Skylon Fat Pole

Does anybody here have experience with adding extenders such at the Skylon Fat Pole to a SN? I'm NOT a fan of the look and hassle of towers (sorry - I"m old - and old school). But I have sons and nephews who wakeboard and I'd like to provide them with the pull that comes from up high. Thinking that a Skylon would be a good way to go that is a happy compromise. They get to use the Skylon to wakeboard, and then when I am with my slalom friends I can keep that thing on the dock or in the garage and enjoy the sleek lines of my boat - unmolested by a tower (sorry - again I know some people love them).

Kevin

We have fly highs set up for any boat we use to ski on a regular basis (at least the ones with 2.5" pylons). Sdbm for the ring and finger boats. We don't wakeboard much if ever, but the upwards pull is beneficial for most things except slalom. Footing, teaching people to ski, trick,etc. I like the ss fly high but HW prefers the Skylon. BI stuff is well built and reasonably well thought out... Plastic sleeve on the ID, etc.

The fat pole is really fat, it's like 3" OD all the way up to the top, which isn't necessary IMO.


I am very picky about my pylons. I do prefer the pylon finish to match the windshield frame.
Older 2 piece Skylon with skinnier top section.


Some Skylon top version that closely resembles the CC pylon, which is nice.


All in all though I haven't seen a brand/model that didn't hold up. They can always be broken back down and repaired as necessary. Find one that you're like the look of. Some have features that are more user friendly than others. The nose straps can be gotten for about $35-$40 with shipping.

That's one thing the BI FlyHigh models have going for them, built in ski pylon protection. In a pinch a sock works to sleeve the ski pylon too.

I have removed the low tow ring on one of mine and sleeved the lower bolt with vinyl tubing to protect sky pylon knob before. Now I just keep a vinyl pipe cap in the glove box and pop that on. Guaranteed not to slip out of place!

No low tow point? Punch out the roll pin, drill a second hole and you can install an off the shelf low tow ring. Most 2 piece skylons have a quick release pin so you have 2 height options.

When it comes to latches, that big rusty steel one they put on the older 2 piece Fly Highs pisses me off.


My friends have a 1 piece BI X-pole and it came with one of these, much better! Seems like the newer 2-piece SS Fly Highs now come with it too.
C.SHERMAN JOHNSON Quick-Release Shroud Lever


The latch on the Skylon works great.


If you have nothing, a cheapo tie-down ratchet [strap] works as well. Like I said, I'm particular about my pylons.

There were some obvious improvements I wanted to make but was busy with ROPES instead.

Yep still got the skylon rack if interested 3" OD

Hollywood wrote: There were some obvious improvements I wanted to make but was busy with ROPES instead.

Oh? you didn't mention that. (list too long??) Anyway, what are you thinking needs attention, so I can tend to it? I know the cables on the fly-hi need snugged a bit, but what else did you notice? (be kind)

Can you tell that from the photo, or did HW report on that when he spoke to you when he was here?

Yeah, I figured that was one of the issues, I noticed a little slop in that recently and need to tighten it up a bit.

Hi, I'm Larry, this is my brother Darryl, and this is my other brother Darryl

quinner wrote: Your connection point at the lift ring needs to be snugged up Larry

Hollywood wrote: there is nothing connected to the lifting ring

Good point. Didn't even occur to me he said lifting ring. I wonder if mis-speak or if it looked to him as if it was at the lifting ring.

Nothing gets my goat around here more than people who don't use proper nautical terminology So shiver me timbers and yank my scupper.

Toertel wrote: Tim, I'm sure you have heard this before but your pole might not be big enough.

Story of my life! Why else would there be so many Kim's?

Sure you're not finding these girls on www.loosekims.com and not www.kimsonly.com ??

Wow. Thanks for all the great information everybody. I'll check out the other brands and make sure I get one with protection for the pylon. Good stuff. I love this site.