Hey there, thinkin’ ’bout puttin’ a wakeboard tower on yer boat, eh? Well, lemme tell ya, it’s a good idea if ya want a bit more height and fun out there on the water. Now, I may not know all them fancy tools and parts, but I can give ya the lowdown on what you need, where to find help, and why folks go on ’bout these towers.
First off, why even bother with a wakeboard tower? Well, lookit, a tower helps pull ya up higher off the water. So when ya hit them waves, ya get more air under ya. That way, if yer tryin’ to do flips or spins, it’s a lot easier than without one. Now, some folks out there might tell ya it ain’t necessary, and they’d be right. You can wakeboard just fine without it. But if yer lookin’ for a real boost and somethin’ steady to hold on to, a wakeboard tower’s worth every penny.
Now, if yer like me and don’t have all the tools lyin’ around or don’t wanna do it yerself, there’s folks nearby who can get it done for ya. Just look up somethin’ like “wakeboard tower installation near me,” and you’ll find places that’ll fix you up proper. Some shops’ll even have a locator tool right on their site. All ya gotta do is set a radius—ya know, maybe like 50 miles or so—and see who’s close by. Easy as pie.
What ya need to know ’bout the cost
Now, on the money side of things, expect to fork over anywhere from $1,000 to $1,500. That’s just fer the installin’ part, mind ya. Prices’ll go up dependin’ on if ya want extras like speakers, lights, or other fancy stuff added on the tower. And these prices can shift, too, dependin’ on the hourly rate of the shop ya go to. Some places might be cheaper, some more, but generally, that’s the ballpark.
How ‘bout DIY?
Some folks’re all handy with tools and decide to do it themselves. I heard it ain’t too tricky if ya got a good kit, like them MT2 towers. Now, these kits usually come with all the parts ya need, like the mountin’ pieces and bolts. There’s even videos out there showin’ step-by-step how to do it. But remember, it ain’t a five-minute job; it’ll take ya a bit of time to get it all right. You mess up a hole, and ya got yourself a bigger project than ya started with. Best to go slow and steady if yer doin’ it yerself.
Things ya gotta check before installin’
- Make sure yer boat’s sturdy enough. Some smaller boats just ain’t built for a tower, so check with a pro if yer unsure.
- Most towers need a backing plate to keep it secure. This is just a solid piece of somethin’ strong, like marine wood or fiberglass, to hold the tower firm. That way, it don’t come off when yer goin’ full speed or hittin’ big waves.
- Think ‘bout where ya want it mounted. Once it’s on, it ain’t movin’ easy. Most folks put it where it’s centered, so ya get even pull on both sides.
What else should ya consider?
Besides the tower itself, ya might want some other accessories. Speakers, for one, let ya jam out while ya ride. Lights can be fun, too, if yer ridin’ at dusk or evenin’. But remember, every little add-on comes with extra costs and might need more drillin’ and placin’. Just know yer budget before ya start addin’ all that extra stuff.
In the end, gettin’ a wakeboard tower ain’t somethin’ ya do every day, so if yer thinkin’ about it, go check out some local installers or give it a shot yerself if yer feelin’ handy. Either way, once it’s on, you’ll feel that difference out on the water, no doubt about it. That tower gives ya a whole new level of fun and lets ya show off to yer buddies. Good luck out there, and hope ya find the right tower for yer boat!
Tags:[wakeboard tower installation, DIY wakeboard tower, boat accessories, local wakeboard installers]