Exactly how much difference does a tower/pylon make???

astro209 · Soul Rider Joined: 09 Oct 2003 Posts: 279 City: Nor*Cal

Ok, me, my GF, and Bleebdat went out all weekend on the Delta and had a great time. My boat does not have a tower or a pylon. Now I know that having one or the other helps, but is it really that much harder without? I mean, you should still be able to clear the wake without too much trouble right??? My GF thinks that it is at least 20% of someones ability to be able to get air? Is this close to true? What do you think???

scooter · Addict Joined: 15 Jul 2003 Posts: 633

well a pylon/tower is supposed to give you more air and more hang time, which it true is does, but what also makes a difference in air is how you cut and your wake. you can have fun and not have a pylon/tower, but one is suggested,, pylon only about $400, so it wont set ya back too much. hope i helped
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Yamaha xj600 history

03Belmont · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 19 Aug 2003 Posts: 4656

sorry they really Do help

astro209 · Soul Rider Joined: 09 Oct 2003 Posts: 279 City: Nor*Cal

Thanks Belmont, your a great help.... I am not looking for exact measurments, sorry for my wording. I am a new boarder, and I am eventually going to be getting a tower/pylon, but I am just trying to get an idea of what I can expect before hand. How much should I expect to be able to accomplish in my ability? I will try the tape measure though Belmont, I will let you know what I come up with... hold your breath...ok?

laterz

Broccoli B · Posted: Oct 13, 2003 7:55 am Post subject:

I could barely go W2W without a pylon, then the day after i got my pylon installed i was landing double back rolls consistently. NOT!!!! A pylon might help you jump higher. What will make you jump higher though is proper technique.

Don't forget, it is you doing the wakeboarding, not the tower.

RampageWake · Posted: Oct 13, 2003 8:14 am Post subject:

I am a new rider as well, and I ride behind a I/O with no tower/pylon, and I can go W2W way out into the flats, and now I am going to lengthen my rope from 55 to 65, then 70 feet. I almost have the w2w 180 down. I am going to get a tower this winter, but I suggest you spend the $$ on gas and just practice, your current setup is more than adequate for going w2w, 180's, etc...

astro209 · Soul Rider Joined: 09 Oct 2003 Posts: 279 City: Nor*Cal

Thanks Rampage, that's what I thought, but I really wanted to hear it from someone in the same situation. I know it seems like this question has come up before, but my question is totally different.

03Belmont · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 19 Aug 2003 Posts: 4656

astro209, I think a Plyoln helped me it did make me get higher and have more hang time it will help you progress faster

gvw686 · Addict Joined: 05 Sep 2003 Posts: 664 City: Columbus

you can do anything without the tower just it is going to be harder becuase the pull is comming from low and not high. this pulls you off balance. just start wakeskating and you wont need the tower Laughing

noneya · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 796 City: Roxboro, NC

Pylon or tower is the best accessory you can buy, it will definetly help you get more air. Yes you can do stuff without them but after riding with one you wont ever go back.

zephlor · Newbie Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Posts: 25 City: Dallas, Tx.

I started out without a tower on my boat. I was able to go w2w but didn't get much height. I have since put a Monster Tower on my boat and now I am getting enough air to get a 360 w2w and land out in the flats. The tower will make it where you CAN get that kind of air. The tower won't make you get that kind of air by it's self. You still have to know how to cut and stand up at the wake.

projectely4 · Posted: Oct 13, 2003 4:50 pm Post subject:

without a tower you should still beable to clear the wake and do some basic tricks. towers help you stay in the air a little longer because the pull is from above you instead of below you and pulling you down. it shouldn't effect the amount of air but hangtime it will.

