Home built wakeboard tower?

[Stretch468]

I've been kicking some designs around for a home made tower. More of a swept-forward design (think "Miami Vice") instead of all the infrastructure mounted atop the gunwales. The thinking is: two 2.25" aluminum tubes about 3" apart at the top and 5" at the bottom, with sheet alum welded/smoothed/glassed in on top and bottom. It would mount THROUGH the gunwales to bracketry I'd also have to fab up. (I helped build a similar rollbar on a friend's convertible hot rod)
lemme know your thoughts here, not sure if it would hold up to the rigors of boarding/skiing, but it sure would look sweet
I dunno... What I'm seeing for offer on the net just doesn't make me wanna drop a grand
Regards, Stretch

 

[stevewolverton]

Re: Home built wakeboard tower?

(I helped build a similar rollbar on a friend's convertible hot rod)

Well there you go - you've got the know how - get after it! There is no reason you shouldn't make your own.

The forward swept design - like on the Malibu Wakesetter? Those are getting more popular. Tige is using it now too.

 

[vandy21]

Re: Home built wakeboard tower?

sounds sweet. Check out wakeboarder.com you have to be registered to see pictures, but there are tons of DIY wakeboard towers. also check out these site, some pretty sweet, and pretty not so sweet home built towers. http://bierbower.net/diytower/

 

[oops!]

Re: Home built wakeboard tower?

if your going to go thru the gunwhales....you will need a large build up of glass from the inside......

no big deal.

the swept design looks great depending on the boat its going on.

in the compleated resto section, hdrazza has links to free computer programms that can help you do a mock up on the computer.

that way you can refine your design to youe specific boat.....

this would be a fun project to watch. can you post us some pics of the fabbing process?

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Home built wakeboard tower?

Sounds cool let us know how it comes out,

 

[TBarCYa]

Re: Home built wakeboard tower?

I had read on one of the manufacturer websites that they are now using heim joints for the connection to the hull as it allows the tower to flex without putting additional stresses on the hull. I don't know how you'd do it going thru the gunwale, but it may help to not damage the glass.