Tower bolt vibrated loose from tower!

[sailnfast]

I was out on the lake last weekend just idling along when I noticed the tower began to vibrate noticeably. I looked around and the port front bolt that attaches the folding portion of the tower to the boat mounted piece (where the tower pivots) had come out and apparently gone into the lake! I was shocked that this could happen. I'm just thankful no one was wakeboarding or it could have done some serious damage to my new LSV.

This is definitely something I'm going to check before taking her out in the future. Has anyone else ever had this problem?

[macsfamily]

The forward bolts on my tower loosen often. I just just figured it was do to the fact that I must raise and lower the tower frequently. Checking those bolts has become part of my pre-trip inspection.

[seanpatsdad]

Jeff
The Loctite will not do anything.Every time you go up and down you are actually moving the bolts.I loosen my bolts all the way loose to lower the tower.Makes it go up and down alot easier and no metal to metal contact.then when I put it up I tighten them up.I leave a Allen wrench in the glove box and check them through the day periodally.
John

[Buttafewcoe]

Not sure about y'all's boats.....mine came with a caution label, on the tower by the driver's seat, that read something like 'owner's responsibility to periodically check all tower mounting bolts. I even check the through hull ones on the mounting pads. Snug them back up, but don't over tighten them, you may crack gelcoat.
.
I've learned boats are NOT maintenance free items. Periodic checks and adjustments are not only necessary, they are ritual. Hope this helps.
.
Jim
Hickory, North Carolina

[alwaysriding]

I have had the exact same thing happen. Luckily I notice they had the EXACT same allen bolts at Home Depot. I got a bolt that was 1/4" long, and placed a nut on the inside of the tower where the bolt now extends and extra 1/4". Having that nut there, and pressuring it against the inside of the tower mounts works PERFECT. No problems since.

[alwaysriding]

I meant to say 1/4" longer than the original bolt, so it extends inside the tower mount that extra 1/4"...just enough to secure a nut on the end.

[Buttafewcoe]

Good thinking.