Ski Pylon Repair

I want to share an idea my son Tyler had over the weekend. When we bought our 86 ski nautique the previous owner had cut the top of the ski pylon off....ruining it. Tyler had the idea to bolt a trailer hitch ball on the top of the pylon. We drilled the top of the pylon with a 21/32 inch drill bit, threaded the hole with a 3/4 inch tap. The trailer ball had a 3/4 threaded shaft. We simply threaded the trailer ball onto the top of the pylon. Worked out great. I have attached a photo.

+1 !!!!

In some ways, I actually like that better than the original. That steel finger on the original is going to lobotomize someone who trips into it some day. Or... it could take an eye out!

catamount wrote: Amazing! Why would the previous owner ever do such a thing?

Lots do so they can use an extended pylon. They use the boat mostly for wakeboarding anyway so they don't know or don't care that there are other alternatives that don't involve removing the tow eye.

boardersdad wrote: In some ways, I actually like that better than the original. That steel finger on the original is going to lobotomize someone who trips into it some day. Or... it could take an eye out!

I'll trade you a chrome trailer ball for that dangerous old ring n finger

8122pbrainard wrote: Paul, What's dangerous about the old ring and fingers?

No more dangerous than a Red Rider BB Gun in the hands of Peter Billingsley.......

I happen to have recently purchased a 85SN that has been "emasculated" by the PO in favor of an extended pylon. I am told this is "cool" by my 14 yr old son, I am old, I like to ski. Since I measure my boats value via the hour meter, not its originality, I would be happy to forward my undamaged ring and finger to some one in need. lemme know. D.

Uncle Donny wrote: I would be happy to forward my undamaged ring and finger to some one in need. lemme know. D.

Wow that's a great offer that I would like to jump on.
PM me the details thanks

There is a thread on removing the ring that's several years old. You can search on it. I just removed the 2 roll pins. Then soaked it with PB Blaster. I then took a 3/4" pipe and twisted until it was free. My son and I then got on either side and did ring around the rosy pulling up on the pipe. In the post someone actually mage a puller.