Another Tower option...

ATROPINE · Outlaw Joined: 14 Aug 2003 Posts: 197 City: Logandale, NV

I don't see much talk of the Big Air towers on this site, but I have't been around very long. I looked at building a tower myself and I also looked at most of the other universal fit towers on the market. The Monster Tower of course has a great reputation here, and I was close to buying one. Then a friend bought bought a BigAir tower and we installed it on his boat. The install was easy and the tower works very well. I liked it so much I bought one for my boat and took it out for the first time yesterday. It works great; no rattles or creaking. Folds down fairly easily, although you do have to use tools to unbolt the front leg at the heim joint. The company was great to work with; I ordered on Tuesday, and it arrived on Thursday (granted, Oklahoma to Texas isn't very far to ship). The tower I got is a new design for BigAir, and for some reason on their website they don't show any pictures of it. They are advertising their older style only on ther website, which I am not particularly fond of. But I like the style of their new tower, which was my primary reason for choosing it over the Monster Tower. The price was great; I ended up getting the new tower for the "close-out" price of their older towers. Total delivered to my door was $875. Here are a few pics:

My intention here is not to advertise or push BigAir's product; I have nothing to do with them. I just wanted to let folks know about other options.

MrBlean · Posted: Mar 08, 2004 2:14 am Post subject: BigAir tower

Great post ATROPINE - impartial and informative.

MrBlean · Posted: Mar 08, 2004 4:46 am Post subject: A question...

ATROPINE - have been sent photos of the same tower but I'm unable to make out some of the details. Can you explain what there is where the black bands are on the attached photos? I can see the same phenomena on your tower. Are the uprights in two sections and this is the interface/overlap??

I belive the top section and horizontal cross members are aluminium (UK sp) and the rest is stainless. Is this correct?

Any other details you can provide would be welcome.

criminally_minded · Posted: Mar 08, 2004 4:59 am Post subject:

I can't really make out the details from those photos, but they might be the ring mounts for the Bimini?

MrBlean · Posted: Mar 08, 2004 5:24 am Post subject: Bimini mounts?

Could be but I don't understand why these would appear/be included on photos of a bare tower......

When we hear from ATROPINE we'll know!

chane · Posted: Mar 08, 2004 9:28 am Post subject:

Those mounts look very similar to Monster Tower..

ATROPINE · Outlaw Joined: 14 Aug 2003 Posts: 197 City: Logandale, NV

Yes, those black bands are anodized aluminum. Each of the tower sides is in 2 pieces, and they join at those black bands. At each of those black bands there is a male and a female end; the male rod simply inserts into the female receptacle on the upper tube. Then a 3/8" quick release pin goes through the joint to hold them in place. It is a finely machined joint with tight tolerances that does not rattle. Yes, the tower tubes are stainless. The H-member at the top of the tower is aluminum, as are the cross supports on the sides and the tower feet and mounting blocks. I plan to polish the aluminum and stainless and try to get them looking as close to each other as possible.

ATROPINE · Outlaw Joined: 14 Aug 2003 Posts: 197 City: Logandale, NV

Yes, the mounts look very similar to the Monster mounts, except I like the Monster mounts better because the front mounting feet on the Monster utilize a threaded aluminum block with a quick-release turn knob instead of a stainless bolt and nylock nut. I suppose I could try to buy some of the Monster parts and retrofit them to my setup....(what do you think Bill?)

wakedad1 · Addict Joined: 19 Sep 2003 Posts: 667 City: Discovery Bay

Thats a good deal. I paid 2,000 for my tower. I got two racks, two 6.5" speakers and installation in the deal. Oh yeah powder coated to match the boat also. I got mine from Wakeair. I hope you have fun with it.

Fishmaster · Posted: Mar 09, 2004 6:34 am Post subject:

Their bases are functionally the same as ours and this is one of the innovations we feel we brought to market as a first. It is one of the primary claims in our submitted patent application so we'll be addressing that design with Big Air.

We may eventually sell just bases for the DIY / retrofit market but since day one we've had everything at full throttle to meet our needs so selling parts today would mean towers we could not get built. Unfortunately in todays world you take the same liability selling a tower as you do a towpoint or base or bolt so it's hard to justify selling parts.

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

Does Monster have a board rack that will fit the Titan tower on my Malibu?

Fishmaster · Posted: Mar 09, 2004 7:10 am Post subject:

Sure do - see http://www.monstertower.com/accessory1.html

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

I'll be getting two this summer then. Thanks.

wetirish · Criminal Joined: 17 Apr 2003 Posts: 56

Atropine,

What is the model name for the Big Air tower?

