Wakeboard tower

[summit1]

I am building a wake tower for my boat that is only used on fresh water lakes in N. TX. I already have some sched 40 2" outside diameter tubing, but it is carbon steel. I know most if not all commercially produced towers are either 6061 or 63 aluminum or stainless, but I want to know if this carbon steel will work for me. If I kept a good coat of paint on it? The entire tower will be welded air tight, only the outside will be exposed. Any opinions are appreicated.

 

[NCOffSeason]

Re: Wakeboard tower

You might post this question on the forums at Wakeworld and/or Wakeboarder.<br /><br />My only concern would be rust. It will, eventually.

 

[summit1]

Re: Wakeboard tower

 

[salty87]

Re: Wakeboard tower

can carbon steel be powder coated? that might give you better protection.<br /><br />at least it will weigh more. what type/size of boat? how much do you think the tower will weigh?<br /><br />my tower is aluminum and painted, the paint flakes pretty easily after 3 or 4 seasons. it was a pretty cheap paint job though.

 

[fatpratt1996]

Re: Wakeboard tower

Why wouldn't it work? IMHO the only drawback is weight but it probably won't affect anything. Just use a high quality paint to seal everything or if powdercoating works with that metal, that will be your best bet. Good Luck.

 

[wvit100]

Re: Wakeboard tower

I have some friends with a boat with a tower. The only problem they have with it is it's height and it being so bulky to take on and off. The boat won't fit through the garage doors with the tower on.<br /><br />Monster Tower makes a folding tower that looks good and folds down.<br /><br /> http://www.monstertower.com/

 

[NCOffSeason]

Re: Wakeboard tower

Originally posted by summit1:<br /><br />There must not be too many wakeboarders here, but from a GENERAL standpoint, does my reasoning make sense?

Sure, it will work and if painted/powdercoated and then taken care of it will be fine. My first tower was powdercoated steel.<br /><br />

Originally posted by summit1:<br /><br />I frequent those other boards you mentioned. It is hard to get a good opinion for some of those people...they all have aluminum and most have never built anything...everything is store bought so any alternative is garbage to them. <br />

There are many users that have built their own towers, plus a few industry people watch for the DIY threads. Don't lump them all together, give them a chance.<br /><br />Also, you might want to check out diytower.com for some more info. Also, you could call Wake Air and talk to Brian. Wake Air custom made my first tower and they may be able to give you some tips.

 

[summit1]

Re: Wakeboard tower

Thanks for the links. You are right...I shouldn't lump everyone together. Found some really good threads over there. I'll post some pics when it is complete. Thanks again.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Wakeboard tower

Summit, I was interested in whether carbonsteel could be powder coated so I did a bit of googling, this was one of the first sites to pop up.<br /><br /> http://www.powdercoating.org/members/custom/tx.htm <br /><br />2 thirds down the page is a Texan company that specialises in carbon steel powder coating.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Wakeboard tower

How many of you guys experience high bow rise when towing someone from the tower?

 

[MrBill]

Re: Wakeboard tower

You could have it chromed...and it would look 'sweet'. Or other 'dip' coatings to seal the metal. Use stainless fittings regardless so that tow rope clips, etc. don't wear the paint or other finish.

 

[salty87]

Re: Wakeboard tower

there's very little bow rise on my boat when towing from the tower. the rider can feel the boat pitching over rollers and stuff thru the rope but the rider doesn't affect the boat much at all.<br /><br />lots of wakeboarders run with extra weight too, some as much as 2k lbs of water. rider can't do much to those boats.

 

[sangerwaker]

Re: Wakeboard tower

Doesn't affect inboards at all. Affects outboards big time. Not sure about I/O's. I don't have much experience using towers or extended pylons for wakeboarding. My experience has been with barefooting where there is more resistance for the boat at take off.<br /><br />I totally agree with the stainless fittings and such. Would be a bummer to spend all that time and $$ building, only to have the paint wear off quickly.

 

[summit1]

Re: Wakeboard tower

Thanks for the link and the additional info guys. <br /><br />I am not sure what effect the tower is going to have on my boat in terms of bow lift or rocking. The tower I am making is going to resemble the Pro Flight Swoop to some degree. It is going on a 18.5' runabout. It already throws a decent wake, but I am going to balast it w/a fat sac. I am not sure how I am going to do the tow point yet. If any of you has or can take a few pics of your tow point and post them- that would be awesome and appreciated.

 

[NCOffSeason]

Re: Wakeboard tower

Originally posted by summit1:<br /><br />I am not sure what effect the tower is going to have on my boat in terms of bow lift or rocking. The tower I am making is going to resemble the Pro Flight Swoop to some degree. It is going on a 18.5' runabout.

My Wake Air tower was on an 18' runabout. No rocking or increase bowrise at all. Throw a sac in the bow and it will perfect. I/O's need weight up front and/or in the middle. Think 60/40, front to back.<br /><br />

Also, the fiberglass is 3/8" thick...I am thinking this should be thick enough for this tower considering I am going to use rubber pads on inside and out and a steel plate to back-up on the inside of the f-glass. Thoughts on that?

3/8" is thick enough for strength, but gel coat cracks can still pop up. Make sure you CAMFER the bolt holes for your mounts!! The larger the steele backing plate can be, the better IMO.

 

[ANDREW SMITH]

Re: Wakeboard tower

Hey Summit! Try some 1-1/4" stainless bow railing. This stuff is 0.065 thick, weldable (and it sounds like you have all the stuff) and super strong. You can bend it (rent a tube bender) and fix some purchase stainless hardware to it. If you like the chrome look, buy it with a mirror finish, or if you like the matte finish buy it "brushed". I fabricated my own ski bar and it looks sweet. Fix it to the hull or deck with pins or bolts, because you will want to "fold it" towards the stern for trailering. Find a VERTICAL surface on the hull or deck to mount from for best strength. Good luck, you'll have lots of pride when you build it yourself!!!!

 

[sangerwaker]

Re: Wakeboard tower

I would suggest a piece of aluminum or stainless tube for the towpoint, machined down. There is no paint or dipping process that will hold up to the friction of the rope dragging on the tow point.<br /><br />I'm sure you are familiar with the tow point on the Pro Flight tower you mentioned, but here is a nice detailed picture<br /><br />

 

[summit1]

Re: Wakeboard tower

Thanks for the pic and the tips. What is “CAMPFER”? <br /><br />I am going to use a piece of stainless for the mount. I don't know how I would mount aluminum to carbon steel (and make it strong). <br /><br />I am going to attach the tower to the sides with the mounts vertical rather than the top of the deck (and the mounts horizontal), and it will fold down. <br /><br />Chris-<br />Your old boat was the Bryant with the green tower right? How thick was the glass on it, and did you have any gel coat problems? I am 6'1" and 220lbs, so I am a little worried about it, but would like to do whatever I can without adding fiberglass (steel plate, marine plywood, and rubber pad).

 

[summit1]

Re: Wakeboard tower

CAMFER the bolt holes?

 

[ANDREW SMITH]

Re: Wakeboard tower

Summit, Chamfer is a machine shop term. After you drill your clearance hole in the hull or deck, "break" the sharp edges with a countersink bit. Gelcoat is very brittle and can be chipped of by installing a bolt. Good Luck!!