Ski Pylon support

I have a 79 cc which has the plate for a ski pylon but never had one installed. I recently rebuilt the floor with the same dimensions as the wood that was previously there. I'm still a little nervous about installing a ski pole there. What support(s) should I have in place around the hole that goes through the floor to the base plate to make sure nothing breaks?

I'll take pictures when I can. I think the wood is maybe 3/4" thick. The wood that was there originally was only 1/2" and there is no pin hole in the base plate. I'll take pictures when I can. I just want to make sure I don't have a base plate rip out of the bottom.

Been working a lot lately and commuting to Denver, the base plate is glassed into the hull, its a threaded socket, and there has never been a pylon there before. I'll try to get the pictures on here tomorrow.

Yak,
I'm sure you have looked forward under the floor to check for a 2x? If all you have is the 3/4 ply at the point where the pylon goes though the floor are you sure you replaced the floor and stringers exactly like the factory

What model is the boat??

BuffaloBFN wrote: Pete, my 79 SN didn't have a 2x. You may remember the sandwich plates I posted some time back; that was why!

Some of the 60's didn't have the 2x and they didn't even have the plates!!!

My 77 does have the 2x?????

Yak,
Unlike the American Skier which was the 17' "ski" version, the Mustang 17 didn't come with a pylon as standard equipment. I suspect that the keel sockets were put in all the hulls when molded and then they trimmed out the boat to ether model. I don't know why they would not have installed the 2x at the stringering stage though. Check your pictures.

I do suggest you get something under the floor between the stringers. Whether a wood 2x piece or a aluminum frame lagged into the stringers. However, it's going to be tough with the floor in place. How did you put the floor in? Screwed only or resined in? What resin did you use for the stringer/floor job?

Yak3 wrote: Those stringers are resined in.

I asked about the ply floor to see how difficult it would be to pull it up so you could get a 2x under it.

Yak3 wrote: I couldn't find any pictures that you can really tell how thick the wood is

Stick your hand under the floor and feel for extra reinforcement.

Yak3 wrote: I've got a friend who is a welder, might be able to buy him a few cases in exchange for a support system underneath.

Not a bad option.

Yak3 wrote: The fiberglass on that piece of would is covered in 2 layers of biaxial, 2 mat, and 1 layer of the thinner glass on each side. Would that be enough?

Even though many of the 60's pylons were installed with just a 3/4" ply floor without reinforcement, these pylons were pinned into the keel with a clevis. This counteracted the pulling force on the pylon. Your pylon with just a slip fit socket at the keel the pulling force on it is counteracted with the pylon plate bolted to the floor. So, no I don't feel the glass covered ply will do it. Something has to go under the floor to reinforce it.

does anyone have any schematics/detailed pictures of something I can have my friend put together underneath the flooring to support the ski pylon? I was thinking I could use lag screws into the stringers much like the motormount screws.

Yak,
Thinking about this frame/support, without removing the floor it will be hard to get it between the stringers due to it's diagonal measurement. You would end up having to make it shorter than the width between the stringers and then shim the gap closed when lagging. You may be better off making it in 3 pieces keep the ends separate, lagging them in and then bolting the center frame on.

8122pbrainard wrote: Yak, Sorry but I don't know anyone in the car wash business. Same last name or what?

Well, Charlie (Brady) mentioned that you may be referring to someone in Three Lakes who is from Waukesha but has a second home up north! And then, my social director (wife) has informed me that I should know this gentleman. Kids active in our ski club? Does he fly a high performance single engine plane?

Yak3 wrote: That sounds like him Pete. I don't know about the kids, but you are right about the airplane.

I just got word back from my other social director (my daughter). Is it Dave Ausloos? I understand his kids are too old to be in the ski club but Dave donates time and money and takes the club kids up for rides in his plane. My daughter states he is the most generous person she knows - I wonder what happened to me?? I guess they forget who pays for their college!!

Ijust brought home an '86 Martinique to restore. The original carpet covers a three to four inch round hole in the floor.
After I lifted the motor cover,I peered down to the keel. I saw what appears to be a glassed in, two to two an a half inch in diameter and three inch tall pedestal with a quarter to a half inch hole in the middle. I,too, am seeking a pylon to go in my boat. Let me know if any of you have any ideas.I am seeking original equipment only.