Ski Tower (Struggle)

oh man that is painful to look at. Maybe my gel coat problem isn't really that bad after all....

Yikes! You really worked hard--it was worth it the boat looks great.
Tom

Hey Tom,

Actually, I got a pretty good deal from New Dimension because they hadn't had a pattern boat for the '89-'92 Sports. I live in the Atlanta area...ND is up in Maryville, TN so I trailered my boat there to have the tower built and installed. I absolutely love it. In fairness to Wayne and his great crew at New Dimension, I really dont want to advertise the price I paid, as it was a special deal for providing the pattern boat. Having said that, I would pay full price for one of these towers in a heartbeat (and was prepared to do so). The bimini top option is incredible. I believe it's an add'l $800 or so but when you look at the quality and engineering, I'd do that again too. LOTS of headroom underneath (I am 6'2" and stand underneath it).

I've gotten pretty familiar with Maryville, TN. After the first season on the water, I had my local marina in Wedowee, AL do some gel coat work on the bottom of the front hull section. After the next season, when I pulled the boat out of the water, the gel coat work had all bubbled. Naturally, I was horrified. I took it to the marina and they agreed "that aint right" so they re-did it. When I left the boat there, I put my cover on it (the shop was pretty dusty from the gravel road leading up to it). I had adapted the cover to include some metal buckles and rings to go around the tower legs, which still allowed for pulling the rope at the rear to tighten the cover. Well, unbeknownst to me, they trailered the boat to a local auto body shop and back to have the gel coat work done. When I came to pick the boat, I was horrified to see that the legs of the (beautiful) ND tower looked like they had been beaten on with a hammer....the powder coating was gone and there was dents everywhere. "WHAT HAPPENED??!!" They hadnt even noticed it (red flag alert!) Turned out the buckles and rings beat the snot out of the tower legs when they towed it back and forth. Initially they wanted to paint it ("Well make it look like new!") Uh, no. The best I could do was they agreed to pay for new tower legs but "we aren't going to remove and reinstall that tower!" So, off to Marville, TN I went....back to ND where they promptly removed the tower, disassembled it, installed new legs and reinstalled the tower (all in less than an hour---wow, they are good). They treated me great but I could have done without the 6 hour drive.

When I got it back to Wedowee, AL, I took it back to the shop to have the bubbles fixed. They did the job over again and I found bubbles they missed. (sheesh, third time's the charm???) After that, they actually removed the boat off of the trailer (I dont think they ever did that before) and sprayed the new gel coat on. It actually looked pretty good. My concern, however, was the small area that initially needed the repair had grown---and grown---and grown some more each time they fixed it and feathered it in.

Last weekend I pulled the boat out of the water. Yep, bubbled again (!!) This boat is always on an air dock lift. I put it on a lift between ski runs. We wipe the hull down after every trip out. This boat has been babied. It NEVER sits in the water other than when we're actively boating. This isnt a normal case of gel coat blisters from sitting in the water.

Our good friends Vince and Karen at Discount Inboard Marine have pointed me in the direction of a great boat re-builder who specializes in replacing stringers, floors, and gel coat work. It's time I take our poor boat to a professional and have this fixed once and for all. Where is he? MARYVILLE, TN.

*sigh* Maryville, here I come (again).

Do these things happen to just me????

--Dave

P.S. Interesting P.S. to the "we aint gonna remove and replace that tower!" Turn out this marina has purchased quite a few ND towers...just didn't want to fool with mine. Nice....

I researched all the towers for my 1992 Sport and wanted something with a good aerodynamic, but "classic" look. No matter what I found, I always came back to the New Dimensions tower. They don't "look universal" and the real "swoopy" (is that a word?) look just didnt seem to look right. It reminded me of people who put big spoilers on the back of Chevrolet Cavaliers. Yeah, spoilers look cool (sometimes) but sometimes you can try to look cool TOO HARD. Anyway, I went with the New Dimension and couldnt be happier. I get compliments all the time. I spent a few extra bucks and got their built-in bimini top, which fits "on" the tower and can easily be retracted and remains on the tower when folded.

YOU ARE A GENIOUS......or I'm a dumbass. Knocked the roller pins out and came right out with little fight. Thank you sir.

I have an 84SN2001 I am trying to put a pylon on. For the life of me I can not get the finger out of the ski pole. There are no pins in the top holes a couple of inches below the ring. How long in the finger? is there pins anywhere else? I have the boat parked under a tree limb with a hoist pulling on the ring. Dont want to damage anything. Help.......

Besides getting the boards off the floor it doubles for drying laundry.

seacamper wrote: Fl Inboards wrote: I see towers on old Nautiques and for some reason the SS Minnow keeps popping in my head then the Gilligans island song!! Oh no! not Again!!! Cheers!!! I know, I suck because I can not buy a new ski boat every year, sigh. I know, it's all about being with the "in crowd". I will just relegate myself to the loser column. Whatever, I gave my report and I am happy with the end result. I pretty much have rhino skin when it comes to veiled superiority complexes. Guys, They are only fv<king boats. They are not objects of worship and they are tools for family fun. If you become obsessed with them, they own you.

No! NO!!! You got me Wrong!!! I am kinda like Pete with the Tubing thing!
Mine is Monkey Bars on Boats. Shoot I was the first guy at Correct Craft to Ride Ski whatever you want to call it behind the patented tower that we designed I was test monkey!!. Your boat is a Cool looking boat It's me all the way! Just do not see the need for Roll bars on a boat in fact I was on the ground floor of the T-shirt if it was easy they would call it wakeboard! Sorry just cant help myself.
All tounge in Cheek!!!!

storm34 wrote: form&function wrote: If I could change anything on my boat it would be the tower and bimini.A smart man would have used the flight control.Other than that theres not really anything I would change on the boat. form&function wrote: I hope you have better luck than Ryan and others who have had the same thing

Ahhhh, Lake Altus (Oklahoma). I know it well. My first barefoot experience in 85'. Anyhow, nothing is irreversible. My boat is not pristine, was a salt water boat for a time, and it seems to just keep pulling really well. We put 75 hours on it this summer towing every kid in the neighborhood. We towed Cub Scouts, nieces, nephews and people who just came to our place and asked us to teach their kids. If the tower does not work out, I am out $621 (with a military discount) and I will have to fill 8 holes. I guess I do not know any better and this is high tech in my little world. I will probably change out the speakers and run the wires internally but I was in a rush to get it set up and running.
Tom

seacamper wrote: They are only fv<king boats. They are not objects of worship

Must disagree. Not only do I worship my boat, you oughta see my newly refurbished trailer. Just came in from the garage and having a beer with it (her). I've kept her home an extra week, just to spend more time with her.

Ok, just kidding. Heres the pic.

Fl Inboards wrote: I see towers on old Nautiques and for some reason the SS Minnow keeps popping in my head then the Gilligans island song!! Oh no! not Again!!! Cheers!!!

I know, I suck because I can not buy a new ski boat every year, sigh. I know, it's all about being with the "in crowd". I will just relegate myself to the loser column. Whatever, I gave my report and I am happy with the end result. I pretty much have rhino skin when it comes to veiled superiority complexes. Guys, They are only fv<king boats. They are not objects of worship and they are tools for family fun. If you become obsessed with them, they own you.

I mounted mine next to the lawn chair I bolted to the ski platform.

I see towers on old Nautiques and for some reason the SS Minnow keeps popping in my head then the Gilligans island song!! Oh no! not Again!!!
Cheers!!!

Ok, where are the pics?!?!