Help: FCT - Lowering the Tower Question

[HS]

There should be a safer and easier way, but I don't usually have a helper.

When I lower the tower for storage, I stand in the bow in front of the windshield with one foot on the hull deck and the other on the tower's bottom cross-member so I have enough leverage to pivot the tower forward and then control it as I lower it into the folded position. So there is a half-second where I am trusting my balance and footing once I have gotten the tower to pivot up, until I step towards the bow as I am lowering the tower as it rotates on its hinges.

For options, I know I can't reach it either standing on the ski locker or from the cockpit side of the windshield and control it folding forward.

Has anyone found an easier way to lower the tower without a helper?

[SkiTower]

RE: Help: FCT - Lowering the Tower Question

I fold mine over most of the time from the ground. I grab one side and push. I'm not recommending you do it from the ground, but grabbing the side might help instead of worrying about the top. How much gear do you have on it? Mine's clean.

[HS]

Mine is clean, too. From where I have been standing, I grab hold of the vertical upright and not the top.

I think from the ground (when the boat is trailered) I would not be able to reach high enough to control the weight of the tower as it rotates past the tipping point.

[SkiTower]

I have height on my side. Yellow_Flash_Colorz:

Guess I would need to see what you are doing to make other suggestions. How about a stool in the walkway to accommodate the peak of the fold? As you walk fore, you step up as needed? Just an idea.

[Kenv]

HS,


I use my portable jump seat to center between the walkthrough. Step from the Observers seat to the jump to the bow seat, then repeat when folding it down. If you don't have the jump seat, use one of those kitchen steps or similiar to center between the walkthrough. Once you get the pattern down, it's alot easier. I'm short, so I too reach that one point where I almost loose touch with the tower then it comes back down!


Ken

[jonfo]

On my 05 211 TE I was able to do this myself easily without ever letting go of the tower and i am 5'7". A few tips: First, if you have a jump seat it makes it much easier. Also, put in the bow filler cushion so you have something to step into up there. Second, I always held the tower speakers since they were the lowest point on the tower when i was folding it down or up. Third, you can make a rope that goes from the rear pylon or rear lift ring that is just long enough for the tower to go over center, then push it up and walk over to the front to let it down. You can make another rope from the front lift ring. I use this rope method on my 220 in which the tower is a foot higher and twice as heavy.

[Quinner]

For the Vertically challenged

[Bevan]

HS...I could lower the FCT on my 03 by myself with a canoe paddle. I would use it to push the tower to its balance point then lower it from there.