Wakeboard install

[Hardtimes]

Hi everyone,

I have a 2020 230 SPX, and I’m looking for advice on installing a tower. I’ve contacted the dealer I purchased from last year, and they are currently assessing if the boat has the necessary “plate” under the fiberglass to hold a tower. I searched the forum but couldn’t find a thread discussing a tower addition. Does anyone have any recommendations on products, installation, and any other suggestions? Thanks I’m advance!

 

[Hardtimes]

Dang, either this model is not very popular or this forum stinks...

 

[techmitch]

Dang, either this model is not very popular or this forum stinks...

I'm surprised you haven't got any reply's also. Hang in there, somebody will be around. Boaters are busy in the spring. Maybe post on one of the SPX/SLX threads.

Most importantly, thank you for your service.

 

[Blueone]

I don’t think you are going to find many boat owners on here that know the construction technics on a one year old boat to know whether it can support a tower that will keep your investment, you and your family safe. Your best option is to consult the dealer and Sea Ray.
Another route is to talk to some aftermarket tower builders... or just go with this forum stinks

 

[randmhall]

I know nothing about your boat or model, sorry.
However, on my boat, if you look or feel up under the gunwale, in the spot where the factory tower would be attached, you can see / feel the thicker mounting area. Regardless, I would still add a backing plate if I was adding a tower. Reinforcement in advance is cheaper than fiberglass crack repair later.

 

[ColoSR]

You can add a tower to virtually any boat, the only question is whether you add a backer plate. There are lots of wakeboard tower suppliers, monster tower, big air, Roswell, Aerial, Reborn, and Origin are more budget friendly at around $1k. Samson is a bit more upscale, and there are custom shops where the sky is the limit. There are so many designs and options it takes a while to figure out which one you like best. You can also add a Bimini, ski holders, nav lights, speakers. You can install them yourself or take it to the boat fiberglass shop and they will do it for you, most shops around here wanted about $700 to do it pre-covid. The fiberglass shops also know the marine stereo folks if you want to do speakers.

personally I ended up going with big air Cuda tower with the nav light and wakeboard mounts because I liked the design and it is a tall style with lots of headroom. I reverse mounted it so that I could keep my Bimini which is bigger than any tower mounted ones I could find and it makes a nice grab bar when stepping on the swim platform. I did not install speakers because they tend to be head knockers and I thought they would get stolen at the storage yard I park at.

if you are a serious wakeboarder, the forward swept ones are supposed to provide better ride by moving the pivot point to the middle of the boat.

 

[Arminius]

Distribution of load would be prudent. Go with widely separated fore and aft attachment points rather than a glorified radar arch. Prefer multi fastener attachment plates over one bolt schemes. Here's a Monster: