How the heck do i use these boardracks on my 2001 Tige 20ci?

[TRD]

Lee or Nickypoo,
I am in the processes of reading all the posts from 2001 Tige Metcraft Tower SNAPS... that I found. I am only on pg 3. I am getting the feeling that I should replace this tower. I don't have the money right now and I will inspect this thing now that I know where the "H" bar is on the wkend. What are your suggestions, what do I do about the mounting holes that are in the boat already. That new tower if this is my option may have new bolt holes. Can this tower properly and safely be fixed. I work w/ some people that are very good welders and he messes w/ boats alot. I work on a race team, so someone around here can weld tubing.

[jklaus]

I have a 2000 21i with a similar tower except for those hook type adapters on top.

What part is the "H" and where should I inspect to reweld if needed.

Anything else with these towers other than the weld issue?

Cheers, Jeff

[mtnsmith]

I believe the "H" is the very top where the two arches are welded together and where the tow point is. When looking up at it, kinda looks like a sideways "H".

[TRD]

If I understand correctly it is the very top piece from where the rope hooks up out to the screws. I found a good discussion about this last night that explained it. I went out this morning and looked at mine. I only check the back 2 areas, but a had a screw lose on the left side and the right side was completely off. The screws weren't even in the holes. The lap joints were not even touching. I think the weld area's are to the front of the screws (I think) under the padded areas. It freaked me out. I will figout out how to post some pics. If you have email I will send what I found.
For anyone who has pictures of where there broke please email me at rjreyob@yahoo.com.
Thanks
Dale

[NICKYPOO]

TRD- Oh man, I'm glad you caught those. Whatever you do, don't pull tubes from that thing. If the tube should go under, the strain could easily snap it. You need to be pulling from the lifting rings on the back of the boat. I know it doesn't work out nearly as well as towing from the tower, but it's better than pulling an "H" section out of somebody's head. While you've got that tower, just make sure ALL the bolts are tight every time you go out. Your just gonna have be gentle on it untill you get it replaced. How many hours does the boat have? If you work on a race team, someone can bandaid that thing back together if need be, but the fact will remain, the tower needs to be replaced. Ya gotta remember, in 01, the whole "tower" thing was a pretty new concept and had only been in practice for a few years. Unfortunately, that particular tower was not the best of designs.

So far as replacing it, your gonna wanna ( ) start looking so that by the time your ready, you know what you want. In your position, I think I would recomend starting with Monster Towers. Probably the best value out there right now. Strong, well built, very reasonably priced and from what I understand, excellent customer service. For under 2k, you could be set for life. Titan also makes a very strong tower. The Series One (?)has become pretty reasonably priced and easy to use. If you're a race car guy, I'm sure you will appreciate the use of Hieme joints on it. I'm not sure, but you might be able to use the existing mounting holes, at least the fronts for sure. If not, the holes can be filled quite easily by a local glass/gel coat guy. Coming from someone who replaced one of those Metcafts, it makes all the difference in the world to owning and opperating an older Tige. It was like getting a new boat for me. No more shaking and rattling and squeakin' and creakin'. No more looks from your crew that say, "Is that thing alright, looks a little sketchy." It will really free you up to worry about other crap, "I need new speakers, I gotta plumb in that ballast system, hmmm, I wonder what a new prop would do?"

B.reak
O.ut
A.nother
T.housand

[TRD]

Anyone who may want to research this some more here is an old topic on this. I final found it.
http://www.tigeowners.com/forum/show...ght=tower+snap

Thanks Nickypoo,
I would like to ask, I do work for a race team. Some of the best Fab people around. Is there anyway this tower can be re-enforced? Can it be sleeved and welded? Or is there more to the problems then just this area. I still haven't finish reading all the posts from the site above, but I seen 1 pic of where the "H" bar broke. I will check out some of these other towers in the mean time until I hear from you.
Thanks again.
Dale

[Tequilasun]

Why not Fab your own?

I think the cost/benefit ratio of fixing the metacraft is why people change over.

The Metacraft also has a narrow stance, so it it would be a stable as other designs.

I'm sure you could fix it up though.


and Nicky:

Did I just read you going on about the virtues of the Monster tower?

