Tow ring on a 196

[TwinTip]

The subject of using the transom lift ring for towing has been discussed in previous threads but I could not find any information regarding the installation of a tow ring.

I have a 196 and when family and friends come out, it is starting to get very crowded, especially when towing and everyone has to be at the front. I only use the pylon for towing and would like to be able to use the rear seat at the same time. A tower is not an option for me and although I do have the fat-pole, I would rather have the rope completely out of the way.

Has anyone installed a tow ring on their boat? Is there a reason why CC does not offer one, either as standard or as an option? Not to compare but other boat manufacturers offer this feature which would be great to have on a 196, 206 or 216 where the rear seat is basically unusable while towing unless one has a tower, fat-pole, or attaches the rope to the lift ring (which supposedly is not designed for towing).

CC offers the pop-up pylon on the 210 and 220's as an option. A tow ring or pop-up pylon on the direct drives would be a great feature to have on these boats.

[Quinner]

RE: Tow ring on a 196

You could run your rope through the lift ring to your pylon.
If you really want to add one, check out how the other MFR's install a rear tow eye, I have seen I/O's that only have wood backing for a transom mounted tow eye which would lead me to believe the hull could handle it, not sure I would do that to my boat but just a thought.

[DanielC]

RE: Tow ring on a 196

I believe it is OK to tow light loads off the rear lifting ring of a Ski Nautique, Not anything heavy. A single slalom skier should be OK, four or five high school boys on tubes, no. Towing a broken down boat, no.
When my boat is full, (1997 Ski Nautique) I use a "ten foot pole" and attach the rope at the top of the pole.
Remember the Ski Nautique 196 is a serious hard core slalom boat. That is its intended use. If you made it to accommodate more people, you would compromise the wake and the handling of the 196. That, in my opinion is unacceptable. Thank you, Correct Craft for even making this model of boat. A lot of boat companies do not even make a closed bow inboard ski boat anymore.

[maxpower220]

Re: RE: Tow ring on a 196

You could run your rope through the lift ring to your pylon.
If you really want to add one, check out how the other MFR's install a rear tow eye, I have seen I/O's that only have wood backing for a transom mounted tow eye which would lead me to believe the hull could handle it, not sure I would do that to my boat but just a thought.

The I/O hull have a different transom build due to the stresses on thier transom. This may be a factor in the CC not installing the tow eye. It is difficult to compare building techniques from inboards, outboards, and I/Os.
Engineers design the boats, so maybe there is a reason that there is not a ski ring on the boat.

[swooddc]

RE: Re: RE: Tow ring on a 196

you can pull skiers off the rear lift ring, don't pull other boats. couple of tubes, no problem. my dealer told me it was fine, and i have never heard of a problem. It does significantly change your handling, especially with tubes you can't turn at idle. just my 2 cents, i would like to hear if anyone has ever seen or heard of gel cracking or ring working loose.

[8122pbrainard]

Re: RE: Re: RE: Tow ring on a 196

i would like to hear if anyone has ever seen or heard of gel cracking or ring working loose.

Yes on hearing about the ring loosening up and yes I've seen stress cracking in the gel radiating out from the lifting ring.

Let the Gayliners pull the tubes. I/O's were designed for it. You won't have any handling issues with them.

[snowboardcorey]

Installing a rear tow eye is not to difficult, just a hair more work than installing docking cleats. The main thing is drilling through the gel and glass correctly as this will eliminate the chances of stress cracks occuring. We've done this install on 190's and 197's, I havent tried it on a 196 but I can't imagine its that much different.

[8122pbrainard]

Installing a rear tow eye is not to difficult, just a hair more work than installing docking cleats. The main thing is drilling through the gel and glass correctly as this will eliminate the chances of stress cracks occuring. We've done this install on 190's and 197's, I havent tried it on a 196 but I can't imagine its that much different.

Please to all who what to try this - read the previous posts regarding transom construction. It IS different on a I/O than a inboard. Installing transom tow rings isn't just drilling holes. Transom reinforcement is required.

[snowboardcorey]

For sure you need to reinforce the area and use substantial backing plates, similar to correctly installing a tower.

[DanielC]

You can tow a light load off the rear lifting eye. There is no need to install a tow ring in addition to the lifting eye. Do not tow a heavy load from the rear lifting eye. A light load, one slalom skier, it is OK to tow from the rear lifting eye. A heavy load, like multiple teenages or adults on inflatables, no.

[todda]

It would also probably be beneficial to TwinTip to define "light slalom skier," only b/c most of the time in the slalom course, an observer can see noticeable bend to the pylon with a skier who loads up on the rope. If it were me towing a skier with the rear lifting eye, I probably wouldn't be towing an aggressive slalom skier by any stretch.

Todd

[AirTool]

Installing a rear tow eye is not to difficult, just a hair more work than installing docking cleats. The main thing is drilling through the gel and glass correctly as this will eliminate the chances of stress cracks occuring. We've done this install on 190's and 197's, I havent tried it on a 196 but I can't imagine its that much different.

Please to all who what to try this - read the previous posts regarding transom construction. It IS different on a I/O than a inboard. Installing transom tow rings isn't just drilling holes. Transom reinforcement is required.

On the i/o had, the tow ring was above the rail in the drop in liner ....NOT the transom. The only reinforcement was a backing fender washer under each nut.

Not recommending....just reporting.

[swooddc]

thanks for the response 8122, had never heard of it happening. I guess you gotta use some sense, I pull kneeboards, combo skis and small kids on single tubes from the rear lift ring, rarely beginner slalom. Never any heavy loads. any decent slalom i dump all the extra people in the water/dock and pull from the pylon.

[TwinTip]

Thanks everyone for your feedback. I am looking for a way of pulling one kid only and this would include kneeboard, wakeboard, and perhaps even combo skis. They are very young and light at this time so I guess the rear lift ring would be ok to use. Anything heavier than 50/60 pounds would go straight to the pylon.