Ski Tower (Struggle) |
Post Reply | Page <1 234 |
Author | |
akabulla
Gold Member Joined: November-15-2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 649 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I have an older tuna tower and I think the lines look great compared to the line of the windshield although it is a real PITA to fold down. I have to use a hex wrench every time and it folds down into the middle of the boat and not over the bow!
I for one would not put one on an all original 2001 but my boat was brought back from the dead and not even close to original so I had NO problem slapping that puppy on mine! I almost got a red 89 that had 120 original hours on it and would of used a pole instead of a tower but it is nice to have my mirror and boards all out of the way with the tower. I also have a mount I made to film the wake boarder which wouldn't have worked without the tower. Good luck! |
|
GottaSki
Grand Poobah Joined: April-21-2005 Location: NE CT Status: Online Points: 3334 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
No tuna tower!
|
|
"There is nothing, absolutely nothing, half so much worthwhile as messing around with boats...simply messing."
River Rat to Mole |
|
Chopper
Gold Member Joined: June-15-2006 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 821 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I'm a fan of the tower over a high pole, but you have to choose the right tower, and you have to have the budget.
I put a "universal" type tower on my old 1989 when I "restored" it. I went the heavilly customized route though to suit wakeboarding. The universal tower was a real pain in the butt to fold down - too fiddly. I would do it again, but it would have to be a FCT 2 style like ND offer. Problem is that the universals are all much cheaper. Keep this in mind when looking at them. If possible, get the supplied to demonstrate the folding technique. For $50 you have spent, I'd stick with that high pole for a while, and get some pole mounted racks. This would be much more cost effective than a tower, and you would still want the racks. As others ahve said, the pole only takes a minute to take down. |
|
jbear
Grand Poobah Joined: January-21-2005 Location: Lake Wales FL. Status: Offline Points: 8193 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
If you say the install was a little tricky, knowing your skills and those of your helper (Dad) then I gotta guess it might just be a little tough for the rest of us. "Nice looking boat"...you oughta know. john |
|
"Loud pipes save lives"
AdamT sez "I'm Canadian and a beaver lover myself"... |
|
seacamper
Platinum Member Joined: June-24-2010 Location: Florida Status: Offline Points: 1056 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I just had a great experience with Big Air. I ordered the H2O with 2 racks and a bimini top. I still need to install it, but it came in 4 days, the company was great to work with, (I worked with Deeana) and they sent me extra pictures to help me measure and also sent me instructions via PDF. They also are "military friendly" so ask for their discount. Not sure what the story was on your buddy thatdude596, but my experience to date was excellent service.
As far as the vote to tower or not to tower, I obviously vote for the tower as I am about to put one on my 89 SN. I really do understand and even admire the purist view, but I based my decision on what the tower will do for my ski experience. The boats I have skiied in with towers are more organized. The racks hold the boards/skis, bimini top and keep your field of vision clear and everything off the deck. Speakers and lights just sweeten the pot. The penalty is 16 holes and possible spider cracks. Thats just me, and if these boats are tools for skiing/boarding/family fun, I think the penalty is worth the gain! Thats just my 2 cents. Tom |
|
1980 Ski Nautique Boat Bar
1988 Mastercraft Tristar Open Bow 1988 Mastercraft Tristar Closed Bow 1969 Seacamper Houseboat 1986 Harris Pontoon 2004 Seadoo GTX SC + Flydive Xboard 1999 Adventurecraft |
|
jbenbri
Groupie Joined: November-11-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 54 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I put a big air tower on a boat I use to own and had no problems.
|
|
thatdude596
Senior Member Joined: March-28-2010 Status: Offline Points: 155 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
stay away from bigairwaketowers!!!!!!!!!!!! they almost tried ripping off a guy i know who lives in the village. he sent the money for the tower speakers lights racks etc, and almost didnt get any of it. he finally got the tower after 4 months, relentless calls threats and more threats contacting the police calling the local bbb etc etc. it was at the point this guy was gonna pay some people to go "check" this guy out. guy came up with every reason as to why it wasnt being shipped or made yet. it took another month to get the lights and racks. the guy who owns and operates is a real piece of work. if your looking into a tower go new dimensions or even monster for a budget priced solid tower.i think a tower looks good on any boat. the skylon is a pita!
|
|
SNobsessed
Grand Poobah Joined: October-21-2007 Location: IA Status: Offline Points: 7102 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
BN - Also vote no on the tower!
We use a extended pylon. I tied the bow strap to the lift eye with an elastic strap & leave it in place, even for trailering. It takes like 1 minute to put up the pylon. I would think that folding a tower up & down would be more work than that. My .02 |
|
“Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.”
