New to Forum

[bwest]

Hello everyone,

I am new to the forum and recently purchased a 2000 2100V Limited. I literally searched for two months until I found the right boat, and am very happy with my choice. The boat is almost immaculate and only has 200hrs, but still has the original Metcraft tower. Has anyone tried to add anything to that particular tower (such as speakers and side mounted board racks)? I have already purchased a set tower speakers, but am a little hesitant to have them installed b/c of all of the issues relating to the tower's integrity. What would be the best choice in terms of a tower upgrade? Any help/advice would be appreciated.

This is a great site and I look forward to hearing the responses.

Thanks,

I will provide pictures of the boat this weekend.

[TeamAllen]

Welcome to the site! Sounds like a great boat. Looking forward to the pictures.

It seems it always comes down to two tower companies. Check them out. Great reviews about both.
http://www.monstertower.com/
http://www.samsonsports.com/

[Fit to be Tige]

Welcome. Good luck and enjoy the rest of your summer on the boat.

My Metcraft tower still works like a charm. I've got board racks and it seems to do just fine. No tower speakers. Sure it's not as "solid" as newer ones, but I also don't feel like spending a couple grand on a new one when in my mind a tower either pulls boarders without cracking, breaking, wobbling too much, or it doesn't. I believe it is like anything else on the boat and should be checked regularly.

[NICKYPOO]

Nice choice of rides B. Welcome to the family. Sounds like you've done your homework. TA is right on the towers. Those seem to be the two tower manufacturers it always comes down to. Tige owners are generally good shoppers who do their research (that's why we buy Tiges) and most Tige's with after market towers have one or the other, so...

I think Ragboy sells towers now, doesn't he? New Dimention.

Titan builds a solid tower but, you don't see too many of them on Tiges. I looked into putting one on mine but, all I got from them was a cold shoulder because I didn't have a Malibu. At that point I decided they could kiss my...

No matter what what you do, most will agree that replacing that Metcrap is a wise idea and money well spent. Until then, make sure you tighten every, and I mean every bolt on that thing. Be sure to pull the pads off the top section and tighten the bolts under it. They are the main failure point.

Rock, rock on.

[dingleberry]

I think Ragboy sells towers now, doesn't he? New Dimention.

Yes - ragboy sells towers, but they are Samson.

[TigeTrojan]

Welcome! I am of the opinion that if it ain't broke don't fix it. . .yet. If your tower starts to give you problems then by all means fix it, but if the boat only has 200 hours, the tower has probably not seen much action yet. If the boat is well maintained the tower should have been maintained as well.

[bwest]

Thank you all for the great advice and input! I am excited to be a part of the Tige community. Interestingly, one of the factors that played into my purchase was this website - you can find answers to just about anything. I think I may take everyone's advice and keep the tower until it starts showing excessive wear...at which point I would really like to invest in a new one. The Samson towers look awesome.. then again so do the monster. Fit to Be.. do you mind me asking what kind of rack you chose for you tower? Thanks again for everyone's advice!

[gcalkins]

I have a 2003 22V with a Metcraft tower. The welds on the upper brace that the wakeboard racks are bolted to started to crack. I had them rewelded and added a 1/2" plate using longer SS rack bolts. The additional plate removed the flexing of the orginal bracket.

[dogbert]

Where do you boat? We're normally at Lake Buchanan, but that's no longer an option

Welcome to the site and post some pictures of your boat!

[Fit to be Tige]

Thank you all for the great advice and input! I am excited to be a part of the Tige community. Interestingly, one of the factors that played into my purchase was this website - you can find answers to just about anything. I think I may take everyone's advice and keep the tower until it starts showing excessive wear...at which point I would really like to invest in a new one. The Samson towers look awesome.. then again so do the monster. Fit to Be.. do you mind me asking what kind of rack you chose for you tower? Thanks again for everyone's advice!

I still have the original Metcraft and have not had a single issue with it. As a part of my quick check list before going out on the boat, we check that everything is tight and everything looks good. Again, my boat is a 1999 and runs like an absolute champ.

Don't get me wrong, the new ones are cool and I'm sure they are sturdy, I just don't feel like spending the dough on something that works. Like Trojan said "if it ain't broke..."

One more thing, we are a fairly fit / light family. I weigh 175 lbs but I've pulled guys that are 230'ish from it too. I never pull tubes, slalom skiers, or anything putting a "ton" of drag from the tower.

Here is a pic from the back of the boat.

[bwest]

Dogbert, I am generally at Lake Brownwood.. but make frequent trips to Lake LBJ. Seem like all of the lakes are getting low.. How is lake Buchanan? I was on Travis two weeks ago - cannot believe how bad we need the rain.

[bwest]

Fit to Be, We were on the lake this afternoon and I noticed that my tower has a fair bit of play with a 160lbs boarder in tow. Is this normal? I took your advice and tightened everything... still moves a little. Your boat looks great by the way.. My tower is identical - just white with black surrounds. Thanks for the info.

[Fit to be Tige]

Thanks. The tower is definitely not rock solid and will creek and "play".

You need to post up some pics of your boat!

[samw]

Welcome and congrats on the boat.