how to lower tower on Flight Control Tower (2005)

[jvjordan23]

hi, this might be a dumb question: how do you lower the tower on a 2005. I believe its a flight control tower 2nd generation? I can't figure out how to lower the tower. there are two black knobs which I turn both but nothing happens. it just spins. I am not sure if its stripped or If I need to do something else.. looking or advice. thanks in advance!

[core-rider]

Sounds like the knobs might be spinning on the knurled shaft of the bolt that threads into the tower. If that's the case you'll have to remove the knobs and maybe use Vicegrips to spin the bolts to remove them. They will have to be replaced but they can be bought at NautiqueParts.com. Use some anti-seize on them not only to keep this from happening again, but also so the thread are lubricated a bit and thread better.

https://www.nautiqueparts.com/produc...-226-2004-ssp/


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[MN Ryan]

Yeah, they should just unscrew so that you can tilt the tower. Hopefully, you can do like core-rider suggests and get them out with vice grips, though I'd wait on that till you have the replacements.

[ScooterMcgavin]

I had this Happen on my 06 and was able to use vise grips to get the stud out. But then I just retapped it with correct size and used anti-seize on them and never had an issue after that. Good luck

[MN Ryan]

Hey, it's better than the obscure, non-captive knobs that MC used in that era that are no longer available. I was helping my BIL lower the tower on his X10 and dropped one in the drink. I literally had to have a machinist make replacements. Luckily, we still had one that he could copy.

[ally505]

If it's anything like my 08 with a load of speakers on it, that tower weighs a tonne, and is a total ball ache to raise and lower. Certainly a 2 man job and wise to have a few ropes just in case. Truly awful design from an ergonomic raise/lower perspective. Looks nice though!

[MN Ryan]

Mine weighs a ton, too. 2 people definitely make it easier, but I've done it with one:

1) Grab a long enough tow strap
2) Put one loop of the tow strap over the ski pylon
3) Loop the strap over the tower
4) Get a good hold of the free end of the strap (I loop it around my waist)
5) Push the tower forward, holding onto the strap for dear life
6) Lower it down gently

Like you said, though, two people make it immensely easier.

[jvjordan23]

Thank you!!! Trying to do this tomorrow with all of your guidance

[biacs]

I've also found I can take it up by myself- the trailer winch strap can be unwound past the tipping point. Then you can heave the tower that far back and can be held by strap.

Then u can winch down till seated, and tug into the mounts to tighten. Can also reverse the process to get it ready to fold forward.

But usually my teenage boys are at hand if we're heading out ;-)

[jvjordan23]

Okay- definitely need some help here! Got one side to break loose! The other side was a disaster. See photos. The screw broke. It’s not free either. Any suggestions? The pictures show the messed up side with the screw broken off and the other side that’s free…

[core-rider]

Is the last pic also the side that is broken? If so maybe you can get a Dremel in there with a cut-off wheel to cut the bolt so the tower will at least be free. Then you can drill out the remaining bolt in the tower and insert a helicoil.

If not then I'm afraid you're only option may be to drill out the bolt through the lower part of the tower until it can be folded over to then drill out the bolt and helicoil. That will suck because of the angle and that SS bolt will not be fun to drill! I don't believe you'll have enough meat to get a vice grip on there.

Maybe you can get lucky by just drilling the bolt enough to use an ease out tool… would be a better option to try before drilling the entire bolt out. Either way you have you work cut out for you!

Is this bolt in a salt water environment? Based on the look of the tower and welds it's got some corrosion that looks like it. Probably why the bolt has seized.


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[MN Ryan]

Yikes! I just pulled mine from winter hibernation this weekend and will be slathering some lube on those bolts ASAP.

[core-rider]

Anti-seize is always a great idea when dissimilar metals come into contact, but SS likes to gaul and cause issues so anti-seize helps that too.


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[ScooterMcgavin]

If that last photo is the broken side, Put a piece of wood in the gap to hold open and then use a reciprocating sawzall with metal blade or a Grinder with 4” cut off wheel to cut the old bolt in half, fold tower, Then remove old bolt halves with vise-grips then lube and replace bolt

[jvjordan23]

The 2nd, 3rd and 4th photo is of the messed up side. The first and last are the other side that we were able to do correctly. Yeah, we bought this boat from someone who had it in the bay. A complete rust bucket!!!