The driver makes the ride
Ask parents what worries them and you hear the same things. The driver went too fast. Two kids on one tube bumped heads. A sharp turn threw someone off near the boat. Those are driver problems, not tube problems.
On our charters, a USCG-licensed captain drives and a second person watches the riders. Tell your captain who is riding and how old they're. Ask for slower speeds and wide, smooth turns for little ones. Then let the riders take it from there with hand signals.
Hand signals for riders
Riders can't shout over the engine, so we use hand signals. A thumb up means faster. A thumb down means slower. A flat palm means stop. Your captain goes over the signals before the first ride, so even young kids are in charge of their own speed.
Which boats are best for tubing
Tubing runs on our boats from the 22' Bayliner to the 29' Sea Ray, and on our 26' MasterCraft. We list the 29' 2023 Sea Ray SDX as our best tubing boat. It holds up to 12 guests. The tube, noodles, and life jackets come with the boat.
Parents with young kids often ask about the propeller. Our 27' Yamaha runs on jet drives, so there's no exposed propeller. It leaves from East Hampton, holds up to 10 guests, and has a bathroom aboard.
Rules that keep kids safe
New York's life jacket law requires every person being towed to wear a fastened Coast Guard approved life jacket. Children under 12 must wear one aboard the boat, too. A second person, at least 10 years old, must watch the riders the whole time. Towing is only allowed from sunrise to sunset. Local 5 mph zones near shore also mean rides happen out in open bay, away from the beach.
What is included
Charters include up to two hours of towed sports, and tube rides count toward that time. Most families mix rides with swimming and time on the lily pad. Every Yacht Hampton-owned boat from 22 to 62 feet comes with an 8-foot Sunchill lily pad, which gives tired kids a place to float between rides.
Bay water near Sag Harbor averages about 70 to 72 degrees from July through September, so a fall off the tube is a splash, not a shock. Older kids who want more can try water skiing on the same boat. See all of our watersports for more.
What to bring
Ice and bottled water are aboard. Bring towels, sunscreen, and any food or drinks your family likes. Please skip red wine, since it stains. A rash guard helps younger riders who slide around on the tube. It's just one part of our family boat charters in the Hamptons.
