Patent Publication Number: US-2022234691-A1

Title: Tow attachment, tow pylon assembly and watercraft having same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/142,743, filed Jan. 28, 2021 entitled “Tow Attachment, Tow Pylon Assembly and Watercraft Having Same”, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD 
     The present technology relates to tow attachments for watercraft, watercraft having a tow attachment, tow pylon assemblies for watercraft and watercraft having a tow pylon assembly. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Some watercraft have tow attachments connected at a rear thereof to which tow ropes can be attached, thereby providing a tow point that can be used for a variety of tow activities such as water tubing or waterskiing. Other watercraft have tow pylons, which provide an elevated tow point that can be desirable for certain tow sports such as wakeboarding and/or wake surfing. 
     Products exist that provide a mechanical fuse intended to break when a load above a predetermined load is applied on the tow rope. Some such products are attached in series between the tow point and a forward end of the tow rope, and are designed to break at a tension load lower than that of a conventional tow rope. 
     However, current products can require additional steps to be completed prior to engaging in tow activities. Such steps may be bypassed or forgotten. 
     In view of the foregoing, there is a desire for a product that addresses at least some of these drawbacks. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is an object of the present technology to ameliorate at least some of the inconveniences present in the prior art. 
     According to one aspect of the present technology, there is provided a tow attachment for a watercraft, that is configured to attach a tow rope to the watercraft. The tow attachment includes a first part and a second part. The first part is configured for rigid connection to the watercraft, and the second part is connected to the first part by a connecting portion. The second part is configured to attach to the tow rope. The second part disconnects from the first part about the connecting portion in response to the tow rope applying a load above a predetermined load to the second part. 
     In some embodiments, the connecting portion defines a mechanical sacrificial part such that the second part breaks away from the first part about the connecting portion in response to the tow rope applying the load above the predetermined load to the second part. 
     In some embodiments, the connecting portion has a lower breaking strength than the first and second parts. 
     In some embodiments, the first part, the second part and the connecting portion are integral. 
     In some embodiments, the second part is a bollard. 
     In some embodiments, the first part, the second part, and the connecting portion each have a circular perimeter; and a minimum diameter of the connecting portion is smaller than minimum diameters of the first and second parts. 
     In some embodiments, a minimum wall thickness of the connecting portion is smaller than minimum wall thicknesses of the first and second parts. 
     In some embodiments, the first part, the second part, and the connecting portion each have annular cross-sections. The minimum wall thickness of the connecting portion corresponds to a smallest thickness of the annular cross-section of the connecting portion, the minimum wall thickness of the first part corresponds to a smallest thickness of the annular cross-section of the first part, and the minimum wall thickness of the second part corresponds to a smallest thickness of the annular cross-section of the second part. 
     According to another aspect of the present technology, there is provided a watercraft having a hull, a deck disposed on the hull, and a tow attachment according to at least one of the above aspects or according to at least one of the above aspects and one or more of the above embodiments connected to at least one of the hull and the deck. 
     In some embodiments, the watercraft further has a tow pylon that is connected to the at least one of the hull and the deck, and the first part of the tow attachment is rigidly connected to the tow pylon. 
     In some embodiments, the watercraft further has a bracket connected to the at least one of the hull and the deck, and the tow pylon is connected to the bracket. 
     In some embodiments, the tow pylon is removably connected to the bracket. 
     In some embodiments, the tow pylon has a lock that selectively locks the tow pylon to the bracket. 
     According to another aspect of the present technology, there is provided tow pylon assembly for a watercraft that has a tow pylon and a tow attachment. The tow attachment is connected to the tow pylon, and is configured to attach a tow rope to the watercraft. The tow attachment includes a first part and a second part. The first part is configured for rigid connection to the tow pylon. The second part is connected to the first part by a connecting portion, and is configured to attach to the tow rope. The second part disconnects from the first part about the connecting portion in response to the tow rope applying a load above a predetermined load to the second part. 
     In some embodiments, the connecting portion defines a mechanical sacrificial part such that the second part breaks away from the first part about the connecting portion in response to the tow rope applying the load above the predetermined load to the second part. 
     In some embodiments, the connecting portion has a lower breaking strength than the first part, the second part and the tow pylon. 
     In some embodiments, the first part, the second part and the connecting portion are integral. 
     In some embodiments, the second part is a bollard. 
     In some embodiments, the first part, the second part, and the connecting portion each have a circular perimeter; and a minimum diameter of the connecting portion is smaller than minimum diameters of the first and second parts. 
