XTP factory tower replacement question

[moomba wannabe]

Wondering if anybody has been able to obtain an exact fit replacement tower for whatever reason. I have kind of a unique situation in that I obtained an 05 Outback repo that had the tower removed, so I have a set of 3 empty mounting holes along each side of my boat. Which leads me to believe it had the original factory tower mounted at one time since that tower has three mounting spots. I was moments away from ordering a New Dimension but decided to confirm the mounting positions and ended up sending them my dimensions to learn it wasnt an exact fit. The holes on my boat indicate the center mount location is spaced closer to the front mount location whereas the New Dimension is more or less evenly spaced between the three. SO I would have to fill and redrill the center and rear mounting holes. Hoping to use all existing holes. My guess is the New Dimension tower is an OEM looking tower but not neccesarily an exact fit. Unless my boat had some other 3 mount tower, which Ive not seen or found.

Anyway, my only other lead for a factory tower is XTP who I am told originally made our towers. I have an email into them and just waiting a response. I know theyre with Monster now so wondering if they still make the original. If not my next step is to find a 2 legged tower that happens to utilize my current front and rear mounting locations. Any past experiences or guidance in this matter is appreciated!

2005 Moomba Outback

[ian ashton]

I would contact XTP directly - Maybe see if they will sell you one, or perhaps you can even get like a factory second or something and save some $

[Razzman]

Also check out New Dimension Towers '03-'06 Outback tower (http://www.newdimensiontowers.com/galleries/moomba/2003-2005_Outback.html), an exact replica and possibly cheaper than the oem tower.

[moomba wannabe]

Yea the New Dimension is what I almost ordered before comparing mounting dimensions, thinking it would be a direct bolt up. Its not. Not to the holes in my boat anyway. I will call XTP next week if I dont hear from them first. Thanks.

[KG's Supra24]

Try to get a hold of Cody at XTP. He is a member over on the Supra forum, might be here, not sure. Just say you were recommended buy some guys on the Moomba forum.

CMTaylor777 had an issue earlier this winter and he made solving the problem a breeze.

[moomba wannabe]

I appreciate the information, I will give him a call. Thank you.

[moomba wannabe]

I called Cody yesterday and he is a great guy, very very helpful. I learned they are still producing the exact tower for my boat but they can only sell directly to Skiers Choice, cant sell them publicly. He recommended I call Skiers Choice which I will probably do, though I'm pretty certain they will refer me to my local dealer. And once I thought about it if I remember correctly I think I called a dealer a year or so ago about this and learned they could get me this tower at a price of like $3400. When I thought I could get the New Dimension for around $2k I thought that would be a good alternative, but I dont think I will spend more for a tower for this boat.

So, I think I'm going to call the search for an OEM tower over, and settle for a 2 legged that hopefully will fit my existing front and rear mounting spots. I've determined that the Skylon Pro XT has an adjustable mounting stance within my measurements; which is about 61.5". But that tower is about $1900. Apparently the Wake Design Stilleto and the DIYWAKE (Pyramide Manfg) Pro Swoop also will fit, at less money I think. Just wondering if anybody has good or bad knowledge of any of these.

And again, thanks for the help and information.

[kaneboats]

I don't know. At this point I'd be thinking about these guys and spending the difference on getting the holes filled in:

http://www.bigairwaketowers.com/towers/vapor/

[moomba wannabe]

Probably got my work cut out for me trying to utilize my existing holes, huh? I take it you like your Big Air tower?

[moomba wannabe]

Its certainly worth a try, all they can do is say no. Cody recommended I speak with Anthony. Cody also said $3k or better for the tower, with shipping (I'm on the West Coast) wasnt unreasonable. I'd certainly take a blemish at the right price so I'll give it one more shot tomorrow.

[iwakeboard]

Hey Moomba, did you get my voicemail? That measurement you were looking for on the back rail was 41 ¾” front bottom bolt hole to back bottom bolt hole. I was worried I may have left the voicemail on someone elses voicemail so thought I'd post it here just incase I got #'s mixed up :lol: Plese let me know if you have any other questions!

Cody

[kaneboats]

Probably got my work cut out for me trying to utilize my existing holes, huh? I take it you like your Big Air tower?

