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Author Topic:   Montauk Wakeboard pylon/tower

Brw94 posted 08-23-2009 06:01 PM ET (US)
I have a 17' 1978 Montauk, and I did not know if it was possible to mount a wakeboard pylon or tower to it. Is it possible? And if so what would you recommend? Thanks.
fishgutz posted 08-23-2009 08:49 PM ET (US)
The Swivl-eze adjustable height ski pylon would work nicely. You can shop around and find them from about $260 to $360ish. I have researched it quite a bit and this will work for me on my Dauntless 14. It mounts to the floor and has 2 arms that reach to your transom.
http://www.attwoodmarine.com/store/product/Adjustable-Height
The first one listed is an adjustable height one that uses a 6 inch SS plate that mounts on the floor.
Search that model and you will see that the prices vary a lot.
I looked at one in a store and it is a top quality item.
weekendwarrior posted 08-23-2009 09:21 PM ET (US)
I have seen a very tall pole in a Montauk; they used a metal pole strait to the bottom of the boat, then used 3 cables to the lifting eyes to stabilize the pole. It worked awesome, but was a one-off, not a kit you buy.
fishgutz posted 08-24-2009 04:39 PM ET (US)
There is also this crazy contraption.
http://www.insanitywakeboardpylons.com/insanitypylons/products00.html
Brw94 posted 08-29-2009 10:52 AM ET (US)
Wait so could I use both of those to tow wakeboards? I read the swivl one could only tow ski's.
fishgutz posted 08-29-2009 11:51 AM ET (US)
I'm checking into that. I would think wakeboarding would be easier on the pylon as you are generally going much slower.
Brw94 posted 08-29-2009 11:03 PM ET (US)
Is it possible to put an actual tower on it?
andygere posted 08-29-2009 11:29 PM ET (US)
Well, they got the name right for that thing: Insanity. I'd be worried about the tipping moment caused by forces on a tall pylon on a light boat like a Montauk.
Mambo Minnow posted 08-30-2009 09:21 AM ET (US)
The activity tower on the new Dauntless and Super Sports is actually one of Whaler's better post classic innovations in quite some time. It looks well proportioned on the Dauntless 200 I saw this week. I also saw one mounted on a Dauntless 180, which I did not realize was an option added to the older model.
Brw94 posted 08-30-2009 05:42 PM ET (US)
Well, what would be my best solution then?
Skip S posted 08-31-2009 11:25 PM ET (US)
I have a 96 OII and have been looking at the same thing. Those solutions only give you 3.5 feet max - I have been looking at 8 feet if possible. It sounds to me I need to contact a local fabricator to build a t top that will support a wakeboarder.
Plotman posted 09-01-2009 11:27 AM ET (US)
If you put a tall tower on a comparatively light and narrow beamed boat like a Montauk, you are asking for trouble.
It's simple physics.
A pull off to the side will be too likely to capsize the boat.
There is a reason it isn't done. It would be dangerous. Don't do it.
fishgutz posted 09-01-2009 05:02 PM ET (US)
From the Attwood/Swivl-eze website:

quote:
DO NOT use Ski Pylons to pull any recreational equipment that is tied to the tow rope such as water tubes, aquaplanes, wakeboards, etc.

