Trying to decide on a tower...

HHI Dave · Posted: Aug 14, 2006 11:45 am Post subject: Trying to decide on a tower...

Yes, yet another tower thread.

Since I really can't afford a $60k wakeboat, I'm just going to make the best of what I've got. Now that two of my best buds have got their own boards and my g/f's board should be here this week, its getting VERY cluttered on that boat!! I need a COLLAPSIBLE tower (it has to fit in my garage) and racks to hold 4 boards. I'm planning on spending somewhere in the $1700.00 range.

Here are the three towers I'm currently considering. They are all comparably priced. Any firsthand info, good or bad, will be appreciated:

MONSTER TOWER (They have a pic of one mounted on an identical boat to mine, which is cool)

EXTREME "TSUNAMI" (which currently comes with one free rack, lights, and mirror)

BIG AIR TOWER (Who also have a pic of their tower on a yellow Tahoe)

So, what do you guys think? Cool

wesgardner · Posted: Aug 14, 2006 11:56 am Post subject:

I'll bet the Monster is easier to collapse...I have a BigAir.

For me, collapsing is/was not an issue

Here are some pics of my tower - tower, powder coated w/ two racks delivered to my door - $1610

It will take you all day to install it, you will get metal filings everywhere so put a tarp down

Speakers are additional - $300 (homemade w/ Polk db 650's)

HHI Dave · Posted: Aug 14, 2006 12:11 pm Post subject:

wesgardner, You said collapsing was not an issue, but is that a collapsible tower? Which model is it? It was $1610 including the racks? Nice pics, got any of the entire boat/rack without the cover? Thanks.

Rhawn · Posted: Aug 14, 2006 6:47 pm Post subject:

I have a Big Air. After seeing the Monster in person, I believe the MT looks alot cleaner. There is nothing functionally wrong with the Big Air. Takes a good amount of effort/drilling to install. But it works/collapses great.

Mine isnt powder coated either, nor as shiny. 1 Typhoon rack.

HHI Dave · Posted: Aug 15, 2006 1:40 am Post subject:

Rhawn, Thanks for the info and the pic. Cool

wesgardner · Posted: Aug 15, 2006 5:28 am Post subject:

Here's a couple of not-so-great pics, but you get the idea...

Yes, the BigAir was $1610, powder coated, two Wake Design racks, delivered to my door. Yes it is collapsable although I'll never do it - my boat lives in the water this year and on a lift next year or on the trailer under a winter cover...

Dunno what others experience is but we've ridden it hard this year without any issues. In the budget tower arena, personally I think this one looks best.

You may also want to look at Loud Liquid's T1 tower - prices right in there with these others.

For me it was MT, LoudLiquid and BigAir and as I've said, the BigAir "swoop" look just sort of appealed to me...

HHI Dave · Posted: Aug 15, 2006 11:32 am Post subject:

wesgardner, Thanks! Cool

dogbert · Newbie Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 19 City: Austin

I own a monster tower and I'm very happy with it. There's no noise, it's stiff and it collapses easily, which I need to be able to do to store my boat. Their accessories are very solid and the single barrel speakers really rock! Their customer service is outstanding!

HHI Dave · Posted: Aug 16, 2006 1:48 am Post subject:

dogbert,

Right now I am really leaning towards the Monster. I'm not really concerned about the speakers, more about the quality and durability of the tower (and racks) and the convenience of folding it since that will be a requirement every time I put the boat away at the end of the day. I know some people think the MT is fugly, but I kinda like the look of that big, beefy tower. Do you have board racks on yours? If so, how do they affect collapsing the tower for storage? Any other comments? Pics?

Thanks for the input.
Dave

sanddragon2004 · Outlaw Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 152 City: San Jose

Id go twards a boss tower, great clean look rigid and classic design.

HHI Dave · Posted: Aug 18, 2006 11:59 am Post subject:

barelfly · Outlaw Joined: 02 Aug 2006 Posts: 153 City: alb

check out www.taylortowers.com

I don't know if they have these around the country, but there will be one on my boat next month Smile

HHI Dave · Posted: Aug 18, 2006 9:14 pm Post subject:

barelfly · Outlaw Joined: 02 Aug 2006 Posts: 153 City: alb

install and all the gadgets, about $3grand - I haven't got the exact amount yet, still not sure what all I'm getting for it. But the price includes install for everything.

Roger · Outlaw Joined: 16 Aug 2005 Posts: 145 City: Dallas

HHI Dave · Posted: Aug 21, 2006 10:49 am Post subject:

Roger,

The more I look at them, the more I think Monster is the way to go in the price range I'm looking for. Thanks.

Rinker04 · Newbie Joined: 29 Mar 2005 Posts: 17 City: Orland Park

Dave,

I've got a Monster on my 04 Rinker. Folding the tower was one of the factors that swayed me towards the Monster (that along with their reputation). It is very easy to collapse with 2 sets of hands. It can be done by yourself, but requires a little more care. All of Monsters accessories detach very easily for storage. I've got one of their Wakeboard racks & their mirror - I'm pleased with both.

While I think that some of the other towers may be better looking I don't regret my decision to go with the Monster one bit. Everything thats been written about their customer service is true. They go above & beyond to make sure you're happy with your purchase.

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

Don't know much about the Big Air but I like the styling better. I have friends that had monster towers and it seemed like they constantly had to tighten things down.

fishboatwakerider · Newbie Joined: 22 Sep 2006 Posts: 7

I love my big air tower. Collapses by myself in 2 minutes max. Supports my 4 liquid audio 6.5's with no trouble.

I will admit it does creak and bit when loaded with a heavy rider like myself. But it's supposed to, they say that big air towers put less stress on the fiberglass of your boats upper hull, because it keeps the flex and stress in the tower, instead of trasmitting it to the mount plates causing spider cracking.

I'll take some pics of it collapsed in my garage tomorrow. BTW I have a Yamaha board rack and mirror on the right side now, and that leg comes off just as easily as the other sides leg with no accessories.