malibu illusion x tower

snwboarder · Posted: Feb 08, 2004 3:49 pm Post subject: malibu illusion x tower

Does anybody have an illusion x tower on their Malibu or know how easy it is to fold down? Me and my dad are buying a new Malibu xli and were trying to decide what tower to get. We both like the illusion x but we need one that we can easily put down to store in our garage.

Mike O · Soul Rider Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Posts: 416 City: KINGSPORT

You take the back two bolts out and it folds down just above the windshield. There is supposed to be some sort of bracket that holds it off the windshield. I have ordered one for my new 04 VLX!

jeffrey_25 · Addict Joined: 05 Oct 2003 Posts: 811

Our family should be getting an Illusion X tower. I heard on another post that the tower is a beast to fold down. I haven't had any experience with the tower so I can't vouch for any of those comments. Our boat stays outside anyways so it doesn't really matter to us but maybe you should get a few other opinions just to make sure this isn't true.

GhostRider1 · Newbie Joined: 17 Jan 2004 Posts: 33 City: Canyon Lake

I was just talking to a Malibu dealer and he was saying they don't sell many and he doesn't recomend them as they are right in the way of where you would normally board the boat. Somthing to think about. Rolling Eyes

tparider · Posted: Feb 08, 2004 10:37 pm Post subject:

For some reason I thought that the Illusion tower wasn't collapsible?

Fishmaster · Posted: Feb 09, 2004 3:47 am Post subject:

From an engineering standpoint its quite impressive. With a "single" mounting plate there is definate coordinated engineering between Malibu and the tower builder, I heard it was Metcraft building it somewhere. I could not see an aftermarket tower of that design without expecting the customer to do some re-engineering of their deck to hold it. Also unless they have a method I have not heard of they spent some really huge dollars in tooling for forming all the pieces. Saw them at the Atlanta boat show and was impressed.

Shawn Madison · Posted: Feb 09, 2004 6:41 am Post subject:

This tower is super strong! I put it through a really good stress test and it barely moved. Also, it has tons of headroom for accessories. I getting one!

Mike O · Soul Rider Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Posts: 416 City: KINGSPORT

Shawn, I second that! He,He! It won't be long! Very Happy

Wakeside1 · Posted: Feb 09, 2004 10:25 pm Post subject:

I have also heard that they are rock solid due to the cast aluminum design. Not as easy to collapse as a Skylon Swoop Classic or Titan tower. If you don't have to collapse every time then that is not an issue.

Has anyone noticed that Skylon has greatly increased the angle of their swoop on the 2004 LSV. The boat is 23 feet long so the extra swoop works great.

I know the new Illusion X looks totally different, but I think that the Skylon Swoop and the Titan Series II are more practical and collapsing is a 30 second affair without tools.

wakehype · Soul Rider Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 460 City: Fresno

I have the old illusion on my 03 VLX. But check this out, which is kinda cool... The mounnt point for the rope is about 5 feet more forward on the boat than a regular tower is, so you can use more rope length without being that far behind. Gives your more play with the rope.