1977 Ski Tique - Loose Pylon |
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Cdave ![]() Newbie ![]() Joined: August-23-2021 Location: Orlando, FL Status: Offline Points: 6 |
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Hi, I picked up a 77 ski tique this year and I've noticed the pylon is a little loose. If I hit it with my palm it will vibrate, so it's not too loose. If I tug on it back and forth, side to side with all my mite, it might move maybe 1/8" at the top. I looked under the floor and I can see movement of the pylon itself, but the bottom square floor mounting plate seems solid. The pylon has play within the square 4 bolt plate under the floor. The top square mounting plate is still carpeted so I can't see what's going on there. Before I go ripping up carpet, I was wondering how the pylon top mounting plate is fastened to the pylon. Is it welded, press fit, just slides ver the pylon? (Then what prevents the pylon from being picked straight up?). The glassed in socket on the hull seems fine and there doesn't appear to have any retention cross fastener there.
My two guesses right now are either the pylon or mounting plates have worn down and allowing play, or the floor is spongy and allowing the top plate to teeter a little, but not the bottom plate. Again, the bottom plate appears solid and doesn't move. The movement is the pylon inside the hole in the bottom plate. Here is a photo from under the floor showing the gap between the pylon and hole in the bottom square mounting plate. ![]() |
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1977 Ski Tique w/Chevy 305 option
1990 Ski Nautique w/Chevy 454 option 2017 Sea Fox Commander 226 w/Yamaha 200 |
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8122pbrainard ![]() Grand Poobah ![]() ![]() Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41045 |
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Dave,
The bottom of the pylon fits over a cup that's glassed into the bilge. It's carbon steel and they have a tendency to rust so the pylon may not fit tight anymore. You also may have some rot going on in the cross member between the stringers where the pylon plate bolts. Welcome to CCfan and Tique ownership.
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Cdave ![]() Newbie ![]() Joined: August-23-2021 Location: Orlando, FL Status: Offline Points: 6 |
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Thanks Pete. I thought the pin was part of the pylon and went into the socket on the floor. What you said makes more sense and explains the play. If I can't find any rot in the cross member, do you think I could just leave it alone then? I don't mind the play so long as the pylon is reasonably secure (for an older boat).
Also, what keeps the pylon from pulling straight up and out (removal). Is there a set screw near the bottom of the pylon to secure it to the pin in the hull?
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1977 Ski Tique w/Chevy 305 option
1990 Ski Nautique w/Chevy 454 option 2017 Sea Fox Commander 226 w/Yamaha 200 |
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8122pbrainard ![]() Grand Poobah ![]() ![]() Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41045 |
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Dave,
Leave it alone if you don't find a problem with the cross member. That era of pylons always had some play in them. You may or may not find anything at the bottom Some had a bolt through the pin and some didn't.
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TRBenj ![]() Grand Poobah ![]() ![]() Joined: June-29-2005 Location: NWCT Status: Offline Points: 21197 |
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Someone carpeted over the pylon flange? It would’ve been exposed, originally.
The pin/cup fit doesn’t need to be super tight, IMHO… the support is primarily coming from the floor sandwich. If it’s not wiggling (loose), and you can’t see any obvious flex in the floor, then I wouldn’t worry too much. The pylon itself will flex a little with a skier on it. |
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Cdave ![]() Newbie ![]() Joined: August-23-2021 Location: Orlando, FL Status: Offline Points: 6 |
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Yes, someone carpeted it over so I can’t see the top flange of the sandwich. The floor seems to be solid right there, just some wiggle room between the pylon and the hole in the bottom flange (can’t see the top flange).
I’m not looking for perfection so it’s ok to me if it has a little play. As Pete said, the older design can have a little play and I’m good with that. I’m still learning about this boat and how everything is put together and if there are any red flags about the stiffness of the pylon. |
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1977 Ski Tique w/Chevy 305 option
1990 Ski Nautique w/Chevy 454 option 2017 Sea Fox Commander 226 w/Yamaha 200 |
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samudj01 ![]() Gold Member ![]() ![]() Joined: March-10-2009 Location: NC Status: Offline Points: 982 |
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Pylon has the pin sticking out the bottom. It goes in the cup glassed to the transom. The top plate (yours is carpeted over) is welded to to the pylon. Four bolts go through the floor and the backer plate under the floor.
