to tower or not to tower

[/IMG]

Sebastian,
I just posted about this someplace else about this exact thing. Personally, I would prefer to stay with the skylon. Taking everything off in a couple minutes still retains the classic lines. Classics just don't look right with them.

I can't argue about the space savings, strength and visibility advantages that a tower offers. Then you might have to worry about boat storage and covering issues with the tower.

I guess as long as it's your boat, you have to live with it if you put the tower on. When it comes time to resell, it could be a plus or a huge deterrent for the potential buyer. Then again, removing the tower and patching a few holes wouldn't be the end of the world either as long as you can match the colors really well. The holes will be in some of the most obvious spots for cosmetic purposes.

Hey Sebastian,

Good to hear from you again. As you know, our boats look very similar. I am taking the plunge with a New Dimension tower (see thread here)

Here's a good idea of what the boat will look like:


(1991-1994 Barefoot Nautique)


(Your model...1990-1996 Ski Nautique)

Like you, I had the same concerns. My (humble) opinion is a tower will only help you in resale value EXCEPT for a "purist buyer" who wants the classic look (we all know there are plenty of people out there---here---like that, which is cool.)

It's a matter of preference but, generally, if you buy a good tower and have it installed correctly, I'd say it'd be a good investment.

Flame-retardant suit is on...okay guys, I'm ready for incoming...


--Dave

Daveinater wrote: My (humble) opinion is a tower will only help you in resale value

I disagree- sort of. Adding a tower *might* not hurt the resale value in the eyes of the right type of prospective buyer (non-purist), but theres no way you'll increase the value enough to recover 100% of the cost when it comes time to sell- just like any other upgrade you add. In my opinion, it makes zero financial sense to add- so I wouldnt factor that in as a positive at all. It will certainly hurt the value in the eyes of any purist, like you mention.

Sebastian, I wont even comment on what I think you should do- you know my thoughts on the subject. I love the clean lines of the 90-93 SN's!

Can you strap tubes to the tower; that would free up some space :)

Chuck

The Lake wrote: Can you strap tubes to the tower; that would free up some space :) Chuck

Ouch, Chuck...that hurts. NO TUBES ON THE TOWER!! Geez, don't let my kids read this....

Nice pylon. That was my first choice in extended pylons but, when attached to the clamp, it sat right on top of my ski locker. I had an Air Boom w/ racks and recently sold it. Definitely another good option!

Daveinater wrote: Nice pylon. That was my first choice in extended pylons but, when attached to the clamp, it sat right on top of my ski locker. I had an Air Boom w/ racks and recently sold it. Definitely another good option!

My seat will not go up with the pylon in place, so I keep a wrench handy and loosen it up and rotate it as needed. But, last year all my kids did was ski, so I barely used it!!

Dave thanks for the offer!!! but mine still good for a couple of seasons, an it also has the hole for the pilon as you can se at the pics.
But in case of ineterest freigth charges to Buenos Aires for it make them pricey

not that neat, PO cut the hole in the middle of the bimini, and when pilon is out you have a nice sky view!!!

can someone come up with the pic of the treated wood tower, good time for it
I think i remember your 100th, learn how to babble and you'll be at 1000 in no time

Hey About the pic I posted of the red sn I think is a 1992, It belongs to a guy I know and I´m trying to make him join here...
Hope he bites the hook....

Hey neighbor! We live just south of Atlanta but have a place on Lake Wedowee in AL which is 1:15 drive away. It is about 30 mins south of Anniston, AL. The lakes around Atlanta are too crazy!

i have 2 boats ('88 and '93 Ski Nautiques) both with towers. my boat usage is 95% wakeboarding so tower is an easy choice for me. more space in the boat and more solid pull are the top two reasons. I also think the tower is structurally better for the boat. 4 attachment points vs. 1. the pull on the tower through the attachment points tends to roll the boat where the pull from the extended pylon would tend to torque the factory pylon mount (~3 X the torque from the factory pylon)...of course this is all my opinion. I think the new dimensions or origial FCT look best on these boats. my '93 has a titan series I which i think looks really good (and only ~$1300). My '88 has a custom aluminum tower which i also thing looks really good. then again, there is always the wood tower...

emccallum wrote: Do you have any water down there? We are still 13 ft down!

Well our lake is an Alabama Power lake, and they draw the water down to "winter pool" over the winter. They got a variance to keep it above winter pool and it's a fair bit above that. We're not hearing anything about the water level being kept anything lower than the full (summer) pool so, knock on wood, we're expecting a normal summer with good water. Boy it's been a real bummer the past couple years. We've taken our boat out of the water in July. We have only 9 ft. of water under our lift with full pool, so we watch it closely.