Monster Tower installation - Any tips?

[jeepn]

some pics, the boom isn't on in them, but it clears the tower.

[Tomfooter]

I used Breck-Nautique's idea on mounting the front monster paws (see photo on previous page). It really does give you a less obstructed view from the driver seat, plus it was pretty easy to get to when mounting (on my '93 BFN). Just my two cents worth! Yellow_Flash_Colorz:

[laddski]

Just pulled the trigger on a monster tower today for my 93 Sport. This thread is going to help when I finally get it. I ordered the black powder coated and they are back ordered for a bit so it could be a month before I see it. Decided to learn some patience since it was such a long term purchase. Tomfooter, your boat looks awesome on Monster's site.

[Tomfooter]

Thanks, laddski. It is doing a good job and still doesn't rattle. You wouldn't believe the compliments I've received from my skiing buddies and friends on the lake. I debated with myself for about two years before making the plunge. I really liked the way my boat looked as it was (with out the Monstertower), but I think I like it's looks better now than before. The only advice I have is to study where you think you want to mount it from now until it is time to install it. Try to find ALL the possibilites that will work for your boat, and then actuall look underneathe to see what you may have to drill thru. You can print out the actual installation manual by going on to monstertower.com. This will give you all the dimensions you will need to look at. Good Luck! Yellow_Flash_Colorz:

[SHREDHEAD]

Tomfooter:

Have you pulled multiple footers from your tower? We sometimes pull 3 or 4 at a time and I wonder if the tower can handle the starts?

[tommer12]

Tomfooter:

Have you pulled multiple footers from your tower? We sometimes pull 3 or 4 at a time and I wonder if the tower can handle the starts?

I don't think it's a super idea to pull multiple people on any tower... I think the load is only calculated for so much on the tower and mounts. When you look at comp boats and where they have the center pylon and rear spindle... those points were designed to be "pull points" into core of boat. That's why you see 15-17 skiers behind a comp boat at a waterski show. For some reason or another, they only seem to be popular in the midwest.. I can't find one local club in Cali and that's crazy. Showski rocks.

I would recommend not pulling lots of people off the tower.

My tower comes on Thursday.. but I won't have time to put it on until after the holiday.. traveling back home.

I'll post the progress though and pics

Tommer
92 SNOB

[Tomfooter]

Shreadhead,
I haven't pulled anyone other than myself off of my Monstertower (can't find anyone to foot anymore!), but I agree with tommer12, that it probably wasn't designed for that much pull ( the boat atachment points or the tower) Yellow_Flash_Colorz: . I don't know how big the guys are that foot with you, I'm only about 175, and it's a whole lot of drag/weight to pull on deep water starts. God luck with your project! Yellow_Flash_Colorz:

[wake_fun]

To install the tower you need help, that's all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:grin:

[jeepn]

it has been a while since we have pulled two footers, but i think it was after we installed the tower on the 93. but thinking about it, it does seem like an awful lot of stress.

[tommer12]

tower installed!

I will get some pictures up shortly, after this weekend. But I did finally get it up and going.. it's awesome. Pain the butt to get in though. I used some measurements from another 92 and used it from the windshield.... bad idea.. check and remeasured from the back of the boat to the monster paws, found my pivot point I liked.

note, left side has more fiberglass. I had to go and find longer SS bolts for the port side of the boat. On the starboard side, I saw the PVC pipe that holds the speedos and a few electrical connections.. I was positive was going to clear it.. well, i tapped a speedo line.. hopefully that was it.. havent had a chance to check it. but even being that close, I had to slot my monster paw plate to get the bolts in.. still works fine.. just easier to mount underneath. Once we got back bolted down, measured the front for a good spot... not much fiberglass in the front, but was barely enough... Bolted through. Now it was time square it up and sink the expandable bolts.
If you have an electric drill, use it, or have 18 dewault batteries around.. and throw out that crap bit Monster gives you.. after 3 wholes, that cheap bit broke.... yes, we drilled out with smaller bits first, but it's pretty easy to bust those types of bits.

For the fiberglass, get really good bits.. you are going to drill in reverse EVERYTHING in the fiberglass. Get some Silicone and seal the wholes up when you slug the bolts in at the bases.

Back to squaring. Use two people to measure, and remeasure a hundred times. Sink that first expandable bolt.... now measure a hundred times and sink the other side... and not much you can do now.. just keep drilling.

First time we took it out... and first pull, the tower let out one big huge creak.. then never heard it again..

So after the install, I still have one speedo line I need to replace. Probably head over to correctcraftfan.com and see what that brains say there.. good nautique heads there.

again. .hopefully get some pictures after this weekend. Monster forgot to ship my other rack.. so I only had one for two weeks.. but I got it now and with that.. the complete pictures.

AND??? Did you guys figure out how it folds down flat??? I was looking at it from every angle, and I dont see how it could fold down flat... why? because of the width of our boat.... if our boat was wider.. it might be able to fold flat.. or did I totaly miss someting? I have one front arm that sits up slightly. (on top of the other) I can still put my cover on, and it's below my windshield, but bummer.

Overall, it's great.. worth the time and pissin and moanin

Any questions, just holler!

Tommer Catlin
1992 SNOB

[TrailInn2]

RE: tower installed!

Mine doesn`t fold flat either on a 96 SS. I concluded the same thing regarding the width of the boat. One side rests on the gunnel and when I fold it down to get into the garage I place a rag underneath it. No way I would ever tow with it down.

[Tomfooter]

Yea, had to replace both of my speedo tubes. It only cost me about $15.00 for the tubing. I too had to buy some longer bolts. Monster tower said they sent me some when I requested them, but I think they must have sent them to the wrong address. But I still can't complain. Some how I bent a heim joint, and they gave me a new one (about $40 to $50 bucks). They were really great at monster tower with support. Yea, I broke my bit too. But my biggest lesson was you can not do this by yourself (unless you have some type of overhead support to hang it from). Thats how I bent the heim joint - my stupidity and wanting to do it "myself". No, the tower won't fold flat; its made from round tubing. It will fold down and out of the way, but not "flat". I fold my tower down 2 or 3 times a week. I hope this doesn't hurt it in the long run. I know I've had to re-torque the bolts where the arms piviot, once already. But what tommer12 ran into must be typical, because it sounded exactly like my installation. But Istill love my Monster tower and received many compliments on it. Just my two cents worth Yellow_Flash_Colorz:

[laddski]

Got my monster installed on my 93 Sport about 2 weeks ago and we love it. Used twice already and no complaints, lots of compliments. I screwed up the install and mounted the rear legs too far forward. I followed instructions and set it all up but missed on the angle for the top when I laid it in place so it hits my motor cover. What an idiot. The good thing is I don't ever have to put it down because my garage has 12 ft doors on it and a plenty high ceiling. The tower rocks and is perfectly solid. Definitely recommend the Monster for aftermarket.

[tommer12]

92 snob tower pics

well, here are some pics. If you every need help or more pics, just let me know. it's a great tower, love it. I think it looks a lot better then some others on the market. It just all depends on your boat and the lines.

cheers!

[tommer12]

here is another pic snob 92' with monster tower

Here is another pic