tower question for a 196

[Lvnspeed]

Pm sent

[DavidG]

I'm a new member to this website and I'm still being impressed by the thoughtfulness and accuracy of the discussions I read. Hopefully my post here will add to the knowledge pool. All the benefits mentioned (barefooting, teaching new skiers, allowing use of the rear sear etc. are all VERY true) another use was the guys on my lake that were tricking liked to perfect their flips with the little bit of extra up pull. I just sold my 99 closed bow to which I added a factory tower that I modified to fit. I miss it terribly. The utility it added to my boat was undeniable. With that in mind, I am hesitant to add a tower for my new '09 because it WILL invalidate the lifetime Hull warranty. If you can find someone from the factory that will say otherwise I would love to get a name and number. Of course if you are not the original owner of your boat, and have not transferred the warranty (and don't intend to) you can cut, paste, and do whatever you want. But I am still trying to decide if I want to proceed with a new tower. I like what one of the previous post recommended (the extended pylon) and I may pursue that.

[DanielC]

Welcome, DavidG.
I believe a pylon extension will also invalidate your warranty. That also includes barefoot booms. There is a possibility I have done both with my 1997 Ski Nautique. I am also a member of a show ski team. I might have sometime in the past pulled more than the two adult skiers recommended. My boat is also equipped with the "Air" Nautique extended pylon. The Pylon formerly known as the "barefoot" pylon, is is about 18 inches taller than a stock pylon.
The 1998 Ski Nautique that I work on for my church has developed a few minor cracks in the gelcoat by the aft starboard mounting pad of the tower. I am thinking I might have to remove the tower, and repair those this winter.
My thought is that the boat has been used for pulling multiple tubes at some summer camps, with the tubes attached to the tower.

[cat1168]

David G
When I purchased my 05 196 with the tower, the dealer told me that the lifetime hull warranty was still valid. Probably because the tower was purchased with the boat and installed by the dealer. When I contacted CC about the tower they never said it would void the warranty, maybe because it was not modified from CC?