Do you take down your wakeboard racks?

[pat8839]

I just installed my tower so I am new to this. But I have 2 wakeboard racks (1 on each side) and of course the mount is on with a piece of rubber that goes between the tower leg and the mount. Do you guys take the racks off after each outing so that the rubber spacer thing does not dry rot?

 

[pat8839]

Re: Do you take down your wakeboard racks?

These are the racks I have
http://www.h2osportswarehouse.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=BT-OVLQCKU-PA

 

[boat1010]

Re: Do you take down your wakeboard racks?

Just like with everything else, everyone has an opinion. I would just E-Mail the company and ask the horses mouth. That way if they say it's OK to leave them on the rack you have something to fall back on. Just my $.02.

 

[rallyart]

Re: Do you take down your wakeboard racks?

That's too much work. Leave them on and don't worry because if you pay yourself by the hour you would be cheaper to just replace the rubber when it got old. To protect the rubber you can spray it with a pure silicone spray or an automotive door seal protectant.

 

[Silverbullet555]

Re: Do you take down your wakeboard racks?

I don't take mine off. If the rubber rots out I will replace it or buy new racks. Not worth it.

 

[pat8839]

Re: Do you take down your wakeboard racks?

Thanks for the advice guys. I definitely will not be unbolting those things like you say. I did talk to the manufacturer and they are warrantied for 5 years-including that rubber gasket. Which means they will stay on there for 4.5 years before I get new ones haha!

 

[oops!]

Re: Do you take down your wakeboard racks?

those things are not ment to be removed and installed continuously.......

if they are....you will strip the threads !

 

[salty87]

Re: Do you take down your wakeboard racks?

racks stay but boards come down as soon as boat is pulled out (they don't go into the racks until boat is wet). i cringe whenever i see a wakeboat cruising down the road with boards in the racks. accident waiting to happen.

let's see a pic of your boat/tower!

 

[pat8839]

Re: Do you take down your wakeboard racks?

Here ya go!
We just added the mirror Saturday and it is sweet!

 

[mpod]

Re: Do you take down your wakeboard racks?

Looks great Pat. Is that a 185 or 195? Did you have to make any mods to the factory bimini?

I'm in a similar boat (literally) and am a little worried about having to add a new bimini and custom cover to the list if I pick the wrong tower.
I thought that was a DIY Wake tower until I noticed your Aerial link.

 

[pat8839]

Re: Do you take down your wakeboard racks?

My boat is a 2006 195BR-and yea it is the Aerial Airborne tower (which h2osportswarehouse.com are currently running a deal for black powder coat tower with 2 free racks with quick release knobs for $999 + $75 shipping). I did not HAVE to make any modifications to my bimini. I was also worried about having to get a new bimini because we always have it when we take the boat out and I did not want to spend a few more hundred bucks on one. After I put the tower on I set the bimini up to see if it would fit and it did. I did however cut 1" off each foot just to make it easier to put up-except now I wish I had not because I accidentally mixed up the plastic feet and since they are not all the same leg I took them off of (and were somewhat warped over time to fit their original spot) we have a hard time lining up the holes to put the cotter pins in.
As for my custom fit snap on cover (maybe correctly called a mooring cover?)-it fits just the same. The feet are just below the line of snaps where the cover snaps on so I get to keep that as is thankfully.

 

[mpod]

Re: Do you take down your wakeboard racks?

Thanks for the feedback. Mine is an 09 195. Good to actually see a tower that will work with the Bimini. Couldn't go without some shade.

 

[Rinker97]

Re: Do you take down your wakeboard racks?

I use dirt bike helmet bags with the pull strings, Just throw them over the rack and speakers and that's it.

 

[dmoss8928]

Re: Do you take down your wakeboard racks?

I have the same racks as pat8839 and I went to http://www.beyondthewake.com/wakeboard-rack-covers.php and got matching covers for my tower speakers and racks. Helps protect from sun hitting rubber and bugs while towing and they look good haha.... Nice boat by the way...