Wave Runners
Missile and Lateral Towables
by Steve Rosenberg
October 30, 2007
For 2007,
Coleman introduces a full line of 16 recreational marine towables, covering every category
from one- to four-person discs to sit-upons, and all sorts of hybrid shapes with attention-getting
colors and graphics. Testing two of the new line (the four-seater Missile, and the three-rider
Lateral) on Lake Lanier near Atlanta, Ga., the first impression out of the box is that both the
double-stitched fabric outer shell and the heavy-duty 30-gauge PVC tube have come to play. Both
tubes come with comfortable neoprene knuckle guards, which help extend the riding session for an
extra trip or two.
Using a 1/2-inch West Marine (Straight Line Sports) tube tow rope behind a Yamaha SX230 High
Output with four riders, the Missile ($317.99) takes off quickly and experiences little drag. Turns
are sharp and stable, even with a slight breeze, and tend to flatten easily rather than roll. It's
perfect for preteens looking for the illusion of living on the edge. The Lateral ($285.49) is an
oddly-shaped "disc" that riders cling to the top of. This always results in a fun, wet ride, but
you need to check the air pressure periodically, because (and this is the case with just about
every disc on the market), even slight underinflation can result in the towable being dragged
downward into the water. That said, the Lateral offers a higher thrill level than the Missile,
along with attention-getting styling. The bright yellow tube can be spotted hundreds of yards away,
which is a nice safety feature.
Related Links:
www.coleman.com (http://www.coleman.com)