correct method to mount tower?

[wcsparky05]

remember, if you think you can, or you think you cant, you're right!.....stewie griffin.my friend is a welder and is making me a wakeboard tower for my boat. what is the proper ,method to mount metal to fiberglass? do they make fiberglass anchors? this will obviously have the stress of a skier or wakeboarder and i want the top mounting method available. thx

 

[paulie0735]

Re: correct method to mount tower?

if your boats not designed for it than you will need to do MAJOR strengthening work to your deck. What make / model is your boat? Making the tower is the easy bit! Also check with your insurance company….. I would suggest if the boat was not designed for a tower than you would be better to fit a high pole, they are a lot easier to support than a tower. There is a lot more to this sort of work than 'having the will' and a mate with a welder!!!!!!!

 

[Liquid_force]

Re: correct method to mount tower?

Ours is side mounted, but I would imagine you could use a similar process to top mount one.

We used 4 stainless steel plates, each about 5" dia., at each attachment point. Each plate is drilled with 4 bolt holes around the perimeter.
On the inside of the gunwale we used two 10-12" pices of 1" angle iron at each plate to spread out the force - each 10-12" piece receives two bolts.

Our insurance agent just said, "Cool, looks good to me!"

We've used it for 2 full seasons and part of a 3rd. It holds two wakeboards, a pair of tower speakers, a pair of docking lights, and I have a habit of grabbing it for a couple chin ups once in a while (195 lb).

It's seen a good 100 hrs of tow time.

The best possible accessory we could ever have added all for about $200

We've replaced those POS 6x9's, but...

 

[turbodriven]

Re: correct method to mount tower?

You could always use something like this. The part that attaches to your custom tower just slips into your tubing and is held on with a set screw.

http://www.diywake.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=533

This is how my tower is held onto my SeaRay. Basically it has an aluminum foot with a rubber pad between it and the fiberglass. When you drill the holes your boat make sure you drill backwards. In other words the bit will run counter-clockwise. Takes longer but prevents the gelcoat from chipping and ultimately stress cracking later on.

 

[vegas_storms]

Re: correct method to mount tower?

Anyone know if the deck of my 89 172 cobalt is strong enough to hold a tower?

 

[wcsparky05]

Re: correct method to mount tower?

thx for the info and the great pics! yeah, i guess the mounting is the hard part. maybe i'll just fish instead!

 

[Liquid_force]

Re: correct method to mount tower?

Anyone know if the deck of my 89 172 cobalt is strong enough to hold a tower?

Cobalt's are among the better built non-tournament boats out there IMO.
If our rinky-dink Sunbird can handle it your Cobalt should have no problem at all.

 

[sabastianunf]

Re: correct method to mount tower?

Direct mount steel plates often leads to cracked fiberglass and gelcoat. The best way to mount is a heim joint like used on these www.monstertower.com.

 

[Liquid_force]

Re: correct method to mount tower?

Direct mount steel plates often leads to cracked fiberglass and gelcoat. The best way to mount is a heim joint like used on these www.monstertower.com.

We used heim joints at all 4 corners as well.

 

[murphini]

Re: correct method to mount tower?

I have a 1989 VIP 20' and installted (myself) the Monster Tower 2 years ago. Works great. Their instructions are pretty good. Biggest challenge is to measure (twice) to make sure you know where the holes will go. Then driling in reverse to not chip the gelcoat.

I tighten mine at the beginning of year and sporadically during year.

I am very pleased with the speed in which the tower goes up and down. Makes all the difference. You can see my pic under the customer photos for VIP at http://www.monstertower.com/customerphotos/index.htm

Mine is the Murphini

 

[wcsparky05]

Re: correct method to mount tower?

thx for the great responses, but what are helm joints?? thx again, liquid force, but if you we're talking to me i have a 16' invader, not a cobalt. still in really good shape for an '89 and only 423 hours on the engine.thx again. this is a fantastic website!

 

[sabastianunf]

Re: correct method to mount tower?

They are a way to mount the tower that allows for a little flex in the mount. If the mount is not designed to flex it puts stress on the fiberglass and ends up cracking it. You can see some at www.monstertower.com.

 

[dvan1901]

Re: correct method to mount tower?

I have a 1989 VIP 20' and installted (myself) the Monster Tower 2 years ago. Works great. Their instructions are pretty good. Biggest challenge is to measure (twice) to make sure you know where the holes will go. Then driling in reverse to not chip the gelcoat.

I tighten mine at the beginning of year and sporadically during year.

I am very pleased with the speed in which the tower goes up and down. Makes all the difference. You can see my pic under the customer photos for VIP at http://www.monstertower.com/customerphotos/index.htm

Mine is the Murphini

Murphini, boat looks good. I was wondering if you did anything to strengthen the deck before you attached it? I am thinking of getting the Monster Tower for my 1993 Larson All American 190.

 

[Liquid_force]

Re: correct method to mount tower?

thx for the great responses, but what are helm joints??

 

[murphini]

Re: correct method to mount tower?

sorry for the late reply- I used the monster pads for the underside and nothing else. It now has over 120 hours of use and I tighten the bolts annually.

I've been very pleased with it, and with the Monster people. They actually answer the phone if you have a question.

 

[wcsparky05]

Re: correct method to mount tower?

sooo, murphini, how much did it cost you? and thanks for the info.