Fct3

[boatbuddy]

We are considering a purchase of a 210 or 230

I would like some insight on the FCT3

Seemed like it it was going to be the new standard but I see the FCT4 is back to the previous designs

Likes or dislikes about the tower design, visability etc?

Thanks

[TRDon]

dislikes- copycat of most manufacturers going 2 post, no drain hole for water causing cracking and breakage in cold climate (recall fixes it but still, its a problem), suposed large blind spot, might as well keep it up because it doesnt fold down too much to make a difference for your garage, not incredibly attractive (personal preference)

Likes- I will get back to you.

[Chattwake]

I had an fct1 on my 08 230 and had a fct3 on my 09 230. My dealer has a 2010 with an fct4 on it. I went with an fct3 again on my 2010. IMO it's the best tower on the market by far. Loaded with boards wetsounds and a z5 there's no shake to the tower at all. For most people who have 230s the tower folding height is not much of an issue because the boat itself wouldn't fit in most standard garages. What I love is the ease of folding the tower when I'm on the lake and have to go under a low bridge.

The tower actually helps with visability and makes it much easier to dock the boat. I like how it's one less thing for my cover to have to go around.

Looks wise, I think it's the best looking tower -especially with a z5 rack.

My only gripe about the tower is that you can't put a tower mirror mount on it. However I'm working with the guys at z5 to come up with a prototype mirror mount that would work with the z5.

You can't go wrong either way but I personally didn't want a fct4.

[reeder]

I have a 210 with the FCT 4 on order that will be here in May. From what i have gathered, on the 2010 230's and 210's the FCT 3 is on almost 90% of them.

the FCT 4 is specifically built to fit inside 7' garages, which is the case for me. If I had to choose, it would be a tough choice. FCT 3 is the more popular by far. But again, I don't have a choice, for me I like my boat at the house in the garage and I don't have enough clearance to go FCT 3, which you would need 8' for. So its the FCT 4 for me.

Seems like it really comes down to personal preference or storage restricitions. If you don't have any storage requirments, and want to go more popular, then FCT 3 it is. If you are more old school and like the 4 point tower like the FCT 1, then the FCT 4 is the one to go with.

Just my 2 cents.

[hourglass]

i really like the fct3. it opens up your field of view so much, especially when driving. and the rotating speaker cans are fun too, along with the overhead courtesy light. i didn't notice any blindspots personally.

[robertsmcfarland]

I have to agree with everything Chattwakee said. Had the fct1 on three Nautiques. If you don't need the extra low clearance, you will love everything it has to offer.

[Latonkaboarder]

My personal thoughts are geared towards the FCT4. I think it is one of the nicest towers they have offered thus far. Before the FCT4 my favorite was the Titan tower that is on my 08 but since it is not an option I would go with the FCT4.

[tdc_worm]

functionality cons of towers that mount in the same fashion as the FCT3:

*limits ingress and egress to the boat from the dock
*limits access to gunwale storage when the boat is on the trailer
*makes it difficult to load gear into boat from the side when the boat is on the trailer
*positions the boardracks in a manner which may allow the rope to get caught on a board during slow speed tight turns
*removes the ability to use the top of the gunwale as an arm rest (which is a big bummer when using the rear facing seating on nautiques in particular)
*limits the ability to talk between boats when tied up together
*creates two aft blind spots where the driver is not able to see the rider when he cuts side to side

as you can tell, i think that any tower that has large footprint aft of the windshield comes with a lot of negatives. in my opinion, these types of towers come with more negatives than positives

[redmondforsale]

Those with heavy negative opinions, do you own boats with FCT3? Have you lived with them daily?

I know several people who own Air Nautiques with the FCT3 and none of them call out the negatives you do. Stability, ease of putting it down (reduces the height by 2 feet), reduced visual impairments (by having two less legs getting in the way), better visibility from drivers seat, good looks (subjective) are the benefits that each has indicated. My next boat will have one.

