NDT Tower Installation (2002 Sport Nautique)

[Proud2BeCC]

Purchased a new NDT Tower for my 2002 Sport. Any tips or advice on installation?

Thanks,

Proud2BeCC

[TRDon]

RE: NDT Tower Installation (2002 Sport Nautique)

it goes pretty easy, not to worry. I cant remember if that year had the foam backing, but if it does, take it out. I also had to trim fit my backing plates around obsticales on the underside of my boat too. set up the tower as it says in the directions, mark and drill/chamfer the holes. I wasnt happy with trimming the plates so I got some 1/2 inch plywood and made bigger backing plates (as large as I could fit, I think they were about 6x10inches or so, I trimmed to fit and test fittet it before doing anything else) and layered the resin (premixed with hardner of course) in about a 1/2-3/4 inch layer on the plywoodwith it layering up in the middle a bit more. You wil need a helper. Get under the bow and press the plywood up from the middle so the mound will squish outward as to prevent as much air pockets as possible. Have a friend sheetrock screw through the holes (with washers on the screw so you dont damage the existing gelcoat) evenly to suck up the plywood and watch for the resin to start to ooze out the sides. All you want to do is evenly distribute the resin. Let it set up and work on the other side. After about an hour or so of setup time, remove the sheetrock screws, and re-drill the holes through tthe resin and the plywood. Now mount the aluminum backing plate to the other side of the plywood. It works great because you have a perfectly flat surface to mount the plate to and with all the extra resin and the piece of plywood, it more evenly distributes the weight of the tower too. You will need to buy 6 longer 1/4-20 screws to go through the thicker material, but it was less than $8 for new stainless screws found at most hardware stores. Just get the ones with the same heads as the originals you got with the kit.

The back legs, I just used the screws and plates and did not resin them. it is a downward force on the back legs, so the foot pad is working as the dristibutor of load.

Good luck

[Proud2BeCC]

RE: NDT Tower Installation (2002 Sport Nautique)

Wow...Thank you for the reply. For mounting the front legs, do you go in from the bow area or under the dash? Just curious.

Thanks

[rbalan]

RE: NDT Tower Installation (2002 Sport Nautique)

I went at it from the bow, it would have helped if my arms were about 6 inches longer.

[TRDon]

RE: NDT Tower Installation (2002 Sport Nautique)

I went under the dash and behind the passenger seat. The driver side was a little more of a strech but it was ok and I am an average size guy. Of course I had to take the driver kickboard out to acess it easier but other than that it is just as I posted it. It is easy when you do it and easier when you follow someone elses path. I am really picky about installs on things and researched it to death before I made the choice that I did.

[Proud2BeCC]

RE: NDT Tower Installation (2002 Sport Nautique)

Has anyone removed the bow cushions on a 98-02 Sport/Air Nuatique? If so, how is this done?

[bscott]

RE: NDT Tower Installation (2002 Sport Nautique)

I also went under the dash. I think it is the easier/faster route than removing the bow cushions. IMHO.

[mcbridek]

RE: NDT Tower Installation (2002 Sport Nautique)

I did not have any problem installing the plates loaded with the fiberglass body filler in the fronts by going through the kick panel on the drivers side, and under the lift up seat on the passenger side. But you have to slide way under to reach. I have lots of pictures of my install if you need to see or talk. Only a few suggestions. put some type of tape on the gel coat where the legs will go while you are positioning the tower so you do not put any scratches in the gel coat. You should have good pictures from NDT of where the tower goes (should be a tape measure in the pitcure). My tower feet did not fit perfect and I had to call and talk to Wayne, then slightly bend one for the legs. Not a problem, but better to talk to him first. Mine is now a perfect fit.

[Proud2BeCC]

RE: NDT Tower Installation (2002 Sport Nautique)

Thanks for all of the help. I received my tower from NDT on Wednesday and installed it on Thursday. Overall, I'd say the install went about as smooth as I could ask. The completed project looks awesome! I will post some pictures after this weekend. NDT makes a great tower that mirrors the original FCT design. I did find that the instructions that came with the tower were needing some help. The most difficult part was glassing in the backing plates. Just handling the product while it's hardening, messy, and trying to reach to where you need to go. I guess my "big" 6'3" body didn't help either. I also purchased the Roswell mirror arm. Really excited about this buy. Got it from Ken at White Lake. Good people to deal with. Going to try the new setup at Dale Hollow this weekend.

Thanks again,

Proud2BeCC

[Proud2BeCC]

RE: NDT Tower Installation (2002 Sport Nautique)

Here is a picture of my boat (now with tower) just around the corner from Wisdom Dock.

Proud2BeCC

[Proud2BeCC]

RE: NDT Tower Installation (2002 Sport Nautique)

Had trouble getting the main bolts out when I went to put it back in the garage. Anyone else have this problem? I was informed by NDT that I'm supposed to use an anti-seize lubricant on the bolts. Didn't know that. I now need to replace one of the bolts and most likely re-tap the one tube.