Flight control towers

Can you repost the pic?

Do foils realy put that much load on a boat?

   Scratch that, it wasn't a Monster tower. Can't find the one I liked


   bonuts

You need to think in yet another dimension there Tex. Shorter in length and shorter in width does not mean shorter in height. In order to accommodate the smaller specs of the 176 and still clear the windshield, they will need to take material from the horizontal portion of the pipes, not the vertical parts. So, the job will require more than cutting off some material at the ends, or bending an existing base to fit.

If they are bending new pipe for each job they do, then it should be fairly easy. If they are grabbing pipes from the parts bin - much tougher.

Bonuts -
The on-center mounting points for the bow would be in the neighborhood of 58" apart, and the mounting points behind the windshield (aft of the port cupholder but forward of the step) would be about 76" apart, which is the middle of the cap. I did not measure the distance between the points for the same side fore and aft, which of course would be critical as those would dictate the bend for the base pipes on each side.   Having another hole in the cap about 5" from the cupholder does not seem smart for the aft mounting point on the port side. I don't see where else it would go, however.

SN206 has good advice.

I have the 99 Air Tique, essentially the same boat but with the taller tow pylon. I, like you, have been considering adding a tower for space reasons. I've concluded that the FCT-2 type (as pictured on the New Dimensions website for the 97-01 years) would be the best fit aesthetically as the base follows the angle of the windshield. Of course, I highly doubt they make one for the 176 as the boat has a narrower beam, and is 2' shorter in length for the towers they build. They would have to cut and reweld for a shorter length and width leaving some fairly conspicuous welds, unless they start from scratch.

The resale debate. Yes, the 176 is rare and unique, and a tower would be a tough fit for the boat, and you would run the risk of it looking like an elephant on a tricycle. A 2 foot shorter length is a bunch less in displacement so I'd have some concern there. A smaller, suitable tower would, however, go a long way to adding to the utility of the boat, particularly for getting the wakeboards out of the way, and mounting some speakers where you can hear 'em from the sandbar. If the boat was built a few years later, it would have had a tower on it from the factory. So, you have the classic form vs. function issue. If resale is a possibility, I wouldn't do it. If you are going to keep it (like I am), maybe a call to New Dimensions is worth it.

If they say they can do it with no problem, please let me know - you might have an order for two!

Sansom and Wake Designs each make a reverse arch tower. I don't know if they will fit your boat, or look good on your boat, but you may want to check it out.

You may also want to contact Roswell and see what they can do, as they make the OEM tower for Correct Craft.

New Dimensions makes copies of the OEM towers from most of the manufacturers. I don't believe they've made one of these yet, but they may work with you if that's what you want.

BKH

Let me correct myself. It might work, but modifications would need to b made to it which could add alot more to what is (pic above) a very expensive tower. Have you tried contacting New Dimension Towers and asking them what could work or if they could modify something that they produce to your liking? If you're refering to the 176 qnd this is just my opinion...That is a very unique and somewhat sought after boat w/0 tower. Have you seen one with a tower? How would it affect the the wake / ride being a shorter boat? Would you be better off selling a rarer boat at a good price and buying another? Lastley, if you did do it, would it depreciate the value of the boat?

The tower that you provided the picture of, will not work on your boat.

What boat are you going to put it on?

Thanks for the reply. I have looked at there Flight Control style tower, there is something about that style one I don't really like. I think the one I like is called the FCT-3.

There are no forward bars, that could obstruct your view, and I really like the way it looks.

Like this one, if this picture works. Maybe some other manufacturer makes one like it.

http://www.nwski.com/admin/photos/boats/PRO_3466.JPG


   bonuts

Does anybody know where, if at all possible you can buy flight control towers? One of the new Nautique towers is the one I want, and it should look good on my boat. I just cannot find any website with them for sale.


   bonuts