[hourglass]

really the only issue is if you like how the 3 looks better than the 4. they both work.

[dizzyj]

fct1 is the only fct

they should call the fct3 tower an illusion, and they should call the fct4 tower a titan. I belive both of those fit just fine on other manufacturuers boats.

[tdc_worm]

Those with heavy negative opinions, do you own boats with FCT3? Have you lived with them daily?

I know several people who own Air Nautiques with the FCT3 and none of them call out the negatives you do. Stability, ease of putting it down (reduces the height by 2 feet), reduced visual impairments (by having two less legs getting in the way), better visibility from drivers seat, good looks (subjective) are the benefits that each has indicated. My next boat will have one.

the short answer is no, i dont own the a boat with the FCT3. the long answer is i have spent enough time in malibus, tiges and other CCs w/ the the FCT3 option to be able to share the shortcomings of their design.

*stability---My FCT1 on my 236 holds 4 boards, 2 surfboards, and my NVS 1010s w/o a problem and w/o making noise. I would say that I wouldnt chose one over the other from a stability standpoint. call it a draw
*folding---somebody said it earlier: very, very few garages are big enough to store a boat that is 25 plus feet long on the trailer w/ a windshield height almost 8 feet, regardless of the tower. if yours will, maybe the folding tower will benefit you. also, if you go under low bridges it may benefit you. advantage easily folding tower (fct2,3,4)
*reduced visual impairment---i cannot tell you how many times i have had to move from side to side (as both a passenger and a driver) to the rider because of the visual impairment that the aft mounted legs cause when the rider is outside the wake. they have a MUCH larger footprint than a single tower leg tube. advantage traditional tower
*better visibility from the driver's seat---malibu actually started that crap marketing ploy. it started w/ their towers and then they moved it to their seamless windshield design...no posts and no seams meant better visual ability. now look at their windshields...they have that huge vented metal post. i guess the amazing difference afforded by no fore tower leg ran out of steam. call it a draw
*safety---i have seen a rope catch a board while in the racks and snap it around hard enough here it hit a passenger, resulting in stitches. another time, it missed the passenger and dinged the gel coat. the bungees retained the boards, but they stretched enough to let the boards swing way back. while it doesnt require a whole lot more input from the driver, it does require some extra caution to keep the rope out of the racks. ****edit**** both of the times that the roped caused the board to do damage was on a malibu, but I have seen the rope catch boards on CCs and Tiges as well.

to each their own. all have their advantages and disadvantages. trying to be objective as possible, i dont care which tower you get.

[boatbuddy]

Thanks for the comments.

Is there a site that shows the FCT 1, FCT2, FTC3 and FTC4 side by side showing the differences in the towers?

All they all made by Correct Craft or are they made by others?

Any reason the Byerly would have FCT1...I thought the newer boats would have the newer tower designs?

Anyone know what is Correct Craft's long term plans are ... changing eventually to the FCT3 designs or just providing that as an option for a different look?

[Nautiquehunter]

I have a Titan tower on my 08 210 and I love it. If I bought a new boat I would get a FCT4 since the Titan is no longer available.
I just dont like the looks of the FCT3.

[Chattwake]

From an individual who has owned a 230 with a FCT1 and a 230 with an FCT3, you're crazy if you think the stability of the two towers is the same. I had 2 WS 485's, racks, and boards on my FCT1 and it would shake/creak in rough water or when hitting wakes. On the FCT3, I had a z5, 2 485's, and racks/boards, and it doesn't move at all no matter what. I've got a friend who has an '08 230 with the FCT2, and it also shakes some (he's also got 6 speakers, boards, racks, etc.) There's simply no comparison between the stability of the FCT3 and the FCT1 or 2.

My dealer has a 230 with an fct4 on it in his showroom. We're going to put some 485's on it this week and water test it. I'll let you know if it has any shake to it. I got in it on saturday and messed around with the tower and it felt much more solid than my old FCT1 did.