Water ski tow bar

[Bearded wonder]

I know this is not fishing related.
I currently have a mid 1990’s Campion Explorer 185 that we got this spring. My kids love to tube around the lake near our house. Does anyone have any experience on what to use/install to tow a tube. I have tried using the eye hooks on the transom but my kicker is in the way and I can’t remove the kicker.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Wild Bill]

I towed tube with a removable tripod type ski pole on my old 16 1/4' however I hear they can be dangerous, pretty heavy pull. If the floor plate tabs start getting loose (mine did, I just hammered them back down to tighten them) or the floor is getting rotten the pole bottom can pop out, flip up and hit someone so transom eyes safest. The quick release balls mounted at the rear were also bent on mine from towing. I use the transom eyes on my inboard ski boat now for tubes.

 

[Fins -n- Skins]

I think the Campion 542'2 came with a removable tow-bar with a quick release. Maybe someone can send you a pic or Campion can help you out. With small kids you can get away with a bridle type system but i always like using a tow bar as it pulls more from the middle of the boat and not the back.

 

[Wild Bill]

http://www.boatguidecanada.com/news/article/100376/The-Art-of-Inflatable-Towing

They sure have gone up in price! I think I paid $120 for mine in 1978 lol!
The Atwood ones on Amazon use pins to attach instead of spring loaded ball and socket like mine had, however the bent deck pins on mine were 5/16" stainless at the thinnest point. They say the biggest load happens when the tube is empty (like someone falls off) and the tube submarines. Atwood website does not recommend pulling anything tied on, liability?
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0...&pf_rd_p=05326fd5-c43e-4948-99b1-a65b129fdd73