Greatest tower design of all time
 

So, with all the new towers coming out, i was wondering what everyone thought was the greatest tower design of all time?

My opinion is the MB Skylon tower on the TWB and the Titan III tower.

I think most will say the old FCT on the Nautiques. I had always liked the Skylon Swoop tower on the old Malibu boats.

#1 MB TWB/F21 Tower - Folds flat and absolutely zero movement, very tall, and great Bimini inegration
#2 FCT 1 - Folds ok and absolutely zero movement, board racks are not in the best place, kinda short, lousy bimini integration but looks cool
#3 Titan III- Folds great and fairly solid, could be taller.

For those of you (most) who have not seen what the TWB tower does, here is a video. http://mbsports.net/accessory_view.asp?accessory=towers

The current x series towers look great, have no idea on stability however.

1) First choice are the Malibu Illusion towers. They have an "iconic" look.
2) Skylon Swoop towers, look great on almost any boat. Had one on my ol' Bu'. Sturdy, looked great!
3) Monster Towers. Kinda revolutionized the wakeboard tower for any boat at a great price. I've just never cared for the looks.

Funny.... it's a popularity contest. Lets see who can pick the top 3 most problematic towers ever that look the best?!

Bill, thats easy, but no reason to hurt people's feelings.

So lets vote who has the best tower based on who's feelings won't get hurt??
Perfect.

Metcraft, all the way.

How is asking which tower design is the best all time any different than the riders choice awards? Also, of course it's a popularity contest, isn't that what an opinion poll pretty much is?

I would say that the new MB tower is hardly popular compared to any boats in the big three.

But seriously, picking on bad designs is like picking who has the ugliest wife on the "boobs for ballast" thread. Nothing good will come out of it. The owners of those boats know their flaws, or maybe they don't, because of their owners goggles. :)

So what is important in tower design?

Stiffness
Board Rack Location
Bimini integration
Folding capability
Aesthetics
Ability to hang speakers/lights
Wiring paths

alan is using logic .how the tower performs under every day use. others have based their opinions on looks alone. i can see everyone will never agree. which tower would you rather have one that looks good or one that performs good and is reliable? i know your answer both.LOL

From a practicality, ease of use, stiffness and cost point of view, the Titan I wins by a landslide.

I like the X-series. The swivel racks are money, it is as solid as a rock and it is plenty tall enough to walk under without bashing you head. I have never folded it down, so I can't really comment on that. Plus, it think it doesn't look abnormal whether it is on a Star or an X-15.

Titan I is a great tower for the money. My only issue with it is the Bimini Choices and that the front legs rest on the windshield when folded.

Titan I and II get my vote for most elegant use of minimal material.

I like the X-series towers and the 2005-2009 Supra towers.

FCT1 fav of all time
Illusion on Mailbus # 2

I like the FatAx tower on our Axis. Simple and easy to drop, but effective.

I suppose you guys are right about it being a popularity contest. Just seems like something like this should be based on important things like,
- how well the towers perform without breaking.
or
- how long they perform without a huge amount of failures
or
- IF the manufacturer supports the tower

Just seems like people forget about the problems others have had.... "Well, my tower doesn't have that problem".

Yea, right. I've been to a few of your houses, seen your boats, and SEEN the problem on your tower. Just because your in denial that your $70k investment has a faulty component doesn't make it so. People get hurt when these things fail. I've even taken one of YOUR WIVES to the hospital because YOUR tower broke! You know who you are.

I'd just like to keep it safe. If a company makes a crap component for these boats, don't forget it, and don't let them get away with it & keep on doing it to others........ METCRAFT

Your right Bill, it is important for people to know the "Bad Designs" and yes several people have posted towers that have had failures and major issues. I find it amusing that they actually believe that they are the "Best Towers." I assume they know this and have on some serious owner's goggles.

#1-2005-2006 Mastercraft Tower with swivel board racks. This tower was sturday, great looking, tall and had swivel racks.

#2-Titan II or III-Sturdy, good looking, easy to add accessories, cheap. I don't like the lines of the Titan I.

#3-Samson Razor or Switchblade-Both good looking, have swivel racks, can powder coat most of it to match boat, customer service.

#4-The original one piece Byerly Ten Foot Pole. Mostly because it had a silhouette of a naked girl and because it is straight old school gangsta.

Home Depot special

IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE IT WILL FOLD DOWN. it may not be in contention for best of all time. maybe just best at the time.

The HDS does fold down. You just need a ratchet and sockets. There is no requirements for how fast the tower folds down.

m-

I really like the tower on the Epic. I don't like the look of the MB TWB tower personally

I think that is the Samson Razor.

Cooper,
That tower looks barren to me. It could use a couple of wine barrel speaker pods and a Romex harness.

1. illusion x on a bu.
2. old fct
3. pro flight chubby, but it really only looks good on a sanger

i also love the look and strength of a monster tower, for some reason when i see an old 2001 with a monster tower i have to look twice, it looks sharp on most older closed bow ski boats.

its clearly the illusion x tower.

since almost every other brand has copied it.

+1. Some can argue function (cars break as well) but nobody can argue the form of it.

Agreed! It amuses me how some people love to hate on the illusion tower whenever given the chance.No problems here:)

heehee!

ask and receive.....

Stiffest tower thats doesnt cramp headroom = MB
Best factory boardracks = MC
Best bimini = Z5 if it folded up.

Doesn't seem as if anyone one manufacturer can nail all the facets of a good tower at once. I love MB's towers stiffness but their biminis are terrible, look bad and fit and finish is very poor. Love MC's board racks but towers are short and loose.

illusion x tower looks terrible in my opinion. I was disappointed when I saw some of the new supras have a similar tower

Couple features i like about the Alpha Z on our Tige

Swivel racks
Integrated tower lights
Reversible tie off/light (interior/anchor)
Grab handles
Easy bimin topi set up
Super easy tower take down

Can't speak much on the durability as we haven't had it for long, but it is super sturdy.

I also think the alpha z is a great tower. If it were a little taller it would be hands down the best without question.

1st

http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/m...s/8/693909.jpg

copy

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/k...com/image9.jpg

next copy

http://www.wakeorigin.com/wp-content...ft-619x400.jpg

next copy

http://www.wakeworld.com/gallery/alb...ldsedition.jpg

haha WOW

http://www.wakeworld.com/gallery/alb...V-portside.jpg

whos next to copy it?

Home Depot Special 1st :D
FCT1 2nd
FCT2 Titan 3rd

Fct 2;)