Wakeboard Tower mounting

[pat8839]

For those of you that have towers-whether installed yourself or factory install-how many bolts are there per mounting foot? I have seen some that have 4 bolts per mounting location and I have seen 1 bolt. Any ideas as to which is better?

Also curious as to how you select your mounting locations if anyone has suggestions...

Thanks!

 

[1fishbone]

Re: Wakeboard Tower mounting

It would depend on the size of the mounting foot!
ONE (1) sounds like a disaster waiting to happen!

For best results, a backing plate should be used or very large washers as backers and nut/bolts.

 

[GiMLit]

Re: Wakeboard Tower mounting

I just finished up the rough mounting of my Monster MT1 and bimini.
#1 I can't see a tower mounting with 1 bolt. 1 bolt into a plate which has 3 or more bolts yes but not 1 bolt. If so I would be very curious how and why.
#2 Most people, including myself, will strongly recommend backing your mount on the backside/underside of the mounting plates with as large a support piece as possible. Washers will work and if that is all you can fit it beats nothing....... BUT a well fitting piece of plywood is great. Ideally you would fiberglass or coat the piece in resin for weather protection as well as strength. If you can't or don't want to coat it that is ok just not as strong or weather proof. Any backing is better than nothing. The backing is used to disperse the stress to avoid/reduce the chance of cracking of gel coat and/or glass.
#3 Mounting locations.... all depends on what look you are after as well as available locations. I hung mine from the ceiling in the garage and moved it fore and aft and legs in and out until I had what I considered to the best look as well as not blocking my view. I didn't worry to much about strength of the area as I plan to reinforce the mounting area as well as area in close proximity to it with ply and glass
I looked all over the net at as many pictures as I could stand to find until I was certain I had the look I was after. I did notice a good many towers are placed with the upper bar and tow hook (damn can't think of a better word for it) just above the captains seat. Probably as this is often the balance point.
I would upload pics of mine but I can only get about 6 feet away from it so it really wouldn't give much of a perspective.

Hope my rambling helps.

Looking around after I posted this reply and noticed on a thread about 6 or so below this one the link for the Samson install video. I also noticed the Samson tower uses one center bolt to mount it. You can find it here
http://www.samsonsports.com/how_to_install_wakeboard_tower.html

 

[rallyart]

Re: Wakeboard Tower mounting

I have a ProFlight Chubby tower which is held on with four bolts total from the factory. One, properly backed at the front and back of the side arches to which the tower itself is attached.
Almost 400 hours of use with no looseness or cracking.
Out of choice, I'd go with something that was properly backed and held with a single bolt. The backing spreads the load and there is no question that a single bolt can hold the stress. However, I think the tower design and features outweigh the mounting method. Find one that people don't complain about sway or creaking, and that is easy to put down, if that's important.

 

[pat8839]

Re: Wakeboard Tower mounting

GiMLit I have read about the reinforcement behind the hull and I agree that would be a must. I have read something about what a guy describes as peanut butter that is used...I saw factory installed towers on new boats at the boat show that were installed with a single bolt versus 4 bolts per foot which is why I am curious...
Is there any benefit from sidewall install versus topside surface install? Is either area of fiberglass thicker?

 

[ThreeMileBayWaker]

Re: Wakeboard Tower mounting

My Roswell has 3 bolts at every tapered foot, anchored to a 1/4 metal backing plate inside. My boat has a nice contour, you can clearly see in this pic a universal tower would be a bad idea with their flat mounting feet.

 

[pat8839]

Re: Wakeboard Tower mounting

ThreeMile-did that tower come factory installed on your boat? The mounting there looks really good...Thanks for the pic!

 

[ThreeMileBayWaker]

Re: Wakeboard Tower mounting

ThreeMile-did that tower come factory installed on your boat? The mounting there looks really good...Thanks for the pic!

Yes, it was factory installed by Glastron. I did A LOT of research on towers and wakeboard boats before I bought my brand new boat last summer. What it came down to was, I could get a high end factory installed tower that was designed for my boat cheaper than buying one and installing it myself. I was going to buy a Samson Edge tower, since I ordered my boat at our yearly boat show I got my dealer to drop the tower option to $2k. I also feel this tower flows much better with my boats low profile windsheild..

 

[pat8839]

Re: Wakeboard Tower mounting

That tower definitely looks good on the boat! I'm sure you have no issue of cracking or creaking which is the dream of everyone that puts up a tower. I like the reinforcements on both sides via extra diagnoal swoop midway up the sides, and It looks like there are multiple cross bars up top connecting the front and back which is sweet too.

 

[ThreeMileBayWaker]

Re: Wakeboard Tower mounting

That tower definitely looks good on the boat! I'm sure you have no issue of cracking or creaking which is the dream of everyone that puts up a tower. I like the reinforcements on both sides via extra diagnoal swoop midway up the sides, and It looks like there are multiple cross bars up top connecting the front and back which is sweet too.

I get a little squeak when I get into some persistent chop which unfortunately is quite often, I don't think its 100% avoidable unless you get into those thick beefy integrated towers. I'm hesitant about putting speakers on my tower because it would be even worse with added weight high up.