Randy · Posted: Mar 10, 2004 2:35 pm Post subject:

I was actually about to post something on this new tower too! It looks great and has a great price.. I'm gonna try to get one or two... depending on if my dad and father in law like it.

lumpy · Criminal Joined: 25 Jul 2003 Posts: 99

Does it fold down enough to be able to put a cover on the boat?

I am doing the same as you, on the verge of buying a Monster, but really like the looks of the '04 model Big Air. I actually called last week about the close-outs, and Loren sent me the same pictures of the new '04 as it seems everyone else got that called plus I got some pictures of your boat. BTW they have updated the site with new photos. From there I jumped on here to try and find some feedback on their products and wham hit your post. I don't like the stainless/aluminum combination but for the sweet looks and price, it is hard to pass it up. Do you know the best way to polish the stainless without taking away the protective finish?

Plus I like the fact that they are a Christian organizaton, I know I know it could be just a gimic but so far based on my correspondance, it appears Christ does have a slot in the organization. I know this will be an insanely unpopular comment (as was most of Christ's), but I don't necessarily like Monster's advertising campaign with the scarcely clothed girls and calendar. Don't get me wrong as a man, I enjoy the female body as much as the next, but (per Jesus) sex is for marriage and marriage is for a man and a woman.

wetirish · Criminal Joined: 17 Apr 2003 Posts: 56

Are the two cross bars and "H" bar at top bolted together? I looks like bolt nut heads sticking out?
Why would a tower manufacture use both stainless and aluminum in their product? Seems kind of funny if the colors and textures don't match.

ATROPINE · Outlaw Joined: 14 Aug 2003 Posts: 197 City: Logandale, NV

wetirish-

I believe the name of the new tower design is simply the "2004" design. Yes, the cross bars are bolted into the H-member at the top. You can choose to run the bolts from the top down or the bottom up. They really don't stick out too bad. I don't know why the use 2 different materials. I agree, it seems strange, and would probably look better if it were all the same material. The only thing I can fibure is that maybe since the tower is a "bolt-together" type of tower, if the tubes were made of aluminum they would be potentially prone to distorting their shape if you overtightened the bolts on assembly. This could be solved by using thicker aluminum tubes or by just being smart during assembly I would think. Maybe they have other reasons, I just don't know. As far as polishing, I don't really have a clue on that yet. I will try to email BigAir and see what they recommend.

As far as putting a cover on the boat, I think it would depend on the cover. The front legs quickly disassemble from the rest of the tower, but even with them removed, the tower still sticks above the level of my windshield. It is actually quite easy to remove the tower completely, just four quick bolts. It justs takes 2 people to lift it off. I store my boat in the garage, so I don't have to worry about a cover.

srh00z · Outlaw Joined: 09 Nov 2003 Posts: 128 City: Birmingham

lumpy I have the same viewpoint as you, I like the Monster and they are really nice, but their advertisement has progressively turned me off to the company due to my Christian beliefs. After seeing this tower on Atropine's boat, I decided to purchase from this company and I will be happy to support a company willing to make a stand for their beliefs.

Nor*Cal · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 9479 City: Sac

Nor*Cal · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 9479 City: Sac

Sorry I'm not trying to insult your beliefs but I find it hard to believe that bikini clad females are offensive. I live in Ca so maybe it's a different attitude. Anyways...

bruttenberg · Posted: Mar 12, 2004 4:06 am Post subject:

what is so un christain like about the Monster Girls. Not questioning your beliefs just trying to understand.

criminally_minded · Posted: Mar 12, 2004 4:43 am Post subject:

It breaks one of the commandments.

You know, the one about.... Ummmm.... that longish one.... uhh.

pfffft.

Fishmaster · Posted: Mar 12, 2004 4:52 am Post subject:

Lumpy and srh00z have valid concerns and we did get other negetive feedback from some customers that we sent our calendar to. I dont think anyone should be offended by pretty girls in bikini's on a boat since that is a natural combination but it does need to be kept in good taste and some rules be set. Frankly a few of the pictures in the calendar, one of which was used in a recent ad, went past the line of family friendly- which I take personal blame for. At the end of the day this is a family sport for most of our customers. I believe our marketing was approaching "boys gone wild" and in the future we plan to stay away from that line that passes into offending people. I cant believe any company would work hard to make customes happy and also do things to offend families.

