HP req for doughnut toy

[Moscowman100]

Thinking about getting the kids one of these towable doughtnut type toys - suitable for 3-4 teens. What size o/b do I need - I have a Zodiac 3.2m RIB? Any thoughts or comments on these toys - O'Brien or other makes etc etc. Thanks

 

[Rum_Pirate]

30hp would be a minimum IMHO.

It depends on how fast you want to go.

REMEMBER to get liability insurance for all riders and general public. Don't want to lose the shirt off your back through trying to give others a good time.. /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

I gave up my tow toy (5'0" tube) and cancelled the skiing toy towing aspects of my insurance after this:

<span style="color:blue">I was in Nevis at Unella’s on Monday (9 September) afternoon waiting on the ferry back to St.Kitts.
I observed[name removed] a 22' Boston whaler with two outboard engines heading to the main pier at a strange angle ie not planing.
I went down as I know the owner and was going to suggest that they go round to the dinghy pier.
On reaching the pier, one of the group runs up to me asking for an ambulance as his girlfriend has got cut.
Tried and call ambulance through a Port Authority shed. Nevis ambulance not working - it had had an accident and was unavailable.
A chap with a pick-up truck kindly offers to take her to hospital.
I then went to the boat to see how to get the girl out.
They said were out waterskiing. The others are on the beach.
The injured girl (one of the group) was in the water. The guy driving said “did not realise that she was so close". Anyway she got cut by the prop.
The girl is lying on the transom, which was just about level (a little below) with the pier.
Her thighs are covered with towels and there is some blood on the transom.
I bent down to assess how to get her off when one of the lads aboard holds her and lifts her up and hands her to me.
I put my arms under her back and under legs. Her right (the cut one) is against me. The transfer is nearly complete - if I do not take her she will fall into the water between the boat and pier.
I get her in my arms and start to stand up. Deep groans of severe pain from her. I note that there is a rope going from her to the boat. A loop of the ski rope is round her leg, the cut one, just above her knee. Not tight just looped.
I lower her and we get the rope off.
Gently put her in pick-up. She is driven off to hospital cradled by to 2 guys and a girl (all friends from the boat).
The remaining guy and girl on the boat say they have to go and get the others from the beach.
I suggest that they wash down the boat first. IE get the blood off.
The guy (driver) expresses his great thirst and I buy four bottles of water for him and the girl.
The boat transom is washed down.
Driver says he says he can't go as something is wrong with one of the engines (this accounts for the non-planing arrival of the boat in the first place ie on one engine).
I get him to trim up the engines.
I get the keys removed.
I then proceed to remove one end of the water-skiing line yoke which has been wrapped around the prop. There is a metal hook rather than a clip at the end which was at the prop and not attached to the boat. This is the same rope that was round the girl’s leg.
On completion, he goes off in the boat and collects the others and comes back and they go off to the hospital.

She was airlifted to Miami.
She had 17 wounds some down to the bone opened and plates inserted.
Suffered infection.
Had wounds reopened in UK and treated f again. Understood that she had more operations.
Recovered.
Leg is shorter than the other and she will always walk with a limp.
Serious insurance implications in excess of £100,000.00 + travel insurance etc
</span>

 

[gjgm]

its safer with one at a time, as its heads smashing together thats a risk-along with neck whiplash...
That said, its not speed you need in a doughnut, its wash.
Not sure how much of that you can generate in a small rib.
Anyway, whatever you get, the fun is being swung wide over the wash, as its also when the speed picks up. Just remember, those in the doughnut have no control, so you are responsible for their wellbeing....

 

[Leighb]

There was a serious accident on the River Orwell last year. Girl being towed at speed in a doughnut, driver sees a yacht ahead and swings to avoid it, does not make allowance for (or realise??) the fact that the doughnut will not follow his track but will swing wide and accelerate as it is travelling a greater distance. Girl is piled into the yacht, which could do little to avoid the collision.

Result serious head injuries, in a coma etc. Fortunately she apparently made a good recovery.

The speedboat was outside the designated waterski area in the main channel on a busy weekend day.

I may not have all the details correct but that was the essence of what happened. These are not toys and need more care from the driver than a water skier as the latter has some control over what happens.

 

[landlockedpirate]

I pulled a single doughnut behind a 3.2m airdeck with a 15hp outboard. With a 10 year old on it we got about 20kts, plenty fast enough for the kids, probably would not quick enough for teenagers.

 

[Thistle]

I have seen a near-miss of something like this when someone narrowly missed being flung onto a pontoon. You really do need an area free of all obstructions. I'd think that some basic training from an expert wouldn't go amiss either.

 

[Moscowman100]

Thanks all - was aware of the possible dangers but your posts are pretty damning reading. Plan B to keep 2 teens amused - scuba? (and yes, I know that can be pretty risky too......)

 

[reaganalvin]

These toys are really good and I bought them for my children to play they really liked it and love playing with them.