continue moving forward toward the stern of the boat (and propellers do not stop spinning instantly)
Operator drove too close to downed tuber in the water
Operator couldn't see downed tuber due to turning to port instead of starboard for retrieval (for starboard helms) which could cause #4 or worse
Just leaving the motor running while a person is climbing aboard or is in the water near the boat
Tow line gets caught and wraps around propeller, yanking the tube inward
I'm quite the fatalist and envision worst case scenarios with everything (although my friends consider me a positive person). So, I positively won't have any of these negative things happen on my watch.

[Outlaw]

(2) it is possible for someone's complaining to reach a saturation point with the audience.
JG1222 - here's an idea that helped some of us on this forum. It's from the FAQ's. It has been found that using this feature can lower your blood pressure and keep you smiling during the day (when you are on the forum). http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_1_10v.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001)

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