Tower Talk

[chpthril]

Doesn't mean they couldn't do it. And trust me, I understand why they don't: They want to control the accessories business and keep it to themselves. Thing is, open standards almost always win over proprietary.

As the ultimate example consider the PC vs. Mac marketplace. IBM's hardware offering was so open that they actually published the source code for the BIOS firmware in the Technical Reference manual. Meanwhile, Apple kept their hardware and firmware a proprietary trade secret. I'm first in line to say that Apple makes a great product, but what do they have - 10% of the market? Meanwhile the PC standard has evolved and changed yet continues to rule the roost with a 10:1 advantage in market share.

There are examples of standards in this industry. Wakeboards and bindings don't HAVE to be interchangable across manufacturers, yet they are. Anybody want to be locked into just those bindings offered by the board maker? Me, neither.

I know what you're saying is true today, but it doesn't have to be that way.

New styling to set yourself apart from the competition is the main reason they make the changes. Offering OEM accessories is just a secondary benefit. But, this doesnt mean that an aftermarket company can not design and build their own accessories that will bolt up to the non-tubular towers. Samson has been doing it for a few years now. The only thing they cant do is actually copy the OEM accessory, but offering your own design that fits the OEM bolt pattern is A-OK.

Heck, the auto manufactures stopped making a dash that would accept an industry-standard stereo head-unit, like 30 years ago. This spurred the aftermarket industry to make conversion kits to cover the non standard opening and allow for a standard single or double DIN head-unit to fit.

Due to aftermarket innovation, no one is locked into tower speakers with round clamps even though they have a non-industry standard composite tower.

To say that round tubular clamps is industry standard is about 4 years in the past. Many aftermarket tower makers are now offering tube towers with bullet up-rights. These require a board rack that affixes to the tower by a means other then a round tubular clamp. But since this thread is about choosing an aftermarket tower, I doubt there will be any trouble finding accessories to fit which ever aftermarket tower the OP go with.

[NICKYPOO]

Having a really nice tower is absolutely worth the $$$ IMO. Every time out on the water, you'll get that smug feeling that you have the best and then, when the lake gets really rough, you'll look up at that tower and it will be rock steady and that 4k you just spent on it will make all the sense in the world.

My buddy says he likes his Aerial tower. He a cheap SOB though. I basically installed it for him and we went through the delivery and customer service nightmare. It's not as sturdy as it was a year ago and it creaks like a horny frog. I wouldn't put one on my boat. I spent the $$$ on a nice tower and it has been worth it. It's kind of a PITA to put up and down but, its super strong and quiet. I never worry about it no matter what.

[ddubz]

NICYPOO, I am asssuming you went with samson since that is the only tower that I have found that cost 4K? I am seriously considering the MTK in black from monster now. It is growing on me more and more.

[laserfish]

I have the Samson Razor and it is super easy for one person to put up and down. Way easier than the original Metcraft. I am thankful for this as I have to put mine down every time I back up the drive to miss the house. Would not be such a big deal but it is nice because of clearance constraints.

[IDBoating]

To say that round tubular clamps is industry standard is about 4 years in the past.

I'm saying it would be nice if we DID have a standard. We obviously don't, as you point out, but if the mounting points were standardized - like they are with wakeboards, for example - the customer would have far more flexibility in his choices. No adapters would be needed, just buy what you want and install it. "Round" is a pretty well understood design.

[Bakes5]

Spent 5k on my Sampson razor for my 1998 2200v a few years ago. Well worth the money. Love it every time I see it and use it. Completely transformed my boat.

[NICKYPOO]

NICYPOO, I am asssuming you went with samson since that is the only tower that I have found that cost 4K? I am seriously considering the MTK in black from monster now. It is growing on me more and more.

Nope, I went with BOSS. I was able to take my boat to them and have the tower built to the boat. There is no universal element in it. The only aftermarket towers I've seen that have similar rigidity are the Monster and the Samson. I just can't get over the look of the Monster but, that's the only thing I don't like about them.

[ddubz]

I think I have decided on this tower, a local shop around my house said it will be very easy to reinforce if needed. I like the look of it(yeah I know it looks like a MC tower) and the rotating board racks. The tower has a long stance and I think it will look great on my 2300v. I did find the exact tower on ebay for $899 opposed to the $1499 elevation sells it for. Thoughts?

http://elevationwakesports.com/index...8mjqvf4kskgv34

[laserfish]

They probably come from the same factory in China. Lots of imports out there. I know Samson has the measurements for your boat so you could use the same mounting holes. No expense to do a gel repair.

[NICKYPOO]

I'd say they probably are out of the same factory as the Aerial stuff. Same exact clamps and mounts, just in a little different design. I think I would be partial to the Elevation towers just based on looks. The MC looking tower would make me a little nervous just because the original MC one was a POS. I definetly like the looks of it though. For $1500 it looks really nice.

[LTtige22v]

Aerial

I put an aerial on my last boat 92 mastercraft prostar 205. Tower was nice except the joints where they connect to the tubes. The set screws kept coming loose. So I has a local welding shop tig weld the joints up. This made for a gear tower. I really liked the looks. The only thing was it had to be polished as it was not coated in any way. Good luck with you tower. If you want pictures of my old boat with the tower PM me.