BOAT-COMPARATOR Guide
Tubing and Wakeboarding: Which Boat Should You Rent?
Engine power, equipment and the two-people-on-board rule: everything to check before renting a boat for tubing, wakeboarding or water-skiing in France.
The towed tube that makes children scream with laughter, wakeboarding at dawn on glassy water: towed sports are often the real motivation behind a boat rental. But not every boat can tow, and not every rental company allows it. Here is how to prepare a towing day properly.
Which boat can tow?
Rule out licence-free boats immediately: with 6 hp, you will not pull anyone out of the water. Tubing needs a genuine power reserve; wakeboarding and water-skiing need even more, with brisk acceleration to get the rider up on the plane. In practice two families dominate: the RIB (€200 to €600 per day), stable, playful and easy to live with, and the motorboat (€250 to €900), more comfortable for passengers. Check for a proper towing point — a ski eye or wake pole, not a mere mooring cleat. And if the group is large, remember that the rider, the driver and the observer all count towards the boat’s certified capacity.
What the rule says: two people on board
In France, the general rule for towed sports requires two people on board the towing boat: one driving, one keeping constant watch over the person being towed. The driver looks ahead, the observer looks astern — nobody can do both properly alone. Plan your crew accordingly: with just two of you, you cannot tow your child. Add the fundamentals: a suitable vest for the rider, a signal flag if the operator provides one, a briefing on hand signals (arm raised, “ok” sign), and pick-ups with the engine in neutral. Beach fringes are off limits: the 300-metre band is capped at 5 knots, so towing happens offshore, away from swimming areas. Brief the children too: hands inside the tube, and everyone waits for the engine to stop before swimming back to the boat.
What the rental company says: read the listing, ask the question
The right to tow is never automatic. Some operators forbid it, others allow it with their own rented gear (tube, handle, rope), rarely with yours — a matter of insurance and engine wear. Ask three questions before booking: can this boat tow? Is the equipment provided or rentable? Is the activity covered by the included insurance? An undeclared towing session can compromise your cover if something goes wrong: be transparent.
Finding the right boat at the right price
On the platforms, filter by engine power and look for “tube” or “wakeboard” in the equipment list. The same RIB often appears on several sites with a 10 to 25% price gap: Boat-Comparator compares Boataround, SamBoat, Click&Boat and GlobeSailor in real time to find the best offer — all that remains is choosing between the tube and the wakeboard. Book the gear at the same time as the boat, so nothing is missing on the day. One last tip: take the morning slot, the flat water of serious riders.
Free checklist
Rent a boat with no nasty surprises
Deposit, insurance, check-in inspection, fuel, navigation areas, weather: our checklist covers everything to verify before booking and on departure day. Sign up to access it and receive our tips by email.
Thank you! Your checklist is ready: Rent a boat with no nasty surprises →