     In some embodiments, a minimum wall thickness of the connecting portion is smaller than minimum wall thicknesses of the first and second parts. 
     In some embodiments, the first part, the second part, and the connecting portion each have annular cross-sections. The minimum wall thickness of the connecting portion corresponds to a smallest thickness of the annular cross-section of the connecting portion, the minimum wall thickness of the first part corresponds to a smallest thickness of the annular cross-section of the first part, and the minimum wall thickness of the second part corresponds to a smallest thickness of the annular cross-section of the second part. 
     In some embodiments, the tow attachment is selectively connected to the tow pylon. 
     In some embodiments, the tow pylon assembly further includes a bracket configured to be connected to at least one of a hull and a deck of the watercraft, and the tow pylon is connected to the bracket. 
     In some embodiments, the tow pylon is removably connected to the bracket. 
     In some embodiments, the tow pylon includes a lock that selectively locks tow pylon to the bracket. 
     According to another aspect of the present technology, there is provided a watercraft having a hull, a deck disposed on the hull, and the tow pylon assembly according to at least one of the above aspects or according to at least one of the above aspects and one or more of the above embodiments connected to at least one of the hull and the deck. 
     For purposes of the present application, terms related to spatial orientation when referring to a watercraft and components in relation to the watercraft, such as “vertical”, “horizontal”, “forwardly”, “rearwardly”, “left”, “right”, “above” and “below”, are as they would be understood by a driver of the watercraft sitting thereon in an upright driving position, with the watercraft being at rest and level. 
     Embodiments of the present technology each have at least one of the above-mentioned object and/or aspects, but do not necessarily have all of them. It should be understood that some aspects of the present technology that have resulted from attempting to attain the above-mentioned object may not satisfy this object and/or may satisfy other objects not specifically recited herein. 
     Additional and/or alternative features, aspects, and advantages of embodiments of the present technology will become apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a better understanding of the present technology, as well as other aspects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following description which is to be used in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view taken from a rear, top, right side of a watercraft with a tow pylon assembly including a tow attachment; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view taken from a rear, top, right side of the tow pylon assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a partially exploded perspective view taken from the rear, top right side of the tow pylon assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4A  is a cross-sectional view of the tow pylon assembly of  FIG. 1 , taken through the plane  4 A- 4 A of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4B  is a close-up view of a portion of the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 5A  is a cross-sectional view of the tow pylon assembly of  FIG. 1 ; taken through plane  5 A- 5 A of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5B  is a cross-sectional view of the tow pylon assembly of  FIG. 1 , taken through line  5 B- 5 B of  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the watercraft and the tow pylon assembly of  FIG. 1 , taken through plane  6 - 6  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view taken from a rear, top, right side of the tow attachment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the tow attachment of  FIG. 7 , taken through plane  8 - 8 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a right side elevation view of the tow attachment of  FIG. 7  and a front portion of a tow rope, with an upper part of the tow attachment breaking away from a lower part of the tow attachment about a connecting portion; 
         FIG. 10  is a close-up perspective view taken from a rear, top, right side of the watercraft of  FIG. 1 , with an alternative embodiment of the tow attachment of  FIG. 1  connected thereto; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the tow attachment of  FIG. 1  connected to a portion of the tow pylon assembly of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view taken from a rear, bottom, right side of the tow attachment of  FIG. 11 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A watercraft  50  with a tow pylon assembly  55  in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology is shown in  FIG. 1 . The tow pylon assembly  55  has a bracket  100 , a tow pylon  200  and a tow attachment  250  that is configured to attach a tow rope  56  to the watercraft  50 . Thus, one end of the tow rope  56  is connected to the tow attachment  250 , and another end is connected to an object being towed (not shown) or held by a person being towed. The following description relates to one example of a watercraft  50 , notably a pontoon boat  50 . Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that there are other known types of watercraft incorporating different designs, such as personal watercraft, and that the present technology could encompass these other watercraft. 
     The boat  50  has a deck  60  and a hull  70 . The deck  60  is disposed on the hull  70 , and is supported thereby. The deck  60  has an upper surface  64  for supporting occupants, as well as accessories and accommodations of the boat  50  (e.g., seating, command console, etc., not shown). 
