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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Eugene OR
    Posts
    1,786

    Default ski pylon - weight

    Does anyone know how much weight you can put on the ski pylon? This is the one that is at the front of the engine not the one on the tower. I am thinking of making it a sampson post for towing other boats but with a removable cross member so i can still use it for pulling tube.

    If you do not know what a sampson post is i have attached a photo below thanks to the internet and postyourpart.com.

    2008 Outback V - Sold but never forgotten.
    “Do not wait; the time will never be “just right.” Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along." -Napoleon Hill

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    California
    Posts
    2,840

    Default

    Why would you do that? You in the salvage business now?

    Seriously i don't think i'd trust the pylon to that kind of weight. Looking at your picture there i see it's made low to bear the weight without bending. Now look at your pylon, three feet in the air and it will bend if to much weight is applied. I've seen bent ones before!
    2007 Mobius LSV

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Henderson, NV
    Posts
    7,020

    Default

    I am guessing since you have an outback v, that you are referring to the foot tall or so one that you attach skiers and tubers to right behind the rear bench?
    as razz stated, not sure if you are looking to suppliment your income?
    I've towed 2 boats with mine, a 16ft tri-hull and an 18ft low-pro jet with the exposed engine. no issues with either one, but I towed them at about 3-4mph and in calm water. add a chop and I would have been going to get the popo for their tow..
    I would suspect that the forces placed on that pole by a 250lb man slalom skiing and cutting hard are more than what a small boat would place on it towing them in, but I would pick your "customers" carefully
    '06 Supra Launch 20SSV-gone but never forgotten

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Tallahassee, FL
    Posts
    14,071

    Default

    I think they use the rear eyes to lift the boat and specifically warn not to use the pylon for that kind of stuff. If I had to tow someone I'd be splitting the load between the two rear eyes.
    My Mom said I'm not allowed to get wet!
    2008 LSV (sold)
    2000 Outback LS (sold)
    LLTR!!!!!!!!



  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    North End Lake Lanier GA
    Posts
    8,155

    Default

    Im reading this and thinking, what about when you see 15 skiers being pulled by one of these boats? What about the warning of the 4K plus lbs a 4 man tub can put on your pylon when towing. I think these pylons are much stronger then you give them credit for.

    You can lift from it due to its shape and no real place to tie a rope. Look at there its bolted, its the aluminum frame of the boat. Pretty strong stuff indeed. Not saying id use this as a lift point, no way just saying i think its the lack of a secure tie point that stops it from being a lift point.

    Part of the reason the rear eyes are the lift point is it balances the rear of the boat automatically. Distributes the weight, i can see using this to tow a boat but just the same i don't really see an issue with towing a boat under 5mph with the ski pylon eighter.

    Besides much over 5mph in a boat like ours you will get that surf wave hitting your towed boat lol.
    Malo <--- Means--Evil or Mean One. This explains a lot.
    2013 Mojo 2.5 Skylon Tower. Bestia < Beast >
    [COLOR="#696969"]

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Henderson, NV
    Posts
    7,020

    Default

    good points. I've done it 2x from the ski pylon and not had any issues, but again 3-4mph and smaller boats. don't ask me to tow a mastercraft x-80. i'll politely excuse myself and get the sheriff to tow them(and snicker all the way to the launch )
    '06 Supra Launch 20SSV-gone but never forgotten

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Tallahassee, FL
    Posts
    14,071

    Default

    When I see people in trouble there's no popo around. There's a 25 mile stretch of river and usually only 1 patrol boat, if any at all. We have to help each other out there. One guy was stranded several miles up river. I had him tie the tube behind his boat and let the little kids ride in it for most of the way back so they weren't bored out of their minds during the LOOOOOOOONNNGGG tow.
    My Mom said I'm not allowed to get wet!
    2008 LSV (sold)
    2000 Outback LS (sold)
    LLTR!!!!!!!!



  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    718

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by kaneboats View Post
    I think they use the rear eyes to lift the boat and specifically warn not to use the pylon for that kind of stuff. If I had to tow someone I'd be splitting the load between the two rear eyes.
    The first sentence is correct. However, it does not follow that towing from the rear rings is better than the pylon. The pylon is made for towing, accepting a large rearward force. The rear eyes are made for lifting, accepting a large upward shearing force.

    While the rear rings are likely capable of taking quite a good load, I would not assume it to be anywhere near what the pylon can take.
    2005 XLV, upgraded ballast, Comptech swivel wakeboard and hydrofoil racks, Monster cargo bimini

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Tallahassee, FL
    Posts
    14,071

    Default

    Yup, that's valid too. I just like splitting the load between them. Maybe it would be best to tie off between all three!
    My Mom said I'm not allowed to get wet!
    2008 LSV (sold)
    2000 Outback LS (sold)
    LLTR!!!!!!!!



  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Eugene OR
    Posts
    1,786

    Default

    To answer the first question i am not doing this for $$$. I will post pic's when the boat is 100% done with this ummm "Upgrade"

    Second when i tow right now i do tow from the two trailer eyes and do a setup so the weight is split between them. This issue is when i have to move the other boat in or out depending on the weather. A Sampson post makes life easy to do tows.
    2008 Outback V - Sold but never forgotten.
    “Do not wait; the time will never be “just right.” Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along." -Napoleon Hill

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