Adding a wakeboard tower

[kentadel]

Hi everyone! I have a 2003 sundeck 270. My sons are old enough that they want to wakeboard more than ski or tube. My wife and I do not want to give up the factory top on really hot days. Does anyone know of a tower that will not require losing the top? I talked to a Sea Ray dealer and the sea ray watersports tower would cost $3000, and they were uncertian as to keeping the top as is. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks,
Kent

 

[Lazy Daze]

Not sure on a 270SD, but I know that with a 240SD you can add the tower w/o losing the standard bimini. I believe the 270SD tower is a similar design, so I would think you would be fine - but again, not positive. Sea Ray should know. If not, the tower has it's own integrated bimini, FWIW.

Keep in mind that the reinforcing for the tower is NOT built into your boat - in later years, SR put in the reinforcing regardless if the boat got a tower. No big deal - just an FYI.

You can also check out places like Monster Towers or Atlantic Towers.

 

[kentadel]

Thanks for the info, I will check out Monster and Atlantic. 3 grand seems high for a tower. We also like the camper enclosure for the Sundeck, although we have rarely used it. This Sea Ray has changed our whole boating experiance. We love it!

 

[Pyrojodge]

We have a great person here named Jay who put a tower on his 220 and did a great video... He has done a great job bringing his boat back from the dead. Check him out here's video 1 of the tower

[video=youtube;zHqLup58ES0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHqLup58ES0&feature=g-user&context=G2ac7e15UCGXQYbcTJ33YqM5vIIoQkx7koSeS 5s0Uc3XLp8ZVmcas[/video]

 

[Lazy Daze]

We also like the camper enclosure for the Sundeck

Ah... then, yes, you definitely want to stick with the standard bimini.

Another "FWIW"... years ago, I considered adding a tower to my 210BR. At the time, Atlantic did not have a tower for my boat - they offered to build one and install it for a minimal cost. Whether they still do that, or not, I do not know. However, I see you're in Nebraska... they're in NJ.

 

[texxmark]

I have a 270 with a factory tower. Unlike the 240 it's a Fwd raked tower so I'm not sure how that would affect your canvas setup. The tower has it's own bimini (actually 2 that are connected with a zipper; one goes FWD. and one aft). Monster builds the tower for Searay...I only know this because I had to call them direct for a part # (they wouldn't sell me the part direct) and then call SR customer support to order the part. It was a PITA but it might be worth calling monster direct. Good Luck.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Thanks, Tex. Since it's a fwd raked tower, I very much doubt it will work. The fwd bow of the bimini will likely hit the tower since the bow travels in an upward arc as it opens. Sea Ray would know for sure... But I would be surprised to hear that it does, given the info about the fwd raked tower. You might be able to get it to work by doing some combination of bimini gyrations and tower folding - but that would get old real fast.

 

[kentadel]

thanks Daze and Tex. Tex, how do you like the top that came with your tower? Also' does the fwrd tower give you better visability? I do like the looks of them on the sundeck.

 

[Red Horse]

I have a factory tower on my 210 Select that has a bimini top incorporated into it. Works great and I love it. Boat came with it. Great Lakes Boat Tops made the bimini, but not sure who made the tower.