Titan FCT-2 Stainless Tower folding question

[super01]

My situation requires that I garage my boat after each use, and so I unfold/fold my tower each time I take my boat out and each time put it away. I'm starting to think about a buying a newer Nautique, so I've done a little research and I'm told that the only towers that will go into my 7' high garage are the new 2011 tower, or the Titan FCT-2 Stainless Tower. Since I can't really afford a 2011, I'm wondering how easy is it to fold the Titan FCT-2 Stainless Tower? Is it heavy? I will have to do it each time I use the boat. Is it something I can do myself or will I need help every time? Also, can someone who has one please tell me how it folds? (Pictures are always good too) Thanks!

[xrichard]

I fold mine each time. It's fast & easy and can be done by one person.

I don't have photos handy, but the tower is basically in two vertical sections--the front hoop that lands in the bow area and the rear hoop that lands mid-ship. They are connected by two crossbars running front-to-back at the top of these hoops. The cross-bars are cut mid-way between the two tower hoops. When the tower is raised, the cross-bars meet and are held together by one large screw in each cross-bar (...it has a black plastic cap, so you don't need any tools to put it in or take it out...the forces put on the tower and largely not absorbed by these screws because the crossbars are notched and fit into each other). To fold, loosen the screw and drop both tower hoops toward the rear of the boat. The front one lays down and is supported by the windshield. The rear one folds down and rests just above the rear seat but does not tough the upholstery.

If you have tower speakers, the rear hoop can get a little heavy, but it is still manageable single-handed. At one point, I had one pair Pro80 and one pair MB8 mounted on my tower and I could still lower and raise it without help.

[super01]

Thanks for the information xrichard. It sounds easy enough, that gives me some confidence about choosing a boat that has one. Will the front hoop also fold forward? It may give a little more clearance under the garage door that way?

[Bevan]

The timing of your question is impeccable Check out this thread I started a few days ago. Mine is the 1st boat with the FCT-2 Titan tower. I have 4 tower mount speakers and it is is still pretty easy to fold down. The garage door height is 7'. I suspend the tower from the garage roof to take the tower weight of the windscreen.

http://www.planetnautique.com/vb3/sh...er-down-thread.

[super01]

Good pictures Bevan. That's pretty cool, wow that is just barely squeezing in there isn't it! But I can really see how the tower works now, thanks.

[Bevan]

Good pictures Bevan. That's pretty cool, wow that is just barely squeezing in there isn't it! But I can really see how the tower works now, thanks.

All good super01...I love this tower!