     The boat  50  is propelled by a jet propulsion system  80  powered by a motor (not shown). The jet propulsion system  80  has a steering nozzle  82  used for steering the boat  50 . A steering device, such as a handlebar or a steering wheel (not shown), is operatively connected to the steering nozzle  82 . A throttle lever (not shown) is operatively connected to the motor for controlling operation of the motor. The steering device and the throttle lever are located on a command console (not shown) provided on the deck  60 . It is contemplated that other propulsion systems, such as a stern drive, marine outboard engine or marine inboard engine, could be used to propel the boat  50 . It is also contemplated that that the steering nozzle  82  could be replaced by one or more rudders. A powerpack (not shown) of the boat  50 , including the jet propulsion system  80  and the motor, is enclosed in part by the hull  70 . 
     The boat  50  has a side structure  90  surrounding at least part of the deck  60  and extending upwardly therefrom. In the present embodiment, the side structure  90  is a barrier structure  90 . It is contemplated that that in some embodiments, the side structure  90  could be gunnels of the boat  50  or another structure extending vertically from the upper surface  64 . The barrier structure  90  is located along a periphery of the boat  50  (as defined by the deck  60 ). The barrier structure  90  generally surrounds the entirety of the deck  60 . It is contemplated that, in other embodiments, the barrier structure  90  could only partially surround the deck  60 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 to 9 , the tow pylon assembly  55  will now be described in greater detail. Briefly, in the present embodiment, the tow attachment  250 , which is configured to attach to the tow rope  56 , is rigidly connected to the tow pylon  200 . The tow pylon  200  is removably connected to the bracket  100 , and the bracket  100  is connected to the boat  50 . In some embodiments, the tow pylon  200  could be permanently connected to the bracket  100 . In the present embodiment, the tow pylon assembly  55  also includes a secondary tow attachment  251  (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 6 ) that is connected to the bracket  100 . 
     The bracket  100  is connected to the rear of the boat  50 . More precisely, the bracket  100  is connected to the hull  70  and to the deck  60 . It is contemplated that in some embodiments, the bracket  100 , and thus the tow pylon assembly  55 , could be configured to connect only to the deck  60 , or only to the hull  70 . It is also contemplated that in some embodiments, the bracket  100  could be omitted, such that the tow pylon  200  and/or the tow attachment  250  could be directly connected to the boat  50 . 
     Referring particularly to  FIGS. 2 to 5B , the bracket  100  has a left arm  110   a , a right arm  110   b , and an upper part  120 . The arms  110   a ,  110   b  and the upper part  120  are distinct parts that are connected to each other. It is contemplated that in other embodiments, the bracket  100  could be made of more or less than three parts. As will be described in greater detail below, the left and right arms  110   a ,  110   b  are complementary and connect to each other. The upper part  120  is connected to both of the arm connecting portions  112   a ,  112   b  and extends upwardly and forwardly therefrom. 
     The left arm  110   a  has an arm connecting portion  112   a  and a curved portion  114   a  that is laterally spaced, to the left, from the arm connecting portion  112   a  and in which two vertically spaced side apertures  116   a  are defined. The arm connecting portion  112   a  defines a recess  117   a  ( FIG. 5A ) at a center thereof. The arm connecting portion  112   a  also defines two sets of three vertically spaced connecting apertures  118   a , where one set of the connecting apertures  118   a  is on the left side of the recess  117   a , and the other set of the connecting apertures  118   a  is on the right side of the recess  117   b . The connecting apertures  118   a  are configured to receive bolts therethrough. 
     Likewise, the right arm  110   b  has an arm connecting portion  112   b  and a curved portion  114   b  that is laterally spaced, to the right, from the arm connecting portion  112   b , and in which two vertically spaced side apertures  116   b  are defined. The arm connecting portion  112   b  defines a recess  117   b  ( FIG. 5A ) at a center thereof. The arm connecting portion  112   b  defines two sets of three vertically spaced connecting apertures  118   b , where one set of the connecting apertures  118   b  is on the left side of the recess  117   b , and the other set of the connecting apertures  118   b  is on the right side of the recess  117   b . The connecting apertures  118   b  are configured to receive bolts therethrough. 
     When the left and right arms  110   a ,  110   b  are connected to one another, the connecting apertures  118   a  are aligned with the connecting apertures  118   b , and the recess  117   a  is aligned with the recess  117   b , such that the left and right arm connecting portions  112   a ,  112   b  are flush, and the recesses  117   a ,  117   b  define a space configured to receive a bottom portion of the tow pylon  200 . Bolts extending through the connecting apertures  118   a ,  118   b  connect the left and right arms  110   a ,  110   b  together using nuts. The curved portions  114   a ,  114   b  are configured to be received in recesses defined in the hull  70 . The vertically spaced side apertures  116   a ,  116   b  are configured to receive screws which screw into the hull  70 , thereby rigidly connecting the bracket  100  to the hull  70 . 
