Reinforcing Fiberglass for a Monster Tower

bugup · Criminal Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 80 City: Vancouver

Well I think I have finally decided on a Monster Tower for my 1995 Maxum cuddy. I have looked at most of the universal towers out there and always come back to Monster Tower. Anyhow they have a picture of my exact boat in their customer photo sections on the wbsite so I have an idea of where to mount it. My real question is this. Do I need to reinforce my glass to mount it.? I am plannning to have it installed by the Monster Tower dealer in Chilliwack B.C. I would like to do the reinforcing ahead of time on my own if req. I have included a photo of the boat as well in case it helps.

Thanks

wesgardner · Posted: Feb 02, 2006 6:06 am Post subject:

Hey bugup,

Call Bill at Monster Tower their customer service is the best! Since he's already done a boat just like yours, he'll probably be able to tell you what/how much to reinforce...

Wes

Fishmaster · Posted: Feb 05, 2006 4:56 am Post subject:

The main question is if the fiberglass is 3/8" thick at where you mount the tower. If it is less than that it's recommended to build up the area with some additional glass or if it's flat you can add some wood bonded in with 3M 5200. Since boats are pretty much hand made there is variation in each one build so untill you drill the holes there is no easy way to tell how thick the glass is there. Wish there was a yes/no answer. It's pretty cheap peace of mind if your comfortable working with fiberglass.

You really dont hear about towers stress cracking boats any more since everyone moved to a Heim joint or similar design that elminates the forces caused by the older fixed mount bases.

McPie · Criminal Joined: 12 Jan 2006 Posts: 54 City: Sydney

He seems to know what he is talking about, and his name is Monster Tower...
If i was you I would listen to him Very Happy

-McPie

bugup · Criminal Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 80 City: Vancouver

Monster Tower

Thanks for your input and I may just reinforce it on spec before I have the tower installed. Off to the Vancouver Boat Show this week and I am sure one of the local Monster Tower dealers will be there. I can't wait for summer!

joe navy · Criminal Joined: 18 Apr 2005 Posts: 90 City: Camden, N.C.

bugup, you are smart to look in to this first and be assured the things you hear about Bill's customer service are 100%true. I have been running my monster tower for 3 seasons and have abused it on a daily basis with no issues at all. We have even tubed behind it which is a ton more stress with zero issues.
Best of luck to you and I hope you get warm weather sooner than later.
Joe

bugup · Criminal Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 80 City: Vancouver

Well today I took the plunge and bought my new Monster Tower. After all my research I kept coming back to Monster Tower as the best bang for my buck. Unfortunatley my boat is in storage until April, so I will have to wait until then to install it. I'll just have to keep looking at it in the box and imagining. Purchased it from Extreme Boat Sports in Chilliwack B.C Canada. Great owner, super helpful and he has installed 50 - 60 of these towers. If you live in this area and want a tower this is the guy to see. Can't wait until summer.

Very Happy

bugup · Criminal Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 80 City: Vancouver

Well I finally had my new Monster Tower installed. It turned out that where we mounted it the glass was far thicker than required. I had the tower installed by Extreme Boat Sport in Chilliwack, British Columbia and they did a great job. Anyhow, just sent my photo in and waiting for my new Monster Tower T-shirt. I think the tower looks great and again can't wait for our first trip to the lake in a week or so.