Towing with tower down

[tadelfio]

I know this has been addressed before but a quick search hasn't landed me the answers I am looking for.

Has anyone towed their boat with the tower folded down? And if so, what precautions should I take?

I am finding myself in a position where I had to fold my tower down to "winterize" my boat. (by that, I mean putting it in the garage with a heater) But now, I am going to need to tow the boat to the dealership for some warranty work. I honestly do not think that I can get the tower put back up by myself and won't have anyone available to help me during this time frame.

Right now i have a couple of towels under the tower to keep it from rubbing on the gelcoat. If I try to tow it this way, will it bounce around causing any damage? Does anyone have any advise on getting this thing up by myself? Any advise would be appreciated.
BTW, dealership is about 15 miles away and I have an 08 211

[docderwood]

Re: Towing with tower down

I used two foam pads in the situation you are describing and tied it down so it wouldn't bounce. Worked great. It's been towed 120 miles w/o any damage.

[bchesley]

RE: Re: Towing with tower down

I have an appointment at 12:30 on lake Palestine looking at a lake lot. I am going to be just a few minutes away, so if you want i can run over and help you fold it up. 903-530-four nine eight seven.

Brad

[mcbridek]

RE: Re: Towing with tower down

I also put foam around the tower where it touches the bow area and I wrap tape around it so if the tower raises a bit when you hit a bump, the foam does not move. It is not a problem - thicker the better

[nautique95]

RE: Re: Towing with tower down

Foam like the others have said, then I use a zip tie on each side and zip tie it to the grab handles, this takes away any chance of bounce or movement.

[tadelfio]

RE: Re: Towing with tower down

Thanks for the advise guys, and Brad, definately, thanks for the offer. I woulda definately taken you up on the offer had I checked PN this AM but instead I ended up having to go to work for a bit . Where are you looking at a lot at?

I ended up getting it up myself without much difficulty. I tied a rope around it, pushed it up then let the weight of the tower pull itself back over while holding on to the rope guiding it down. This was the first time folding it down then back up and I can say with great certainty, I will be looking into building a detached garage with a door big enough for the tower to fit in.

What I did end up having trouble with though, is getting the swim platform on by myself. It was slightly heavier and more cumbersome than my old 196 teak platform was. Yellow_Flash_Colorz:

[jward]

RE: Re: Towing with tower down

what boat do you have

[tadelfio]

RE: Re: Towing with tower down

2008 211

[bchesley]

RE: Re: Towing with tower down

Not looking to buy, I am an appraiser and was looking at a lot for a client. Kinda sounded like I was buying. I have a place on Lake Tyler that I keep my boat at.

[tadelfio]

RE: Re: Towing with tower down

oh, ok. Thanks again for the offer though.

[wildsv211]

RE: Re: Towing with tower down

I have worked this issue from every angle.... I am most often by myself when i pick my boat up on Friday from storage. I have designed a couple of tools to help but none have worked out.... I have tried ropes from different angle and did not like the way any of these ideas have worked out.. I have had the best luck with stepping onto the front of the boat with my shoes off and basically deadlifting the tower and walking up the side of the bow until i reach the windshield. The tower is not reallt that heavy but when you are standing in the wrong postion, the leverage can really catch you off guard..

[SkiTower]

Re: RE: Re: Towing with tower down

What I did end up having trouble with though, is getting the swim platform on by myself. It was slightly heavier and more cumbersome than my old 196 teak platform was. Yellow_Flash_Colorz:

Just a bit. It's all I can do to get it off and on by myself and I dread it every time.