I am an product design student and am interested to know what features your ideal wakeboard tower would include if money was no object...things like a certain type of speakers, camera mount, type of lights, bimini style, overall look, how many boards the racks could hold, etc. <BR> <BR>What do you think about having an onboard LCD projector and screen to watch videos? Would you use it, or do you prefer to watch videos off the boat or on a monitor? <BR> <BR>Thanks for your opinions and suggestions!

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I think LCD's and video screens in boats in general are lame. I want a tower with above all usability, good visibility and out of the way for moving around. I want something meaty that looks visibly strong and is so. No rattles or flex is a must as well. It should be able to completely fold flat and hold a grip of aftermarket speakers and racks. The only towers that I have found to do all of this is the Proflight Chubby and the above Illusion. As for that bimini, Iplayed with it the other day &amp; while kinda cool, the only thing it does worthwhile is add a spot to hook more speakers. It was far too heavy and cumbersome.

One that when folded would fit into my garage. Didn't realize it wouldn't until after I bought the boat<img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/angry.gif" border=0>

Jill, interesting project. Most people with a tower also want a bimini. Typically they are two separate structures and it gets pretty busy. I would like to see something where the bimini is fully integrated into the tower; almost like a hardtop option.

Okay, here is what i want. A tower that is incorporated into the windshield, and still looks cool. I hereby give someone my permission to take this idea and run with it! How cool would that be? I have seen it in some aluminum sleds, but never on a wakeboard boat. I think it might just be the next progression for towers.

I would love to have a tower that was motorized for lowering and erecting.

Joe, interesting idea - an integrated tower/windshield might look cool. But I wonder if a tower is really stable enough to attach a windshield to it?

integrated tower/windshields popped up a few years back, I think someone that worked with the old Toyotas came our with something

also on the motorized tower idea, Metcraft has a system right now that would be so easy to make powered, but man would it be expensive. <BR> <BR>Take the IllusionX tower with the new easy folding springs and cables, instead of adding springs to the cables, use two of the rams utilized by the power wedge. Now you'd have to pull two pins to unlock it, then hit a button and it would lower.

i like machew's example.

I'd have to vote for this camera mount, <BR>but maybe I'm biased...<img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/biggrin.gif" border=0> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/305789.jpg" alt="Upload"> <BR><a href="http://www.wakevideo.com" target="_blank">www.wakevideo.com</a>

The tower in the windshield design i was thinking of would most likely be a thick tube 2-2.5 inch windshield frame that is anchored into the boat with strong reinforcement. I saw it yesterday on a fishing boat, it looked nice, but it needed a wakeboarder's design influence to make it sweet! <BR> <BR>This would make the tower look so much more like a part of the boat, instead of an afterthought. <BR> <BR>Oh, i would also like to see a Bimini that is similar to a T-Top you see on center consoles, that is easy to put up and take down!

The purpose of a tower (vs a pole) is: <BR> <BR>1) hold racks <BR>2) hold bimini <BR>3) hold speakers <BR> <BR>The tower should: <BR> <BR>1) look good <BR>2) not tangle with the rope <BR>3) not obstruct boat entry <BR> <BR>Options should include: <BR> <BR>1) spinning racks <BR>2) room for 4 racks <BR>3) a large useful bimini <BR> <BR>Integrate the bimini into the tower (somehow) to get rid of all the damn bars.

what kind of tower did machew post? and what is going on in the picture? i havent seen that one yet.

that is the IllusionX tower with the Z5 Sport rack installed, it is in the down position so you can retrieve boards off the top of it

Integrate the tower with the windshield <BR> <BR>Integrate the bimini into the tower <BR> <BR>Integrate the speakers into the tower <BR> <BR>Integrate the racks with the tower <BR> <BR>Seems like all ideas that come from a desire to simplify clutter. Bimini's, racks, speakers and all are mostly made by aftermarket suppliers and stuck on the tower. Sure, they are getting more attractive all the time, but the boat builders will hopefully start designing more of the components together, the IllusionX in machew's post being a step in that direction (IMHO). <BR> <BR>Hey trakkerguy - that's a lot better looking than your other trakker mounts, but what the heck is that the arm is attached to??? <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>(Message edited by nettlesbe on March 10, 2006) <BR> <BR>(Message edited by nettlesbe on March 10, 2006)

what about the height of a tower, is that a standard, is there any reason why they cant be higher. i thought i saw a pic of one in the back of wbm that had a taller tower on top of a normal tower.

can any onefind that pic with the x star with two dirtbikes on the roof

i like this one <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/306235.jpg" alt="Upload">

Jill Holm, Does that mean you're going to do some kind of project? If so, how bout posting what ya come up with???

WOW, many thanks for the terrific input, everyone! I'll let you know how my project goes! <BR> <BR>-Jill

you guys missed a point- 2 front row seats integrated into tower as above. <BR>thats sweet <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/proud.gif" border=0>

yes seats integrated in the tower is the sickest thing ive seen...also if somone could come up with a rope-winder that could be controlled by a button on either end of the rope handle so you could control yourself how far away you want to be from the boat at any point while your getting a pull that would be sweet

can anyone tell me what brand the green box is on the Bu illusion in this thread. <BR>Or where I might find one like that bat wing shape w/flat on the bow side in center that will take 4 6" rounds on the back and may or may not have room to hole saw tweets next to each 6' for a flush mount look. <BR> <BR> <BR>Thanks J

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J it's a Liquid Trends box. <BR><a href="http://www.liquidtrends.net" target="_blank">www.liquidtrends.net</a>

a motorized one would be pretty cool-but its still gotta be sturdy

joe lendahl - Taylor Made Products had a prototype of a tower that used a beefed up windshield frame as the support at the Miami Boat show. Looked pretty impressive but likely will only be availabe at OEM on new boats. <BR> <BR>I always thought a tower that could retract like a convertible top would be awesome but it would certainly be expensive.

Monster, Had the same idea. Something retractable and telescoping. But it would need to be built into the boat design ground up. <BR> <BR>Things like this always make me think what the heck boat designers do.......or do they even have designers. <BR> <BR>On the same note, would it be cool to see concept boats of the same caliber as automotive standards.

On the cool concept boats idea. <BR> <BR>How about a reality tv show, sort of a cross between "pimp my ride" and "great biker build off". Shops like Sound Illusions build concept boats for upcoming shows, while the camera follow them around. Boat show visitors vote on the winners. Everyone gets good publicity, sells more bling and brings more $ to the industry. <BR>Is a little like what Grant does posting pics for all to see now. <BR> <BR>Yeah, maybe I've had too much caffiene....