     The upper part  120  has a lower portion  122  that extends vertically and forwardly from the arm connecting portions  112   a ,  112   b , and an upper portion  124  that extends forwardly from the lower portion  122 . A receiving aperture  126  is defined through the entirety of the upper part  120 , and thus, is defined through both the lower and upper portions  122 ,  124 . The receiving aperture  126  is aligned with the space defined by the recesses  117   a ,  117   b . A left projection  128   a  and a right projection  128   b  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) project toward one another from within the receiving aperture  126 . The left and right projections  128   a ,  128   b  extend vertically throughout the receiving aperture  126 . Also within the receiving aperture  126 , a locking aperture  129  (shown in  FIGS. 4A, 4B and 5B ) that extends perpendicularly to the receiving aperture  126  is defined in the upper part  120 . As will be described in more detail below, the receiving aperture  126  is configured to receive the tow pylon  200  therein, and the locking aperture  129 , in conjunction with a lock  220  that will also be described below can lock the tow pylon  200  to the bracket  100 . 
     The upper portion  124  has a rearward section  125   a , an intermediate section  125   b  and a forward section  125   c . The upper portion  124  is tapered from a portion of the intermediate section  125   b  to the rearward section  125   a , whereas the forward section  125   c  is inclined downwardly from the intermediate section  125   b . The receiving aperture  126  is defined in the rearward section  125   a . The intermediate section  125   b  has a horizontally flat surface  130 , and a navigation light attachment aperture  132  is defined on the horizontally flat surface  130 . The navigation light attachment aperture  132  is configured to connect to a navigation light attachment (not shown). The intermediate section  125   b  also defines a secondary aperture  134  extending therethrough, and a slot  136  that extends laterally on a bottom side of the upper portion  124 . The slot  136  is configured to receive a lower rail  92  of the barrier structure  90 . The secondary aperture  134  is configured to receive a bolt therethrough to connect the secondary tow attachment  251  to the bracket  100 , and to the barrier structure  90 . The forward section  125   c  has a tab  138  that extends forwardly therefrom. The tab  138  defines two laterally spaced apertures  140  (only one shown) adapted to receive screws which screw into the deck  60 , thereby rigidly connecting the bracket  100  to the deck  60 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 to 6 , the tow pylon  200 , which is received in the receiving aperture  126 , defines a left slot  202   a  and a right slot  202   b . The left and right slots  202   a ,  202   b  extend vertically along the entirety of the tow pylon  200 . As will be described in greater detail below, the left and right slots  202   a ,  202   b  are configured to receive the left and right projections  128   a ,  128   b  therein. A lower tow pylon aperture  204  and an upper tow pylon aperture  206  are defined in the tow pylon  200 , within the right slot  202   b . It is contemplated that in other embodiments, the lower and upper tow pylon apertures  204 ,  206  could be defined within the left slot  202   a . The lower and upper tow pylon apertures  204 ,  206  are configured to receive different portions of the lock  220 . The tow pylon  200  also defines an inner tow passage  210  (best seen in  FIG. 5B ), such that the tow pylon  200  is hollow, and thus, has a generally annular cross-section. Within the inner tow passage  210 , the tow pylon  200  has front and rear reinforcing ribs  207   a ,  207   b  as well as four equally spaced ribs  208   a ,  208   b ,  208   c ,  208   d  that all extend from a top to a bottom of the inner tow passage  210  generally radially inwardly from an inner surface of the tow pylon  200 . The front and rear reinforcing ribs  207   a ,  207   b  and the four equally spaced ribs  208   a ,  208   b ,  208   c ,  208   d  strengthen the tow pylon  200 . Upper parts of the ribs  208   a ,  208   b ,  208   c ,  208   d  are configured to receive screws therein. Furthermore, the ribs  208   a ,  208   b  have lock receiving portions  209   a ,  209   b . The upper surface of the tow pylon  200  has four connecting apertures (not shown) aligned with the ribs  208   a ,  208   b ,  208   c ,  208   d , so that the tow attachment  250  can connect to the tow pylon  200 . 