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78 Ski Tique, 72 Skier w/302's, 93 SN w/351 & 17 GS22 w/zr409
Previous - 99 Sport Nautique w/GT40 and 87 Martinique w/351 |
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KENO ![]() Grand Poobah ![]() Joined: June-06-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 11182 |
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Call me crazy, but the cup mounts to the bottom of the hull in the bilge, like mentioned earlier, not the transom. Not far from the garboard drain whatever that is. I'm starting to talk like Pete ![]() I don't think the top plate was welded to the pylon either (at least on my 76 SN)
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TRBenj ![]() Grand Poobah ![]() ![]() Joined: June-29-2005 Location: NWCT Status: Offline Points: 21197 |
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Top plate was definitely welded 75-79 (later for boats that didn’t get the cradle in ‘80 like the SN).
The pin wasn’t always bolted on these either (as it wasn’t needed to prevent rotation). |
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Cdave ![]() Newbie ![]() Joined: August-23-2021 Location: Orlando, FL Status: Offline Points: 6 |
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I’ll remove the carpet over the top plate and inspect further. I suppose either the welding failed or more likely the sandwich compressed due to moisture. If the wood is sound, maybe I can just tighten the four bolts.
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1977 Ski Tique w/Chevy 305 option
1990 Ski Nautique w/Chevy 454 option 2017 Sea Fox Commander 226 w/Yamaha 200 |
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KENO ![]() Grand Poobah ![]() Joined: June-06-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 11182 |
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Was it a few cheesy easy to break tack welds holding it on? If my 76 was welded, it wasn't very good, but it's long gone now.
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Cdave ![]() Newbie ![]() Joined: August-23-2021 Location: Orlando, FL Status: Offline Points: 6 |
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Well it’s fixed! I removed the pylon to inspect it and found that whomever replaced the carpet last removed the pylon to run the carpet under it. When they removed the pylon, rust from the pin must have dropped into the glassed in cup preventing the welded top flange from seating all the way against the floor. To take up the space between the floor and welded top flange, they put nuts on the bolts under the top flange as spacers. So the wobble was from the pylon top flange sitting on nuts used as spacers, not the top square flange itself!
So I cleaned out all the junk from the glassed in cup and cleaned up the pin. I also replaced the four bolts with the correct ones (they used carriage bolts in the countersunk flange holes lol). Thanks everyone for the help, I took it out skiing this evening and it’s solid as a rock! |
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1977 Ski Tique w/Chevy 305 option
1990 Ski Nautique w/Chevy 454 option 2017 Sea Fox Commander 226 w/Yamaha 200 |
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wayoutthere ![]() Gold Member ![]() Joined: February-28-2020 Location: Headquarters Status: Offline Points: 500 |
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The fix you fixed sounds right out of "big jimbo's air boat tours gator wrasellin and ski boat repair manual" Glad to hear you got it sorted out.
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samudj01 ![]() Gold Member ![]() ![]() Joined: March-10-2009 Location: NC Status: Offline Points: 982 |
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Sorry about that. I was half asleep. Transom?!?!? Ha. Of course the bottom of the boat directly under the pylon.
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78 Ski Tique, 72 Skier w/302's, 93 SN w/351 & 17 GS22 w/zr409
Previous - 99 Sport Nautique w/GT40 and 87 Martinique w/351 |
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KENO ![]() Grand Poobah ![]() Joined: June-06-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 11182 |
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That's OK, i couldn't remember if it's flange is welded
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Jonny Quest ![]() Grand Poobah ![]() ![]() Joined: August-20-2013 Location: Utah--via Texas Status: Offline Points: 3009 |
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For years, my wife has been saying that I have several loose components…with my pylon being the least of them…
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Current
2003 Ski Nautique 206 Limited Previous 2001 Ski Nautique Open Bow 1994 Ski Nautique Open Bow Aqua skiing, ergo sum |
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klinesd1 ![]() Newbie ![]() Joined: October-22-2021 Location: Michigan Status: Offline Points: 3 |
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I have a 1976 Ski Tique with the opposite. I cant seem to get the pylon loose. Does anyone have any suggestions. I've removed the 4 bolts through floor, but pylon wont budge.
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Steve - 1976 Ski Tique HM
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Gary S ![]() Grand Poobah ![]() ![]() Joined: November-30-2006 Location: Illinois Status: Offline Points: 14096 |
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Did you remove the pin/bolt through the bottom of the pylon where the cup/socket is glassed to the hull?
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klinesd1 ![]() Newbie ![]() Joined: October-22-2021 Location: Michigan Status: Offline Points: 3 |
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There is no fastener of any sort through the brass cup. I've been soaking with penetrating oil, but no luck.
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Steve - 1976 Ski Tique HM
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klinesd1 ![]() Newbie ![]() Joined: October-22-2021 Location: Michigan Status: Offline Points: 3 |
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There is no bolt or fastener in the brass cup.
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Steve - 1976 Ski Tique HM
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