Tube Kites, what do you refer to as a tube kite? a pump up LEI? or something else.

The Army Corps refer's to them as a towable device. They have been ban on all Corps lakes in Ga. and SC. This ban has been around for awhile but it always gets under my skin when I see the signs.

I finally found this article that actually states (kite tubes) but all the signs around the lakes state (tube kites).

There is a NEW, news release on this at the Corps web site but the link is broken. I just wonder what they are banning now. I sent mail to ask.

http://www.atlanta.com/atlanta/articles/kite-tubes-banned-on...

Here is the Corps Link:
http://www.sas.usace.army.mil/lakes/hartwell/recreation.htm

I think they mean 'kite tubes', tubes that can be towed behind boats and at high enough speeds can lift off the ground and fly with someone on the back of them. I have heard of bans on these around here too. These can be very dangerous because one wrong move in the air can send you basically free falling 15+ feet head first in the water.

as you can see, this is probably more dangerous than an LEI, especially when little kids are on them

I'm sure they mean those 10 foot diameter towable tubes that due to rider position and size will lift off the water at a certain speed. I know they are banned on corp lakes.

There's some great vids on youtube ...!

The same trip goes on over here but a lot tend to use very big tractor tubes and drag it behind a speedboat

Yep, I'm sure thats what they banned. Just wish they would get the wording right.

Most of our DNR guys are top notch. But you always have that one that would twist things around a bit. LOL

Looks like too much pain in the videos. Lots of the Manta Ray (kite tubes) sold around here before the ban.

I fly at the lake a good bit, hope they don't get on kite's next. We was approached last year while the Hydra was dragging us around but after watching it for a minute, they said have a good day and went on.

More dangerous than LEI's wannabekiter? How so, you have an LEI yourself.

I vote that the kite tubes that you tow behind a boat are way more dangerous per than an LEI kite. For the record, I've never flown an LEI or ridden in one of the kite tubes myself.

I agree that it is more dangerous to ride that wing, I'm unsure why he specified LEI's. Those wings are illegal BTW.

I only specified LEIs because that's the other kind of 'tube kite' he was talking about. I'm not saying they are unsafe at all and I've never had any hairy situations with mine

there are several lawsuits against Seyvlor since they had many fatal accidents with their Manta - people flying many feet at high speeds then head diving and breaking necks.

please see http://www.kitetubelawsuits.com/manta-ray.cfm

"kite tube"is hella dangerous. same goes for that weird wake-wing thing.

yeah i used to have a Manta Ray.
Many people have been severely paralyzed and some people have even died.

I had mine for like 2 years and honestly, if you have common sense and dont try to do stupid things like fly without a life jacket, have a drunk guy driving the boat, go out before a huge storm etc... you wont get hurt.
It does get scary when you get high because the higher you are the harder it is to control.

I would trade anything to get another one. They're pretty expensive on eBay now...

My friend has a manta and it takes too much speed to get it out of the water. It will fly but comes down hard in the blink of an eye with just shifting your weight. If you are interested XdisasterX maybe he would sell it but probably not if you are 16.

A Manta Ray on Oregon craigslist.
raft, boat, towable flying tube - $300 (bend)

I used to have a manta and a kite tube... The kite tube would fly at a slightly slower speed and was more controllable, w/practice..... I would usually be the boat driver, and never let the person get more than 10-15 feet in the air... I only had 1 driver that i trusted and i could cruise in the air 15 feet up for a mile.....

I made the mistake of letting a questionable driver pull me, I was 40 feet up straight over the boat and slammed into the water.....The entire front side of my body was a bruise for a week..... I recovered and flew again.....

Kite tubing was one of the funnest things ive ever done.....................