     Best seen in  FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5A and 5B , the tow pylon  200  has the lock  220 , which can be used to selectively lock the tow pylon  200  to the bracket  100 . The lock  220  has an anchoring portion  222 , a resilient portion  224 , an engageable portion  226  and a locking portion  228 . The anchoring portion  222  is anchored to the lock receiving portions  209   a ,  209   b . The lock  220  has an initial position (shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B ) where the engageable portion  226  extends through the upper tow pylon aperture  206  and the locking portion  228  extends through the lower tow pylon aperture  204 . The resilient portion  224  is biased to return toward the initial position when deformed. Thus, when the engageable portion  226  is engaged, the engageable portion  226  and the locking portion  228  move inwardly, toward the anchoring portion  222 , and when the engageable portion  226  is disengaged, the engageable portion  226  and the locking portion  228  move toward the initial position of the lock  220 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 to 9 , the tow attachment  250  has a lower part  260  that is rigidly connected to the tow pylon  200  and an upper part  280 . The upper part  280  is connected to the lower part  260  by a connecting portion  300 . The lower part  260 , the upper part  280  and the connecting portion  300  are integral, though in other embodiments, it is contemplated that the tow attachment  250  could be made of two or more separate parts. The tow attachment  250  defines a blind hole  252  that extends from a bottom surface of the lower part  260  to the upper part  280 . It is contemplated that in some embodiments, the blind hole  252  could extend more or less into the tow attachment  250 , could extend from a top surface of the upper part  280  to a bottom surface of the lower part  260 , or could be a through hole or another type of hole. It is also contemplated that the blind hole  252  could be omitted. The blind hole  252  has an effective diameter DE, that is generally uniform along the vertical axis (excluding the tapered top portion of the blind hole  252 ). 
     The lower part  260  has a base portion  262  and a tapered portion  264 , where the base portion  262  is connected to the connecting portion  300  by the tapered portion  264 . Four equally spaced recesses  266  are defined in the tapered portion  264 . A connecting aperture  268  is defined in each of the four equally spaced recesses  266 . The base portion  262  is configured to rigidly connect to the tow pylon  200 . More specifically, the connecting apertures  268  are configured to receive screws which screw into the top of the tow pylon  200 , thereby rigidly connecting the tow attachment  250  to the tow pylon  200 . It is contemplated that the tow attachment  250  could be connected to the tow pylon  200  differently. For instance, in some embodiments, the tow attachment  250  and the tow pylon  200  could be configured such that the tow attachment  250  has a threaded base portion  262  that screws into the tow pylon  200 . Thus, it is contemplated that the tow attachment  250  could be selectively connected to the tow pylon  200 . The base portion  262  has a generally uniform circular perimeter. The tapered portion  264  has a circular perimeter that becomes smaller as the circular perimeter nears the connecting portion  300 . Thus, the circular perimeter of the tapered portion  264  varies along the vertical axis, such that the lower part  260  has a minimum lower part diameter D L  where the lower part  260  meets the connecting portion  300 . In addition, due to the blind hole  252 , the lower part  260  has an annular cross-section for which the thickness, like the circular perimeter, also varies along the vertical axis. Therefore, a lower part wall thickness, which corresponds to the thickness of the annular cross-section, also varies along the vertical axis. Thus, the minimum lower part wall thickness corresponds to the smallest thickness of the lower part annular cross-section, which occurs at the minimum lower part diameter D L . 
     The connecting portion  300  connects the lower and upper parts  260 ,  280 , and has a circular perimeter that varies in the vertical direction. More precisely, the circular perimeter of the connecting portion  300  decreases from where the connecting portion  300  meets with the lower part  260  until a minimum connecting portion diameter D C  is reached, and then increases until the connecting portion  300  meets with the upper part  280 . In addition, due to the blind hole  252 , the connecting portion  300  has an annular cross-section for which the thickness, like the circular perimeter, also varies along the vertical axis. Therefore, a connecting portion wall thickness, which corresponds to the thickness of the annular cross-section, also varies along the vertical axis. Thus, the minimum connecting portion wall thickness corresponds to the smallest thickness of the connecting portion annular cross-section, which occurs at the minimum connecting portion diameter D C . 
