Tips or tricks to keep tow ropes from getting sucked up?

[Matt Phillips]

I always stop the engines once the swimmer has the rope and follow a lot of the suggestions above. Additionaly, also ask my crew 'Rope Clear?" Before starting engines.

 

[Kelso]

Ugh, I sucked up my 1st and to date, only rope late last summer. It was an expensive wakeboarding cable. We were pulling a wakeboarder in our very large "cove" and there was another boat pulling a rider and we were staged to pull our rider up when that a*hole tracks right across our bow and then proceeds to turn back and cross us again all te while we are waiting. So as Im watching this play out my rope drifts under the boat. Dumb luck for sure, I had the rope taught behind the boat ready to pull the rider and that other boat screwed us....I should have given them the knife, and the bill for a new cable!!!

 

[rkluck]

I hate when people act like that! Most of the time everyone is great but every once in awhile you run across the ones that feel privileged and will do whatever they want regardless of anyone else. When you say wakeboard cable is it really a cable or a tow rope? We have a wakeboard rope. All of our ropes float.

 

[Kelso]

It is Dyneema synthetic rope. Has a poly costing of some sort, and it floats. We buy orange ones so they are easy to spot on the water.

 

[d_coyne1984]

It's amazing how many times in the same outing I have to yell at people to pull the rope in. I think I am going to attach a winch at the top of my tower and put the rope on it so I can push a button at the helm to wind it up. It might look ugly, but would be handy as F*ck!

 

[Noko]

Just bought a 3 man tube. Any suggestions on a good tow rope and length? Thanks.

 

[Englewoodcowboy]

Get a 60' 3 person rated tow rope (the bungee rope is an excellent option) and get the tow ball. Replace the boat side with your 60' rope and it puts the tube back out of the disturbed wake and greatly reduces the spray for the riders. Final tow length is about 80' give or take. That is my set up and we love it!

 

[Noko]

Get a 60' 3 person rated tow rope (the bungee rope is an excellent option) and get the tow ball. Replace the boat side with your 60' rope and it puts the tube back out of the disturbed wake and greatly reduces the spray for the riders. Final tow length is about 80' give or take. That is my set up and we love it!

thanks

 

[Jerlane]

Hi, I know this thread is old, but I’ve been wondering just how hard it is to suck up a rope? It sounds like it isn’t hard at all. Do you have to actually run over the rope or can it be sucked down if it is near the side of the boat towards the intake? I’m hoping to hold off joining the club as long as possible!

 

[buckbuck]

A rope in the water next to my boat will not get sucked in. But swinging the back of the boat over the rope would be bad. Generally you have to run it over. Make sure you buy ropes that float for your watersports adventures.

I consider being a member of the club a badge of honor.

 

[Looper7]

A rope in the water next to my boat will not get sucked in. But swinging the back of the boat over the rope would be bad. Generally you have to run it over. Make sure you buy ropes that float for your watersports adventures.

I consider being a member of the club a badge of honor.

Yeah we should have I sucked up a rope teeshirts made. Sucks when it happens but can be a funny story later if no damage