Are some ropes better (floating) than others

[Bca8ball]

I have been boating for years, main bass boats.
Over the years I have helped out several other jet boaters and PWC owners when they get ski/tube ropes sucked into their intakes.

Now that I own my Sportster I figured I would ask if there are good/better/best ropes for us...as far as floating.

 

[Jeff d]

For board sports the best ropes are those with a spectra or dynema core. They don't stretch like the cheap poly ski ropes and they float fine. Usually the issue is not the floatation of the rope itself but the handle. Most of them float fine though.

I've had this rope for a while for wake boarding and it's good:
http://www.amazon.com/AIRHEAD-AHWR-5-Spectra-Wakeboard-Rope/dp/B001MWRQWU/

The handle floats. It's good for wake boarding, wake skating or knee boarding but I wouldn't use it for tubing. Just get one of those hefty poly ropes for tubing. Every poly rope I've ever had floats unless I attached a sinking handle to it. I haven't had one in a log time but every Straight Line brand handle I've had didn't float.

Btw, even if it floats well it will be sucked in if you run the jet drive over it. You just need to be conscious of where the rope is when you're driving. Pull it in if you have doubts then throw it back to the rider after maneuvering into a better position.

 

[Jeff d]

Here's a better spectra rope/handle:
http://www.amazon.com/AIRHEAD-AHWR-4-Wakeboard-Spectra-Thermal/dp/B000OF926E/

The coated ropes glide through the rider's hands more smoothly when the boat is pulling away from them.

 

[Bca8ball]

Thanks for the replies.
We are currently only into tubing and even though the our tubing will be limited to 1 or 2 riders, I just ordered a 6 rider 60' rope.
Bright yellow and 3/4" diameter, should help keep an eye on it. I may regret that .75" if I ever have to cut it off the shaft.

 

[BeachBumTech]

Yes... I had about 20 ft of the thinner poly rope get sucked in and had to remove the grate in order to cut it out... ended that day's ride pretty quick.

 

[Bca8ball]

Yes... I had about 20 ft of the thinner poly rope get sucked in and had to remove the grate in order to cut it out... ended that day's ride pretty quick.

I have helped a friend deal with his boat with ski rope tightly wrapped on the shaft.

Using an electric meat or fish filet knife makes it quite simple. With the long electric knife blades and some long needle nose pliers we didn't even need to remove the grate.

Removing the grate would have helped a little; however, we were at a camp site on the 2nd day of 5, I didn't want to risk breaking a bolt on his older boat.

 

[Jeff d]

In 20 years of watersports behind boats I've only run over the rope a couple of times and both were when I was a teenager. Just be aware of where the rope is and don't run over it. If it looks like the rope is going to end up under the boat cut the engine and regroup before starting it again.

 

[Coastiejoe]

If you seem to suck up more than your share of lines, buy one of these. Will save you hours I would think. This one is $30

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