Locating my Tower

wesgardner · Posted: Apr 28, 2005 6:20 am Post subject: Locating my Tower

Hey All,

I've photoslopped a couple of posibilities as far as for and aft location of a tower onto my boat.

Has anyone regretted their location decisions?

Any reason to do one as opposed to another as far as board rack accessibility?

I'm not "wedded" to this exact tower - it was just an easy image to grab..

Any comments - let 'em rip...

The first image is well forward, then a "middle" and then well aft...

Bear in mind, this boat is 25'! (without swim deck)

Wes

ontrider · Ladies Man Joined: 30 Jul 2003 Posts: 16491 City: Russia

The first one IMO. I'd actually go between where 1 and 2 are.

I think they look best when you try and get the tower to follow the lines of the windshield. That keeps everything flowing and makes it look more like the tower was designed with the boat in mind, not like the tower was an afterthought and just slapped on.

89 skier · Addict Joined: 30 Jun 2004 Posts: 729 City: Dallas

Another thing to consider is where the tower will rest If & When you need to fold it down. That's typically how other manufacturers recommend you place your tower. Will it rest on the back seat, front grab rails?????

Also take a look under your gunnels and make sure the proposed locations are free of wiring, conduit, other bolts, part, pieces, etc, and that they are easily accessible.

And you're correct, also consider where you can stand in the boat in order to place a board on the racks. If you have to lean over a seat or cooler or whatever, you have a greater chance of dropping a board and damaging your board and boat.

wesgardner · Posted: Apr 28, 2005 8:00 am Post subject:

Hey 89 skier,

All good points, thanks...I've been under the gunnels alot recently pulling in new speaker/power. etc. wiring and yes, there's stuff that'll need to move

ontrider, - I agree....

Thanks guys

Wes

DizzyG · Soul Rider Joined: 11 Jun 2003 Posts: 266 City: Oconomowoc

I like the look of the first one better than the 2nd, otherwise way back is kind of cool. How does tower placement affect handling?
From a handling perspective, where is the optimal spot?

icerider · Criminal Joined: 17 Apr 2005 Posts: 77 City: Saskatoon

The first one goes with the lines of the boat better

wesgardner · Posted: May 02, 2005 5:48 am Post subject:

So, does anyone else have any "I wish I'd done it this way" stories? I've pretty much surveyed the under side of the deck so I'm good to go there...

Wes

Brit Rider · Posted: May 02, 2005 12:42 pm Post subject:

wesgardner, is that the big air H20 tower?

wesgardner · Posted: May 03, 2005 3:24 am Post subject:

Hey Brit,

Yep, it was easy to cut and paste so I used it...for some reason I'm liking the T-1 from LoudLiquid...haven't decided yet and it's not in the budget 'til next year so I've got time to play....with my boat's colors, I think I'd do a black tower and yellow bimini (there's yellow piping on the furniture....

I've been reading a bunch of discussion about towers swaying and in fact, someone's actually broke - I think he admits to having heavy speakers, etc. but none-the-less, an actual failure is not a good thing!

Wes

Liquid*Force*Rider · Posted: May 03, 2005 5:56 am Post subject:

Pic #2. The bar follows the window and it make the tower nice and centered in the boat.

wesgardner · Posted: May 03, 2005 7:04 am Post subject:

Hey Liquid*Force*Rider,

That's sorta my preference as well, plus I think I've got a good chance of getting boards on and off the racks...

Thanks for the input...

Wes

funkcity · Newbie Joined: 15 May 2005 Posts: 5 City: Los Angeles

A thought:
Number 3 keeps it out of the direct driver's vision also.

wesgardner · Posted: May 17, 2005 3:01 am Post subject:

Hey funkcity,

I hear ya....maybe split the difference between 2 and 3?

