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Old     (wakereviews)      Join Date: Sep 2006       08-05-2010, 5:54 AM Reply   
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.
Old     (eubanks01)      Join Date: Jun 2001       08-05-2010, 6:15 AM Reply   
I think most will say the old FCT on the Nautiques. I had always liked the Skylon Swoop tower on the old Malibu boats.
Old     (alans)      Join Date: Aug 2005       08-05-2010, 6:19 AM Reply   
#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

Last edited by alans; 08-05-2010 at 6:25 AM.
Old     (rektek)      Join Date: Aug 2005       08-05-2010, 6:42 AM Reply   
The current x series towers look great, have no idea on stability however.
Old     (bkey79)      Join Date: May 2010       08-05-2010, 6:55 AM Reply   
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.
Old     (bill_airjunky)      Join Date: Apr 2002       08-05-2010, 7:17 AM Reply   
Funny.... it's a popularity contest. Lets see who can pick the top 3 most problematic towers ever that look the best?!
Old     (alans)      Join Date: Aug 2005       08-05-2010, 7:29 AM Reply   
Bill, thats easy, but no reason to hurt people's feelings.
Old     (bill_airjunky)      Join Date: Apr 2002       08-05-2010, 7:40 AM Reply   
So lets vote who has the best tower based on who's feelings won't get hurt??
Perfect.

Metcraft, all the way.
Old     (wakereviews)      Join Date: Sep 2006       08-05-2010, 8:00 AM Reply   
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?
Old     (alans)      Join Date: Aug 2005       08-05-2010, 8:03 AM Reply   
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
Old     (cwb4me)      Join Date: Apr 2010       08-05-2010, 8:15 AM Reply   
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
Old     (tuneman)      Join Date: Mar 2002       08-05-2010, 8:21 AM Reply   
From a practicality, ease of use, stiffness and cost point of view, the Titan I wins by a landslide.
Old     (wake77)      Join Date: Jan 2009       08-05-2010, 8:23 AM Reply   
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.
Old     (alans)      Join Date: Aug 2005       08-05-2010, 8:25 AM Reply   
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.
Old     (trace)      Join Date: Feb 2002       08-05-2010, 8:27 AM Reply   
Titan I and II get my vote for most elegant use of minimal material.
Old     (crosenhahn)      Join Date: Feb 2008       08-05-2010, 8:29 AM Reply   
I like the X-series towers and the 2005-2009 Supra towers.
Old     (migs)      Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: SF Bay Area       08-05-2010, 8:41 AM Reply   
FCT1 fav of all time
Illusion on Mailbus # 2
Old     (wade_lewark)      Join Date: Jan 2010       08-05-2010, 8:46 AM Reply   
I like the FatAx tower on our Axis. Simple and easy to drop, but effective.
Old     (bill_airjunky)      Join Date: Apr 2002       08-05-2010, 9:03 AM Reply   
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
Old     (alans)      Join Date: Aug 2005       08-05-2010, 9:19 AM Reply   
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.
Old     (polarbill)      Join Date: Jun 2003       08-05-2010, 9:20 AM Reply   
#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.
Old     (clb)      Join Date: Dec 2007       08-05-2010, 12:01 PM Reply   
Home Depot special
Attached Images
 
Old     (cwb4me)      Join Date: Apr 2010       08-05-2010, 12:04 PM Reply   
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.
Old     (mdaijogo)      Join Date: Mar 2010       08-05-2010, 3:37 PM Reply   
The HDS does fold down. You just need a ratchet and sockets. There is no requirements for how fast the tower folds down.

m-
Old     (ralph)      Join Date: Apr 2002       08-05-2010, 3:57 PM Reply   
I really like the tower on the Epic. I don't like the look of the MB TWB tower personally
Old     (polarbill)      Join Date: Jun 2003       08-05-2010, 3:59 PM Reply   
Quote:
Originally Posted by ralph View Post
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.
Old     (david_e_m)      Join Date: Jul 2008       08-05-2010, 5:26 PM Reply   
Cooper,
That tower looks barren to me. It could use a couple of wine barrel speaker pods and a Romex harness.
Old     (westsiderippa)      Join Date: Dec 2006       08-05-2010, 6:26 PM Reply   
1. illusion x on a bu.
2. old fct
3. pro flight chubby, but it really only looks good on a sanger
Old     (westsiderippa)      Join Date: Dec 2006       08-05-2010, 6:28 PM Reply   
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.
Old     (mckenna)      Join Date: Mar 2008       08-05-2010, 9:12 PM Reply   
its clearly the illusion x tower.

since almost every other brand has copied it.
Old     (05mobiuslsv)      Join Date: Apr 2006       08-05-2010, 9:14 PM Reply   
Quote:
Originally Posted by mckenna View Post
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.
Old     (apwrx)      Join Date: Feb 2008       08-05-2010, 9:49 PM Reply   
Quote:
Originally Posted by 05mobiuslsv View Post
+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
Old     (cpeepee)      Join Date: Jul 2009       08-05-2010, 10:45 PM Reply   
heehee!
Attached Images
 
Old     (westsiderippa)      Join Date: Dec 2006       08-05-2010, 11:02 PM Reply   
ask and receive.....
Attached Images
 
Old     (pc_sledge)      Join Date: Jan 2006       08-06-2010, 5:18 AM Reply   
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.
Old     (ryan387)      Join Date: Mar 2004       08-06-2010, 7:10 AM Reply   
illusion x tower looks terrible in my opinion. I was disappointed when I saw some of the new supras have a similar tower
Old     (j2dna)      Join Date: Aug 2010       08-06-2010, 8:17 AM Reply   
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.
Old     (kko13)      Join Date: Jul 2006       08-06-2010, 6:14 PM Reply   
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.
Old     (mckenna)      Join Date: Mar 2008       08-06-2010, 11:40 PM Reply   
1st



copy



next copy



next copy



haha WOW



whos next to copy it?
Old     (stxr_racer)      Join Date: Jun 2006       08-07-2010, 6:16 AM Reply   
Home Depot Special 1st
FCT1 2nd
FCT2 Titan 3rd
Attached Images
   

Last edited by stxr_racer; 08-07-2010 at 6:22 AM.
Old     (loudsubz)      Join Date: Aug 2001       08-07-2010, 8:12 AM Reply   
Old     (otown_dave)      Join Date: Dec 2007       08-09-2010, 6:36 AM Reply   
Fct 2
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