I believe when referring to "wakeboards" they mean those old towable boards that predate modern wakeboards as new ones are not "tied to the tow rope".
When I feel like spending $300, I'm getting one for my Dauntless 14.
RobertRibley posted 09-04-2009 01:29 AM ET (US)
Here is a ski pylon that we built for our Montauk. We have pulled hundreds of skiers on it. The rope would run 10 inches above the 90 hp. This worked the best as we tried different heights. As far as a wake board pylon, which needs to be much higher, I have built one for our Outrage which has cables that fasten to the gunnel. Again, we tried different heights to get the best and safest ride - we did not go extreme on height. My nephews can jump both wakes and do flips so it has enough height. I don't know if I would put a very high wake board pylon on a Montauk.
http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc249/RobertRibley/sternseat.jpg
http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc249/RobertRibley/ testingtheplatform3.jpg
Robert
Russ 13 posted 09-05-2009 02:34 PM ET (US)
I use a Swivel-EZ pylon on a sport 15.
It uses the three leg set up & works well for towing ski's or wakeboards....
I agree w/ others, would NOT go too high, as to increase the tipping moment, which reduces the boat's stability.
The new generation ski/boarding towers are on boats with a large beam, & usually inboard power...lower C.G.
Russ
fishgutz posted 09-13-2009 06:18 PM ET (US)
Here is the official reply about towing anything TIED to the ski rope.
When you tie items to the ski rope it can put extreme loads on the ski pylon which in turn can bend or break the pylon causing damage or injury. When you pull someone using a ski rope that has to be held on to, the person would have to let go if the loads get too high.
On a side note... I'm not sure why it say's " Wake Boards " I don't consider them an item that its tied to the rope? so as long as you don't tie them to the rope there shouldn't be a problem.
I know this causes issues because everyone wants to pull tubes but I've researched other manufactures and they all state not to tie items to the pylon, I'm sure its a liability issue.
number9 posted 09-14-2009 09:44 PM ET (US)
It's not only the load on the pylon and people. When towing a tube type device the angle to the water may be too high and cause it flip. That's also official.
shockboards10 posted 08-01-2010 02:01 PM ET (US)
Straight from the Insanity Wakeboard Pylons website about liability of towing tubes:
Quote:
"Our decision to discourage the use of towables (tubes) and multiple skiiers has nothing to do with the load ratings of the pylons we manufacture (1,500 lbs), as we are more concerned for the safety of those at the end of the ski rope. We genuinely want you, your family, and friends to continue to enjoy the water with years to come, but history long before the first wakeboard pylon ever existed has proved that serious injury and even death can occur when skiiers collide or a child gets trapped under a flipped tube. We have been very fortunate to have an immaculate safety record with no reported injuries and we prefer to keep it that way."

It sounds to me that they just want to cover their ass and say it is more about the rider's safety than the towing capacity and I'm sure they are right. I would assume that the marketed pylons and towers are built to be strong enough to tow tubes (because they know people will do it anyways). These days, if Bob and Cindy are both skiing at the same time and then they happen to run into each other, I'm sure there will be a blood-sucking lawyer at the hospital that will go after everybody including the boat trailer manufacturer. And my side note, the Insanity Pylon is the only one I've seen that does not make you drill holes in your boat which apparently will not void your "unsinkable" guarantee on the boston whalers.
TC posted 08-02-2010 12:36 PM ET (US)
The way I used to jerk the rear of my old Montauk around off the ski eyes while slaloming, I'd be afraid to use any type of high mount.

