My Ski Nautique 2001 Tower and Board Racks - DIY

[fuel]

Anyway, some of ya'll may remember me posting last year on fixing up my '83 SN 2001. This is the newest "upgrade". Me and my buddy Paul built the tower and painted it with some Dupont Imron. We're too poor for powdercoating. We also built some board racks for it. Hopefully I can get them to post, too. Unfortunately, we didn't have a milling machine (which really sucks, seeing as I come from a machining background) but I still think they look pretty good.

We also fiberglassed in some support for the tower. We were both a little afraid that the gunnels weren't quite strong enough so we built some boxes out of XL and fiberglassed them into the floor and the sides of the boat. We also fiberglassed some under the gunnels to distribute the load better. Come to find out, they also serve as bad ass speaker boxes!

We tested the tower out a few days ago and it is solid as a rock. No flex, no squeaks, no problems.

[fuel]

Here's some more pics...

[fuel]

In these pics, the racks are not quite complete. We painted them to match the boat and since these pics, we've put some 1/2" rubber on the plate to keep the boards from hitting the bolts or the plate. We also used clear tubing for the padding on the racks, so you can still see the blue. We also added some bungee cords.

Oh yeah, and the "knobs" to latch the bungees to are the heads of old railroad spikes!

Seriously, I couldn't have done it without my good buddy, Paul. He worked his ass off on this project. We designed, built and painted both the tower and the racks together, as well as the fiberglass supports.

Aftermarket Tower - Mucho $$$
Homemade Tower - No mucho $$$
A great friend - Priceless

[Nor*Cal]

great job. You've done a killer job on that boat. Can't wait to see some pics of your boat on the water.

[wakerwes]

that look very nice "Good job"

[Erik]

That thing is just gorgeous. I hope you'll let me feature it in the gallery at www.the2001.com.

[Bruky]

That boat looks imaculate for its age, and not even considering that, it's a damn good looking boat man! The tower looks great, and the racks are pretty damn cool! Rock on, and have fun in that thing!

Johnny

[Bruky]

Might as well build yourself some speaker boxes...you look pretty handy with your fiberglass skills too

[fuel]

Thanks, guys. I appreciate the compliments.

Erik, I'd be more than happy to let you put it on your site. I have better pics, but I have to shrink them for these sites and they don't look as good.

Wakeupdude, you should have seen the boat when we started. It was awful. We did so much stuff to the thing that it is practically a brand new boat.

You know what sucks, though? The fact that now I have a bad ass boat and I STILL suck at wakeboarding!

[BigD]

Is this the boat that had the dash re-done on it too? GREAT JOB!

[DiyGuy]

As a fellow DIY addict, always looking for a new challenge, my hat is off! You guys did a really good job. The thought process and thinking outside the box to come up with the racks is outstanding!

Survey says~~~~~~~~~~ PERFECT 10!

[fuel]

Thanks, guys!

Yeah, this is the boat with the dash redone. Here is a pic of the dash right after we finished it about a year ago. Since then we've installed the stereo in the dash right in the middle where that "Chevy-Bow-Tie thingy" is. It works fine right there, but at least once a day someone will lean back a little too far in the seat and change the station/song. Oh well...

[clynt11]

thats a bad ass boat, i know of a guy that had a baretta. Anyways it was bad ass and kinda reminds me of that boat. Much props to you and paul, hope you have a good wakeboarding summer before i get to town and tear it up. Later, Hunter

[fuel]

What's up, Homaster Hunter? I'm glad you got to see the photos. I hope the Nautique doesn't get Baretta Fever and come down with hydrophobia. Tell A-Train Alisha I said hi and I can't wait until ya'll are back home.