How to cushion tower when it's collapsed

(blacter) · (blacter) **Join Date: Jun 2003** 06-11-2003, 9:49 PM

I'd like to add some foam or other cushioning to my tower at the points where it rests on the boat when it's collapsed. Do any of you know of a product that will do that job? Thanks.

(lchamaschuk) · (lchamaschuk) **Join Date: Feb 2002** 06-11-2003, 10:05 PM

I use a set of 1 lb hand weights that have a velcro close, and just strap them on the tower and line them up. I was going to make something out of foam, then came across these at home. It works great

(bigjackamo) · (bigjackamo) **Join Date: Aug 2002** 06-12-2003, 6:19 AM

I don't know what kind of boat you have but I cut two pieces of the foam pipe insulation that you can buy at Home Depot or Lowes and cut them again length ways then put them on the grab rail of my bow. The tower then rests on that. For added stability when trailering I bungee the tower to the grab rail. Works great, but may not work for all boats.

trigx5 06-12-2003, 6:23 AM

foam pipe insullation will work or you can get 12x12 interlocking foam tiles at home depot that you can cut with a razor knife. They are in the rubbermaid section. They come like 2 in a pack for 10 bucks.

(matt_h) · (matt_h) **Join Date: Jun 2002** 06-12-2003, 6:37 AM

Phil do you always trailer with the tower down? Have you had any problems doing this?

hockeyruss 06-12-2003, 6:56 AM

I have a titan tower, and I put 2 throwable boat cushions down on the rear deck of my VLX so that the rear hoop of the tower does not touch anything. For the Front hoop of the tower, I use a 4'6" 2x4 which goes from the connection point to the floor of my boat, which keeps the tower about 1" off the windshield.

(elmog) · (elmog) **Join Date: Nov 2002** 06-12-2003, 7:58 AM

I use my kids life jackets but after reading this I will have to go to HomeDepot and do something less ghetto.

sickboy 06-12-2003, 8:07 AM

If you have a Sports Rack, or other shop near you that sells roof racks for cars/trucks, you can pick up the pads that people use for kyacks(sp?) on roof racks. Almost looks like the old pads that kids would have on BMX bikes in the 70's. They have velcro, and fit on pretty good.

mb

(salmon_tacos) · (salmon_tacos) **Join Date: Jan 2003** 06-12-2003, 8:45 AM

I have a black tower and I put some black peel-and-stick "Sano pad" on the contact points. It works great and is much less conspicuous than wrapping the whole pipe with foam.

Depending on the color of your tower, you could try some of that GatorGrip stuff or get some padding from this place:

http://www.hydroturf.com/pwc_matcolors.php

I think it's similar to the stuff I used but it comes in lots of colors.

If you have a black tower, you could try Sano Sports:

http://www.sanosports.com/

I just got some scraps from their place here in Austin but that was before they had a website and stuff.

(salmon_tacos) · (salmon_tacos) **Join Date: Jan 2003** 06-12-2003, 8:50 AM

Oh, yeah...and I got some velcro straps at West Marine (I'm sure you can get them at lots of places) to cinch the tubes down tight. The rubber pads and the velcro straps make it really solid when collapsed. That straps were like $2 each.

(bigdad) · (bigdad) **Join Date: Apr 2002** 06-12-2003, 9:48 AM

I guess I am ghetto. I put my boat cover on and then take a 4X4 piece of wood (actually 2 2x4's nailed together) across the bow of the boat and rest the tower on that. I didn't like where the tower came to a rest on the bow and thought it was putting to much pressure on the fiberglass. My tower actually rest more on the downcurve of the fiberglass. I used the 4X4 to distribute the weight more evenly over the flat part on top of the bow.

jp_mac 06-12-2003, 10:30 AM

We bought two "leg" pillows at the as seen on tv store. They're about 12" square foam with a zippered cover and hour glass shape. The tower fits nicely in them.

(wakemonster) · (wakemonster) **Join Date: Aug 2002** 06-13-2003, 8:22 AM

my Phatte Buddy tower actually hits the top edge of my upolstery on one side only, so when I have to fold it down, I just roll up a nice thick towel and rest the tower on that. I only have to do this for storage in the car port thing I setup. I tow with the tower up

(mcfatty) · (mcfatty) **Join Date: Apr 2003** 06-13-2003, 9:01 AM

I had an old transom saver for an outboard motor I use to prop my tower up and have a piece of plywood on the floor so it dosen't tear the carpet.

millertyme 06-13-2003, 4:13 PM

orange life vests that you have in your boat

(monstertower) · (monstertower) **Join Date: Mar 2003** 06-15-2003, 8:24 PM

I find this a great place to hand our vests to dry. I have a higher end vest that I dont do this with but all the kids vest or "vistors" vest get used for anywhere padding is needed.

Bill

(stevem) · (stevem) **Join Date: May 2002** 06-16-2003, 1:29 PM

If you have a Titan tower, Smooth Water Sports make some really nice pads that I am using. They are black and about 12" long with a white "Malibu" logo imprinted.

I think the price was $29.00 including shipping for the pair.

See http://www.smoothwatersports.com/equipstore/equipstore.cfm?ShowAll=Yes&cat=7