Blade tower? does it fold?

(thane_dogg) · (thane_dogg) **Join Date: Jun 2002** 11-26-2004, 2:49 AM

anyone know? Sure is tech lookin' and sounding, but...if it doesn't fold, isn't it kind of a step back?

(thane_dogg) · (thane_dogg) **Join Date: Jun 2002** 11-26-2004, 12:07 PM

...hate to sound skeptical. I do think it looks sick.

http://www.wakeworld.com/news/2004/malibu16.asp

(wkerat) · (wkerat) **Join Date: Sep 2002** 11-26-2004, 2:04 PM

yes, it folds, have not seen one down yet

(big_ed_x2) · (big_ed_x2) **Join Date: Jul 2004** 11-28-2004, 6:23 PM

it takes two to fold it down.It's alan bolts and pretty difficult to fold.Never seen it done but seen it down.

(wkerat) · (wkerat) **Join Date: Sep 2002** 11-28-2004, 6:37 PM

My dealer has one coming for the ny show so if I can I will get some pictures of it down.

(acurtis_ttu) · (acurtis_ttu) **Join Date: May 2004** 11-29-2004, 6:57 AM

I have a friend that has it on his, he says b/c the tower is reversed, fixed near the rear of the boat. The rope gets caught on the boards, and racks. just one more thing to consider, but it looks awesome. He'll say the same

(big_ed_x2) · (big_ed_x2) **Join Date: Jul 2004** 11-29-2004, 8:32 AM

It's not very tall either so not a big fan.

(22parksm) · (22parksm) **Join Date: Jan 2003** 11-29-2004, 9:08 AM

http://www.wakeboarder.be/Menu/photoshows/surfexpo/index.html

I took some pictures of the one on the surf expo. you cab see them on my site

(thane_dogg) · (thane_dogg) **Join Date: Jun 2002** 12-02-2004, 1:32 PM

that is one sick Malibu you took pics of Koen.

(s4inor) · (s4inor) **Join Date: Mar 2002** 12-02-2004, 11:50 PM

The Blade has more than it's share of problems. Stay away from it for the time being.

(tyler97217) · (tyler97217) **Join Date: Aug 2004** 12-07-2004, 8:10 PM

s4inor - What are problems with the blade?

(wakeside1) · (wakeside1) **Join Date: Nov 2002** 12-07-2004, 11:54 PM

The one I saw at Surf Expo was a prototype. It really looked rough on the edges. It wasn't very rigid side-to-side either. They are probably still working on correcting that with more carbon fiber in the right places.

(typhoon) · (typhoon) **Join Date: Jul 2001** 12-12-2004, 9:16 PM

I also heard that they rattle and to watch out due to gel coat cracks.

upupnaway 12-13-2004, 7:25 AM

I do not understand why they would focus on making the tower light weight, aren't we always looking for more weight?

It does look pretty cool, but I would worry about long term durability. Any tower swept forward or backwards looks like they will invite stress fractures in the long term.

(oldcentury76) · (oldcentury76) **Join Date: Dec 2004** 12-13-2004, 8:51 AM

The rattle is probably from the tower being shaped like a wing! You might get some lift from the tower.

(wkerat) · (wkerat) **Join Date: Sep 2002** 12-13-2004, 1:41 PM

A light weight tower will stress the boat less and reduce chances of gel damage and stress cracks down the road. The blade I saw today was pretty sweet, limited movement, nice looks, and well integrated. I may have to think about one on my next boat.

swass 12-13-2004, 1:46 PM

I don't think the weight of the tower is as important as how the load on the tower is transferred to the hull. I'm no engineer, but I would think four mounting points are better than two.

(typhoon) · (typhoon) **Join Date: Jul 2001** 12-13-2004, 1:56 PM

that is the problem that i heard.

(airrantz) · (airrantz) **Join Date: Jun 2004** 12-13-2004, 3:34 PM

are people having problems with the Illusion X tower and gel coat cracks? Is the mounting of this one different? It looks sharp the reverse swoop design has been growing on me, specifically with Malibu's new gel coat schemes.

(stephan) · (stephan) **Join Date: Nov 2002** 12-13-2004, 4:11 PM

I always thought they looked dumb but after driving & riding all day yesterday behind this boat I found it to be very functional. The rope did go across the board on the racks a couple times but when you have a rider at a sharp angle, it will happen on any tower. I'm short (5'8") so i thought the height was fine, no one else smacked their head. I really liked the forward visibility, flawless. I know it's not the Blade but this one was sturdy as hell & the boat tracked like a pro, much easier to drive than last years!
Don't turn your back on this boat, it's dangerous!

Don't turn your back on this boat, it's dangerous!