How to Use Ski Tow Hooks

Towline Inspection (Personal Experience and Tip No. 3 of Reference 3)

Step 1

Set one end of your towline in your hand. Close your hand loosely around the line, leaving the end loop hanging past your palm. You want to grip it tightly enough that your palm and all fingers contact the rope, but loose enough that the rope stills pulls through your hand.

Step 2

Inspect the loop hanging past your palm. Grab the loop with your free hand and pull the rope slowly. Inspect each inch of the rope as it comes out of your hand. Look for small nicks and tears. You will feel some of the damage as the rope travels through your closed grip. As the rope slides, feel for thin spots in the line. Line stress can the rope to become thin. Thin spots can break, ruining your fun day on the water.

Step 3

Watch the color of the line during your inspection. Ultraviolet light will cause thin spots in the line’s sheathing. These light areas can signify weak areas of the towline.

Connect Towline to Ski Hook

Step 1

Grasp one of the towline’s end loops with your hands.

Step 2

Lay the loop over the ski hook, with the tip of the loop facing the boat’s bow. The towline will be lying on the ground or in the water.

Step 3

Push the end of the loop opposite the knot end inside the tow hook. Slide the loop over the tow hook’s center pin. Push the loop over the pin, and pull the towline to tighten the loop to the post.

Step 4

Inspect the connection. The end of the loop will be tight to the center post and run outside of the hook, placing the sides of the loop along the outside of the hook’s body.

Things You'll Need

• Towline