Ben Franklin |
|
TRIP
Gold Member Joined: December-08-2007 Location: Costa Rica Status: Offline Points: 629 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I like original too, and couldn't put a tower on a Silver Nautique but I'd put a FCT2(/ND) on this. The only really good looking tower for a 2001 and as close to original as can be.
|
|
jbenbri
Groupie Joined: November-11-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 54 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
If you go with the tower I'll be happy to give you the $50 for the pylon. I am trying to finish a stringer job on a 83 and am having the same debate myself. If I get a pylon for $50 the debate will be over. The pylon will win out for sure!
|
|
gn6027
Senior Member Joined: October-15-2006 Location: Ohio Status: Offline Points: 192 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Doug,
I put a FCT on my all original '87 back in 2005, and don't regret it at all. (Sorry Pete, I know you're cringing as you read this) I had a Fly High, but the tower is a great addition. The FCT tower install was a little tricky, and I would do things a little different if I did it again. The tower folds down in less than a minute; much quicker than with a pylon. Be prepared to spend more than $50... Just my $0.02... By the way, nice looking boat!! Glen |
|
GN6027
1987 Ski Nautique 2001 |
|
8122pbrainard
Grand Poobah Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41040 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Don,
Understood. Still, get some pictures and a diary entry! |
|
TX Foilhead
Grand Poobah Joined: February-01-2009 Location: Kingsland TX Status: Offline Points: 2076 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Pete, I'm really just too lazy to take some good shots. With the exception of the tower and some traction mat added to the gunwales, everything else is either original or can be retuned to original. Although I do like to upgrade things, I try to make it a point not to compromise the original look anymore than I already have, if it doesn't look like it came that way I won't do it. That being said there are some things that either weren't available (Perfect Pass) or weren't ordered (heater and depth/temp guage) that have been added to make her better for our use. In the end she is doing what she was designed to do, which is pull things around the lake, and we get quite a few people every year who can't believe she is almost 20 years old.
I've been working hard on the late summer detailing, so hopefully I'll get around to some pics before too long, they just don't look right sitting in the dark boat slip where she spends most of her time in the summer. |
|
eric lavine
Grand Poobah Joined: August-13-2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13413 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Hollywood doesnt need a tower (crutch) to flip........
|
|
"the things you own will start to own you"
|
|
8122pbrainard
Grand Poobah Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41040 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
No tower.
3 no. 1 yes. Don (the no vote), Why don't you have your boat in the diaries or at least a link or avitar? I have a feeling your boat is far from original. If that's the case, I feel your situation is certainly different than someone who has made a effort to and wants to keep his boat original. How about a link to some pictures? Doug, Yes, very nice. Keep up the good work. |
|
TX Foilhead
Grand Poobah Joined: February-01-2009 Location: Kingsland TX Status: Offline Points: 2076 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I'm going to disagree with the no tower crowd, New Dimensions look just fine on those boats. I do question the time saving though because you will still have to put the tower down, and that may be a little more labor than removing the Skylon.
|
|
SN206
Grand Poobah Joined: February-25-2009 Location: Fort Worth, TX Status: Offline Points: 2339 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
agree
|
|
...those who have fallen and those who will.
|
|
emccallum
Platinum Member Joined: August-08-2006 Location: Clarks Hill SC Status: Offline Points: 1084 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
that sure is a nice boat to be sticking a tower on! I vote for keeping the Skylon, and making your take it off each time, that may cure him of wakeboarding, and get him on the slalom!
|
|
Bama Nautique
Senior Member Joined: February-26-2010 Location: Tuscaloosa, Ala Status: Offline Points: 153 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I have an 89 SN 2001 and just had it wet sanded and am waiting on a set of original decals to put back on it. I love the fact that my 89 will be completely restored to its original condition in just a few more weeks.
My son just learned to wakeboard and has taken to it very well. I purchased a used Skylon pylon for $50 and it has worked great for the few weeks that I have had it. The problem is that we dry dock and I have to put it on and take it off each time. Doesnt take too long but it is something that has to be done. I am struggling with the idea of installing a ski tower on the 89 SN 2001. I love the look of the towers on the newer boats but am not sure I like the way they look on the older boats. I have found some at bigairwaketowers.com and am looking at the Vapor and the Ice towers. I know that I may get blasted for even considering putting a tower on an older boat and taking away from the classic Ski Nautique look. I just wanted to throw the idea out there and get everyones response on what they thought. Thanks for your input. |
|
Post Reply | Page <1 234 |
Tweet
|
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |