UPDATED 05-24...What Tower Should I Go For, or Don't Bother...Got my Tower

[RAT Attack]

Here is my situation, & I would love to hear your opinions....
I am in no way a great wakeboarder. I have been boarding for about 5-6 years, and just started jumping some wakes last year. I have had 3 knee operations and was always a little scared of blowing out another knee. They have been feeling great, so I decided to go for it after a few liquid beverages. I was always wakeboarding on my brother's 19' Rinker Captiva open bow that has a 3.0 liter. I never had a problem getting up on his boat, but most of my friends do. I got up on my buddies 24' pontoon last year that has a 3.0 I/O that will only go about 25 MPH ( takes a lot of dragging to get to the 18-20 mph sweet spot though ). Anyway, I finally bought my own boat last November. I have already been out about 20 times since and have her running pretty good. She is a 1988 Glassport Cuddy with a 5.0 ( see signature ). Is it silly to have a tower on a cuddy? I have not seen many. I am trying to talk the wife ito it, but she thinks it is going to look silly. I only paid $1,800 for the boat, but have about 300 or so hours work, & a few $$ in her now, but we are loving her dearly. I was trying for us both to have the boat we want ( for now anyway ).
I am posting some pictures of my boat, and would love to hear what you think...I know I can talk her into about a $700-$1,000 tower if I can get the right look for my boat....
PLEASE HELP!

 

[RAT Attack]

Re: What Tower Should I Go For, or Don't Bother

Re: What Tower Should I Go For, or Don't Bother

Having trouble with the photo's.
SORRY
I have some in my signature links ( restoration ), but I will try again here soon.

Trying this;

http://s259.photobucket.com/albums/...ion=view&current=CaesarsCreekOhioRiver027.jpg
http://s259.photobucket.com/albums/...ion=view&current=CaesarsCreekOhioRiver008.jpg
http://s259.photobucket.com/albums/...ion=view&current=CaesarsCreekOhioRiver009.jpg

Still not what I wanted, but please help.
I TRIED!

OK...
Lets try this again;

I do have a swim platform on the back too, that's not in the pictures. I need to take some new ones...

 

[oldjeep]

Re: What Tower Should I Go For, or Don't Bother

Re: What Tower Should I Go For, or Don't Bother

Here's a picture of one on a 4 winns cuddy. Looks fine to me

 

[Hansolo99]

Re: What Tower Should I Go For, or Don't Bother

Re: What Tower Should I Go For, or Don't Bother

I think it will look just fine. Just be sure to get the right tower for it. Check out http://www.bigairwaketowers.com. That's where I got mine.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: What Tower Should I Go For, or Don't Bother

Re: What Tower Should I Go For, or Don't Bother

Delete - tried to show your pics, but didn't work

 

[RAT Attack]

Re: What Tower Should I Go For, or Don't Bother

Re: What Tower Should I Go For, or Don't Bother

Thanks...
I like a lot of them!
I knew this was/is going to be a very rough decision. I wasn't even sure how it would look.
I am also not getting the " picture download " thing. I use photobucket, and have posted a couple pictures on this forum befor, but can't seem to get it to work now.

 

[brick75]

Re: What Tower Should I Go For, or Don't Bother

Re: What Tower Should I Go For, or Don't Bother

Hey man, I in no way want to discourage you from doing something that you really want. But if you have bad knees which will prevent you from progressing into more advanced techniques, bigger air etc. you might be putting money into something that you really won't get much benefit from.

It does improve the look of the boat and increase its value, but not sure that's reason enough to get one. I don't think I've ever seen a tower on a cuddy before, but that pic above doesn't look too bad.

Anyway, just my opinion. But if you really want it, you should probably go for it.