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Author	Topic: Montauk Wakeboard pylon/tower
Brw94	posted 08-23-2009 06:01 PM ET (US) I have a 17' 1978 Montauk, and I did not know if it was possible to mount a wakeboard pylon or tower to it. Is it possible? And if so what would you recommend? Thanks.
fishgutz	posted 08-23-2009 08:49 PM ET (US) The Swivl-eze adjustable height ski pylon would work nicely. You can shop around and find them from about $260 to $360ish. I have researched it quite a bit and this will work for me on my Dauntless 14. It mounts to the floor and has 2 arms that reach to your transom. http://www.attwoodmarine.com/store/product/Adjustable-Height The first one listed is an adjustable height one that uses a 6 inch SS plate that mounts on the floor. Search that model and you will see that the prices vary a lot. I looked at one in a store and it is a top quality item.
weekendwarrior	posted 08-23-2009 09:21 PM ET (US) I have seen a very tall pole in a Montauk; they used a metal pole strait to the bottom of the boat, then used 3 cables to the lifting eyes to stabilize the pole. It worked awesome, but was a one-off, not a kit you buy.
fishgutz	posted 08-24-2009 04:39 PM ET (US) There is also this crazy contraption. http://www.insanitywakeboardpylons.com/insanitypylons/products00.html
Brw94	posted 08-29-2009 10:52 AM ET (US) Wait so could I use both of those to tow wakeboards? I read the swivl one could only tow ski's.
fishgutz	posted 08-29-2009 11:51 AM ET (US) I'm checking into that. I would think wakeboarding would be easier on the pylon as you are generally going much slower.
Brw94	posted 08-29-2009 11:03 PM ET (US) Is it possible to put an actual tower on it?
andygere	posted 08-29-2009 11:29 PM ET (US) Well, they got the name right for that thing: Insanity. I'd be worried about the tipping moment caused by forces on a tall pylon on a light boat like a Montauk.
Mambo Minnow	posted 08-30-2009 09:21 AM ET (US) The activity tower on the new Dauntless and Super Sports is actually one of Whaler's better post classic innovations in quite some time. It looks well proportioned on the Dauntless 200 I saw this week. I also saw one mounted on a Dauntless 180, which I did not realize was an option added to the older model.
Brw94	posted 08-30-2009 05:42 PM ET (US) Well, what would be my best solution then?
Skip S	posted 08-31-2009 11:25 PM ET (US) I have a 96 OII and have been looking at the same thing. Those solutions only give you 3.5 feet max - I have been looking at 8 feet if possible. It sounds to me I need to contact a local fabricator to build a t top that will support a wakeboarder.
Plotman	posted 09-01-2009 11:27 AM ET (US) If you put a tall tower on a comparatively light and narrow beamed boat like a Montauk, you are asking for trouble. It's simple physics. A pull off to the side will be too likely to capsize the boat. There is a reason it isn't done. It would be dangerous. Don't do it.
fishgutz	posted 09-01-2009 05:02 PM ET (US) From the Attwood/Swivl-eze website: quote: DO NOT use Ski Pylons to pull any recreational equipment that is tied to the tow rope such as water tubes, aquaplanes, wakeboards, etc. I believe when referring to "wakeboards" they mean those old towable boards that predate modern wakeboards as new ones are not "tied to the tow rope". When I feel like spending $300, I'm getting one for my Dauntless 14.
RobertRibley	posted 09-04-2009 01:29 AM ET (US) Here is a ski pylon that we built for our Montauk. We have pulled hundreds of skiers on it. The rope would run 10 inches above the 90 hp. This worked the best as we tried different heights. As far as a wake board pylon, which needs to be much higher, I have built one for our Outrage which has cables that fasten to the gunnel. Again, we tried different heights to get the best and safest ride - we did not go extreme on height. My nephews can jump both wakes and do flips so it has enough height. I don't know if I would put a very high wake board pylon on a Montauk. http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc249/RobertRibley/sternseat.jpg http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc249/RobertRibley/ testingtheplatform3.jpg Robert
Russ 13	posted 09-05-2009 02:34 PM ET (US) I use a Swivel-EZ pylon on a sport 15. It uses the three leg set up & works well for towing ski's or wakeboards.... I agree w/ others, would NOT go too high, as to increase the tipping moment, which reduces the boat's stability. The new generation ski/boarding towers are on boats with a large beam, & usually inboard power...lower C.G. Russ
fishgutz	posted 09-13-2009 06:18 PM ET (US) Here is the official reply about towing anything TIED to the ski rope. When you tie items to the ski rope it can put extreme loads on the ski pylon which in turn can bend or break the pylon causing damage or injury. When you pull someone using a ski rope that has to be held on to, the person would have to let go if the loads get too high. On a side note... I'm not sure why it say's " Wake Boards " I don't consider them an item that its tied to the rope? so as long as you don't tie them to the rope there shouldn't be a problem. I know this causes issues because everyone wants to pull tubes but I've researched other manufactures and they all state not to tie items to the pylon, I'm sure its a liability issue.
number9	posted 09-14-2009 09:44 PM ET (US) It's not only the load on the pylon and people. When towing a tube type device the angle to the water may be too high and cause it flip. That's also official.
shockboards10	posted 08-01-2010 02:01 PM ET (US) Straight from the Insanity Wakeboard Pylons website about liability of towing tubes: Quote: "Our decision to discourage the use of towables (tubes) and multiple skiiers has nothing to do with the load ratings of the pylons we manufacture (1,500 lbs), as we are more concerned for the safety of those at the end of the ski rope. We genuinely want you, your family, and friends to continue to enjoy the water with years to come, but history long before the first wakeboard pylon ever existed has proved that serious injury and even death can occur when skiiers collide or a child gets trapped under a flipped tube. We have been very fortunate to have an immaculate safety record with no reported injuries and we prefer to keep it that way." It sounds to me that they just want to cover their ass and say it is more about the rider's safety than the towing capacity and I'm sure they are right. I would assume that the marketed pylons and towers are built to be strong enough to tow tubes (because they know people will do it anyways). These days, if Bob and Cindy are both skiing at the same time and then they happen to run into each other, I'm sure there will be a blood-sucking lawyer at the hospital that will go after everybody including the boat trailer manufacturer. And my side note, the Insanity Pylon is the only one I've seen that does not make you drill holes in your boat which apparently will not void your "unsinkable" guarantee on the boston whalers.
TC	posted 08-02-2010 12:36 PM ET (US) The way I used to jerk the rear of my old Montauk around off the ski eyes while slaloming, I'd be afraid to use any type of high mount.