Aerial Airborne Wakeboard Tower

[bdover21]

Re: Aerial Airborne Wakeboard Tower

Where'd you find your good deal at on the tower? And how sturdy/stable is the tower? Was hearing mixed reviews on it... Thanks.

 

[1fst690]

Re: Aerial Airborne Wakeboard Tower

I just pulled the trigger on an airborne package for 1798 shipped for the tower, 2 racks, 1 being a wake/knee combo, mirror, dyneema rope, and a pair of dual bullet speakers. I cant speak of first hand experience on the tower as I havent installed it yet. My mair reason for purchasing was because I have a friend who bought a boat a couple of years ago with the airborne tower on it. I watched him (and I DO NOT CONDONE THIS!) pull a buddy of ours on a tube last year, I hear a WHOOOO HOOOO and look over, the tube is probably a solid 3' off the water on a hard turn with the rope tight, The tube traveled probably 30-40 yrds before it touched down again and our friend held on tight. they were pulling from the tower. As I did research I couldnt find much info so I asked my friend how he liked it ect. and his responces were all positive. I looked it over closely a couple of times and i feel the quality is great, he has no rattles ect. but did recommend red loctite when I install mine. He doesnt even have backing plates on his mounting bolts. Although I recomended he get some installed before he rips the darn thing out of his hull!

 

[DustyJoe]

Re: Aerial Airborne Wakeboard Tower

I got mine from Pat at h2osportswarehouse.com They will work with you if the package they have listed isnt exactly what you want. I got different speakers and racks than what was listed in the package deal and I saved quite a bit of money off the package price. I see guys pull tubes with them pretty regular I think they are crazy and I will not be pulling a tube with mine unless its my 6yr old on the tube.

 

[bdover21]

Re: Aerial Airborne Wakeboard Tower

Thanks for the quick replies. Just wondering for those who have rode on both a Monster tower (was looking for at the MT2) and this aerial airborne tower? Is there any difference in quality or stability or longevity?

 

[bakerderek0]

Re: Aerial Airborne Wakeboard Tower

What is the main concern with pulling inflatables? Stress on the hull or the danger of flying?

 

[bakerderek0]

Re: Aerial Airborne Wakeboard Tower

By the way, my package is on the way. I went with the twin speakers, wake & combo rack, wiring harness, & tower. $1679 shipped off ebay. I wish I would've called H2O directly. It sounds like DustyJoe got a better deal.

 

[DustyJoe]

Re: Aerial Airborne Wakeboard Tower

I would think the stress on the hull because you have a lot of drag with a tube in the water.

 

[Silverbullet555]

Re: Aerial Airborne Wakeboard Tower

Stress on the hull is a big issue to watch for. Also, you want to make sure when you mount any tower that you are not tweaking it to get it into position. It could be an exact match to the holes you drill when you intall it.

For the backer plate, take a piece of marine grade plywood and coat it with thickened epoxy. Drill your holes through the hull and then through pieces of marine grade epoxy. Coat the back side of the board and the inside of the hull with marinze epoxy and install the tower. Tighten the bolts to where you squeeze some of the thick epoxy our but not all of it. That way the epoxy will fill the gaps. What you want to do is make a flat mounting surface on the backside so when you do the final tightening, the bolt spreads the stress over a large area.

 

[iamthunderman]

Re: Aerial Airborne Wakeboard Tower

I am starting my install today I will post pics of the progress as it moves along. What brand of epoxy did you use?

Stress on the hull is a big issue to watch for. Also, you want to make sure when you mount any tower that you are not tweaking it to get it into position. It could be an exact match to the holes you drill when you intall it.

For the backer plate, take a piece of marine grade plywood and coat it with thickened epoxy. Drill your holes through the hull and then through pieces of marine grade epoxy. Coat the back side of the board and the inside of the hull with marinze epoxy and install the tower. Tighten the bolts to where you squeeze some of the thick epoxy our but not all of it. That way the epoxy will fill the gaps. What you want to do is make a flat mounting surface on the backside so when you do the final tightening, the bolt spreads the stress over a large area.

 

[pat8839]

Re: Aerial Airborne Wakeboard Tower

good luck thunderman!

