Nautique 200 OB Tower options

[laddski]

I know I am going to get some hate on this one from purists but I am looking to upgrade my 05 206 to a used 200 OB. We are a typical family where I ski and wakeboard as does my wife and kids. My kids are more aggressive on the wakeboarding end but are content with the wake behind the 206 when we sack it. They can do all the inverts they are capable of doing and I am confident they will also be content with the 200 sacked.

I know the first response is going to be, find a 200 sport. I don't want to. I want the DD OB.

With all of the prelims in place, I have heard that the factory tower on the 200's can interfere with the rope at 35 off and shorter. Because of this, and the fact that the factory tower is $6500+, I am toying with the idea of going with the Roswell Aviator tower and moving it forward far enough to get the clearance I want/need. This is probably only possible by mounting on the angled section of the boat outside the windshield. At least one leg of it anyway.

I have a call into Roswell to find out if they have tried this yet but no response so far. Anyone have thoughts or ideas? Is that section going to be strong enough? The only non-factory tower I can find an image of on Google is one with a Monster tower in Australia and that doesn't do it for me. Appreciate opinions and experience.

Ladd

[Quinner]

Do you need the tower for bimini, storage etc.?? If not have you considered an extended pylon instead?? Monster tower is one fugly azz tower, no doubt, lol. If you are not getting a response from anyone at Roswell PM me and I will put you in touch with someone directly.

[laddski]

Thanks for the response Quinner. Roswell responded and said they are not aware of anyone putting the Aviator on a 200 but said it should fit, which I already knew. We need a tower for wakeboard storage as we always have at least two with us and floor space is pretty limited in the 200. I had an extended pylon back when I owned a 93 Sport Nautique but the idea seems pretty dated these days although I will say the thought of NOT having a tower on all the time is attractive.

[MI-skier]

Extended pylon w board rack? For $500 used you could try for a year and always resell for about what you put in it.

[Jan288]

Here's my 2000 Super Sport with the aviator tower. Haven't put board racks or bimini on yet but Roswell has them specifically for the aviator tower. Note I did use the OEM base instead of their universal base. More of a factory look but you need a wider, flat area to mount it. Here's a link to a installation video by Roswell and they mount one on an older model DD Ski Nautique, http://youtu.be/K5PxxXkWF6Q. Also on Roswell's website they have pictures and a video of a DD Nautique with the aviator.

[laddski]

That looks great. How did you get the oem base and what did it cost? It definitely looks better but may limit where I can mount it somewhat.

[nautiques4life]

Mounting it there I wonder if you lose function of folding it down? Not sure how that model folds, but at least from those photos I don't think that is fitting inside the windshield

[laddski]

Good point. It folds forward and would hit. Folding down isn't critical to me but would be for future owners.

[Jan288]

That looks great. How did you get the oem base and what did it cost? It definitely looks better but may limit where I can mount it somewhat.

The OEM base is an option Roswell offers but if you're mounting on an angle you would have to use the universal mount. I positioned mine where it just misses the windshield, and will still fold to the inside. You might could position it far enough forward so it would fold down into the open bow area like the factory towers do. The OEM base did not cost any extra if you order it from the factory that way. The best price I found was with The Board Shop, http://bswake.com. Ask for Jayson Rishling if you call them. He was super helpful and I will be purchasing my bimini and board racks from them.

[Quinner]

The best price I found was with The Board Shop, http://bswake.com. Ask for Jayson Rishling if you call them. He was super helpful and I will be purchasing my bimini and board racks from them.

Another huge shout out for Jay, great guy!!!

[laddski]

An update on this. According to Roswell, they can't/won't sell the oem base except through a dealer and they want $800 additional for it. Jay at the Board Shop says he can get one but I have to order it and pay for it before I will know if he actually can.

Does anyone have photos of the Aviator in the down position? I have scoured the internet for a very long time and can't find one. None of Roswell's videos show it either. It seems like it will be pretty tall in the down position, especially with the universal feet and I am worried about garage clearance. Getting frustrated to say the least. The thought of having boards laying around the floor is pushing me away from getting an extended pylon. I am too used to towers.

[laddski]

Did some more looking and I have to say the new tower for the ProStar looks pretty good and simple. It folds really low and folds to the rear, thus avoiding windshield issues. Problem is they require a HIN in order to get a quote from Mastercraft. I am guessing it is similar to the Nautique factory tower and probably 6-7k. Still looking.

[4th ski-doo]

I was told the 200 Sport was approved AWSA tow boat, not saying to get one but it has the same deck and same tower.

Dockside Marine in Wilmington Illinois had a 200 DD with a tower on it, and I do believe it was the Aviator. Looks good on the boat, pretty sure it's a customers boat but they may have the info on it.

If I remember correctly the tower will not hamper slalom but you cannot jump with it. Pretty sure the board racks would be the issue.

The tower is nice, board racks, speakers, lighting, and bimini top.

[laddski]

I was told the 200 Sport was approved AWSA tow boat, not saying to get one but it has the same deck and same tower.

Dockside Marine in Wilmington Illinois had a 200 DD with a tower on it, and I do believe it was the Aviator. Looks good on the boat, pretty sure it's a customers boat but they may have the info on it.

If I remember correctly the tower will not hamper slalom but you cannot jump with it. Pretty sure the board racks would be the issue.

The tower is nice, board racks, speakers, lighting, and bimini top.

Thanks. I will check with them and see what they know.

[rodltg2]

there is a thread regarding the tower on BOS. one guy posted that his buddy ran 39 1/2 off with the factory tower and it did not interfere.