FCT3 tower upgrade on a 2002 SAN

[simplysanj]

I used the free one from emachineshop.com, I would be happy to give you my design when it's more accurate. The one above is an approximation that I sketched up to get a quick estimation. The software gives you a pricing within seconds.

PM me if you'd like to discuss how we can collaborate. My final design will be a pretty wild combo of NSS going outward horizontally and then Supra style wave shaper tab going vertically under the boat with a total of 4 actuators.

[simplysanj]

Underside

I didn't want to wait for machined plates and didn't have access to a 24 inch scanner for the irregular outlines so I used hardware store parts to finish the reinforcements. 2" Aluminum bar, galvanized steel angle brackets, sheet rubber, PL Premium and a Shawinigan Handshake finished the job.

[Spencermo]

Interested in this. Where did you put the reinforcements at? More pictures would be great! If all is well with this i would be more than willing to buy a set.

Thanks

[simplysanj]

The reinforcement was glued with construction adhesive to the fiberglas underside of the gunwale. There's a layer of rubber gasket for stress relief and then metal plates and washers before the lock nut. It's very irregular under there so the thick adhesive fills in the gaps to disperse the load across the 22 inch surface. The plastic backing plate material was bought from an ebay vendor, search on ebay for "Wakeboard Boat Tower Backing Plates".

I will take pictures of the underside this weekend.

[simplysanj]

What I am working on next is a combo NSS with only horizonal displacement of 2.5" along with a Supra swell surf system type trim tab with 4.5" actuators. Total of 4 actuators needed.

[foo]

I know what tower I will put on my 01 SAN one day . I love the look and its like upgrading a classic to the modern times. Well Done

[beach]

What I am working on next is a combo NSS with only horizonal displacement of 2.5" along with a Supra swell surf system type trim tab with 4.5" actuators. Total of 4 actuators needed.

I would be worried about putting that much force into the transom. Most trim tabs I've seen are bolted on to the boat for the entire length of the tab to spread out the force. It looks like you're changing up the hinge on the trim tab in order to be able to fit in the NSS style plate also.

[simplysanj]

I would be worried about putting that much force into the transom. Most trim tabs I've seen are bolted on to the boat for the entire length of the tab to spread out the force. It looks like you're changing up the hinge on the trim tab in order to be able to fit in the NSS style plate also.

I've calculated the water pressure at 10 mph at about 2 psi and 40 mph at 10.4 psi so:

NSS load 30sq inches - 60lbs @ 10mph, 300lbs @ 40mph
Tab load 120 sq inches - 240lbs @ 10mph, 1200 lbs @ 40mph

The 1200 lb load is shared between the tab hinge and the actuator bracket. With about 12 screws and bolts on the hinge and 4 large metal back bolts on the swim tab bracket, this shouldn't be an issue. The Lenco actuator bracket is made of plastic and will probably fracture first.

I will verify my calculations in the water with some simple load tests. Thanks for making me think it out!!

[simplysanj]

I've calculated the water pressure at 10 mph at about 2 psi and 40 mph at 10.4 psi so:

NSS load 30sq inches - 60lbs @ 10mph, 300lbs @ 40mph
Tab load 120 sq inches - 240lbs @ 10mph, 1200 lbs @ 40mph

The 1200 lb load is shared between the tab hinge and the actuator bracket. With about 12 screws and bolts on the hinge and 4 large metal back bolts on the swim tab bracket, this shouldn't be an issue. The Lenco actuator bracket is made of plastic and will probably fracture first.

I will verify my calculations in the water with some simple load tests. Thanks for making me think it out!!

Needless to say, I will never run the tabs at 40Mph and will put in an auto retract speed controller once the basic contraption is working.

[gdhall]

just curious what your actual career is. This is some pretty awesome stuff.

[simplysanj]

just curious what your actual career is. This is some pretty awesome stuff.

I own a small enterprise software company, have some computer and electronics hardware background and spent my youth customising motorcycles so these skills coming in handy. Very inspired by andtewc, hotrod508 and 1955 classic who have built some wicked factory looking nss customs. Not to mention all the other members here who used plywood, cutting boards and hand cut aluminum to learn and experiment. The tige , Malibu, mb and other forums also have some wild homebrew mods and contraptions.

Very stoked to be part of this community.

[simplysanj]

Updates

Some updates on my project:

- Picture of the backing plates under the gunwale



- Transom template for actuators/tabs



- New brass intake for pumps

[simplysanj]

Double actuator

Here are some diagrams for a double actuator fitting using Lenco 101 series (2.25" throw, 3.75" extension) for NSS horizontal blades and Lenco 102XD for Supra style vertical wave shaper tabs (4.25" throw, 7" extension)


and a GPS arduino board for speed cutoff from Tindie, some software dev and relay wiring needed.
https://www.tindie.com/products/miker/gps-board-rev11/

[ziepfenj]

Interested to see how this horizontal/vertical system goes. I'm in the process of completely refinishing an 07 SANTE 220 and want to add a surf system now since I'm down to a bare hull. I'd really like one with adaptability such as this. I can build the mechanicals, but not the electronics. Any advice on this part?

[simplysanj]

Interested to see how this horizontal/vertical system goes. I'm in the process of completely refinishing an 07 SANTE 220 and want to add a surf system now since I'm down to a bare hull. I'd really like one with adaptability such as this. I can build the mechanicals, but not the electronics. Any advice on this part?

Pm me with your contact and we can discuss in detail. I am stronger on the electronics and software than the mechanical bits. So far I have figured it out but I am making a mockup in thin sheet metal to figure out the complex angles.

I spent some time on a 2014 220 with nss this weekend so I understand the fluid dynamics better.