The Balancing Act: Lowering/Raising Tower options

[Mikeski]

Malibu owners have been complaining about the same thing with the Illusion tower and they are coming out with a shock absorber assembly to assist a single user to raise/lower the tower. It would probably be pretty easy to build something similar with a liftback shock and some PVC tubing. Right now my dock awning is too low to leave the tower up, I will probably raise the awning but I might come up with the assist tube anyway.

[hsmunoz]

nice TylerO

I would post a pic of my garage, but I think you guys would vote me off the site..

[Grant_West]

I have heard rumors that Mastercraft is working on a automatic tower raise and lower system.?????? I doubt it.

How many people that own boats with towers raise and lower them. Im gonna start a poll

[TylerO]

I would post a pic of my garage, but I think you guys would vote me off the site..

Why is that?

[bbc3]

TylerO--

Don't know what to tell ya raising/lowering techniques, I'm 6'2'' and it still scares me a little doing it by my self. whitechocolate might be able to whip up with something clever. I do have an idea you might like if you ever want to get away from the "life-vest pads" We used to do something similar, but have found that 1 3/4 inch clear "beer bong" tubing cut into sections long enough for your application and then sliced lengthwise work very well. From the shape of the tubing, after you slice lengthwise you can open the tubing and clasp it to the tower before you lower.

We trail with out tower down (strapped down of course) to avoid bug clean up after every trip to the lake and have seen no damage to our fiberglass using this method.

Like the garage also!

[redelf75]

I just stand on the gunnel and flip it over. What's the big deal? Yellow_Flash_Colorz:

[TylerO]

We used to do something similar, but have found that 1 3/4 inch clear "beer bong" tubing cut into sections long enough for your application and then sliced lengthwise work very well. From the shape of the tubing, after you slice lengthwise you can open the tubing and clasp it to the tower before you lower.

BBC3- Good idea! Although the beer bong is sacred, I'm sure I could find some of that tubing that would do the trick. I've also seen some folks put pads on the bow area where contact is made but I didn't want to go that route. I was also surprised to hear you tow with the tower folded down, I never even thought about it, but that does sound like a good option to keep all the bug guts off the tower and speaker cans.

[TylerO]

I just stand on the gunnel and flip it over. What's the big deal?

So I take it "Redelf" is an misnomer right?

[NautiqueJeff]

I was also surprised to hear you tow with the tower folded down, I never even thought about it, but that does sound like a good option to keep all the bug guts off the tower and speaker cans.

Believe it or not, that's actually what Correct Craft recommends!

[TylerO]

Believe it or not, that's actually what Correct Craft recommends!

News to me! Funny my dealership doesn't practice this nor does Correct Craft provide any mechanism by which to secure the tower from damaging the gel coat. I guess I need to dust off that manual.....

[bbc3]

Didn't know that's what CC recommends, but it sure saves me some time...well a lot of time if you add up over the whole season.

HUGE downside---boat looks strange rolling down the hwy. We've even had people ask us, "what are those poles on the front?"

Trade offs I guess.

[AirNautique211]

Dude, you could have your own show on HGTV! I think the Nuatique logo on the outside of the garage door is a little too much though! Just kiddin'!

Nautique + 2" = one awesome summer!

[Alan-S]

Well, my tower on my 210 has been dropped. They guy I passed the tower to that was standing in the bow tripped on a seat cushion and fell backwards. He was not hurt and the tower bounced a couple of times on the bow. There was no damage to the tower at all, not even paint scratches! There are little tiny tiny dings in the little bars on the bow and it didn't come close to the fiberglass, the tower fell really hard too. If I were to decide to replace the little bars they are the same ones sold on the West marine website for $12. Lessons learned; 1. Nautiques are the best designed boats ever. 2. Nautiques are the best designed boats ever. and 3. Nautiques are the best designed boats ever. if you look really really hard you can see the little dings in the bars

[actiondcpd]

That is the best looking garage I've ever seen! TylerO come help me with mine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bkhallpass]

Looks like two camps here. 1) Those that think it's easy to
fold down the FCT, and 2) those who don't.

I suspect both are probably right.

With a naked tower and flight clips, the towers aren't very heavy
and unless you're vertically challenged, it's pretty easy to fold down.

However, when you start adding two to four aftermarket racks, a bimini,
speakers, and light bars, these things do get heavy, and awkward.

I'm fortunate. The canvas cover over the boat lift is tall enough that
I need not lower the tower. I only put the boat in the garage 1 or 2 weeks
per year, and then the garage ceiling is 12 feet tall, so again no need to
lower.

Looking forward to seeing who comes up with the best mechanical rigging
to lower these things.

Regards,

BKH