Tower Ideas??

[slednw]

Want to throw a tower on my boat but i think all of the generic towers look lame!  Want more of a factory look.  Anyone tried a flight control tower from a nautique? 

[Mike Harry]

Im not sure about the one you are talking about, but, I was always partial to "The Rival" by Wake Designs. I dont know them or endorse them, but I seen this specific tower at a boat show and man I just thought it was bad a$$.

It is a reverse sweep type tower that would mount closer to the rear of the boat and curve up and toward the middle. I dont know if they make it anymore, but Id love to have one on my advance if they do.

[56mulberry]

I really just dont like towers on boats that werent factory designed for them they always seem to look like a cheap add-on to me.  Have you tried just using a pole extension?  They actually work well and on a 18-19 foot boat keep the leverage lower.  I have seen a good wakeboarder pull an older flatter bottomed retro-tower-fitted boat sideways many times--the hulls just werent really built for the drag at that height--you have to really consider the forces on that tower and how it effects your boat--if you want to board in the long run you are really better off with a wake boat.  If you just wanna drag the kids on a wakeboard once in a while consider a hi-flyin pole extender--usually @ 250$ on craigslist and will fulfill your needs nicely--but thats all just my opinion and it depends on your boats age--mine is a 1980 so to me they just never look right with a tower....D

[phil]

I've got to agree with 56mulberry. These boats are best kept original. I also use the skylon on mine and I'm very happy with it. But different strokes for different folks. If you like it then by all means..

[Midskier]

the Fly High by BI is one of the best extended pylons on the market, worst part is depending on your pylon is cut the "ears" a little shorter.  so the tube will fit over

the towers on older boats can look a little goofy again BI make a really solid tower (it's stainless) and I heard of good results from Monster tower they have a customer photo section
and we sold a few of those boats....... but not the tower

with an extended pylon you have to be careful NOT to hang out wide because they have no side load support like a tower does so you'll (skier) need to learn progressive pull

also heavy side loads on narrow boats tend to collapse the wake and may not recover back to full size by the time the boarder gets to it, unless you really load the boat heavy...............

have fun

Dan T
Midskier
 

[slednw]

Bought a used ten foot pole for 85 bucks.  Made the decision easy after looking at towers costing 2k plus.  I really like the sampson towers but not worth the investment on my boat. Thanks for the input.

[bmock50]

I have searched everywhere for a universal tower that would look decent on my '87 advance and finally broke down and ordered some 6061 aluminum tubing to model the nautique FCT tower. I don't think there is such a thing as a good looking universal tower for older boats.

[Mason]

New guys can post in old threads can't they?


I found a lightly used FCT off of a Nautique back in the summer. For $600 the look and storage can't be beat. I had a nice extended boom but the support cable made it hard to get to the bow and I wanted to get the wakeboards out of the floor without loosing headroom.

The only negative is that I can not lay the opened window all the way back.

[Joel]

Yep they sure can!!!   Good score too!   What kind of boat do you have?   And, this thread is no good without PICTURES!!!

Welcome aboard!   Bring your boat to the 2nd Annual AM Skier Reunion this June in TN on Kentucky Lake 

Joel

[Mason]

Thank you Joel. I would love to get to the reunion but we have a wedding to attend that weekend. I live in TN and was thrilled to discover the reunion location. Finding this site almost makes me want to uncovr my boat just to snap a few shots.
I have a 91 volante open bow with the 351 on a Hustler trailer we had made for it. My wife told santa about the board racks I got for Christmas and she has given me the O.K. to install a new stereo system.

I have had the boat for about 3 years but have skied behind it for about 10 years.

I didn't get the wakeboard bug untill we bought the boat.

[Joel]

Well...  not to put any PRESSURE on you but...  YOU GOTTA GO MAN!!!!   

Again...  Welcome to the Club   

[phil]

Thank you Joel. I would love to get to the reunion but we have a wedding to attend that weekend. I live in TN and was thrilled to discover the reunion location. Finding this site almost makes me want to uncovr my boat just to snap a few shots.
I have a 91 volante open bow with the 351 on a Hustler trailer we had made for it. My wife told santa about the board racks I got for Christmas and she has given me the O.K. to install a new stereo system.

I have had the boat for about 3 years but have skied behind it for about 10 years.

I didn't get the wakeboard bug untill we bought the boat.

Hi Mason
Awesome. Post some pics when you get a chance.

[kahunadon72]

Welcome to the board, Nathan!  It's nice to have another Volanté represented here.

Mine came with a Monster M-1 tower - i'm not too fond of it, so I'm looking for other options.
-Don

[Joel]

O.K. Volante Guys!!!   Post some pics!!!   I've always liked the Volantes but are pretty hard to find (good ones)...   Lets see these beauties!

Joel

[kahunadon72]

O.K. Volante Guys!!!   Post some pics!!!   I've always liked the Volantes but are pretty hard to find (good ones)...   Lets see these beauties!

Joel

Here you go Joel - these are pics the previous owner took of our boat just before we got her:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/53842217@N06/4977305986#
-Don