How far back can you place a wakboard tower?

[robbjunk]

I am think about about buying a wake board tower, but am not sure if it will work for my 198DC sailfish. I have a bimimi top and and outboard motor I need to clear. The further back on the boat I could place it the better. All the pics of boats with towers I look at always have them right in the middle. Has anyone mounted there tower towards the stern of the boat?

Here are some good pics of a 198dc sailfish. I think if I mount the back legs of the tower where the cleat is I would have the clearance I want.

 

[12vMan]

Re: How far back can you place a wakboard tower?

They're usually in the mid section of the boat for center of gravity, set up with enough clearance to go over the bimini. There are instances in larger boats where they are set up in the rear since positioning doesn't make as much difference the longer the boat is. I'll see if I can find some pics & post.

 

[12vMan]

Re: How far back can you place a wakboard tower?

Here's a pic of mine towards the rear

View attachment 115993

 

[rallyart]

Re: How far back can you place a wakboard tower?

I have seen wake boat manufacturers put them right at the back. It was not popular but there are some reasons you would want them there.
Mostly it is looks and accessibility. Don't block the ability to get in and out. Then don't block your visibility. Then make it look OK
Actually, you do have to pay some attention to ensure there is enough material in the upper deck to take some load also.

 

[robbjunk]

Re: How far back can you place a wakboard tower?

12vman,

Thanks for the info. Can you resend the picture of your boat since the one you loaded does not come up?

 

[sickwilly]

Re: How far back can you place a wakboard tower?

I am not sure how much you want to spend, but you can get a combo fishing wakeboard tower from Samson: http://www.samsonsports.com/fishing_front_mount.html

Check your their gallery.

For me, their price versus the value of my boat, etc kept me from going with them. I know their solid welded towers are superior, though.

 

[robbjunk]

Re: How far back can you place a wakboard tower?

Those tower are nice looking, but a little over my budget. I am looking for something under $1000. The aerial airborne tower is my top choice right now.

 

[sickwilly]

Re: How far back can you place a wakboard tower?

Understood --- I went with the Aerial Assault. It does a good job. Its not silent on a rough day with wind, but I have no lack of confidence in its strength.

I will say, a tower like the monster would have the vertical bar farther forward, as my vertical bar is an easy head shot when getting in and out of the boat from the rear sun pad. I could see the Airborne possibly getting in the way of casting a fishing pole.

What about their reverse tower?

 

[robbjunk]

Re: How far back can you place a wakboard tower?

I am looking for a tower that swoops back. That way that rope hookup would be as far back in the boat as possible. The K2 aerial tower might be better than the airborne since it looks like the top swoops back further.

 

[sickwilly]

Re: How far back can you place a wakboard tower?

Why do you want it as far back as possible?

 

[robbjunk]

Re: How far back can you place a wakboard tower?

I don't want the rope to hit on the outboard motor. I figured the closer I got to the stern of the boat, the higher the rope will be to the motor and thus less likely to hit it. I am new to this whole tower thing, so it may not be a problem once I try it out. Just being overly cautious because I do not want to drop $1000 on a tower that I can not use.

 

[rallyart]

Re: How far back can you place a wakboard tower?

The rope won't be a problem with the outboard with the tower at your windscreen.