     The upper part  280  extends upwardly from the connecting portion  300 , and is configured to attach to the tow rope  56 . In the present embodiment, the upper part  280  is a bollard  280 . It is contemplated that in other embodiments, the upper part  280  could be a hook, a carabiner or another part that is suitable to attach a tow rope. The upper part  280  has a lower radially extending portion  282 , an attaching portion  284 , and an upper radially extending portion  286 . It is contemplated that in some embodiments, the lower and upper radially extending portions  282 ,  286  could be omitted, such that the upper part  280  could consist of only the attaching portion  284 . The lower radially extending portion  282  has a lower bottom tapered edge  310  that connects to the connecting portion  300 , a lower intermediate portion  312  that has a generally uniform diameter, and a lower top tapered edge  314 . The attaching portion  284  extends above the lower top tapered edge  314  of the lower radially extending portion  282 , and has a generally uniform diameter. The tow rope  56  attaches to the tow attachment  250  around the attaching portion  284 . The upper radially extending portion  286  has an upper bottom tapered edge  320  that connects to the attaching portion  284 , an upper intermediate portion  322  that has a generally uniform diameter, and an upper top tapered edge  324 . When the tow rope  56  is attached to the attaching portion  284 , the lower and upper radially extending portions  282 ,  286  limit how much the tow rope  56  can slide along the upper part  280 . Furthermore, the upper radially extending portion  286  also helps to keep the tow rope  56  from sliding off the upper part  280 . 
     The upper part  280  has a circular perimeter that, given the shape thereof, varies along the vertical axis. A minimum upper part diameter D U  occurs at, and extends along, the attaching portion  284 . It is contemplated that in other embodiments the minimum upper part diameter D U  could occur elsewhere along the upper part  280 . In addition, due to the blind hole  252 , the upper part  280  has an annular cross-section for which the thickness, like the circular perimeter, also varies along the vertical axis. Therefore, an upper part wall thickness, which corresponds to the thickness of the annular cross-section, also varies along the vertical axis. Thus, the minimum upper part wall thickness corresponds to the smallest thickness of the upper part annular cross-section, which occurs at the minimum upper part diameter D U . 
     The tow attachment  250  is a mechanical sacrificial part. More precisely, the connecting portion  300  defines the mechanical sacrificial part. If excessive load is applied to the upper part  280  by the tow rope  56 , the upper part  280  breaks away from the lower part  260  about the connecting portion  300 , thereby preventing damage to the boat  50  and the tow pylon  200 . The break occurs at the connecting portion  300 , because the tow attachment  250  is configured as such. Indeed, the connecting portion  300  has a lower breaking strength than the lower and upper parts  260 ,  280  as well as the tow pylon  200  and the tow rope  56 . Additionally, the minimum connecting portion diameter D C  is smaller than the minimum lower part diameter D L  and the minimum upper part diameter D U , and the minimum connecting portion wall thickness is smaller than the minimum lower part wall thickness and the minimum upper part wall thickness. It is understood that in some embodiments, only one of the above-mentioned features could be present. In other embodiments, any combination of the above-mentioned features could be present. For instance, in some embodiments, the minimum connecting portion diameter D C , the minimum lower part diameter D L  and the minimum upper part diameter D U  could all be the same, but the connecting portion  300  could have a lower breaking strength than the lower and upper parts  260 ,  280 . The connecting portion  300  will break under a mix of shear and torsional loading applied by the tow rope  56  at the attaching portion  284 . It is further contemplated that in some embodiments, the tow attachment  250  could be configured to break only in shear, compression, tension, bending or torsion, or in any combination thereof. In an embodiment designed to break in tension, the connecting portion  300  could have lower tensile strength than the lower and upper parts  260 ,  280 . Likewise, in an embodiment designed to break in shear, the connecting portion  300  could have lower shear strength than the lower and upper parts  260 ,  280 . It is also further contemplated that in some embodiments, none of the above-mentioned features could be present such that the connecting portion  300  does not define a mechanical sacrificial part. Instead, in such embodiments, the upper part  280  disconnects from the lower part  260  when excessive loads are applied to the upper part  280  in a non-destructive fashion. For instance, the connecting portion  300  could be a self-releasing latch that opens to release the tow rope at when an excessive load is applied thereto. 
     Though in the present embodiment, the tow attachment  250  is connected to the tow pylon  200 , which is connected to the bracket  100 , it is contemplated that in other embodiments, the tow pylon  200  and the bracket  100  could be omitted. In such embodiments, the tow attachment  250  could be rigidly connected directly to the boat  50 . 
     The tow pylon assembly  55  also has the secondary tow attachment  251  (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 6 ). The secondary tow attachment  251  defines an aperture  253  configured to receive a screw therethrough, to connect to the bracket  100 . The secondary tow attachment  251  is intended for use when the tow pylon assembly  55  has been removed from the bracket  100 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , an alternate embodiment of the present technology will now be described. In this alternate embodiment, the secondary tow attachment  251  is omitted, and is replaced by the tow attachment  250 . which is directly and rigidly connected to the bracket  100 ′ at the intermediate section  125   b ′, and thus the tow attachment  250  is connected to the hull  70 ′ of the boat  50 ′. In this alternate embodiment, the bracket  100 ′ is similar to the bracket  100 , except in that the secondary aperture  134  is replaced by four apertures (not shown) in the bracket  100 ′ so that the tow attachment  250  can connect to the bracket  100 ′. 
