Boating World’s Tube Test 2016

Story and photos By Alan Jones | posted on: June 15, 2016, BoatingWorld.com

Our kid testers put 15 towable tubes through the wringer so you can find one that’s best for your summer of fun.

On the morning of our seventh-annual Boating World Magazine Tube Test, the forecast called for a 90 percent chance of rain, and we were greeted by a battleship gray sky that seemed to be ready to let loose at any moment. But we managed to complete our tests before any significant rain fell, and the kids got really lucky, because our lineup of 15 tubes was really strong this year. For the first time ever, there wasn’t a tube our panel of six riders didn’t like. Last year, we had several gigantic tubes, costing up to $750. This year, the trend was for smaller, more affordable tubes. In fact, one of our highest rated tubes was also one of the least expensive.

Once again we staged our event in central Florida — in Ocklawaha on Lake Weir at Sandy Hook Beach, where lake lovers have been gathering since 1917. The driver of our Centurion Enzo FS33 surf machine of a test boat was Mike Stockman, the brother of Nate Stockman, the owner of Transition Watersports (transitionwatersports.com) who hosts our event every year. Mike did a fantastic job of giving our testers — who ranged in age from 7 to 13 — thrilling but safe rides, and kept our streak of no injuries intact.

To see a full breakdown of all 15 towable tubes, click here!

Posted by Scott Freerksen “The Lake Guy”

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