My new R20

[racerdave]

I recently bought a 2011 R20. I bought it new, and have had it about a month. I have taken it out about 10 times and have about 16 hours on it. The tower had a weld break yesterday (bracket that holds the board rack on) weld looks cold and a little dirty.
My dealer told me they would weld the bracket back on. Is this a standard repair for something like this or should they replace the tower? I feel like I got lucky the rack and my board did not hit and damage the boat.... my board took a little road rash also.
thanks for the advice, David

[tnvolgrad]

Welcome to the site - post some pics up for your new R20. Not sure on the repair - photos would help, but I would be very adament about a replacement. If the weld broke there is no telling what other failures may exist or how the break may of impacted the rest of the tower.

[racerdave]

I hate this was first post.... dang... My only concern is the same person who welded that bracket welded the rest of the tower! I guess I got a Monday tower. I love my Tige' and can not wait to start adding it.

[skippabcool]

Welcome to the site and congrats on your new boat.

x2 on pics.

Sorry to hear the troubles you had right off the bat. Did the dealer say anything about your board?

[Iwndr]

Sweet looking R20 hope they get you fixed up soon

[Allan Kendall]

Love the boat, looks clean!

[Kight & Christine]

The same thing happened to ours but we were not that lucky. The board rack hit my buddy and scratched the boat. We thought the weld came apart on our boat because it looked like our tower was painted first and then welded. We emailed Tige over this problem and they sent an engineer out from Abilene to show us the tower is super strong, just a bad design of the board racks. We thought the same thing about the tower and the engineer told me they hooked a truck up to it and towed it with the tower. Make sure the dealer checks the other board rack because both of ours came off the first time we took it out, but good news is after the new weld no problems after 70 hours and a few team ropes. The boat has been crazy cool, just a few problem here or there, but we love it. Please feel free to email if you need anything else.

[Ewok]

Welcome to the site, great looking boat. One question, on your post you said that your board got road rash, so were you towing the boat on the road when the rack broke? FWIW, It's not a good idea to tow any boat with boards in the racks, if they fall out of the racks or in your case, the racks fall off it and it could cause a bigger traffic accident.

[racerdave]

I live about 200 yards from my boat ramp, If I am pulling to any other ramps I do not have boards on the racks. I talked to Tige' today and I was told it is a design flaw. It happened on the first 50 or so boats. The repair is to weld the brackets on both sides where they are welded only on the front side now. They told me they would replace the tower if that is what I wanted.

[konajay]

I also have a 2011 R20. My dealer told me about the problem with the board racks, which he says he will have fixed when I bring her up for 25 hour service. Supposedly the fix involves adding an extra weld. It is my understanding that it is covered under warranty.

Hope you enjoy your boat and welcome to TO!

[robert theisen]

Welcome to TO! Glad to hear you got your issue resolved.Enjoy your new boat.

[racerdave]

thanks for all of the hosipitality guys!!

[117AJ]

Is there anyway to easily check if the tower is one that is affected?

[Ewok]

I live about 200 yards from my boat ramp, If I am pulling to any other ramps I do not have boards on the racks. I talked to Tige' today and I was told it is a design flaw. It happened on the first 50 or so boats. The repair is to weld the brackets on both sides where they are welded only on the front side now. They told me they would replace the tower if that is what I wanted.

Sounds good, I used to live that close to my boat launch too and I did the same thing. I know the breakage wasn't caused by towing on the highway. I wasnt trying to insult your intelligance, some people just don't know or think about putting boards in the racks.

Again, congrats on the boat and enjoy when the racks get mended.

[racerdave]

After a couple of weeks my tower issue has not been resolved. I am starting to question what some of my options are. Tige' told me they would replace my tower etc.... What ever it took to make me happy. My dealer IMO is giving me the cold shoulder almost as if he dosent have time to deal with my problem. Will Tige' send me the tower and let me install it myself ( I am a certified welder, repair technician) or will it have to come through the dealer. It is a little imbarassing to have a cool new boat with one side of the tower being held together with ratchet staps and the other rack completely broken off.

Thanks for help, David