[TRD]

Tequilasun, so if I understand you are saying it isn't worth fixing. Is this correct. I was hoping maybe I could re-enforce and reweld and get another year or two out of it. I just bought the boat a couple of months ago and don't have the money to get another tower at this time. Would it be better to take off the boat totally?

Dale

[NICKYPOO]

Originally posted by Tequilasun
and Nicky:

Did I just read you going on about the virtues of the Monster tower?

Shhhh, don't tell Dog. I didn't feel it neccesary to list the only draw back to it as it is a personal preference.

[Tequilasun]

Originally posted by TRD
Tequilasun, so if I understand you are saying it isn't worth fixing. Is this correct. I was hoping maybe I could re-enforce and reweld and get another year or two out of it. I just bought the boat a couple of months ago and don't have the money to get another tower at this time. Would it be better to take off the boat totally?

Dale

I think most people who have changed them out don't have the ability or tools to fix them. Welding aluminum is not something everyone can do.

I have seen them rewelded, and honestly as long as you are checking it regularly, I think you wouldn't have a problem. However, newer tower designs are much better/stonger so eventually you will probably want to upgrade to on that you don't have to put so much thought/effort into.

[Tequilasun]

Originally posted by NICKYPOO
Shhhh, don't tell Dog. I didn't feel it neccesary to list the only draw back to it as it is a personal preference.

Hey, I bring up that Drawback too!

Wakeside has a tower for about the same price too.

I think that price range is going to see a lot of new towers because of the success of Monster.

I'll bet even Monster has a new tower in the works.

[NICKYPOO]

Originally posted by TRD
Tequilasun, so if I understand you are saying it isn't worth fixing. Is this correct. I was hoping maybe I could re-enforce and reweld and get another year or two out of it. I just bought the boat a couple of months ago and don't have the money to get another tower at this time. Would it be better to take off the boat totally?

Dale

I don't know 'bout Tequila, but that is my thought on that tower. I have no doubt it can be re-enforced, but a fix will always be a fix. That tower design has sucked from the start. You actually have the re-enforced version of that tower. The real weak point (IMO) are the feet. With that single bolt holding the foot and the leg together with just a lap joint, it wouldn't hold steady in a soft breeze. A Hieme joint on the end would go a long way in taking out a bunch of the woble effect. Beyond that, it's all 1 1/2" tubing. Look at all the new towers. They are at least 2" and a lot of them are up around 2 3/8"- 2 1/2". I've seen some 3" before. Bigger is better. What would you rather run a demo derby in, a VW or a Caddy?

If you stay vigilant on maintaining that tower and don't stress it out, you'll probably be O.K. Stick the "fab guys" on it. I'm sure they will come up with something.

[TRD]

Thanks guys for now. I am going to look at it more tonight or tomorrow. I was thinking I could sleeve the entire joint and weld in place. I just put up a 12' high carport to keep it dry so I don't plan on taking the tower down. I got a super price on the boat, about 3k or more under its value. I just don't want to swing a new one just yet. I will next year if I half to, looking at the old posts the Monster Tower seems to be the choice. Is this still so or are there more options now? Can you throw out some names. I know absolutely NOTHING about towers, 1st one. I have been wanting a ski boat for 8 years now. So I get one and this year has been one thing after another. The 1st time we went out and had some weight (2 ladies) in the bow, I thought I sunk the boat. I had to goose it to get the nose out of the water. The ladies were soaked. It was funny after it was over, I don't think they were happy but I laugh after they got off.
Thanks
Dale

[Tequilasun]

Ha ha, The dreaded nose plunge!

Inboards are a whole new world of boat skill.

Wait until you absolutly have to back it up straight or around a corner, and find out it only goes one direction in reverse!

You have to be vigiliant on those rollers, apply a little throttle up and you will chop right over them will no water in the boat.


Rest assured that after driving your new boat for a year you will learn more about how to be a good boat driver then you would in 5 with an i/o.

If you need any tips we can help!

We answer the reverse thing about twice a month! I'd rather answer the question a bunch then have a fellow Tige guy frustrated with his craft.

[NICKYPOO]

The old Droop Snoot strikes again. Yeah, it definately takes some finess to keep that thing above the waves. Even after having mine for 5 years now, I still take one over the Snoot every once in awhile.