My sincerly apology to anyone that our marketing efforts have offended or upset and I welcome continued feedback.

bruttenberg · Posted: Mar 12, 2004 5:39 am Post subject:

I would imagine that any business is going to see issues like this whether you're pushing the envelope or not. Their was an article this month in Wakeboarding Mag that portrayed Buywake.com as the online wakeboard supplier with attitude. This is the image they are going for because they know who a vast majority of their customers are from a dempgraphic standpoint.

I think it is important to distinguish yourself from the crowd in terms of product, customer service, and marketing. I don't own a Monster Tower but have great respect for their product due to rave reviews and your presence here on WB. My only suggestion is to not dillute your marketing approach on account of a few tight a$$es. Remember that Monster Tower is not the only company these people have beef with; I imagine you are one of many. And I would also imagine that the vast majority of your customers greatly appreciate your approach to getting the word out. Bottom line - Monster girls are hot!

srh00z · Outlaw Joined: 09 Nov 2003 Posts: 128 City: Birmingham

I was referring to the same ad Bill, that is really the only one I have taken issue with, I haven't seen the calender. I don't really take issue with earlier ads, just the racier one in the latest Wakeboarder mag. I do appreciate all the help that Bill provides to forum users, and I enjoy his posts and respect his opinion. I think that he is one of the sole reasons that tower prices have come down, and we all owe him for that, and I think he builds a great tower.

MrBlean · Posted: Mar 13, 2004 12:19 am Post subject:

wesgardner · Posted: Mar 13, 2004 5:36 pm Post subject:

Hey MrBlean,

Back in my sailboat days I recall something you actually polished stainless with - the bow rails, sternrails, lifeline stanchions, etc. as they may not have been made of the best alloy - they just "stainless" so to speak...in fact some will actually start to show rust - this is of course in a salt environment...I'm sure West Marine or sim. has the stuff

Wes

MrBlean · Posted: Mar 14, 2004 1:23 am Post subject: Stainless?????

Wes - I fully accept your comments about there being stainless and stainless. There are may different grades and some do corrode badly in the marine (especially salt) environment. However, I would like to think that a tower manufacturer would use an appropriate grade but you never know!

It's possible they would use something like an acrylic lacquer to keep it's lustre. However, if it's decent material to start with, I wouldn't think the upkeep on a tower would be too onerous an addition to general boat maintenance anyway. A whole bunch of bow rails and rigging on a yacht in a salt water environment is another matter!

Getting any coating flat and smooth if you apply it yourself is very difficult. I have spray eqt but keeping the dust off and preventing sagging on complex shapes is real difficult unless you have the correct environment in which to work.

Unless the stainless parts of the tower came already coated, I think I'd rely on elbow grease to keep it looking ship shape.

I've seen photos of the LL tower and there is a distinct difference in the appearance of the two materials. this may be exaggerated by the camera or, it may be even worse in the flesh, but it does look odd.

Just my .02

wesgardner · Posted: Mar 14, 2004 6:56 am Post subject:

HeyJeff,

I hear you...I'd question the "two-part" tower deal from a long term no-squeak structural integrety issue - I guess the tower builder has worked that out....I also hear you on the difference in colour of stainless vs. alu.

I can't recall what it was that was used to wipe on the stainless but it seems it was applied like auto wax with a pad and then buff it?

How's the water temp on your side o' the pond? We're still at about 45° F. - too cold for these old bones...

Wes

scrogg dogg · Newbie Joined: 12 Mar 2003 Posts: 27

what website did the pictures for the bimini clamps come from?

MrBlean · Posted: Mar 14, 2004 12:55 pm Post subject: Old bones....

wesgardner · Posted: Mar 14, 2004 4:22 pm Post subject:

HeyMrBlean,

I'm off to the Carribean for two weeks, Marathon Key FL, Caymans, Aruba ( I hear they do a bit of windsurfing there...) Panama Canal and Costa rica.....

I windsurfed on an original Windsurfer - remember them? Long and heavy...I hear you guys do water starts now 'cause the boards have gotten so short they won't float you...how 'bout kiting? Haven't tried it - some of the local folks go down to Kitty Hawk North Carolina and say it's a blast!

Have a great season

Good luck on the board (snow) !

Wes

Fishmaster · Posted: Mar 14, 2004 6:26 pm Post subject:

MrBlean and wesgardner, I'm feeling your anticipation - I leave for Steamboat on Wed and will get 4-1/2 days in Very Happy

. Hate to have to decide between that and windsurfing in Marathon & the Carribean.

MrBlean · Posted: Mar 15, 2004 1:38 am Post subject: Decisions, decisions......