SANTE 210 with 343 PCM and FCT-2 Stainless Tower question

[cc4me]

I tested a 2009 Super Air Nautique Team Edition with the 343 PCM and a Titan FCT-2 Stainless Tower today. The engine makes a whistling noise. It is not terribly loud, but very noticeable. I went out without the wife first, but then took another ride with her. She noticed it immediately without me mentioning the sound at all. Then we start taking the boat through the motions and the tower rattles. The owner said he has owned multiple Nautiques and all four point folding towers do that. He said the newer towers with two legs do not rattle. So my question is....Are these sounds normal or is this something I should be concerned about.

[perry386]

I have the FCT-2 and mine does not rattle. However, after a long day, it does have to be re-tightened a bit at the base and the swivel part that allows the tower to fold. So I would go through and tighten everything down a bit if I were you.

[Nautiquehunter]

Same here the only time mine ever rattled was when the port rear tower leg hold down was loose. Are you sure its a 09? I thought they had the new 2 point towers on 09s.

[cc4me]

I am pretty sure it is a 2009. Maybe they changed the tower mid year. I don't know. However this rattle is not a faint sound. When you hit chop it vibrates and rattles pretty loud. I asked the owner if the tower was tightened, and his reply was that all these towers make that sound. When we stopped I reached up to the tower and pulled down to see if I felt play, but it did not seem to move. I believe the sound was coming from the knuckles on the bow, but I can not be certain right now. I saw some hand grips to tighten the yop portion, but what is used on the knuckles, an allan wrench? If so, what size?

[Paxdad]

I have an 08 210 with the Titan 2 FCT and it does not make a sound. I only see it move when you hit a sizable wave just right from a quartering direction.

[shag]

So, is the engine making a whistling? or is the tower rattling?

[perry386]

Same here the only time mine ever rattled was when the port rear tower leg hold down was loose. Are you sure its a 09? I thought they had the new 2 point towers on 09s.

Mine is only the port rear leg too. That's weird. I wonder if there is something wrong with the design of that part. I am planning on taking the bolt out and adding Loctite to it. But yeah if the tower is rattling then it is definitely loose. Because when the tower has just been tightened it is extremely secure. I was very impressed with the stability of this tower when we first got the boat.

[Chad52]

I have an 08 with the FCT-2 Tower. I have a Wetsounds 3-some mounted on the rear bar. If you get in rough water, you will notice some vibration and swaying with that set-up. I keep an allen key handy if I have to tighten it, as well as Loctite in my onboard tool case. You really don't want to get into a position where you are removing bolts and applying Loctite on the water though. Try to do that from the safety of your driveway.

[acs220]

Mine is only the port rear leg too. That's weird. I wonder if there is something wrong with the design of that part. I am planning on taking the bolt out and adding Loctite to it. But yeah if the tower is rattling then it is definitely loose. Because when the tower has just been tightened it is extremely secure. I was very impressed with the stability of this tower when we first got the boat.

These towers do have a problem with the rear bolts loosening up due to vibaration. I had an 08 with the FCT 2 and I had to tighten the bolts about once a month. I'm don't remember 100%, but I'm pretty sure the size is 1/4" hex.

cc4me, just make sure you tighten the bolts yourself and then give the tower another go. There will always be a little rattle in that tower due to all the moving parts, but I'm guessing most of your noise is coming from loose rear bolts.

(side-bar) The FCT tower was only used in 08 and 09. Another way to know if the boat is 08 or 09 is by the color of the gauges. White was 08 and black was 09.

Hope this helps.

[Nautiquehunter]

Remove the bolt clean the threads with solvent and lock tight the crap out of it . I did mine in the summer of 09 it has 600 hours now and has never loosend up again.

[cc4me]

Thanks for all the responses. I have not purchased this boat. Just took it for a test spin. I think I might ask to take it through the paces again. I will bring an allen wrench set with me. The tower rattle was whenever we hit chop, not just under normal cruising. I never visually saw the tower shake. If I purchase the boat I will add the lock tight. In addition, there was a whistle from the PCM 343 engine. I mentioned it to a friend and he thought it might be the exhaust manifold. That was just a guess.

[shag]

I believe you can get a small spacer from PCM to remedy that whistle. It goes between the throttle body if I'm correct. Should be warranty. Easily replaceable.

[aarond0083]

The whistling is due to the throttle body being slightly too thick. My 2009 did the same thing. Slightly annoying but not problematic.

I also had the FCT-2 on that boat. The stainless looks great. Occasionally needed to tighten the Allen screws as others have mentioned but it's a solid tower with a great design.