Do you know that feeling when you’re sitting on the beach, watching a group of friends screaming their lungs out and having the time of their lives on a tube?
Why can’t you do the same? Well, you can.
But you only have a jet ski; will it work for tubing? Your friends will probably tell you that you need to have a boat and that jet ski tubing is risky or inapplicable.
Well, I’m here to tell you it’s totally applicable, and it even has a couple of benefits you can enjoy.
Why You Should Go for Jet Ski Tubing
There are a couple of reasons why jet ski tubing is better than boat tubing. It’s not the best option out there, but there are some advantages to it. Here’s a roundup of the most prominent reasons you should go for it.
A Jet Ski Is More Convenient to Own
Jet skis are easier to ride than boats, and they’re overall more convenient. For one, they’re compact and small, so you won’t need a huge place to store them when they’re not in use. Additionally, they’re easier to launch, especially for beginners.
Not to mention, a jet ski is significantly lighter than a boat, so it’s a lot easier to maneuver if you’re not an experienced sea rider.
To add to the convenience, most public boat ramps now have designated areas for jet skis, so you won’t face a lot of hardship trying to launch yours.
A Jet Ski Costs Less Than a Boat
It’s a no-brainer that jet skis are more budget-friendly than boats. If you’re planning to invest in a sea vehicle, the obvious affordable option is a jet ski.
If you don’t mind getting a used model, you can get a fully-fledged one for under $5000. You can even find some cheaper options, but they’ll need refurbishing and a couple of repairs.
Even if you want to buy a new one, it won’t cost more than $10,000 on average, which is still nowhere close to the cost of a new boat and its maintenance costs.
No Need for a Tow Vehicle
Whenever you need to launch your jet ski, you’ll be able to do it anywhere. You won’t need a tow vehicle to do it, like the way it is with heavy boats. Of course, that’s all thanks to the small size of jet skis.
The maneuverability of boats is generally pretty limited. That’s why their owners mostly leave them at a marina. Jet skis are much easier to deal with.
You’ll Get a Fun Ride
Who said tubing with a jet ski is any less fun?
As long as your vehicle’s horsepower is more than 110, you’ll get your friends a pretty fun ride on the tube. The boat’s higher power doesn’t mean the tube will move faster; let’s not forget the boat is hauling its massive weight. Meanwhile, the jet ski is lighter and faster.
Of course, you’ll want to make sure the jet ski’s power can handle the weight of the tube riders. Jet skis with 110 horsepower should haul around 200 pounds just fine.
Shallow Water Will No Longer Be a Challenge
All boat owners know shallow water can be a real pain. For one, it means you can’t tread into all the places you’d like. Secondly, if you get stuck, you’ll need a tow vehicle and a lot of money to get your boat out.
With jet skiing, you get none of that hassle. You can go into areas with shallow water comfortably, thanks to the fact that there’s no propeller to fuss about. That includes tubing and any other activity you want to do.
Whenever you want to take a ride, you can pull up to the beach and go. Many people don’t realize this is one of the greatest advantages of having a jet ski.
You’ll Be Able to Get Into Narrow Places
With boats, you can only navigate large areas, so you don’t get stuck in a narrow canal. On the other hand, if you own a jet ski, you’ll be able to get virtually anywhere you prefer.
You can get into canals, coves, and small rivers easily, thanks to the small size of the sea vehicles.
You’ll need to be a bit careful with the tube, or else your friends will end up on the shore. If you do that, you’ll be able to get them a fun ride and enjoy some beautiful scenery before revving up and letting them taste the salty water!
What Are the Drawbacks of Jet Ski Tubing?
Even after listing all the advantages above, you probably know that jet ski tubing isn’t all fun and games. There’s a reason most tubing is done through boats till now.
For starters, jet skis don’t have a high capacity. If you’re with a group of friends, the most you can do is give them a tube ride and splash them around. However, you won’t be able to get them on the jet ski or ride with them. You’ll probably only be able to get one friend on board.
The number of people you can get on the jet ski must comply with the seating capacity, which doesn’t exceed two or four seats most of the time.
There’s also the challenge of the law. In some areas, you must have a spotter. So, you’ll need your jet ski to have three seats minimum for the driver, spotter, and the person on the tube. Of course, a four-seat jet ski will be more convenient in this case because it’ll allow for two tubers.
All in all, all downsides of jet skis have to do with the riding capacity, which shouldn’t be a problem if your group is small. When it comes to convenience, jet skis win.
Wrap Up
Whether you’re going jet ski tubing or boat tubing, you’ll undoubtedly have fun. Before choosing between the two methods, you need to consider all the aspects.
Will the jet ski be enough for your friends, or you’ll need a bigger boat? Will the boat allow you to go into all the places you want to visit?
If you have your answers, you have your choice!