Tower screws / pins

Geoff Standish · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 843 City: Calgary

I have a Moomba Mobius with the rad-a-cage tower. When we go riding we have to raise and lower the tower all the time. We've barely begun this season and I am starting to notice that we are damaging the tower mounting screws and holes. The holes are getting stripped the tower is getting kinda mangled.

I am wondering if anyone has any experience with swapping out the screws for pins? Can it be done? I know the size of the holes on the tower are different that the mounts so I would have to get a special pin made. Is there a system anyone is using that would work on my tower? Any other advice?

Geoff Standish · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 843 City: Calgary

Anyone!

jlembas · Newbie Joined: 28 Mar 2003 Posts: 13 City: AZ

Geoff,

I'm assuming your boat is not a 2003. I know that the 2003 models have stainless threaded inserts where the tower breaks apart for collapse. These inserts prevent damage from use simply because stainless is much harder than aluminum. Check into EZ-LOK threaded inserts part # 303-6 for example (sorry, don't know the website). You'll have to drill out your damaged hole and tap, but that should take care of any further damage. This should allow you to use your existing knob or bolt. Hope this helps.

Swass · Guest

Well, that's just piss-poor design. I hope you figure it out.

tnphins · Newbie Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 17 City: Nashville, TN

I had the same problem with my tower. I replaced the screws with stainless steel bolts with wing nut to tighten them down. It seems to work better. I would suggest that you use oil to lubricate your existing bolts. This is something that everyone should be doing. Metal against metal without lubrication will wear out over time - regardless of the design.

Fishmaster · Posted: May 06, 2003 11:03 am Post subject:

Geoff,

Post some detailed pic's of the area of concern if you can.

If in this location you continually install and remove the stainless bolt going into threaded aluminum it will likely wear over time. A threaded intsert will solve the problem.

This was one of those design questions we faced a while back. It's not a BAD design as many marine parts have bolts going into threaded aluminum but if you are going to be putting the bolt in and out we felt uncomfortable with it. Do not want to dis tower at all, the radacage seems to be a nice tower.

The solution we chose was to through bolt with a nut on the back. It's not the prettiest solutions but it's simple and helps us stay affordable.

We've worked on a few different quick release options but have not been able to get one fully quite yet. We'll get there though and share what we come up with.

Feel free to call if I can help.

Bill
877-77Tower

Geoff Standish · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 843 City: Calgary

Thanks guys, I'll get some pics and maybe do up some design drawings this evening.

anti-shoobies · Posted: May 07, 2003 1:31 pm Post subject:

WHy do you have to raise and lower the tower anyways?

Geoff Standish · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 843 City: Calgary

To get it in and out of my garage, and once on the water we have to go under a bridge. You aren't allowed to pull people on the boat launch side of the lake.