SportsStuff Big Mable 2-Rider Towable Tube

The SportsStuff Big Mable is the classic 2-rider sit-down towable tube. If you grew up getting pulled around the lake on a tube with your sibling or your buddy, this is probably the shape you remember. Big Mable seats two people side-by-side in deep wells with a high air-cushioned backrest behind them, which is the comfortable, controlled towable design as opposed to the extreme stunt-tube category designed to flip and dump riders. For family lake trips, casual bay-towing fun, and parents who want their kids to enjoy the ride without ending up in the drink every two minutes, the Big Mable is the right tube.

Two riders sit side by side in their own seats with the high backrest providing support and the deep wells keeping them planted at speed. Air-cushioned sidewalls keep elbows and shoulders from getting jammed against the inflated chambers when the boat pulls hard. Multiple grab handles with knuckle guards let riders hold on without scraping their fingers between the handle and the tube. The handles are positioned for both forward-facing and side-grip riding styles.

Dual tow points front and rear are a meaningful design feature. The front tow point is for the standard sit-down ride orientation. The rear tow point lets you flip the tube around and ride it backward for a different experience, or gives you a connection point if you want to chain multiple Big Mables behind the boat for a flotilla. Both tow points use the Kwik-Connect quick-attach system, which means clipping in and out of the tow rope is a couple of seconds rather than the wrestling match it was on older tubes with knot-tied rope loops.

The cover is a heavy-gauge nylon with a full-length zipper that gives you access to the inflatable bladder inside. The zipper matters for two reasons. First, you can pull the bladder out for storage or repair without destroying the cover. Second, if the bladder ever gets a slow leak (catches a sharp object or wears out over years of use), you can replace just the bladder rather than buying a whole new tube. EVA foam pads are sewn into the seating areas to add cushion and reduce wear on the cover from board shorts and bathing suits.

Inflate it with any standard high-volume tube pump. Plan on 5 to 10 minutes for a fully sized tube. Don't over-inflate, because that turns the tube into a hard, bouncy object that's both less comfortable to sit on and more likely to launch riders if you hit a wave at speed. The right inflation feels firm but has some give when you press on it with your hand. Most owners under-inflate slightly for the first ride to find the comfort point.

For the boat side of the rig, you need a tow rope sized for towables. A 60 to 65-foot tube rope is the typical length, with a working strength rated for the weight of riders plus the towable. For two riders on a Big Mable, a 2-rider rated rope (typically 2,375 lb breaking strength) is the minimum spec. Don't try to substitute a ski rope, which is rated lower and will eventually break under towable loads. The Kwik-Connect tow points on this tube accept any standard tube rope quick-clip.

Boat speed for towing. With two riders on a Big Mable, 18 to 25 mph is the typical comfortable cruising speed. Higher speeds are doable but increase the chance of riders being launched if you hit chop or make a sharp turn. For kids and first-time tube riders, start at 12 to 15 mph and work up to a speed that the riders are enjoying. Communication signals between the boat driver and the riders are essential, and most experienced families work out a thumbs-up / thumbs-down system before the first ride.

Care and storage. Rinse the tube with fresh water after every salt or pool-chlorine trip. Sun is the enemy of inflatables, so don't leave the tube out on the dock between rides any longer than you have to. UV degrades both the cover and the bladder over years of exposure. For off-season storage, deflate fully, fold loosely (don't crease the same spot repeatedly), and store in a cool dry place out of the sun.

Weight: 32.6 pounds shipping in the deflated and packaged state. The tube ships compressed in a box. Plan for an inflation session before the first ride.

Made by AIRHEAD Watersports under the SportsStuff brand. Same manufacturer family that makes most of the major recreational towables. Standard manufacturer warranty applies for material and workmanship defects. Same-day shipping before 3 PM ET on in-stock units.