     Referring particularly to  FIGS. 1, 3, 4A, 4B and 9 , the present technology in use will now be described with reference to the tow pylon assembly  55 . 
     The tow pylon  200  to which the tow attachment  250  is rigidly connected, is removably connected to the bracket  100 , such that when not in use, the tow pylon  200 , and thereby the tow attachment  250 , can be stored on the boat  50 . It is contemplated that in some embodiments, the tow pylon  200  could be permanently connected to the bracket  100 . 
     To connect the tow pylon  200  to the bracket  100 , the tow pylon  200  is inserted in the receiving aperture  126  such that the left and right projections  128   a ,  128   b  are respectively received in the left and right slots  202   a ,  202   b . The left and right projections and slots  128   a ,  128   b ,  202   a ,  202   b  prevent the tow pylon  200  from rotating about the vertical axis thereof. The tow pylon  200  can be inserted in the receiving aperture  126  until the locking portion  228  abuts the upper part  120  of the bracket  100 . At this point, the engageable portion  226  is engaged, which results in the locking portion  228  moving inwardly until the locking portion  228  no longer abuts the upper part  120 . Thus, the tow pylon  200  can be further inserted into the receiving aperture  126 . Once the locking portion  228  is in the receiving aperture  126 , the engageable portion  226  is disengaged, resulting in the resilient portion  224  biasing the lock  220  to return to the initial position of the lock  220 , thus pushing the locking portion  228  outwardly. A bottom portion of the tow pylon  200  is eventually received in the space defined by the recesses  117   a ,  117   b  of the left and right arm connecting portions  112   a ,  112   b , and ultimately reaches a final position when a bottom of the tow pylon  200  abuts the left and right arm connecting portions  112   a , 112   b , and the locking portion  228  is received in the locking aperture  129 , thereby locking the tow pylon  200  in position. To disconnect the tow pylon  200  from the bracket  100 , the engageable portion  226  should be engaged, thereby removing the locking portion  228  from the locking aperture  129 , before removing the tow pylon  200  from the receiving aperture  126 . 
     Once the tow pylon assembly  55  is assembled and ready to be used, one end of the tow rope  56  is attached to the attaching portion  284  of the tow attachment  250 . The other end of the tow rope  56  can be used for a variety of tow activities. The elevated configuration of the tow pylon  200  offers a higher tow position that can be desirable for some tow activities. 
     When the tow activities are being performed, the tow rope  56  applies a generally rearward load to where the tow rope  56  is connected, thus to the upper part  280  of the tow attachment  250 . When the tow rope  56  applies a load above a predetermined load to the upper part  280 , the upper part  280  breaks away from the lower part  260  about the connecting portion  300  as shown in  FIG. 9 . In one embodiment, the predetermined load is 700 lbs, and is applied perpendicularly to the attaching portion  284  at a midpoint thereof. It is contemplated that in other embodiments, the predetermined load at which the upper part  280  breaks away from the lower part  260  could be more or less than 700 lbs. As mentioned above, in some embodiments, the upper part  280  could disconnect from the lower part  260  about the connecting portion  300  in a non-destructive manner. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , an alternative embodiment of the tow attachment  250 , namely tow attachment  1250 . In  FIG. 11 , the tow attachment  250  is connected to the tow pylon  200 . In the present embodiment, the tow attachment  1250  includes a stopping member  1252  and a retaining member  1254 . Features of the tow attachment  1250  that are similar to those of the tow attachment  250  have been labeled with the same reference numerals, and will not be described in detail again herewith. Although the tow attachment  1250  is shown connected to the tow pylon  200 , it is contemplated that in some embodiments, the tow attachment  1250  could be directly connected to a bracket in a manner similar to the way the tow attachment  250  is connected to the bracket  100 ′ as described above with respect to  FIG. 10 . 
