2001 Tige Metcraft Tower SNAPS...

[bcskypilot]

It's heart breaking and maybe season ending... The tower snapped under at the top on each side by the bolts. I guess I'm lucky nobody was hurt but with no local dealer here in Indy I am not sure where to turn... I understand that this has been something Tige has seen before. Anyone have any input on what way to go for a fix or am I looking at replacing a tower? For those that may be wondering... Yes, the tower and all bolts are always tightened down before we ride...

I pushed the tower back up to show where it snapped at if this helps...

Thanks


Hmm... No luck posting the pic. Anyone able to help with that as well^

[bcskypilot]

I was able to talk to Tige today and was told that the tower only had a 1 yr. warranty and that they now make their own towers. I was able to get Metcraft contact info though. I left a message and hope to hear something good soon...

[Matt Garcia]

Did it look like this? If so, its common among these towers. It happened to a friend with a 2001 21i as well. When I found out that mine was broken (had no idea how long it was cracked since the black pads covered it) I was devastated. I called Tige and the told me the same thing they told you. I dealt with Bob Metcaft of Metcraft Industries. I ended up having to ship the tower to them so they could reweld it with a better support system and re-powdercoated it. I think I spent around 375.00 total since it was not covered under warranty. 175.00 Total for shipping and about 200.00 for fixing it. It took them about 2 weeks to fix it and ship it.

Really got my blood boiling when I realized that I had to pay for something that broke in a weak weld. Good thing that I dont have to deal with that anymore since I sold it after I got it fixed.

By the way, my tower bolts were very tight when I found out the tower broke, in fact I checked them almost every outing and I never took my tower down.

[Matt Garcia]

Broke at both welds..

[bcskypilot]

Wow... It's like I am looking at my own boat tower... That is the exact problem I have now... It's snapped on both ends but also pulled down some since I was boarding from it. I noticed after looking at it more tonight that it looks like it may have torqued the whole frame under the load because my gelcoat on one of the legs is also cracked. I think it was Bob they left my message for at Metcraft so I'll have to see what he says... Shipping form Indianapolis to Metcraft could hurt a bunch...

Anyone else have this happen??

[lee]

It happened to a lot of the 2001 towers, might be the design of the tower. Seems the metal is a little thin in that area.

[bcskypilot]

Everyone at Metcraft must be pretty busy because I haven't heard anything back yet. Incase I need a new tower does anyone know if the newer Tige Tower fits the 1998 22i or not? Any other tower suggestions for that boat?

Thanks...

[Matt Garcia]

You just have to be very persistent. I called non stop until I got a resolution.

Just keep calling.

[Bog]

once you get ahold of bob tell him to send you a new "H frame" dont send your old one in to have it welded. Just get the new part and install it your self

[lee]

Yeah, just measure the "H" bar you have now and they can make you a new one with different mounting points.

[bcskypilot]

Is the "H Frame" the whole top part? I know it bolted on the back side of the tower in two spots and has screws on each side in the front. Am I thinking of the right thing?? Anyone have a pic of what you are talking about? Thanks!

[lee]

Yes, the "H" bar is the top section. If you took it out and stood it on the end it would look like a H.

[Matt Garcia]

lee is right, the "H" bar is the part that they had to work on. I also had to send them the back legs since it was a new support system they were sending me.

Break it down and you will see that top section is a sepearte piece.

[bcskypilot]

Just tried to break it down. The screw in the front on one side looks like it snapped off when the tower pulled down so I am having a heck of a time getting it apart. The whole tower seems screwed up now because I have one mount on the front right of the boat that is gapping and the other side is dug into the gel coat... Both post are tight on the underneath, one I can loosen the other is so tight and ackward to get at that I haven't been able to get it loose... I may have to take the whole thing off to have it checked to see if it torqued. Is there a way to even check for that??

Thanks for all the help...

[bcskypilot]

I was able to talk to Bob at Metcaft and he seems to have a fix for the tower if I pay to ship it to him. Thanks for all the help guys and thanks Metcraft for offering to take a peak at it for me.