Rear Tow Pylon

[Housers99]

After a year of owning my 99 Ski, I finally realized that instead of a rear tow pylon just above the platform, I have a lift ring. The previous owner had the boat on a lift at his lake, so this is probably something he did for his lift. I wouldn't mind having the pylon back for those days that we take newbies out. I really don't think I want to tow a skier with the lift ring - but then again, I suppose you can lift the whole **** boat with it. Is it feasible to remove the lift ring and put on a pylon? Is it a bad idea to keep removing and replacing stuff back there, or is the structure pretty tough? What about towing from the ring? And finally, where can I buy a replacement pylon? Thanks.

[DRAGON88]

RE: Rear Tow Pylon

There never was a pylon in that place, the lifting rings are how the boats are moved around the factory, and are strongly integrated with the stringer system. So it would be pretty difficult to change out, the pylon could be ordered from your Nautique dealership. I would think that it would be ok to tow with the rear lifting ring, but I'm not 100% sure seeing as the stress would be different lifting the boat vs pulling something.

[Brad_K]

RE: Rear Tow Pylon

alot of people use this ring to row inflatables

[83sn2001]

RE: Rear Tow Pylon

It is not recommended to tow from the lift ring. It can bend and crack the gelcoat. It is designed for vertical loads not horizontal.My 83 had been used to tow with before I bought it and it was bent.Well the ring wasn't bent, the threaded rod that secures it to the transom was bent.I would not advise even towing an inflatable from it as they can plow at times and cause a fairly good load to be placed on what ever it is attached to

[laddski]

RE: Rear Tow Pylon

That is kindof odd. It looks like a 99 has a lift ring and an 83 has a lift ring. I assume both at the rear. My 93 Sport has a tow point and no lift ring except at the front of the boat. Maybe an option I guess.

[Rick]

RE: Rear Tow Pylon

I would buuy a Skylon. It moves the rope up so people can sit in the back and it actually helps newbies as it pulls them up as well as forward.

[DavidF]

RE: Rear Tow Pylon

laddski:

Yes, your '93 has a spool type tow point at the stern where you would expect to see the lift ring. The stern lift rings are the bow eye looking hoops just below the swim deck on both the port and starboard sides...it is a two point pick setup for the stern.

My theory for this setup is because of the Euro style sloped transom. Since the fuel tank is "L" shaped and pretty much fills the space below deck, CC did not have a clear shot for the threaded rod that usually transfers the load from the conventional lift ring to the hulls structure. Consequently, they had to pick directly from the structure below, hence the lower pick points.

[Blue Ski]

RE: Rear Tow Pylon

The funny part is the '99 lift ring is accented by a rear pylon warning label.

[bkhallpass]

Interesting, when CC introduced the eurotail SN in 90, they actually advertised
the rear towing spool as a feature, enabling you to tow a skiier
with folks in the back seat. Somone above suggested that
the euro design is a possible reason for the change in lifting rings, makes
sense. I think another possible reason is that most people
with a world class ski boat don't want to tow waterskiers from the
back of the boat.

For whatever it's worth, I had a 98 SN and towed tubes frequently
from the rear lifting ring, and towed intermediate, open water
skiers occasionally. I never had a problem with the ring bending
or cracking the gel. I've also towed boats from the ring, albeit at
low speeds. I wouldn't tow advanced skiers from the
ring, and certainly wouldn't tow through a course from the ring.

BKH

[bkhallpass]

Re: RE: Rear Tow Pylon

I would buuy a Skylon. It moves the rope up so people can sit in the back and it actually helps newbies as it pulls them up as well as forward.

I wouldn't tow a waterskier from the high pole. The torque created
can easily flip the boat. Barefooters and kneeboards use them
all the time and it doesn't seem to be an issue.

[jeepn]

Rear Tow Pylon

i would pull a skier on two skis from the pole, the problem with using a tower or pole comes from a slalom skiier carving on the outside and putting sideways force on the boat. i'm pretty sure most newbie skiiers are not going to create that kind of a force on the boat.