I just got my first boat and one of the things I want to do with it is pull a tube around for my son to ride (and maybe me too ). What do I need to set up the tow rope? Is it as easy as attaching it to the bracket on the transom, or is there some kind of float or special rig to use? I sure don't want the rope to get tangled up in the prop.

Alot of it depends on what type of boat you have. I have previously pulled my kids behind my boat using the transom tie down points. The rope being used is equipped with a small float that keeps it up out of the way of the prop. Other boats use a device that mounts into the hole for the rear fishing seat and positions the rope above the engine. Personally, I have now made it a point not to pull anything behind the boat for fear of weakening the transom.

You can buy a harness that connects to both tie downs. If I was just going to pull a tube every once in a while then I'd just get a snap connector and just use 1 eye(tiedown).
Gibson, even my lard arse aint gonna hurt/weaken a transom. I thought you of all people would have more faith in that BassCat of yores! GEEZ!!! Maybe ya ought to get a ChampioN and not worry so much. :p

Even my old Glastron GT would pull 3 of us and it was that old 1972 manufacture. Surely that Cat is better than an old Glastron.

Y'all get um at Big Sam now. Want to see ole Skip eat some crow...............that trash talkin old fart.

There is no way pulling a tube can damage a modern transom. Unless you tie it to the dock with a thousand feet of chain and take off with it.

Just be real careful. I witnessed a young boy get killed riding a tube several years ago on Lake Wood. The driver had been pulling him around doing sharp turns when the rope broke and the boy skipped on the water and he hit a tree. He died instantly. If you are going to pull someone on a tube please do it in the middle of the lake so if something goes wrong he will have a chance to survive.

I have pulled all 3 ways - ski tow bar, harness hooked to 2 eyes. and rope to one eye. Actually for tubing all you need to do is get some FLOATING rope and a connector and hook to one eye.

Harness hooked to both transom tie down points works best for a tube. Get one of those ropes that has the two hooks and a little float to keep the rope out of the motor. I've done it using the ski pylon on my Ranger Fish-n-Ski and it doesn't work as well. That attachment point is too high for a tube and the tube will get lots of air underneath it - some kids might like that though!