1999 PAN stock first flight tower, want to replace, ideas?

[iceberg50]

I want to replace my first generation, basic, Flight Tower on my 1999 PAN. I don't want second generation. I need the tower to fold down beneath the windshield line to fit in garage. I am worried about my old holes. Want them to be covered. Looking at Aireal towers but just not sure. I'm certain people replaced these towers before. Please help, thank you

[NautiqueJeff]

How about the Roswell Aviator?

http://www.roswellwakeair.com/series...tower-aviator/

[iceberg50]

I like that tower but what would I do with the holes from the forward mounts and do these line up and or cover up the rear holes? Anyone done this?

[NautiqueJeff]

I have heard of some people using a hole saw and putting cup holders where the old holes are in the front. That may or may not work in your particular application, but it is an idea anyway. They are fairly easy to fill if you want to do that too.

[Brichter14]

Cup holders or something like this

http://www.nautiqueparts.com/seadekn...eakstrips.aspx

[iceberg50]

Great minds think alike, 4 cup holders up front but that's ok. Have you heard of anyone using this exact tower? Is it really strong and sturdy? Some of these aftermarkets are flimsy junk. I plan on loading this thing with all the goodies .

[NautiqueJeff]

There is a Nautique pro rider, I believe, that has this tower on one of his older boats. Check with Tracy at Roswell. He'll fill you in on who it is. I can't remember. I am sure that this would be a very sturdy tower. Tracy is on here as Tracy@Roswell. Send him a PM for all of the info.

[Miljack]

Danny Hampson put one on his older Air. Watch the video on the link Jeff posted, shows the tower folded down. It's not below the windshield, but on the older DD boats, may not pose a problem to getting under the garage door.

I had a '99 PAN and put a New Dimensions tower on it, I did briefly consider a two point tower, but at the time, just not as much choice as there is today. My worry was resale, but now given how many of the two point towers are out there, installing a newer tower should considerably improve the look and function over the original FCT, and therefore improve the resale value of your boat.

[s_kelley2000]

I had the same original tower as you on my 99 SS and I went back and forth on what to replace it with. If the Aviator was available at the time I certainly would have explored it but at the time I didn't like the look of any of the available universal 2 point towers and the FCT3/5 where more than I wanted to spend. I ended up going with the New Dimension tower and I have been quite happy with it. The install was straight forward and it looks great on the boat since it was designed for it and matches the lines perfectly. I think no matter what tower you choose you will end up having holes from the old tower exposed. The front feet on my NDT mounted about 4-6" inches closer to the windshield than the original tower did and the original rear feat were way closer to the back end of the windshield than any modern 2 or 4 point tower would land I think. I thought 4 cup holders up front would look kind of funny and since the the placement of the old holes was a logical place to step into the boat I decided to add some Gator Grip traction to cover those holes. I also did this to cover the rear leg on the driver side to create a comfy arm rest. I may fill these holes eventually but for now I am happy with it like this. On the passenger side I cut in a second cup holder. A 3 -5/8" hole saw works perfectly for the factory stainless cup holders sold on Nautiqueparts.com. Put some painters tape down to help prevent chipping and run the hole saw in reverse until you get through the gel and then switch to forward. Here are a few pics of what I had and what I ended up with.

Old tower holes:


You can sort of see the traction cover:


Arm rest cover:


2nd cup holder added

[Chexi]

Are you sure the 2nd gen / New Dimensions tower won't fit under your garage door? I have fit my 2000 SAN with 2nd gen FCT in some garages with pretty short doors.

[Miljack]

Chexi, I think the OP was talking about his 1st gen FCT not fitting under the garage door. I could see that, when I had the original tower, the boat wouldn't fit under the garage door unless I removed it completely. It would fit with the NDT just folded down, talking the wife into only having the boat diagonally in the garage was another matter...