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Water Tube Extravaganza

By Seth Harper

Finding the right tube can make all the difference between a good summer and a great one. With a variety of options to choose from, we’ve narrowed down the search a little with choices from a wide range of prices. Here are ten tubes to consider purchasing your next water toy.

Monarch 2

According to a quick Google search, a monarch butterfly will cocoon for up to two weeks. The Connelly Monarch won’t cocoon itself that long on the shipping floor; in fact, according to the Bart’s website (www.bartswatersports.com) where you can purchase the Monarch, most orders will ship the same day they’re placed if ordered by noon.

This tube fits two riders and includes a one-year warranty. It creates a comfortable experience for water sport enthusiasts, with a rear-mounted top deck boarding handle to easily hop back on, and four fully-padded handles with knuckle guards. A Boston Valve is included for easy inflation and a covered mesh bottom allows excess water to drain.

Following the monarch butterfly theme, the 70- by 70-inch tube is wing-shaped and decorated with bright colors. It also has a low center of gravity to provide riders great balance.

$229.99 | www.connellyskis.com

Batwing 3

Ever wanted to be Batman? Yeah, us too. Well, now you can with the O’Brien Batwing. And even Batman needs friends, which is why this towable can fit up to three people, or 510 pounds. Whether you’re out there to fight crime, or you just want to have a good time the water, you can fit comfortably on the 61- by 95-inch tube that comes with six handles.

The Batwing is fully-covered with 840 D Nylon, a Softec Ultra top deck and a Quick Connect Tow Hook to get you out on the water fast. There’s also a cheaper version that fits two riders. The blue, yellow and black colors are pleasing to the eye and worth a closer look.

$249.99 | www.obrien.com

two girls being pulled by a boat on a raft

Cyclone Spinner

Enough to make your head spin, this rotating towable is the must-have for all adventure seekers. Lean, tilt and spin your way through the waves on the stainless-steel ball bearing 360-degree tow point, located at the center of the bottom. This is a big towable with a large, deep center cockpit for one or two riders to twist and turn through the waves while sitting in the secure slot seating on either side. Getting dizzy? The Cyclone also includes a static tow point from the front of the tube to tow it traditionally. Whether you tow it from the front or the bottom, this towable is designed with a hover bottom that allows riders to tilt and control their own ride. Enhance your tubing experience this summer and get multi-dimensional.

$699.99 | www.wowwatersports.com

The GOAT

Basketball has Michael Jordan, hockey has Wayne Gretzky and football has Tom Brady. Each sport has their GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) and the same goes for watersports. The GOAT (Greatest Outdoor Aquatic Towable) is a three-rider 68-inch diameter deck tube with a tapered profile for easy boarding and maneuverability. It features a heavy-duty fabric cover that repels dirt, water and provides color fastness. It also has a Slim-Fast bottom for a slick and fast ride that gets you up on plane quicker no matter what boat you’re towing with. The twin rear boarding straps, two large EVA anti-chafe guards, and six deluxe foam-filled tubular handles with neoprene knuckle guards round out the highlights. The GOAT is a circular tube sure to create some fun this summer.

$189.99 | www.ravesports.com

HO Dog

You’re sure to have a barking good time on this one. The HO Dog is well equipped to provide a great time for kids with its creative dog design. This versatile tube can hold one, two or three people at a time and lets riders choose from multiple riding positions with two laydown areas and one seated spot directly behind the dog’s head.

The Dog has six, nylon webbing covered soft foam handles to protect hands and will keep kids happy and smiling. This towable tube is new for 2021 and comes with a one-year warranty. Additional perks include the HO Quick Connect Tow Attachment System, a Boston Valve for quick inflation and a heavy-duty PVC bladder. Although the design includes a tail, don’t chase your tail, instead ride the Dog.

$349.99 | www.hosports.com

Big Orange Cone

If you want a tube that offers endless thrill for multiple riders, look no further than Big Orange Cone. This four-person towable tube boasts a unique stand-on design, which adds a layer of fun to a normal towable experience.

Riders have to test their balance while hanging on tight! Big Orange Cone is crafted from heavy-duty double-stitched nylon, so you know it’s made to last. Plus, the Speed Safety Valve makes it easy to inflate and deflate in a flash, despite its larger size. Families love the Kwik-Connect tow point, which is designed for fast connecting and disconnecting. Four boarding straps help riders climb on from the water with ease.

Another perk to this unique standing towable tube is that it has eight foam-filled handles with knuckle guards. These handles are strategically placed so it’s easy and comfortable to feel secure. Unexpected and eccentric, Big Orange Cone is the perfect addition to any family that loves to take risks on the water.

$499.99 | www.airhead.com

Mothership

Modern tubing gets taken up a notch with the Mothership from Connelly. Though on the pricier side, this two-way tow tube takes tubing with friends to another level with the ability to stare into each other’s eyes as you take on the wind and the waves. Up to four riders can choose their seating arrangements on the Mothership, with front-, back- or side-facing options. Soft EVA seat padding and padded handles create a comfortable ride.

You don’t need to be afraid of putting little dings and scrapes in this 65- by 93-inch tube, as it comes with a peel and stick repair kit. Other features include a mesh covered water drainage on the bottom of the tube, a Boston Valve for easy inflation, a quick connect tube rope attachment and is preassembled with a one-year warranty.

Although this isn’t your typical tow tube, it’s sure to give even experienced riders a unique time out on the water.

$599.99 | www.connellyskis.com

Mambo PX

Part of several Mambo options from RAVE Sports, feel the wind on your face while riding the Mambo PX two-person towable which rides like a race car clipping a corner on the waves! It features RAVE’s unique Mambo-series “bat wing” shape for a fast and furious ride and heavy-duty construction that takes a beating, so don’t be afraid to go crazy on this one. Four comfortable foam-filled handles with neoprene knuckle guards to prevent chafing and a quick-connect tow point for easy rope connection. It’s new for 2021, so hop on the Mambo PX for a wild ride!

$149.99 | www.ravesports.com

Joker

WOW isn’t joking around when it comes to making major league towables. The Joker is the latest and greatest on the water. Made to be seen, this high-profile design is sure to draw some attention and entertain the ones brave enough to ride it and the bystanders alike. It’s built with a state-of-the-art design, introducing the exclusive WOW Power Tower. The Power Tower System gives riders countless options when it comes to how they ride. Stand, kneel, sit, lie, or even handstand, if you’re a jokester like that. The winged bottom minimizes the drag and hugs the riders so they can feel secure—even when it gets out of hand! Riding solo? Guide your ride using the Power Tower as leverage to steer and glide across the waves.

$529.99 | www.wowwatersports.com

Space Shuttle

The Space Shuttle packs all the excitement of a top-tier boat towable, but with a stellar design to boot. This inflatable tube boasts special features you won’t find in a round deck tube, such as customized bolster fins that keep riders above water when speed picks up.

Plus, it has all the same safety features that Airhead tube lovers want. For one, the patented Speed Safety Valve ensures just the right amount of zest without going overboard. Second, the double-stitched nylon cover and six sturdy handles ensure that riders stay on and stay safe for years to come.

Lastly, the one-of-a-kind Kwik-Connect makes it easy to attach or detach the tube to your rope, so you can get going in no time. Tow one, two, or three riders for a personalized experience every time. If you’re in need of a three-person towable tube that’s equal parts fast and safe, the Space Shuttle has you covered (and then some).

$349.99 | www.airhead.com

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