     The lower part  260  of the tow attachment  1250  defines, in the base portion  262 , a lower recess  1270 . The lower recess  1270  extends from the bottom surface of the base portion  262  upwardly, and is configured to, as will be described below, receive the stopping member  1252 . It is contemplated that in some embodiments the lower recess  1270  could be omitted. In the present embodiment, within the lower recess  1270 , the lower part  260  defines, instead of the blind hole  252 , a lower hole  1272   a  and an upper hole  1272   b . The lower hole  1272   a  extends vertically above the connecting portion  300  and the upper hole  1272   b  extends within the upper part  280 . The upper hole  1272   b  has a smaller diameter than the lower hole  1272   a . In some embodiments, the upper and lower holes  1272   a ,  1272   b  could be replaced by a hole having a constant diameter (i.e., the hole  1272  could be similar to the blind hole  252 ). In the present embodiment, the upper hole  1272   b  has internal threads. It is contemplated that in some embodiments, the threads could be omitted. 
     The stopping member  1252  is received in the lower recess  1270  such that the stopping member  1252  is disposed vertically below the connecting portion  300 . The stopping member  1252  is a washer defining an aperture  1253  at a center thereof. Thus, the stopping member  1252  has an annular shape. As will be described below, the aperture  1253  is configured to only receive a portion of the retaining member  1254  therethrough. When the tow attachment  1250  is connected to the tow pylon  200 , the stopping member  1252  is retained within the lower recess  1270  by abutting with both the base  262  of the tow attachment  250  and a top of the lock receiving portions  209   a ,  209   b  of the tow pylon  200 . It is contemplated that in other embodiments, the stopping member  1252  could be integral with the tow attachment  1250 . It is understood that in such embodiments, the lower recess  1270  is omitted. 
     The retaining member  1254  has a connecting portion  1255  and a retaining portion  1256 . The connecting portion  1255  is received through the aperture  1253  of the stopping member  1252  and connects to the upper part  280  of the tow attachment  1250 . The connecting portion  1255  has external threads complementary with the internal threads of the upper hole  1272   b . The connecting portion  1255  is configured so that once the connecting portion  1255  is connected to the upper part  280  and the tow attachment  250  is connected to the tow pylon  200 , the retaining portion  1256  is vertically spaced from a bottom surface of the stopping member  1252  by a length L. In some embodiments, the length L is about 1 inch. In other embodiments, the length L could be greater or smaller than 1 inch. For instance, length L could be about 0.75 inches or about 0.5 inches. In other embodiments, length L could be about 1.25 inches or about 1.5 inches. The retaining portion  1256  is sized to be larger than the aperture  1253 . In the present embodiment, the retaining member  1254  is a fastener, and more specifically a bolt. As such that the connecting portion  1255  is a threaded portion of the bolt and the retaining portion  1256  is a head of the bolt. Other retaining members  1254  are contemplated. For instance, in other embodiments, the connecting portion  1255  could be a cable configured to connect to the upper part  280  of the tow attachment  1250  and to the retaining portion  1256 , and the retaining portion  1256  could be an anchor configured to abut the stopping member  1252  or at least being sized to be larger than the aperture  1253 . It is also contemplated that in other embodiments the retaining member  1254  could be integral with the tow attachment  1250 . 
     In operation, like for the tow attachment  250 , when the tow rope  56  is connected to tow attachment  1250 , and the tow rope  56  applies a load above a predetermined load to the upper part  280 , the upper part  280  breaks away from the lower part  260  about the connecting portion  300 . As the broken off upper part  280  is moving away from the lower part  260 , the retaining portion  1256 , which is connected to the upper part  280  by the connecting portion  1255 , moves toward the stopping member  1254 , and eventually abuts the stopping member  1252 , thereby limiting by how much the upper part  280  can move away from the lower part  260 . More precisely, the retaining portion  1256 , after crossing the length L, abuts a bottom surface of the stopping member  1252 , which is still connected to the tow pylon  200 , because the aperture  1253  is smaller than the retaining portion  1256 . Thus, the stopping member  1252  and the retaining member  1254  provide a way for the upper part  280  to stay retained to the lower part  260  after the lower and upper parts  260 ,  280  have disconnected. In some instances, the length L is long enough so that upper part  280  falls away such that the tow rope  56  can slide off from the upper part  280 . 
     It is contemplated that in some embodiments, the stopping member  1252  could be omitted. In such embodiments, the tow attachment  1250  defines the blind hole  252  that is sized to only receive the connecting portion  1255  therein. The retaining portion  1256  is sized to be larger than the blind hole  272  such that the retaining portion  1256  abuts the bottom surface of the base  262  upon disconnection of the lower and upper parts  260 ,  280 . 
     Modifications and improvements to the above-described embodiments of the present technology may become apparent to those skilled in the art. The foregoing description is intended to be exemplary rather than limiting. The scope of the present technology is therefore intended to be limited solely by the appended claims.