Marine Accessories

It is the responsibility of the watercraft operator to know and inform persons riding or using tow ropes of the information presented herein. Unsafe operation by watercraft driver will endanger you and others.

Use a kwik tek tow rope of at least 1500 lbs. average tensile strength for pulling a single person, 2375 lbs. average tensile strength for pulling two people, 3350 lbs. tensile strength for pulling three people and 4100 lbs. tensile strength for pulling four people on an inflatable tube.  The tow rope should be at least 50 feet in length but not to exceed 65 feet.

The stress on the rope is different from the stress on the tube, and will vary withe the weight of the passengers, design, and surface area of the tube.

Check the rope, handle, and connectors for frays, cuts, sharp edges, knots or wear before each use.  Discard rope if any such conditions exists or i f rope appears to be worn.  such conditions may lead to breaks which can cause rope to snap back and may hit the occupants of the watercraft which could result in injury or death.

Never put arms, legs or head in the handle section, since injury or death may result.  Never wrap rope aroun any part of your body prior to or during use or when retrieving rope.

Do not use a tow rope with elastic or bungee material to pull skiers or riders.  Such an addition can break or stretch which may lead to injury of users or occupants of the watercraft.

Rope is subject to deterioration when exposed to direct sunlight.  The life of the product will be extended when stored away for sunlight.

The product should be replaced when signs of deterioration appear, indicated by the existence of discoloration, wearing, fraying or raveling.   Somae chemicals my affect the rope.  If the product becomes tacky or changes color or appearance, do not use.

Do not add hardware or attachments that are not otherwise supplied by the manufacturer.

Tow ropes come in many different material and lengths which means when you are towing people you must have the correct rope so that you do not break a rope because you are towing six people with a 2 person rope.  Ropes usually rated for 2, 4, or 6 people which is how most inflatable toys come.  Make sure that you have a red flag so that if someone falls off the inflatable tube you can hold it up so other boaters can see you and know someone is in the water. 

Kwik Tek Tow Ropes made by Airhead pay unique attention to quality and detail, resulting in unparalleled consumer satisfaction.  Airhead towable tube tow ropes are rated for 1, 2, 3, 4 or 6 rider towables as well as ropes for wakeboards.  Strengths are 1500, 2375, 3500, 4100, and 6000 pounds respectively.  All are expertly spliced from the highest quality UV, abrasion and petrochemical resistant polyethylene, the same quality ropes are available for wakeboards, a Kwik Tek Tow Rope will take care of your marine accessories needs.

Innertubing is one of the most enjoyable water activities for children and people who are not balance inclined.  Innertubing is fun, and when the proper precautions are taken, is also much safer than waterskiing or wakeboarding.  For innertubing, you will need at least three people, one person driving the boat, one person flagging, and one person being pulled in the innertube.  The person flagging is necessary to alert other boaters when the innertuber is down in the water, and also alert the driver in case the innertuber asks for the boat to be stopped.  You’ll also need a special tow rope to pull the innertube; the strength of a regular rope isn’t enough to support an innertube. 

With the proper safety measures, you’re sure to have an entire day of fun innertubing with your family and friends.  Remember to let the driver have a chance now and then too (if they’ll let someone else drive their boat!).  

The first question to ask when considering what type of tow rope to purchase is how valuable whatever you are towing behind your boat really is.  Ski ropes are constructed to withstand consistent loads, while tube ropes will slacken and tauten quickly without control over either.  Some ropes of either type have handles that cannot be removed, which may also be a factor in your choice.

One of the more common causes of fatalities or serious injuries in water sports involve broken or malfunctioning tow ropes.  WSIA, the governing body of the water sports industry, has done extensive testing and research to determine the standard recommended tensile strengths for water sports tow ropes, which are 3,350 pounds of break strength for 3 people or less; 4,100 pounds break strength for four people or less; and 6,000 pounds of break strength for 6 people or less.  Tow ropes may also not be 20 feet or less in length.