Wes

savage3221 · Posted: May 18, 2005 2:23 pm Post subject:

go with or somewhere in between 1 and 2... looks best and still can grab the boards without too kmuch trouble

matt1808 · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 05 Feb 2004 Posts: 1981

I would get a tower that matches the angle of the support on the windshield. Then put it even with the support since it is such a big boat.

t b d · Criminal Joined: 27 Aug 2004 Posts: 60 City: Coral Springs

If you plan on putting a bimini top on your tower pitcture #3 is too far back

wesgardner · Posted: May 24, 2005 3:29 am Post subject:

Hey t b d,

Good thinkin' excellent point, thank you....don't know why but I'm kinda likin' #2....

Wes

ATROPINE · Outlaw Joined: 14 Aug 2003 Posts: 197 City: Logandale, NV

#2 -- just fits the overall picture the best. However, with a different style tower, that can all change. For instance, a Monster Tower will look completely different and you'll have to go through this process all over again.

holiday13 · Soul Rider Joined: 03 Jun 2004 Posts: 325 City: Flemington

wesgardner, I like 3 for board rack ease of use, and 1 for the clean lines, IMO the tower kind of clashes with the windshield upright in 2. 3 would not be good though if you are going to get a bimini that mounts to the tower, as stated above. Tough call though, good luck

wesgardner · Posted: May 25, 2005 9:46 am Post subject:

Hey ATROPINE,

Yep but I think I'm leaning towards that style rather than the hoop....I believe someone used Velcro and actually positioned their tower on the boat....I'll do something similar and actually step thru getting a board on/off the racks, etc.

holiday13, I hear ya on the bimini....

Wes

graphik · Addict Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 727 City: miller lake

I did the same thing when deciding what tower to buy. I got a monster, and it looks better than my photoshop work. One thing I wish I had of thought of a little better is that you want to make note of how the thing will fold down and if it will fit either under an existing cover, or will you get a new cover made. I also drilled the holes in mine to find that I was off by a wee bit. What I mean by that is the mouting bracket was a little tough to get to underneath, even after I double checked. it all worked out in the end, and I woulnd't have done it any differently, but think the entire life of the tower through before you drill.

wesgardner · Posted: Jun 02, 2005 4:21 am Post subject:

Hey graphik,

Thanks for the heads up...here's the deal for my boat - it will be on a lift or in the water in a slip. I CAN have the tower fold, but its not necessary for my situation....my cover is canvas and will need to be slit at the tower feet...I'll need to come up with some "trick" idea for the draw string securing it under the rail - I pull a fair amount of tension on it now to get the cover snug...

The winter - last winter I built a PVC "tent" allowing me to stand up in the boat and do alot of the repairs required - the frame is 2" PVC bolted together and designed to be re-usable - this is where the tower MIGHT be nice to have fold down - I CAN re-design the PVC/ blue poly "tent" to accomodate the tower (I think) - the boat lives outside beside my garage with no problem - protected from the wind and we really don't get much snow...

I'll be checking more than once on my measurements Twisted Evil

as I'm really not too interested in accidiently drilling thru th main electrical harness that runs in a conduit right along the underside of the rail..... Puppy Eyes

I have alot of woodworking/epoxy/boatbuilding experience so beefing-up for backing plates, etc. is not a probelm.

Wes

holiday13 · Soul Rider Joined: 03 Jun 2004 Posts: 325 City: Flemington

Hey Wes, maybe you said it above already and I missed it, but did you consider a Monster? Only reason I ask is that you can work with feet placement nicely with them. I am going to sound like a Monster salesman here, but I love their products, and for what they charge you for their products it is hard to beat! I mean you can walk away with a tower, bimini, and 2 sets of board racks for what a lot of towers are alone! I bought my '05 and got it without the factory tower because of the savings, I think I saved 1500 going th monster route and I love the looks!

wesgardner · Posted: Jun 02, 2005 9:25 am Post subject:

Hey holiday13,

Yeah, Monster is CERTAINLY in the running, I've heard nothing but great stuff about Bill and company...

Wes