illusion tower brackets.

(spherren) · (spherren) **Join Date: Aug 2005** 09-18-2007, 12:55 PM

I built these brackets so I can haul my boat with the tower down to prevent bugs and wind drag. Its much better than a board or foam on the dash which has already damaged my dash. I used 1/4 inch thick flat cold roll steel and had them powder coated.
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(wakeworld) · (wakeworld) **Join Date: Jan 1997** 09-18-2007, 1:08 PM

Wow, that seems like a pretty simple way to do it. However, isn't that going to put a lot more stress on that pin and the threads in your tower than it was originally designed for? I'd just hate to have to replace the top part of the tower if those threads get worked.

(curtisco24) · (curtisco24) **Join Date: Dec 2005** 09-18-2007, 1:28 PM

shouldn't be any threads there, just a pin.

(spherren) · (spherren) **Join Date: Aug 2005** 09-18-2007, 1:40 PM

bolt only has treads where nut fits.

(266crownlinebr)

Now watch as the manufacture steels your idea...

Great idea.

(summerobsession)

That is a great idea!
Now I'm just waiting for someone to figure out how to take that same concept and use small electric/hydraulic cylinders and flip a switch to raise/lower the tower!

(rbeckei) · (rbeckei) **Join Date: May 2007** 09-19-2007, 9:20 AM

It has already been done ( hydraulic cylinders) It was posted on another thread. I have contacted the manufacturer and they said that it will be ready in 2008. The bad news is I forgot the manufacturer and I lost the email address. The computer died on me. If someone knows about this please post it again.

(gwnkids) · (gwnkids) **Join Date: Nov 2003** 09-19-2007, 8:03 PM

I also tow with the tower down. My support is a 1x8 cut to fit the shape of the tower for a snug fit. The tower mirror bracket is about 2" from the dash. Upload

(curtisco24) · (curtisco24) **Join Date: Dec 2005** 09-21-2007, 6:16 AM

what is the length of those brackets?

(spherren) · (spherren) **Join Date: Aug 2005** 09-21-2007, 3:07 PM

I will measure them and let you know when I get home.

(hp_inc) · (hp_inc) **Join Date: Jul 2007** 09-22-2007, 7:40 AM

Scotter,
Great idea on the brackets...as I munched my dash a little the first time I set the tower on it...
Bryan,
Has your 1 x 8 ever bounced around and fallen over in tow causing the tower to hit the dash? If not, good idea as well.

(westsiderippa) · (westsiderippa) **Join Date: Dec 2006** 09-22-2007, 7:06 PM

nice work, looks good.
but doesnt the manufacture, metcraft, suggest not to tow with the tower in the down position?
why take any risk?
why not just buy a tower sock? you spent over 50k on a boat whats another 500 bucks.
bryan i like your idea for small storage situations.
all in all you both have creates good solutions to keep the tower off the dash. i think it both would be applied well to storage just not towing.

(spherren) · (spherren) **Join Date: Aug 2005** 09-23-2007, 1:03 PM

Never heard they suggest not towing with it down. Any reason to this??

(spherren) · (spherren) **Join Date: Aug 2005** 09-23-2007, 8:20 PM

top

(helinut) · (helinut) **Join Date: Apr 2007** 09-23-2007, 10:06 PM

My boat was delivered with the tower down just as Bryan has his. Granted it was shrink wrapped to keep it down too.

(greatdane) · (greatdane) **Join Date: Feb 2001** 09-23-2007, 10:44 PM

Excellent idea.

Don't worry, boat companies won't steal your idea quickly because they are cursed with NIH (not invented here) attitudes. They will resist for a year or two.

(summerobsession)

rbeckie:
Did you ever find the website for the hydraulic cylinders?
I may be changing our storage situation next summer and a hydraulic collapsing tower would be sweet