I don't have a big air tower and have never dealt with them. I just know how long it takes to get this stuff done and it's going to be 80 this weekend. I would also be persistent but at some point if the road your on isn't taking you where you are going you have to consider alternate routes.

[moomba wannabe]

Cody I did get your message (you had the right #!) and I also did talk to Anthony at Skiers Choice who confirmed my boat was ordered with a tower. Again, thanks for your help. You were very helpful and I appreciate it.

Anthony said I would have to go through a dealer to get the tower, that there were no blems available, and that they were changing the Outback tower for future models. I believe Cody also mentioned to me some future changes in the tower. I called a dealer again just to make sure I remembered correctly, and I did, $3100 +tax/shipping for the OEM tower. So I can get it if I want to pay for it; I dont, its not worth that much to me when there are many cheaper alternatives. So, I give up. I dont think persistence will get me anywhere else; it is what it is.

So my back-up plan is to identify a few universal aftermarkets I like (I want to stay with the basic swoop design) with a variable stance which my existing outermost mounting points fall within, and will match. If that becomes a hassle I'll just fill the holes and start over. I'm going to have to fill some of the holes anyway; I just hate putting even more holes into something.

I know theres a ton of opinions on towers so I'm not neccessarily going to ask for recommendations, but I am interested in anybody with a negative experience or a brand to avoid (though I do appreciate the positive recommendations as well). Also, my thought was to stick striclty with aluminum vs. steel for the weight advantage?

[moomba wannabe]

Well heres something I didnt put much thought into; in checking with two companies both indicate the stance is not a problem, but that their hole patterns on their mounts are different so would require new holes anyway.....:-?

[harmsway]

One thing to think about even if you get a factory tower you still may have to drill or tweek the existing holes. None of the towers are going to be exactly the same. I believe the holes for the towers are drilled after the towers are set in place to make sure the holes in the boat are exact. I noticed when I was going to run new wires for my light bar the wire would not go thru the existing hole for the stationery light. So I thought I would have to make the hole larger but when I removed that portion of the tower to make the hole larger, well the hole was large enough, but they missed were the hole needed to be. The worst part they didn't miss once but twice. So I actually had to drill a hole in between the two existing holes to correctly match the hole in the tower. I believe the wire hole was a preset spot before the tower was set in place and it did not match were the tower was suppose to set, so they tried to correct but missed a second time and just fudge by setting the tower on top of the wire. I believe the tower mounting holes are going to very form tower to tower even if they are the same style and brand.

[moomba wannabe]

Your exactly right, I've learned that as well through all this. Cody explained every tower could have slightly different mounting holes location because of the variance in how one tower cools from the next after its removed from the jig. So yea, I could go to alot of trouble and expense getting a factory tower and still have it not match up to the existing holes. I hadnt realized that when I started all this. So, I'm leaning more towards a universal because they should tend to have a little play when mounting.

[harmsway]

I don't have a big air tower and have never dealt with them. I just know how long it takes to get this stuff done and it's going to be 80 this weekend. I would also be persistent but at some point if the road your on isn't taking you where you are going you have to consider alternate routes.

I had a H2O Big Air Tower on my last boat. It fit and looked very nice and was extremely strong. We all slalom skied, along with wakeboard, off the tower. Theres a couple of pics in my album of the boat with the tower on it. Big Air was very good to work with. I had a problem with 2 off the rear tubes not being long enough and they shipped me new tubes quickly. The instructions were straight foward and the tower came with drill bits for drilling thru the tower were needed. I was extremely pleased with it and a believed it help me get a couple more thousand when I sold my Dixie boat. But you really need to consider what tower is going to look best with your boat shape. Try to find pics of different towers with boats that are simular shape to yours before you pull the trigger.

[MNKid]

For what it's worth, we purchased a used 2007 Outback last spring without a tower. I wanted to use the backing blocks that were already installed from the factory so we went with the Monster Tower universal tower and have been very pleased. I like the way it folds into the rear of the boat and it allows me to mount the barefoot boom stright out.

https://forum.moomba.com/album.php?albumid=415&pictureid=3467https://forum.moomba.com/album.php?albumid=415&pictureid=3467

https://forum.moomba.com/album.php?albumid=415&pictureid=3468https://forum.moomba.com/album.php?albumid=415&pictureid=3468

[viking]

Hey MNKid - That's a beautiful boat you have there! :D

[MNKid]

Hey MNKid - That's a beautiful boat you have there! :D

It sure is, isn't it! ;)

[csm]

I had the same Monster Tower that MNKid has on my previous I/O. Personally, I think it's a way better tower than the OEM tower that comes on the Outback/older LSVs that I have now. And the price is right.

[2007 Outback V]

If I didn't have a tower on my boat or wanted to upgrade (which I have thought about) I would check into the Supra 20V tower, maybe try to get a blem or buy one direct from SC. Wonder if that tower would work? http://www.supraboats.com/sunsport20/
Both boats have the same beam, draft, and length; brings me to think that it would fit. Would not be the cheapest option, but I think it would look the best and add the most value to the boat. It is a little like putting corvette rims on a camaro, lol.....at least that's the way I look at it.

Besides, the tower that I have (1 5/8 in. diameter OBV tower) is not as sturdy, sits a little low, and not as aesthetically pleasing, IMO.

Good luck, don't forget to post pics of the boat with what ever tower you end up with.

[2007 Outback V]

Also, forward folding towers are a PIA!!! :mad:

[csm]

Also, forward folding towers are a PIA!!! :mad:

Agreed. I would never recommend a forward folding tower to anyone. And for those of us who have to angle our boat in the garage, the tower actually makes the length of the boat longer.

[brain_rinse]

Like others are saying, I think filling the holes and getting the aftermarket tower you like is the best option. You can get a better looking, larger diameter, rear folding tower for less money, even after getting the holes filled. You'd probably even have enough money left to load that tower up with things like swivel board racks, tower mirror, bimini, or speakers.

[moomba wannabe]

I wasnt crazy about the Monster at first but after alot of looking around, and seeing the one here, I like it more and more. Its got a set 70" stance and I'm trying to work with about 61.5" to use my existing holes. I like that Supra one as well, and may be leaning towards one very similiar.

Anyway, heres the update on my quest; I began exploring the many, many aftermarket towers and made alot of inquiries, trying to find a swoop style tower that would mount either at about 39" or 61.5" to utilize my existing holes from the factory tower. I found several custom towers starting at around $1700 to $3K, which obviously would work because they're custom made to my measurements. I learned alot about the universals as well, and cant say I prefer the looks of the custom towers over the universals, and the universals are cheaper, much so in some cases. I couldnt find any postings or reviews indicating any bad experiences with universals or urgings to stay away, and I was able to find a few that would accomodate my situation. What I did learn is that it will be impossible to get mounts that will bolt into my existing pattern, but the mounts will be big enough to cover my existing holes, so I think I'm leaning towards filling the holes myself with a fiberglass filler, drilling the new holes in the same area, and covering the filled holes with the new mounts and not worry about the gel coat. And I'll either fill or put a pop-up cleat over the remaining holes?

My first choice in universals with the correct stance was the Skylon Pro XT, which costs $1900 which is as much or more than a custom so doesnt make sense to me. I've got an inquiry into Avenger for their 2.25, but I think its going to be short. The BigAir "Ice" I learned has a recommended stance of 41 to 48", but I am told stretching it to 61" would be fine. And yea, its ALOT cheaper which has me questioning it, although BigAir seems to have a good reputation and has been around for awhile. And I like the tower, not as much as the Pro XT, but enough. It resembles the above Supra Tower. And I believe it folds backwards. And yea, I should have some for racks, a mirror, and bimini beings the Ice is priced at about $680, and I was ready to spend $2K.

So I'm still doing some checking but thats where I stand today.

And oh yea, the pics will be coming when I finally get this figured out!


http://bigairwaketowers.com/towers/ice/

[newty]

What about something like this? Holes aren't that big of deal. Gelcoat is very forgiving. Have patience and fix the holes and put any tower you want on.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Big-Air-Torrent-Wakeboard-Tower-Universal-Polished-/220761371031?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3366673197

[moomba wannabe]

Yea, I think I agree with you. I picked up some Formula 27 and already have a gel coat repair kit, so I think I'm going to give a shot at filling the holes and see how they come out. If they end up looking good enough I'm not going to worry about mounting locations......Hope to get to it within the next couple weeks.