Comptech Safety Trick Release Goup Buy

[Duncan]

Fix looks to be a shrouded U bolt with bolts forward.

[bluebomb78]

I've considered the u-bolt method but this would also require ditching the back part of the clamping device of the release. I wouldn't think that would be an issue but am unsure. Given the width of the release I would still be concerned about bumping into the tower during hard cuts. I feel like the optimal solution is to elevate the release above the tower but some measuring is in order.

[Duncan]

I've considered the u-bolt method but this would also require ditching the back part of the clamping device of the release. I wouldn't think that would be an issue but am unsure. Given the width of the release I would still be concerned about bumping into the tower during hard cuts. I feel like the optimal solution is to elevate the release above the tower but some measuring is in order.

Elevating the tow point is going to introduce a substantial moment of force (i.e., torque) around the point of contact with the existing ball.

[Duncan]

I've considered the u-bolt method but this would also require ditching the back part of the clamping device of the release. I wouldn't think that would be an issue but am unsure. Given the width of the release I would still be concerned about bumping into the tower during hard cuts. I feel like the optimal solution is to elevate the release above the tower but some measuring is in order.

Elevating the tow point is going to introduce a substantial moment of force (i.e., torque) around the point of contact with the existing ball.

[bluebomb78]

I agree however I think two things work in favor of that not causing structural issues. The first is that I will have the safety release attached so that the torque will be limited to some reasonable amount. Second is the manner in which this assembly locks into the tower. That assembly can rotate in one direction only and when set up for skiing, it locks against the tower. This will transfer the load onto the tower which I presume to be able to handle that, especially since I would only add 1-2 inches (only enough to be able to mount the release). I'm an EE not an ME so I welcome thoughts and ideas.

[Duncan]

I agree however I think two things work in favor of that not causing structural issues. The first is that I will have the safety release attached so that the torque will be limited to some reasonable amount. Second is the manner in which this assembly locks into the tower. That assembly can rotate in one direction only and when set up for skiing, it locks against the tower. This will transfer the load onto the tower which I presume to be able to handle that, especially since I would only add 1-2 inches (only enough to be able to mount the release). I'm an EE not an ME so I welcome thoughts and ideas.

I am not an engineer at all

I am not worried about the rotation of the safety release around the connection to the extension. I am worried about the rotational force applied to the juncture of the existing ball mount and the extension device. Torque = length of arm x force vector x sin theta (angle of arm to force). Even if the extension is only a few inches, the extension is a right angle to the force vector (maximizing sin theta value) and those few inches increase torque beyond the force vector. The safety release will only see the force vector, not the increased torque around the extension attachment point.

Short of it is, the extension attachment will be vulnerable to to multiples of force on the line. I plan on towing a tube off the safety release -- no way am I putting that force on an extension.

[TeamAllen]

Thanks for the picture Bluebomb78. Is that black dome part removable or part of the tower permanantly?

[talltigeguy]

If you could put the ski pylon that is currently in the fiberglass up on the tower, you would be golden!

Duncan is right about the force, but I am betting that the tower pylon is overbuilt enough to handle it just fine. Especially if you elevate it just an inch or two. But I am betting someone else's tower on that

[bluebomb78]

Looks like Tige has already developed an "extended" pylon. From coop's earlier post:

tower_light.jpg

[bluebomb78]

I need to find time to take a closer look but the assembly that holds the pylon and the navigation light are separate from the tower. Removing this would allow me to investigate removal of the pylon (I think it's either a pin or bolt). The black dome part is a part of the removable assembly but I believe this to be part of the mold and not removable.

[bluebomb78]

Not sure if anyone's still following but I thought I would post my solution. I had a new pylon fabricated out of a block of stainless and installed a longer bolt. End result is that I can now use my safety release.IMG_2171.jpg

[dingleberry]

Not sure if anyone's still following but I thought I would post my solution. I had a new pylon fabricated out of a block of stainless and installed a longer bolt. End result is that I can now use my safety release.

Bluebomb - with the longer pylon, are you still able to rotate the attachment/light assembly so that the 360-degree light latches on the top side?

[TeamAllen]

Great solution. Thanks for taking the time to post the follow up!
You might be able to sell a few of those?

[bluebomb78]

Bluebomb - with the longer pylon, are you still able to rotate the attachment/light assembly so that the 360-degree light latches on the top side?

That's the only rub. No, due to the way that the assembly rotates I can no longer have the light on top. We do very little night boating so it isn't a big concern for me but maybe for others. I did start researching a bit and wasn't sure if the 360-degree light needed to be on top of the tower. I suppose there's a technicality that the sides of the tower block some of the 360 degrees. I'd be interested in knowing what other people think about that.