Custom Tower and Windshield Fabrication

I was hoping maybe I could get pointed in the right direction or get your thoughts on a couple of issues. Please bear with me...this could be a lengthy explanation.

I am planning on adding a tower to my Marauder but I will not add a external tower that bolts to the top of the gunwales. Instead I would like to try and incorporate a custom tower to the roof racks on the boat. The current roof racks and hardware are not strong enough to add a tower to and I want to store all the original equipment to be put back on at a later time. My thought is to have custom roof racks made that are solid and can accept a tower system. I want the tower to be removable so the boat would look stock when I am not using the tower, plus storing it in a garage will be a lot easier if it is removable. I have been playing around with a pinning system idea where either just bars would be removed and the tower would connect to the six mounting locations on the the hardtop or the bars could be drilled to accept a pin locking device or some other derivative of. Does anyone know who could make a custom tower like this...any suggestions on the design concept?

The hardtop will not hold up for long if I don't add some support to it. My idea is to reinforce the underside of the roof racks on the inside of hardtop with some flatbar and continue down the b-pillars to where it meets the top of the gunwales. I would add some plating under the gunwales where the b-pillars meet to help support the hardtop and keep it from separating from the gunwale. The inside of the hardtop and b-pillars have liners so the extra supporting will be hidden under it...that’s the idea anyway.

Ok so this brings me to the next part of it…the windshield. If I do all of the above and everything works out well I will still need to reinforce the windshield frame with something strong, maybe stainless steel. All of the frame work is made of aluminum and the welds are broken or cracked. This will need to be replaced regardless. I would like to have all the frames redone but very hard to find a replacement. Does anyone know of a shop that can make the window frames? I am saying frames...hope this is the right nomenclature...basically the whole window assembly is what I am trying to describe.

Thanks for taking the time to read all this.

Any suggestions or advice will be greatly appreciated.

Dave

Why not sell the boat and buy a Super Air? You will destroy that hardtop in no time, not to mention it's going to look weird.... What's the intention? To Wakeboard? Sure would be a shame to see the only Maurader hardtop in our circle of life with a tuna tower added to it...
Can we talk you out of this???

Moj'

I violate cars for a living so I won't give you a hard time about wanting something custom but from a structural standpoint I don't think it would work without a seriously well thought out support system.The windsheild and top cannot take that kind of force.

Where's Pete?!!!...[/QUOTE]

Don't get Pete involved. I think I have pissed him off enough with my other ideas.

Mojo wrote: Why not sell the boat and buy a Super Air? You will destroy that hardtop in no time, not to mention it's going to look weird.... What's the intention? To Wakeboard? Sure would be a shame to see the only Maurader hardtop in our circle of life with a tuna tower added to it... Can we talk you out of this??? Moj'

Tell the guys on this forum that they can no longer ski behind their boats and see how long the originality factor would last. No way the wife is going to let me have two boats. I am going to have to come up with some solution on being able to use my board. I am trying to be creative and still preserve the originality.

Kinda sucks I got the only correct craft on the planet that I can't ski behind.

Just to be clear the idea was to make the tower removable or snap off for a lack of better words. It would be a quick transition and the boat would look just as it does now with it off.

Waldo,

Harsh brother! I would think if it came out right and looked cool others would appreciate the pics. Sorry I offended.

SN206 wrote: How much do you want for it?

Does it have a ski pole at all.? Maybe you can adapt a high pole of some kind to suit your needs.?

I'm not a "keep it original" guy, but I would not start modifying that boat.

Chopper wrote: Does it have a ski pole at all.? Maybe you can adapt a high pole of some kind to suit your needs.? I'm not a "keep it original" guy, but I would not start modifying that boat.

No pole only the stern lifting ring, which if used will eventually do damage.

SN206 wrote: SN206 wrote: How much do you want for it?

Make an offer. Will need to be a good one.

Dave dont take the posts personal. Everyboody is just letting you know you have a sweet ride.

Waldo

Marauder71 wrote: by the way I live in Canada I made up the Louisiana thing.

Don't underestimate Reids secret Correct Craft tracking system

once you get that tower up, you could ad some spinner rims to the trailer...now that would be cool

M71, where in La. are you located?????????????????/

Let’s forget the tower idea for now. I still need some help on the windshield. Almost all the welds are broken. Any ideas on replacement or repair?

eric lavine wrote: once you get that tower up, you could ad some spinner rims to the trailer...now that would be cool

Eric - love the idea do you have any suggestions on how to jack the trailer up to be able to fit 26" rims on it?