Tower cracked:((

[cyclone]

Dang it. I have to take it off and get it welded. Here's a pic. Didn't see it because the tower hat was hiding it. Cracked clean through the weld and up the crossbar. I'm going to drill it on each end of the crack and take it to get welded. Not sure what caused it but I do have a tower box and carry four boards. I did have the tramp top on but the nutserts keep loosening up. I haven't used it in a year or two.

I may get the brackets welded on, or something. 

[shawn]

Mine cracked too.  have your guy weld little triangle supports between the bars for added support. 

[cyclone]

No doubt, good idea! Did you have yours re-powdercoated? I'm thinking of just painting it with white epoxy. I have been cleaning up the appearance of my tower for years with white appliance epoxy anyway, it's amazing how well it works to hide a scratch on a white tower.

[shawn]

i did get it redone but if I was to do it again, I would just do what you are doing.

[flyn2001]

At one point in time I actually considered pulling my tower off and getting it powder-coated chrome (looks like brushed aluminum when finished).  I pretty much lost all motivation after considering what a pain in the a$$ it would be to re-run the speaker wires!  I don't even know how you would do it  

I mean, how do you get the wires through the tower, down the right post, and out the correct hole? 

Anyhow, is that a common place for our towers to fail?  I'm going to look at mine next time to be sure.

[cyclone]

I am going to claim the "shop vac" method as my invention, as I first used it in 2001 when I put a tower on my first Epic. I posted it  on Wakeworld back then now it's the standard way to wire towers. Duct tape the vac nozzle to the bottom hole on the section of the tower you want to run the string through, then feed the string into the hole at the top. It helps to tape off other holes. I just pulled mine back out of the tower so I can take the top section to be welded.

[Wet-N-Frugal]

Several years ago I had my stock tower modified. Had it dipped to strip all the power-coating. Had a Mini Bimini frame welded on, along with other misc. mounting points (for speakers, board racks, etc). My welder noticed several hairline cracks at the pipe joints and added more weld. I think the gusset idea is an excellent one. The pipe used for these towers should of been a little heavier. Then I had it re-powder coated... but that's back when I had money.

To snake wire thru the tower I have a super-duty magnet from an old computer disc drive. It could probably pull a screw driver six inches off the floor. Put a sock over the magnet to protect my new paint job. Put an washer on the end of a pull string. And I directed that pull string where ever I wanted it to go.

[cyclone]

Good idee with the magnet!

Got my tower welded and it looks stock. He ground the crack out and filled it. I didn't have him add gussets or mounts for the bimini this time but probably will someday. I'm getting ready for a big time this Memorial Day wkend. I sanded it down with 220 and wiped it down with thinner then sprayed it with Rustoleum white appliance epoxy. It looks like new. Got it back on the boat, even wired the tower box and put the racks back on.

[sailtl]

Cyclone we are going to miss you at Dale Hollow and hope you have a great Memorial weekend

[cyclone]

No doubt, I was thinking about you guys today. Please say hi to Doug, Justin, Gary and Brent

My pal Tugg has a thing every year, I promised him I'd go this time. I thoroughly checked out my boat this year, hopefully it will be less eventful than the last trip!!