Face-Plant · Addict Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Posts: 703 City: Riverview

Darin · Guest

About a $1,000 worth of difference. And worth it. The tower is anyway.
www.monstertower.com

gvw686 · Addict Joined: 05 Sep 2003 Posts: 664 City: Columbus

i thought i already told you, just start wakeskating. its way cheaper Laughing

Maestro · Posted: Oct 13, 2003 8:04 pm Post subject:

Face-Plant I couldn't agree more with your comments... I've seen enough of 03belmont bashing other people's comments or questions. This guy's a newbie - WE ALL WERE ONCE - cut him some slack and don't be a d*ck.

As far as your question - You can do stuff without a tower or pylon, but it is harder. The added height from the taller tow point will result in more hangtime and less "downforce" (the rope pulling you down), which will make learning tricks easier. I'd suggest you look into getting a pylon or tower. It costs a lot, but it's more of an investment than a purchase. It will help you out in the long run.

hyperlitenerd · Newbie Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Posts: 33 City: Santa Clara

Well i personly stink at wakeboarding, i just went w2w, but my dad had bought us a tower, which 1 made it easier to get up, which meens if u bring nOOb friends they will get up sooner, and have more fun, i think it was worth it. It has helped with me getting more air, im sports retarted so ne help was nice, i think my dad went away from pylons for our boat cause it was block the walk way, also the tower is so cool Laughing

Inggy · Posted: Oct 13, 2003 8:57 pm Post subject:

It helps so much, You get that extra hang time to bone or poke your tricks to perfection. Its quite nice actually. I love it

-MadDog- · Criminal Joined: 18 Jul 2003 Posts: 71 City: Winnipeg

I ride behind an I/O with no balast just trimmed up 40%. I ride 70-75 ft rope. No tower/pylon. I can clear the wake and do basic spins easily. I am getting one in the off season. I have been told if you start out without one you are forced to get all the right techniques down in order to advance. Then when you do get a tower/plyon you can realy make advancements.

hitit · Outlaw Joined: 26 Aug 2003 Posts: 178 City: Nor-Cal

Remember that the rope seeks level. If your being pulled down from the back of the boat, rope seeks level. If your being pulled from eight feet above the water, rope seeks level.

flyguyx17 · Newbie Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Posts: 2 City: suttons bay, mi

idealy, your technique alone will help you succeed in everything but i would definitally agree with the general consences here. the pylon/tower will definitaly help. if you think about the physics of it, when your up there and there is all that tention on the rope, do you want it to be pulling you up in the air or down towards the boat? i bought an 8ft pylon extention for my 88' ski supreme this summer and it has really made a good amount of difference. well, along with HL premiere.

if you're gonna stay with it, i would suggest it for sure.

wesgardner · Posted: Oct 15, 2003 5:28 pm Post subject:

Here's another Newbie's two cents

Just built a pylon for my Bayliner (Babe Liner) Capri (Crapi) 2150 and got out behind it the other day for a short run - the pylon made it ALOT easier to get up, it seems you almost can't not get up but I assume most people are beyond that stage.... my daughter was able to get a couple more feet off the pylon as was I... but I didn't land any....I can't say for certain whether we (mostly she) are just getting better or was it the pylon... without the pylon our tow point is no more than about 18" off the water.

I know we have ALONG way to go as far as our technique before we get major air...but what the hey, it's still just one helluva good time tryin'

My wake still sucks as I have no ballast system yet...

Pylon cost $75 is eight feet...

Wes

wesgardner · Posted: Oct 15, 2003 5:29 pm Post subject:

Here's another Newbie's two cents

Just built a pylon for my Bayliner (Babe Liner) Capri (Crapi) 2150 and got out behind it the other day for a short run - the pylon made it ALOT easier to get up, it seems you almost can't not get up but I assume most people are beyond that stage.... my daughter was able to get a couple more feet off the pylon as was I... but I didn't land any....I can't say for certain whether we (mostly she) are just getting better or was it the pylon... without the pylon our tow point is no more than about 18" off the water.

I know we have ALONG way to go as far as our technique before we get major air...but what the hey, it's still just one helluva good time tryin'

My wake still sucks as I have no ballast system yet...

Pylon cost $75 is eight feet...

Wes