Another tower thread!

[pwake99]

Hey all! Ima first timer here. I've read so many threads about towers and everyone does it different. All very good ideas which makes it very hard for me to decide which way to do things? I just got a monster mt1 to put on my bayliner Capri 175. I really do not want to bunk this up so any advice would be much appreciated! I know the most important thing is to reinforce the hull. So I'm gonna shoot for 1/2 inch ply using pl premium. Then I'm thinking about using the fiberglass resin over the ply to waterproof it. Is this an okay method? If you have done the same as me how did it turn out?

 

[Hunters Dad]

Re: Another tower thread!

That is EXACTLY the way to do it. I did all of that (minus the fiberglass resin - but I have seen many on this board do that). My advice is to take your time. Figure out how long you think it will take, then DOUBLE that estimate. Park the boat on a flat, level surface for measuring and installation. Get a friend to help you - someone with strong shoulders who can hold the tower up for extended periods of time. If your tower requires drilling into it (mine did) invest in some really good bits (I went through 4 of them) and use a lot of lubricating oil on the bit. Take breaks during the drilling to let the bit cool. Take breaks to let YOURSELF cool - resist the urge to get in a rush to 'just get it done' - the install may take a whole weekend, but it will be on your boat FOREVER, so a weekend is not that big of a deal. As you already know, this site if FULL of great advice. Although I am a fairly handy guy, I never would have attempted a tower install without the advice from this site (the idea of drilling holes in my boat makes me sick! lol). We have very similar boats - mine is a 2005 with my tower installed. Good luck!

 

[pwake99]

Re: Another tower thread!

Thanks for the advise. I will def take my time even though I want it on there about a week ago! Busy busy. I'm sure it will be a learning experience. Did you chamfer the holes after you drilled them?

 

[Hunters Dad]

Re: Another tower thread!

I did. Just a little bit though - and use a SHARP bit...the whole point is to reduce the spider cracks from getting started - using a dull bit will start the cracks you are hoping to avoid.

 

[Dave.Mishchenko]

Re: Another tower thread!

When I did an MT1 on an 07 - 175 I found that there were some reinforced sections which I used for the front mounting pads. You may have already noted it from other threads, but I found it useful to drill in reverse to get through the gel coat. I do that if you're going to chamfer as well.

 

[pwake99]

Re: Another tower thread!

Well guys, installed the tower last Sunday. Couldn't have gone better! Everything went smooth and the tower looks and functions great. Knocked it out in about 4 hrs. With the help of some friends of mine. The next morning I noticed a small dent in the front leg of the tower. Didn't notice it during the install. The light had to hit it just right for me to see it. I knew we didn't cause it because we left the bubble wrap on it like the instructions said and we were very careful. Needless to say I was a little bummed. So I gave monster a call and to my surprise they are sending me a new front leg no questions asked! Already on the way and I get to keep the dented one! I couldn't believe it. So big props to monster! The tower is very thick and sturdy, looks good, and is completely silent. Couldn't be happier.

 

[Hunters Dad]

Re: Another tower thread!

Glad it went so well!
Any pics?

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Another tower thread!

If your tower requires drilling into it (mine did) invest in some really good bits (I went through 4 of them) and use a lot of lubricating oil on the bit.

Huh? How in the world did you go through 4 "really good" bits drilling fiberglass?

 

[skydiveD30571]

Re: Another tower thread!

Huh? How in the world did you go through 4 "really good" bits drilling fiberglass?

He means drilling into the tower itself.

I tried a crappy bit that went nowhere. Went to tractor supply and got a cobalt bit that absolutely loved the aluminum.

 

[itcowboy]

Re: Another tower thread!

I'm going to Install a tower soon and like others going to use backing plate attached with adhesive. Many posted they goop up the backing plate and snug it up until it sets. Do you use the tower bolts or an extra bolt? Just wondering what keeps the bolts from getting froze up too.

 

[pwake99]

Re: Another tower thread!

I'm going to Install a tower soon and like others going to use backing plate attached with adhesive. Many posted they goop up the backing plate and snug it up until it sets. Do you use the tower bolts or an extra bolt? Just wondering what keeps the bolts from getting froze up too.

When I did it I just used the tower bolts. And it worked fine. Just leave some space around the bolt holes when you goop it.

 

[sickwilly]

Re: Another tower thread!

My bolts are gooped up. I loosened one of my front feet on my Aerial because I wanted to flip the leg and the bolt was seized into the hole by the pl-premium adhesive that I used on my backing plate. Versus smacking it with a hammer to loosen, I decided to live with the foot the way I had it oriented.

Your concern is valid.

My fear was that the force needed to break it free might cause a spider crack or some other damage.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Another tower thread!

Seems like a good procedure would be to glue the backing material in and then drill through it once it has dried.

 

[Lake Lizzard]

Re: Another tower thread!

Seems like a good procedure would be to glue the backing material in and then drill through it once it has dried.

I think that is the best way to do it. Some of these adhesives are so good that they will bond to anything and make disassembly almost impossible. At some point you may want to remove your tower for any number of reasons.

I think a good way of doing this is do drill a pilot hole smaller than your tower mount bolt hole through the hull and your plywood. Apply your adhesive to the wood and hull, and then insert a nail though the hull, and then guide the plywood onto the nail inside of your boat. This way you know everything lines up as you intended before you got all the sticky stuff on there (very important if your mount point has limited access.

Now push the plywood into the hull to seat in in well and to disperse the glue. Tape the plywood to the hull to make sure it doesn't shift, remove your nail before the adhesive sets up, and when it's all dry just drill out your pilot hole to the right size for your tower mount.