Yet another DIY pylon.

[DennisM]

I am toying with the idea of making a diy pylon for wakeboarding..

I have read the posts here, and the few I found on the net.

I notice that most pro built ones are either 2 or 1-7/8 air craft alum.

Now I am thinking to use a nice fence post, and was wondering if 1-5/8 would be enough or should I goto the 2-3/8 16 gauge?

Only going to use a 6' section, as figure that will put the rope at least 7 feet above the water line.

 

[xjcj3a]

Re: Yet another DIY pylon.

i used a galvanized fence post from home depot, been useing it 2 summers now and its fine.

 

[DennisM]

Re: Yet another DIY pylon.

i used a galvanized fence post from home depot, been useing it 2 summers now and its fine.

which thickness are you using?

 

[xjcj3a]

Re: Yet another DIY pylon.

dont remember exactly, nothing special just a fence post. the stress isnt ever really in the pole. its in the top if anything where your rope hooks and your eyes attach to the bow/stern

 

[JasonB]

Re: Yet another DIY pylon.

I used a 7' piece of 2" EMT conduit form Lowe's and it worked fine while I used it. Rock solid.

 

[DennisM]

Re: Yet another DIY pylon.

Ok thanks guys,

Got the 6 foot, 1 5/8 fence post. set of 4 16 foot ratchiting straps, the eye bolts and a few quick links.

will be assembling it tomorrow

 

[DennisM]

Re: Yet another DIY pylon.

Well got the holes drilled out and the eye bolts test fitted in it now..

Thought I had enough wood here for the base, but am short.

So another question is has anyone used a trailer ball for the top to connect rope to?

 

[shaneb0422]

Re: Yet another DIY pylon.

Well got the holes drilled out and the eye bolts test fitted in it now..

Thought I had enough wood here for the base, but am short.

So another question is has anyone used a trailer ball for the top to connect rope to?

From what I can tell, a lot of people have used hitch balls for the tow point.

 

[DennisM]

Re: Yet another DIY pylon.

Great, now to find a local welder to weld it on!

Also any idea where the best position to place the pylon?

I have seen them mounted right up against the engine bay, other i have seen farther forward.

What is the theory on placement of these?

 

[DennisM]

Re: Yet another DIY pylon.

Figure I'd show a pic of the diy pylon on the boat...

Will have to see how I feel in the next couple days and try it out... But here she is mounted..

 

[bigpoppakdog]

Re: Yet another DIY pylon.

EXTREEEEEEEEME CAUTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't know the reinforcements on your front cleats, but I don't believe these are made to hold the necessary force that will be put on them when pulling somebody. Not trying to be a know-it-all, but I would hate to see someone hit with a flying cleat that has snapped off.

 

[DennisM]

Re: Yet another DIY pylon.

Good point.

Guess I will see about getting the straps under and tow the wench eye instead.

 

[DennisM]

Re: Yet another DIY pylon.

Updated Design...

 

[Lincoln7]

Re: Yet another DIY pylon.

Much better! You can now board with peace of mind.

 

[bigpoppakdog]

Re: Yet another DIY pylon.

Much better. You can do one more thing to make it even cleaner. Take a cutting tool and cut off the metal ends on each strap. Don't cut the straps. After you remove the metal ends, you can feed those loops now through that clamp without all those metal loops.

 

[DennisM]

Re: Yet another DIY pylon.

Much better. You can do one more thing to make it even cleaner. Take a cutting tool and cut off the metal ends on each strap. Don't cut the straps. After you remove the metal ends, you can feed those loops now through that clamp without all those metal loops.

I thought of doing that, but with the season about over up here. Figure I'd leave em on and re-purpose them to the sleds this winter

 

[75TowerOfPower]

Re: Yet another DIY pylon.

Good idea less flying shrapnel, but it does look lik e it would help alot. My boat doesn't have enough room as is to this wouldn't help.