Wakeboard tower

[mainshiptom]

My boy is in to wakeboarding so last Monday We got the rib out and had a good run !

But the rope is connected to the engine and that in turn is pulling him down, Where can I get a tower/Pole or get one made? To fit the rib?

tom

 

[Nick_H]

How old/big is he? If he's a fair size then that sounds quite a challenge. The leverage on a tall wakeboard pole or tower as a wakeboarder cuts in is very high (it will significantly alter the course of a 2 tonne boat), and high loads are applied through an arc of about 45 degrees either side of the centreline of your boat, so it also needs strength from sideways loads. Ski boat towers are attached to the boat at a higher point than you could achieve on a RIB to make use of the rigidity of the boats superstructure, but on a RIB the only rigid fixing points are the floor or the transom, so the frame will have to be bigger and stronger.

You would either need a tubular structure bolted to four points on the floor of the boat, or an A-frame structure at the rear with tensioned webbing straps bracing to the front and sides. Either way it will be difficult to design, and a bit restrictive. Obviously if he's a smaller chap everything could be downsized accordingly.

How big is the RIB? Given that RIBS do not normally create a great wake for boarding, it may be best to live with the short comings of the current set up, and your lad will still have plenty of opportunity to improve his technique. If he gets serious he may need to join a club to use a competition style boat or pursuade you to change the RIB.

 

[Chas25]

[ QUOTE ]
The leverage on a tall wakeboard pole or tower as a wakeboarder cuts in is very high (it will significantly alter the course of a 2 tonne boat)

[/ QUOTE ]

Think my boat is less than 2 tonnes and I've never noticed the course being changed! Mind you maybe I'm just not good enough /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Agree with your other comments regarding the mounting etc

 

[oldgit]

Hi Tom.Any sign of a "proper boat" yet ?

 

[mjkinch1]

I get a couple of sportsboat mags, and there is a company that does custom towers, that can be assembled as required and tucked away when finished. Looks pretty OK, we considered one for our sports boat, as you correctly pointed out, you can't get the height for decent jumps.

I should point out the custom tower was designed for a sports/bowrider type boat, but you never know.

PM me if you want the details, and I will go and find the telephone number for you

Be interested to see a picture if you ever get it up and running!

Martyn

 

[Nick_H]

How about somthing like this, a bit like an oversize self righting frame that would be fitted to a RIB. It could be hinged at the base to let it drop forward for towing, then locked in place with the two small braces, and strengthened with a pre tensioned webbing strap around the bow of the boat?

The main problem with having the frame right over the back of the boat is you will find you will have to make heavy steering corrections to counteract the pull of the boarder behind, and I wouldn't go too high (maybe 6 feet) unless its a big heavy RIB

 

[DazedConfused]

give monster towers a look, have been known to do some custom stuff. They've proved to be the best in the past.

http://www.monstertower.com/monstermodels2006.html

oops, sorry....wrong link! give this one a go...

http://www.monstertower.com

take it easy.