[skprbob]

The towing rules for people - as the RSAs read - that's RSA 270:d-3

1. Without a special permit, one may tow a maximum of two people, regardless of the number of objects. For example, two tubes, with two riders on each tube, is illegal (4 people).

2. You need an appropriate observer for each person. For example, one tube, with two riders, requires two observers.

So - it's always the number of people that count! The one I love most is the inflatable "torpedo" with six kids on it, wearing only old ski belts, and one 10 year old observer. Argh.

3. There is no rule against towing someone through a channel as long as other navigation rules are observed. For example, if you tow through the Graveyard and you are the only boat there, have at it. You're good unless you meet another boat and have to slow down to comply with the safe passage rule. The Weirs Channel is a posted "no wake" area, so you would have to tow at headway speed (if you were dumb enough to try it). If I were still an MP officer, I'd likely not worry too much about the Graveyard guy. In the crowded Weirs Channel, I could easily construe such a maneuver as creating a hazard to navigation and take enforcement action that way.

Either way though, towing anywhere but open water is one of the hallmarks of Capt Bonehead!