Wood pylon, tower, and wakeboard rack....perfect for the DIY

89 skier · Addict Joined: 30 Jun 2004 Posts: 729 City: Dallas

All I can say is WOW.

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

hahaha those are awesome. I wonder if they work at all.

vawakemonster · Posted: Oct 21, 2004 8:19 am Post subject:

i bet a decent sized rider would SNaP them

MrBlean · Posted: Oct 21, 2004 8:35 am Post subject:

All I can say about the first picture is that if the front lines are hooked around the cleats like they are on the rear, I hope they've got some pretty mean backing plates fitted!

As for the second, weight for weight, wood is stronger than steel but one would expect the wooden version to be of MUCH larger section than the steel/alloy equivalent.

A great "mock up" to see what it might look like before fabricating in steel or alloy.

DJew Jake · Posted: Oct 21, 2004 8:54 am Post subject:

?Did you just say wood is stronger then steel?

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

That first pic CAN'T be real, can it? I mean, wouldn't you bet better air just from the ski tow eye, which is low but at least solid, than you would get from that thing? They must have been doing something else........I hope.

salmon_tacos · Posted: Oct 21, 2004 9:31 am Post subject:

4x4 posts are pretty tough. It wouldn't be my first choice but the 4x4 post would certainly be strong enough in that application, assuming everything else is hooked up properly.

The tower, on the other hand, looks like it's less than 2" in diameter. That doesn't seem as strong as it should be.

DJew Jake · Posted: Oct 21, 2004 9:35 am Post subject:

salmon_tacos, I agree the tower seems incredibly breakable but the posts would easily hold that load.

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

DJew Jake · Posted: Oct 21, 2004 9:39 am Post subject:

Ye mine is 8 times stonrger then titanium, but were tallkng about trees Wink

Bowen · Posted: Oct 21, 2004 9:54 am Post subject:

Wakebrad, nice

wesgardner · Posted: Oct 21, 2004 9:59 am Post subject:

Hey All,

I think what some are overlooking is the “weight for weight” statement….and don’t forget, there are some very strong composite wood racing sailboat hulls that are VERY light (and strong) and fun as hell in a bit of a breeze off the wind with a big kite up…makes wakeboarding look a bit tame sometimes…

Wes

wesgardner · Posted: Oct 21, 2004 10:18 am Post subject:

How about a tower of the “reverse swoop” design fabricated from laminated wood with several plys of ‘glass cloth set in epoxy? Prolly take a lot of time to build “one off” as it does custom composite boat hulls…it’d be a fun project tho…

I have the woodworking/laminating/vacuum bagging skills but don’t know jack about welding…

Wes

wkbrdr82 · Newbie Joined: 03 Sep 2003 Posts: 31

the wood tower and board racks were made as a mock up. the guy built the real tower out of steel.

89 skier · Addict Joined: 30 Jun 2004 Posts: 729 City: Dallas

That's a heck of a lot of work for a mock up. The joinery of the wood tower from the top to the legs is impressive. And bending the wood isn't all that easy. He probably spent more time bending the wood, than he would have getting some extra tubing and doing a trial and error process.

Fishmaster · Posted: Oct 23, 2004 5:52 pm Post subject:

Here's one I saw in Orlando! Most of the guys that have made there own towers & toys and have done an amazing job - but some of the stuff out there scares me from a safety standpoint.

882001 · Posted: Oct 23, 2004 7:15 pm Post subject:

that nautique looks slick.

psudy · Outlaw Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 155 City: kansas

Is that a homemade barefoot boom coming off the side? How would you like to be the one who tested that!

BIZ · Outlaw Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Posts: 184 City: Dallas

Hey Monster, Check out the background of the pic, Did you know this guy originally was going to put the blue "tower" (swingset) on the boat Very Happy

Fishmaster · Posted: Oct 25, 2004 1:32 pm Post subject:

Did not notice that but I did notice a horse in his yard, in downtown Orlando! (not shown in pic)

roundbaywakeboard · Posted: Oct 25, 2004 2:39 pm Post subject:

Those are large speakers! You know, aside from looks, (and maybe engine problems- Who knows how many hours are on that one) I bet that boat could perform like a new one.