 

[solar7647]

Re: What Tower Should I Go For, or Don't Bother

Re: What Tower Should I Go For, or Don't Bother

Here is my situation, & I would love to hear your opinions....
I am in no way a great wakeboarder. I have been boarding for about 5-6 years, and just started jumping some wakes last year. I have had 3 knee operations and was always a little scared of blowing out another knee. They have been feeling great, so I decided to go for it after a few liquid beverages. I was always wakeboarding on my brother's 19' Rinker Captiva open bow that has a 3.0 liter. I never had a problem getting up on his boat, but most of my friends do. I got up on my buddies 24' pontoon last year that has a 3.0 I/O that will only go about 25 MPH ( takes a lot of dragging to get to the 18-20 mph sweet spot though ). Anyway, I finally bought my own boat last November. I have already been out about 20 times since and have her running pretty good. She is a 1988 Glassport Cuddy with a 5.0 ( see signature ). Is it silly to have a tower on a cuddy? I have not seen many. I am trying to talk the wife ito it, but she thinks it is going to look silly. I only paid $1,800 for the boat, but have about 300 or so hours work, & a few $$ in her now, but we are loving her dearly. I was trying for us both to have the boat we want ( for now anyway ).
I am posting some pictures of my boat, and would love to hear what you think...I know I can talk her into about a $700-$1,000 tower if I can get the right look for my boat....
PLEASE HELP!

[/IMG]

I just put a tower on my 22ft cuddy. Its a 1987 FourWinns 215 sundowner. I got it for $799 with free shipping from DIY wake. I am really happy with the look and feel of it. It was easy to install and the customer service was great!

I would suggest how ever that what every universal tower you go with you put some lock tight on all the bolts and screws to prevent them from coming loose. I know that DIY suggest checking the screws before every use, but you dont always have the time or you forget so I put lock tight on them to help keep them from loosening.

The web site link:
http://www.diywake.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=616

 

[RAT Attack]

Re: What Tower Should I Go For, or Don't Bother

Re: What Tower Should I Go For, or Don't Bother

WOW! ME LIKEY!
That tower looks great. It really helps to see the pictures of the cuddy's with the tower on. The price sounds great too.

 

[RAT Attack]

Re: What Tower Should I Go For, or Don't Bother

Re: What Tower Should I Go For, or Don't Bother

Hey man, I in no way want to discourage you from doing something that you really want. But if you have bad knees which will prevent you from progressing into more advanced techniques, bigger air etc. you might be putting money into something that you really won't get much benefit from.

It does improve the look of the boat and increase its value, but not sure that's reason enough to get one. I don't think I've ever seen a tower on a cuddy before, but that pic above doesn't look too bad.

Anyway, just my opinion. But if you really want it, you should probably go for it.

Thanks brick75. I appreciate your comments. My last knee surgery has been several years ago & they have been feeling better & better as of lately. I have the bumb knees and me turning 39 this year against me, but, I still may take the plunge...

 

[RAT Attack]

Re: What Tower Should I Go For, or Don't Bother

Re: What Tower Should I Go For, or Don't Bother

Anyone ever hear of KRYPT TOWERS?
Here is one on EBAY for real cheap right now....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230476183112&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Any thoughts?

 

[solar7647]

Re: What Tower Should I Go For, or Don't Bother

Re: What Tower Should I Go For, or Don't Bother

Thanks brick75. I appreciate your comments. My last knee surgery has been several years ago & they have been feeling better & better as of lately. I have the bumb knees and me turning 39 this year against me, but, I still may take the plunge...

I know how you feel......a year ago this past March I had re-contructive surgery on my achilles tendon and anchle.. I started to learn to wakeboard the following July (last summer)..I was told by plenty incuding my doctor is was risky but I took it one day at a time. If It hurts dont if it feel fine go for it!

I cant wait for this summer I will be 100% and can start trying new stuff on the wakeboard!

 

[solar7647]

Re: What Tower Should I Go For, or Don't Bother

Re: What Tower Should I Go For, or Don't Bother

Anyone ever hear of KRYPT TOWERS?
Here is one on EBAY for real cheap right now....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230476183112&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Any thoughts?

I have come a cross them in reaserch when I was looking my self........I have always been told and read that single cross bars have a tendance to torque and flex and it gets worse as the riders get larger or more technical.

