FCT 3 Tower with Bimini

[Chattwake]

I called around earlier this season because I wasn't sure I wanted the z5 rack on my 230. I was worried about headroom nad fitment with the wetsounds 485's. I was told that the over the top biminis were all around a grand. That was from both tower biminis and some other company that I can't remember now.

Now that I know that the Z5 works with the speakers, and I have had time to use the boat with the rack on it, I'm glad I went with the z5 rack. It's perhapse the most functional and used option that I have on my boat. At the last tournamnet I went to I had two girls standing on the surfboard that I had on the rack and it held them no problem. It keeps the cabin area of the boat dry in the rain, provides plenty of shade, holds my surf boards, I can stand on it, it gives me a place to mount my mirror, and I can tow the boat at 75mph with it up no problem.

I would never go back to a regular bimini again.

[tx51210]

What kind of mirror mount did you find to work with the Z5?

[rivercowboy]

Awesome racks, one thing to keep in mind is if you are out in the boat and decide you dont want a bimini, your out of luck. You cant just roll it up and get some sun, other than that, they are amazing. We had the third coldest july in history, and we wanted it off alot of different times, but it just isnt an option. Plus the tower looks odd without it on, too much like a malibu for me.

[Diggityd]

I have a 2009 SAT 210 being delivered next week..has the fc3 tower but factory/dealer can not tell me how far above the windshield the tower sits for garage clearance when folded down...IE is it 6, 12, ??? inches 'taller' clearance above windshield when folded down.

Appreciate the help.

[Chattwake]

The tallest point will be wher ethe tower folds. Have the dealer measure from the pivot point to the floor.

[etang789]

Can someone tell me if I can fold down the FCT3 tower while having the Z5 rack/bimini top still attached to the tower?

[NautiqueJeff]

No, you can't.

[etang789]

No, you can't.

Not even when the Z5 rack partially detached? Like the rear pins released?

[Paublo]

On my '09 210 with the Z5 rack, I pull the rear pins and lay the tower down until the rack rests on the windshield. I put a piece of foam pipe insulation on the windshield frame first and it works well. The front of the rack sticks up a little, but it seems like the tower is almost as low as would be without the rack. Oh, I also use the Nautique cover. The back end of the rack hits or rests on the cover just behind the pole that supports the cover. So I have to also loosen the cord that tightens the rack material. I hope that make sense.

[Diggityd]

Does not fold away well. Is more like $500 or $600......not sure where you see $2k ... Is actually a bit of a pain to take off. Is 4 pins that are EZ BUT also there is an 'arm' that must be detached (what allows it to swing dowd to back for unload of boards while running....) and THAT is pain and has small pin part EZ to lose. They SAY you can tilt and fold down the fct3 tower but zero diagrams or pics of this occuring...mfg/dealer or in the wild......no proof and I tried all 5 ways. Love the tower and the top but NO no no no you can not fold down tower without full bimini off...real pain and etc if trying to get it in the garage with rain coming....hope somone proves me wrong...but sadly doubt it.

[Chattwake]

I never connected that shock thing. I can just pop mine off in about two seconds. I would never have another bimini top. ****, I was dancing on my surfboard on the rack this weekend and it held my 200lb *** no problem. Not tthe best idea, but I was hammered.

At the end of the day, the rack makes the boat IMHO.

[Chattwake]

By the way, I'll be putting this boat up for sale in the fall/winter if anyone's in the market...

[Chattwake]

Gotta get that 2010...

[jefe]

Anyone up for a Z5 group buy?

[boatbuddy]

Did a group buy happen or does anyone know the current pricing for a 230 - Z5 Rack