 

[shaddr3]

Re: Aerial Airborne Wakeboard Tower

Hello i'm kinda new here. I lurk on iboats every now and then though. I purchased the Aerial Assault Tower for my 2004 Bayliner 185. Arrived last tuesday, and took me three nights to install with a friend's help. I bought with the two combo racks, $1119 + $75 shipping. Now I plan on ordering speakers for the tower, and a light bar, and installing my nav light at the top... however I cannot find ANY PLACE where the wires should go.... There arn't ANY holes for this which im rather upset about. Does anyone have input on this? I'll post some pics of the setup in a few

 

[splicer]

Re: Aerial Airborne Wakeboard Tower

Since they don't know what you'll be running, they don't drill holes for your wires. Drill your own on the pivot leg, if you'll be laying it down.

 

[pat8839]

Re: Aerial Airborne Wakeboard Tower

Thunderman how's that install?

 

[shaddr3]

Re: Aerial Airborne Wakeboard Tower

I took the boat out sunday fishing, just to test the stress on the hull with the tower. When I crossed semi large wakes, the tower shook a bit. I will be fiberglassing over the wood backing and back washer (i'll be sure to tape over the leg nuts!). This should dramatically reduce the stress on the hull. I mean I may just be over reacting but better safe than sorry.. Also after done glassing im going to take off the tower and re-adjust it a bit more, which will make it pretty darn stable. I love the look of this tower on my bayliner! Now all I need is an ESP, but custom molded with a $1500 price, ill wait a few months!

Oh and a stupid drunk friend was leaning on the tower, almost socked him in the face for that.

As far as the wires go, I spent hours online looking at other's installs. Does anyone know if theres any chrome plastic tubing I can buy, like 1/2" ID, and chrome hardware (like the plastic tubing inserts found at home depot in the plumbing section) that can be screwed into the tower tubing and fiberglass on the boat??? I really don't want to electric tape all my wires together and just have them hanging out of the holes. I plan on using the nav light, installing four speakers on the tower, and a light bar in the near future for late night fishing!!

I am starting my install today I will post pics of the progress as it moves along. What brand of epoxy did you use?

I used high strength liquid nails in the tube for my wood backing. I've been in the construction field for years and have had no problems using this adhesive. I will also be fiberglassing over it all so surely no problems there!

Haven't had times to take pics, might make a video as well and post on you tube this weekend. I'll keep everyone updated! Thanks!

 

[Silverbullet555]

Re: Aerial Airborne Wakeboard Tower

You have a couple options for the wires, but you won't need the fittings.

You could probably find faux chrome split loom at o'rileys but I wouldn't bother.

You can also get SS mesh sleeving and use that to cover the wires coming from the hull, but you could end up with a corrosion issue due to dissimilar metals.

Most use either black mesh loom or black split loom to cover the wires when they jump from the boat to the support and from the support to the upper portion. Use plastic grommets to protect the wire from the edges of the drilled holes and to finish off the install. Leave some slack so you can fold the tower down.

 

[shaddr3]

Re: Aerial Airborne Wakeboard Tower

You have a couple options for the wires, but you won't need the fittings.

You could probably find faux chrome split loom at o'rileys but I wouldn't bother.

You can also get SS mesh sleeving and use that to cover the wires coming from the hull, but you could end up with a corrosion issue due to dissimilar metals.

Most use either black mesh loom or black split loom to cover the wires when they jump from the boat to the support and from the support to the upper portion. Use plastic grommets to protect the wire from the edges of the drilled holes and to finish off the install. Leave some slack so you can fold the tower down.

I like that mesh loom idea with rubber grommets! I know exactly where to find these materials too! Folding the tower down isn't much of a big deal because my garage doors are 16ft high, but just in case ill do that. Buying some fiberglass from a local guy that bought out a company going out of business a year ago, getting a decent deal. Thanks for your advice!

 

[pat8839]

Re: Aerial Airborne Wakeboard Tower

Anyone get their towers installed?

 

[Chaz7R]

Re: Aerial Airborne Wakeboard Tower

I just ordered the powdercoated black aerial ascent tower off ebay for $640 shipped.

 

[pat8839]

Re: Aerial Airborne Wakeboard Tower

Chaz7R that's a great deal!!!

 

[iamthunderman]

Re: Aerial Airborne Wakeboard Tower

Sorry for being MIA for a while now, weather has had me very busy! Tower as of yesterday is installed and looks awesome! I have the speakers and wore to pull, anyone have any pics on that?