
When towing an inner tube behind a boat, the speed of the tube can be double that of the boat. This means that when the boat is turning at 20 mph, the tube can be propelled to a speed of over 40 mph. For this reason, it is recommended that the boat speed is kept between 8 and 12 mph for small children, and between 15 and 20 mph for teenagers and adults.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Maximum speed | 25 mph |
| Speed when swung outside the boat's wake | 50-80% faster than the boat |
| Speed when swung outside the boat's wake at 20 mph | 40 mph |
| Speed when swung outside the boat's wake at 15 mph | 22.5-30 mph |
| Speed when swung outside the boat's wake at 12 mph | 18-24 mph |
| Speed when swung outside the boat's wake at 8 mph | 12-16 mph |
| Speed when swung outside the boat's wake at 30 mph | 60 mph |
| Safe speed for towing young kids | 8-12 mph |
| Safe speed for towing teenagers and adults | 15-20 mph |
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What You'll Learn
- The speed of the tube can double that of the boat when turning
- The ideal towing speed depends on the rider's comfort and water conditions
- A rider ejected from the tube can skim over the water for some distance
- The length of the ski rope puts the tube through a longer arc than the boat
- The boat speed should be between 8 and 12 mph for small kids

The speed of the tube can double that of the boat when turning
For example, if the boat is turning at 20 mph, the tube will be travelling at 40 mph or more. This is why it's important to avoid solid objects when tubing. The speed of the boat and tube also depends on the rider's comfort and the water conditions. For small kids, the boat speed should be kept between 8 and 12 mph, while for teenagers and adults, it can be increased to 15 to 20 mph.
It's also important to maintain a safe distance from docks, jetties, and other boats when tubing. A good rule of thumb is to keep at least 100 feet of distance from any dock or shore.
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The ideal towing speed depends on the rider's comfort and water conditions
When making a turn with the boat, the speed of the tube can double that of the boat. So, while the boat is turning at 20 mph, the tube can accelerate to over 40 mph. This may be uncomfortable for many riders, especially young riders.
The key to this is the length of the ski rope, which puts the tube through a much longer arc than the boat itself travels. In a full turn, particularly a tight one, the tube may travel twice the distance of the boat, which means it's travelling twice as fast as well.
It's important to avoid docks, jetties, and other boats when whipping the tube outside the boat wake. A good rule of thumb is to maintain at least 100 feet of distance from any dock or shore.
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A rider ejected from the tube can skim over the water for some distance
The speed of a go boat inner tube depends on the length of the ski rope and the arc of the turn. In a full turn, the tube may travel twice the distance of the boat, which means it’s travelling twice as fast. So while the boat may be travelling at 20 mph, the rider on the tube will feel the water rushing by at 40 mph or more.
Some sources suggest that 25 mph is the fastest speed to pull tubers in a straight line. When you swing the tube outside the boat's wake, you effectively double the speed of the tube. So when you make a turn at 20 mph, the tube accelerates to near 40 mph. It is important to slow down before you seriously injure someone.
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The length of the ski rope puts the tube through a longer arc than the boat
The speed of a go boat inner tube depends on the length of the ski rope and the speed of the boat. The longer the ski rope, the further the tube travels outside of the boat's wake, and the faster it goes. For example, a boat turning at 20 mph can cause the tube to travel at over 40 mph. This is because the tube travels a longer arc than the boat, covering twice the distance.
The speed of the tube can be uncomfortable for riders, especially younger ones, so it's important to be cautious. When towing young kids on tubes, it's recommended to keep the speed between 8 and 12 mph. For teenagers and adults, it's okay to speed up to 15 to 20 mph. However, some people have reported pulling their friends at up to 30 mph, although this is considered quite dangerous and can cause serious injury.
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The boat speed should be between 8 and 12 mph for small kids
When towing young kids on tubes, the boat speed should be between 8 and 12 mph. This is because when the boat turns, the tube can travel twice the distance of the boat, which means it's travelling twice as fast. So, while the boat may be travelling at 20 mph, the tube will be going at 40 mph or more. This can be uncomfortable for many riders, especially young riders, and it's important to avoid solid objects. The ideal towing speed depends on the rider's comfort and water conditions.
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Frequently asked questions
The speed depends on the rider's comfort and water conditions. For young kids, the speed should be kept between 8 and 12 mph. For teenagers and adults, it's okay to go up to 15-20 mph.
When the boat is turning at 20 mph, the tube can accelerate to over 40 mph. This is because the tube travels a longer arc than the boat, so it travels twice the distance and therefore twice the speed.
One person mentions pulling their college friends up to 30 mph, but they say that even this was "pretty crazy".











































