rope caught on tower lights

[solaidrider667]

Hey Everyone, Has anyone dealt with their wakeboard rope getting caught or hung up on their tower lights? Last time out as I turned to pick up a rider my rope got caught on 1 of my tower lights----I didn't notice until after he said "hit it" and snap!!! There goes 1 of the lights,thank god it didn't hit anyone in the rear of the boat! Yes I know I should have noticed,,,my bad Are there any tricks to keep the rope from going over the light? Also I need to replace 1 Metcraft Bullet Light I think its a MB440. I will have to go to the dealer for that as Metcraft won't sell one to me.

[jwanck11]

Light set ups are unique. Can you post up a picts of yours??

[dogbert]

Hey Everyone, Has anyone dealt with their wakeboard rope getting caught or hung up on their tower lights? Last time out as I turned to pick up a rider my rope got caught on 1 of my tower lights----I didn't notice until after he said "hit it" and snap!!! There goes 1 of the lights,thank god it didn't hit anyone in the rear of the boat! Yes I know I should have noticed,,,my bad Are there any tricks to keep the rope from going over the light? Also I need to replace 1 Metcraft Bullet Light I think its a MB440. I will have to go to the dealer for that as Metcraft won't sell one to me.

I usually make it someone's responsibility in the boat. They are the rope person. That means they must make sure the rope doesn't get tangled in anything and they pull the rope in when the rider's done.

[solaidrider667]

I will try and put up a clear pict of my light set up(i have taken the other light off).I have two pretty small lights on top of the tower appx 1 foot to either side of where the rope attatches. As far as a rope person, we did good for 30+ hours of boating, but all it takes is once!!?? I will have to be more dilligent with keeping an eye out for that.

I tried to post a picture but I can't because it say's I have allready posted on in "Finally Upgraded Tow Vehicle"?
Try this link http://i528.photobucket.com/albums/d...aidjeff/vb.jpg

[chpthril]

I would try the tower light manf first. Never heard of a light getting caught, but board racks are another thing, caught our first one this Summer. The trick is to have a good rope biatch to watch for it at all times. We also ate our first rope this Summer to, I wasn't in the boat for this one

[jake]

Hey Everyone, Has anyone dealt with their wakeboard rope getting caught or hung up on their tower lights? Last time out as I turned to pick up a rider my rope got caught on 1 of my tower lights----I didn't notice until after he said "hit it" and snap!!! There goes 1 of the lights,thank god it didn't hit anyone in the rear of the boat! Yes I know I should have noticed,,,my bad Are there any tricks to keep the rope from going over the light? Also I need to replace 1 Metcraft Bullet Light I think its a MB440. I will have to go to the dealer for that as Metcraft won't sell one to me.

Hmmm? If it were me....I'd take those lights off, toss them in the garbage. Then I'd go a buy some Hella HID's
http://www.hellamarine.com/?a=3&t=3&...ID=437&pcid=14
This will take a little bit of weld fabricating, and a little bit of tricky wiring.........but now your REALLY got light.
I can buy these for $454.00 each (1/2 price). These puppies are the brightest lights on the market. They put off a really cool blue hue like the new Mercedes. We love to wakeboard in the intercoastal until the very last drop of sunlight is gone. Then boat down the intercoastal to our favorite "on the water" pizzeria (Delosa's, Maderia Beach, FL). There is nothing light REAL light when your out cruising the intercostal water ways at night time. That's my 2 cents.

[jwanck11]

yeah, I can see where that would catch. Like Dogbert said... dole out the responsibilities.

[balair]

I've never gotten the tower lights caught, but one of my buddies ripped off one of the racks when I was out.....I was a little pissed considering he did not say sorry or offer to pay for it.

[solaidrider667]

I wish HID's were in the budget as I know how good they are. I work/volunteer for the Mopar Trophy Truck #12 of Collins Motorsports and I have used HID's on our chase trucks in Baja MX. Going to the Baja 1000 next week. Wish us luck as we start 1st of all 4 wheel racers!!
For now as far as lights go I will see if my local Tige' Dealer can order a replacement from Mtecraft(thry wont sell to me-I am not a dealer)and then I will consider mounting them under the tower.
In the future I will have a designated a rope biaaatch!

[yllw20]

what if 2 fell off your race vehicle from the bumps in the race?

Have a good time there it's one of the things on the to do list is go to baja 1000.

[Domsz06]

how in the world did you snag that light? You must turn really tight. If you can and the traffic/water allows just don't turn so tight and you will never snag that light. Just an idea.

[solaidrider667]

Yeah, I know making a wider turn will just about eliminate this from happening and most of the time water conditions and traffic allow for a slow wide turn,,,,, I was taught many years ago to get back to the boarder/skier as quickly as possible. By turning not so sharp and being more aware of the rope getting snagged I am sure it can and will be avoided in the future.
And to yllw20,, Baja is a place I wanted to go just once for the experience and my first trip was last November for the 40th Baja 1000. We went all the way to Cabo(drove from 'Vegas and back!). I swore I would never go back and now I am on my 3rd racing trip this year. It is fun-exciting-scary-dangerous and we Americans have no rights! But I am hooked for now.

[Domsz06]

Yeah, I know making a wider turn will just about eliminate this from happening and most of the time water conditions and traffic allow for a slow wide turn,,,,, I was taught many years ago to get back to the boarder/skier as quickly as possible. By turning not so sharp and being more aware of the rope getting snagged I am sure it can and will be avoided in the future.
And to yllw20,, Baja is a place I wanted to go just once for the experience and my first trip was last November for the 40th Baja 1000. We went all the way to Cabo(drove from 'Vegas and back!). I swore I would never go back and now I am on my 3rd racing trip this year. It is fun-exciting-scary-dangerous and we Americans have no rights! But I am hooked for now.

ah so your a power turner

[solaidrider667]

Nah, I would'nt say power turner as much as I don't necessarily throttle back. I would say occasionally I power turn(what's up with the frown?)but mostly use same throttle input as when maintaining wake speed.
I will say for the rest of the day that the rope got snagged I/we throttled back and cassually returned to the person in the water.

[Domsz06]

that would be a power turn if you don't throttle back.

The frown is cuz that destroys calm water. Not wanting to start a huge debate so dropping it, but you can search power turns and see what I mean.