FCT2 Fold Down methods & supports?

[Chad52]

OK, so I'm assuming other people out there have a similar set-up to mine. I have an 08 SANTE 210 with the FCT2 tower (the stainless one) with Wetsounds 3-some on it. I keep it in my standard 7' garage. When I get home after a day on the water, I have to 1.) take the platform off (no biggie) and 2.) fold down the tower before it can fit in the garage. The speakers on the tower are too heavy to let it rest on the seat or the windshield frame. They would puncture the vinyl. I'm wondering how anybody else deals with this? I have two supports made from 2X4's that I made. One supports the front bar and keeps it off the windshield and the other supports the rear bar/speakers and keeps it from resting on the seat. It works, but it is slightly a PIA. Does anybody else have a better way of supporting the tower, when lowered, for storage in a 7' garage?

Chad

[SuperAirMark]

Chad-

You're not alone. I have the same problem and have pretty much come up with the same solution. I've done a lot of searching/talking to see if I could find a better solution. No luck yet. I hope someone else out here has found a better way.

Mark

[SuperSquirt]

I've got the same issue, i have two 485s on the rear section of the tower and it weighs a ton! I just lay down two folded towels on the vinyl and rest the speakers on them. The front section has rubber arm bands designed to rest on the windshield. I don't really worry about it all that much.

[Nautiquehunter]

The 210 is shipped with the tower down talk to your dealer and have them save you the
wooden shipping supports for the tower.

[210GA]

When we lay ours down for the winter we just put three bumpers under the tower near the noise so it never touches the boat.

[Chad52]

Nautiquehunter: Yeah, but mine only came with one of those supports for the forward bar. I still use it. The back one was one I made myself.

210GA: Is yours a FCT2 tower? The FCT2 tower folds backwards, not forwards.

[skiking]

If you park it in the same spot in your garage, what about putting a hook or ring in the ceiling above the tower?

That way you could use a bungie, or rope with carabiner, or a motorcycle strap to hold the tower at the height you want. I would think a motorcycle strap would be the quickiest and easiest.

Just a thought.

[wetfoot]

When I fold my tower over I place 2 baseballs close to the hinges. They keep the tower from touching the bow coaming & bow cover.

Hope this helps.

[SkiTower]

does it clear the garage door opener enough to put it back up once inside? My FCT1 just doesn't have enough up and over clearance, otherwise I'd put mine back up. FCT2 doesn't have that issue if the ceiling is high enough for the assembled tower. A little extra work but it isn't resting on ANYTHING.

[aarond0083]

I used to have the same problem. Just build one of these. Easy Fix!




Jokes aside, I would do exactly what SkiTower suggest. Get some thick foam material that is used for seats to rest the tower on while you getting in and out of the garage.

[Chad52]

In it's lowered position, it just clears the garage door. I trimmed my mounts till it was just enough. When I get it inside the garage, the ceiling is about 2-4" too low to put the tower back up completely. Bummer.

Wetfoot, can you take a pic of your "baseball" method? I'm not visualizing where you put the baseballs.

[aarond0083]

Wetfoot, can you take a pic of your "baseball" method? I'm not visualizing where you put the baseballs.

I would guess he has them right at hinges so when the tower is folded forward the ball stops it from folding all the way down where it would rest on the bow. Thick rubber carpet mat would be better to use than a ball. You could even use a thin piece and fold it multiple times.

[wetfoot]

Chad,

Here is a pic of my tower folded. I hope you can make it out, it is the only one I have access to right now.

I basically place the softballs/baseballs in the cup holders in the bow area and when I fold the tower over I place them as shown.

When you raise the tower, I find that it helps to have a Golden Retriever who freaks for balls be at the ready when the balls fall to the ground. :grin:

[wetfoot]

Another shot.