But it is all with what your comfortable with. I did a ton of reserch about the design of towers and how that relates to use. I would say If you dont plan on getting to technical it would be a good buy. One tricky thing to watch for on ebay though is what they are charging for shipping..

My tower is posted on ebay for $719 but they want $130 for shipping putting the total at $849...I whent to the manufactures site and got it for $799 and free 3 day shipping.

 

[solar7647]

Re: What Tower Should I Go For, or Don't Bother

Re: What Tower Should I Go For, or Don't Bother

Oh real quick.....That tower that you found on ebay retails for $1000...I would saspect the bidding may go up a bit as the auction comes to a close. If its the anodized model the price is above $1000.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: What Tower Should I Go For, or Don't Bother

Re: What Tower Should I Go For, or Don't Bother

Oh real quick.....That tower that you found on ebay retails for $1000...I would saspect the bidding may go up a bit as the auction comes to a close. If its the anodized model the price is above $1000.

Sometimes you get lucky. The one I bought retails for $1400 - sold for $800 and change on ebay.

One issue I see with the Krypt is that it uses the single stud type mounts which look nicer than the 4 bolt plates but don't give as much support.

 

[RAT Attack]

Re: What Tower Should I Go For, or Don't Bother

Re: What Tower Should I Go For, or Don't Bother

Krypt had one that ended earlier today @ $505. There is also a $150 S&H charge. I was wondering about the single style stud mounts. I am expecting it to raise in price by the end of the auction. I do really like the DYI tower for $799 delivered for free, but just trying to make up my mind. I don't want to place a bid if the tower is crappy....
Thanks for all the help guys...
I am sooo glad I started this thread. Just seeing another cuddy, similar in size, with one mounted on it was worth it alone.
Congrats to both solar7647 & oldjeep on your awesome looking boats.

 

[solar7647]

Re: What Tower Should I Go For, or Don't Bother

Re: What Tower Should I Go For, or Don't Bother

I would have to agree on the single bolt mount, you also have to think of where you are bolting it. Most will require at least 1/8 thick of fiberglass and if your are forced to do that you will want as much sapport as you can.

Dont bid on anything you are having second thoughts on remeber it will be sapporting you at 20 or so MPH and you want a solid set up. I just dont trust those single cross bars..........but I cant say the tower is crappy i have no experiance with them.

Take your time and make sure your getting something you personally feel confortable with weather it looks good or not........satfy is the number one concern.

 

[sabastianunf]

Re: What Tower Should I Go For, or Don't Bother

Re: What Tower Should I Go For, or Don't Bother

you can see a true cuddy cabin with a tower in my avatar pic. it is a monster tower and actually bolted on to this boat relatively easily - did it single handed by myself - couldnt wait for friends to get over to help. When shopping for a tower - look at the grade and thickness of the aluminum. Also make sure it has Heim joints at the mounts to help prevent cracking the fiberglass. I paid a little more for my tower than what these others are posting but I think I made the right decision as most towers would never fit on my boat. I have ridden it pretty hard for the past 3 years and no issues at all. this thing is solid and does not flex much at all.

 

[RAT Attack]

Re: What Tower Should I Go For, or Don't Bother

Re: What Tower Should I Go For, or Don't Bother

Well, I just purchased my tower...

http://www.diywake.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=620

I ended up going with the loaded one with 2 speakers, light bar, one knee board rack, one wakeboard rack, and mirror. I got it all for $1,379 with free shipping from Cal. to Ohio and should be here by Friday.

I was also looking at a nice set-up by Aerial on e-bay that is similar, but it is a pre-order deal and would have taken some time to get here. I liked the looks of both about the same.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=310221879528&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

I ended up going with the DYI though, & I am soooo excited for it to get here so I can throw that baby on...
I will post some pictures when I am done. I do still have to get an amp for the speakers, and wire the speakers and light bar up, but I don't think it should be too bad to do.

 

[ThreeMileBayWaker]

Re: UPDATED 05-24...What Tower Should I Go For, or Don't Bother...Got my Tower

Hope your gel coat doesn't spider crack!