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Author Topic:   Ski Plyon install help ?

newportguy posted 04-29-2001 08:38 PM ET (US)
I am looking to install a ski bar in my 78 Newport. I am wondering if the side deck on the newport would be strong enough to handle a typical ski bar with a base plate in the floor and 2 bars out to the sides of the deck... Your thoughts and comments would be greatly appreciated
Dick posted 04-29-2001 09:19 PM ET (US)
Have never installed one in a Newport, but the support bars have to go aft to the motor well or transom in any instalation. These bars take most of the stress when properly positioned.
Some boats do not handle well when a pylon is used and can become very unsafe.
Whaler offers pylons for many of their boats but none of the classic hull designs. There may be a reason. I would call them first.
Dick
Tom W Clark posted 04-30-2001 12:00 PM ET (US)
Newportguy,
While the support bars do take most of the stress, the side deck of your Newport is plenty strong enough to use. I had a Swivl-Eze bar on my Outrage 18 and the quick disconnet support bars atatched to the teak gunnel boards via a single 1/2" bolt. It was extremely strong! I used it not only for skiing but, on occasion, for towing other boats. I liked being able to dismount it and stow it easily.
Years ago I had a buddy who had a Montauk (pre '77) with a shop fabricated tow bar. It was a one piece welded steel affair and the support bars ran back to the transom. This provided a little bit easier access to the stern of the boat which was important in this instance because the bar was permanently installed.
His bar was tall. It was 6 or 8 inches above his inline Merc and I always felt it was a little too tall as it would jerk the boat around pretty good in the turns. It's perfectly OK to use a bar on a 17' but watch the height of the thing.
russellbailey posted 04-30-2001 12:34 PM ET (US)
As a followup to Dick's post.
Pylons were an option on any of the 17' Classics that had the rear deck. This could be the Striper, Montauk, Newport, and possibly others. It dropped into the same hole that would be used for a pedestal seat, and I don't think it had any supports to triangulate it.
I remember checking this out when I was a teenager in the early 80s, as I was hoping we might move up from our 15' to get the bigger engine and the pylon.
No suggestions on mounting, but the suggestion to keep it as low as possible sounds wise.
newportguy posted 04-30-2001 04:01 PM ET (US)
Thanks for the reply as usual your advise is muchly appreciated. And I agree about the height issue. The old rule of thumb was to be approx. 3 inches above the top of the motor cover. After looking over the deck on the Newport, I think I will re inforce the bolts with a bigger plate underneath for better support. But I agree wiht Tom after looking it should be fine to handle the stress.

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Author	Topic: Ski Plyon install help ?
newportguy	posted 04-29-2001 08:38 PM ET (US) I am looking to install a ski bar in my 78 Newport. I am wondering if the side deck on the newport would be strong enough to handle a typical ski bar with a base plate in the floor and 2 bars out to the sides of the deck... Your thoughts and comments would be greatly appreciated
Dick	posted 04-29-2001 09:19 PM ET (US) Have never installed one in a Newport, but the support bars have to go aft to the motor well or transom in any instalation. These bars take most of the stress when properly positioned. Some boats do not handle well when a pylon is used and can become very unsafe. Whaler offers pylons for many of their boats but none of the classic hull designs. There may be a reason. I would call them first. Dick
Tom W Clark	posted 04-30-2001 12:00 PM ET (US) Newportguy, While the support bars do take most of the stress, the side deck of your Newport is plenty strong enough to use. I had a Swivl-Eze bar on my Outrage 18 and the quick disconnet support bars atatched to the teak gunnel boards via a single 1/2" bolt. It was extremely strong! I used it not only for skiing but, on occasion, for towing other boats. I liked being able to dismount it and stow it easily. Years ago I had a buddy who had a Montauk (pre '77) with a shop fabricated tow bar. It was a one piece welded steel affair and the support bars ran back to the transom. This provided a little bit easier access to the stern of the boat which was important in this instance because the bar was permanently installed. His bar was tall. It was 6 or 8 inches above his inline Merc and I always felt it was a little too tall as it would jerk the boat around pretty good in the turns. It's perfectly OK to use a bar on a 17' but watch the height of the thing.
russellbailey	posted 04-30-2001 12:34 PM ET (US) As a followup to Dick's post. Pylons were an option on any of the 17' Classics that had the rear deck. This could be the Striper, Montauk, Newport, and possibly others. It dropped into the same hole that would be used for a pedestal seat, and I don't think it had any supports to triangulate it. I remember checking this out when I was a teenager in the early 80s, as I was hoping we might move up from our 15' to get the bigger engine and the pylon. No suggestions on mounting, but the suggestion to keep it as low as possible sounds wise.
newportguy	posted 04-30-2001 04:01 PM ET (US) Thanks for the reply as usual your advise is muchly appreciated. And I agree about the height issue. The old rule of thumb was to be approx. 3 inches above the top of the motor cover. After looking over the deck on the Newport, I think I will re inforce the bolts with a bigger plate underneath for better support. But I agree wiht Tom after looking it should be fine to handle the stress.