Fly High Mast Installation

I bought a used stainless steel Fly High Mast for my 1987 skinautique for my 6"1" 16 year old to wakeboard with. I find the front attachment webbing that goes around the bow to be very ugly. I would love to just attach it to the front lifting ring. I assume there is a reason they did not make this an option in the first place. Does any one know if the little bit of triangulation gained by the bow strap is significant? I have till spring(thats about June in Minnesota) to ponder this modification. I will not do it unless someone can convinvce me it will do no harm.

Fall seems to starts around september 1. I am not a cold water guy.

SNobsessed wrote: OMH - Attaching the mast tension cable to the lifting ring will result in gel coat cracks. The lifting ring is designed for a verticle load only. BTW - My avatar is outdated, as it shows the cable attached to the lift ring. That photo is from when we 1st got our boat. I have since bought the correct strap.

Did it have cracked Gel-Coat? Just wondering.
I've attached my boom cable to my lifting ring now for 12 years. Had some big fellows on it and haven't seen any cracks. Although I will say that it has turned the ring towards the direction if the cable.

No cracks in my gelcoat, was worth the $50 for the strap to avoid those.

Not one ski boat on our lake uses the lift ring... Must be a reason for that... Before I had my tower, I also used the strap through the bow eye.

847-363-WAKE

What happened to Lane Bowers' link?

Thanks for the input, sounds like there is not a concern about icreased side pull on the tow mast with the single point attachment but some concern about the lifting ring attachment with a pull other than straight up. I have not looked underneath could the ring be beefed up for a rear load?

Mike Seipel's Barefoot International Rocks!

SNobbsessed, I Know, I just love the looks of the boat and the bow strap looks like a tacked on cheap fix.

OverMyHead wrote: SNobbsessed, I Know, I just love the looks of the boat and the bow strap looks like a tacked on cheap fix.

I disagree. The strap isn't the tacked on cheap fix. The extended pylon itself is the tacked on cheap fix. The strap is just a part of that cheap fix.
Realize that you're doing youself a favor by not permanently destroying the lines and pure looks of a true classic ski boat. I purposely resisted getting an extended pylon for years just because I personally thought (and still think) that they're ugly as sin. At some point you just can't deny the advantages of having one if you're even remotely serious about advancing your skills. I feel the same way about booms, but there is no way that I could be doing what I do right now without one. Don't even get me started on the teaching and learning aspects that a boom can provide, but the fact is, they're still ugly. I can live with ugly if it's temporary and I can easily remove it without permanent damage. That's just me. If you don't want ugly, don't use it. And I mean that in a most respectful manner. When you do use it, understand the advantages of the ugly cheap fix and what you're preserving by using it.

Can you tell that I'm not a big fan of towers on a classic ski boat!!!!

I agree with Eddie- sort of. I prefer the timeless lines of our classic ski boats, and I dont particularly care for towers. As far as booms and pylons go, though, I think the utilitarian factor is pretty cool. Theres something to be said for rigging up a ski boat to do what it does best- pull.

Thanks Backfoot & Tim & Sorry OMH if I thread jacked your question.

We usually get to the lake just before the rush & we want to get a set in before the tubers & PWC's attack. Hence the emphasis on launch efficiency.

Happy New Year everyone! Hope your resolution includes watersports.

Leave the strap on there hooked up to the lift ring. Without the pylon cable pulling on it there should be enough slack to fit behind (or in between) the crash pads. Once on the water all you gotta do is clip to it.

We sell both the B.I. extended pylon and Bemmans style. The latter only attached to the lifting ring. Been using them for 20 years, and have had no cracks or issues with the lifting ring whatsoever.

However if yours cracks, don't blame me!

Regards,

Ryan

I am pondering this after unfreezing waterpipes in my kitchen thanks to -20degrees last night. Hows that for an optimist!