Tower Upgrade 24Ve to Alpha Z

[Thegerman618]

I have always liked the Tige Alpha Z tower, if say I happened to come across one that was reasonably priced would it work on my 06 24Ve? I see this tower on the 09s all the time, and to my knowledge there was no significant changes to the hull or gunwall. I am dreaming here or could this be a legit upgrade without major modification?

[Bryan]

What tower do you have now? If you do come across said Z tower, would you be selling your current tower?

[dakota4ce]

I would sure think you could do it as long as you can get access to the place where it bolts. I would think one of those bad boys would cost some serious coin?

[Dandy]

If you get a chance, I would look under the gunwale on a boat that has the Alpha Z tower mounted on. This could be any boat, not necessarily a 24Ve. I am going to guess that there is some significant reinforcement in this particular location that you will not find in your 24Ve. Yes, your hull/gunwale should be the same dimensions as a 2009 that has the Alpha Z, but I am going to bet that the Alpha Z boat has alot of reinforcement in the mounting location that yours will not. I think just mounting the Alpha Z up, would end up causing stress damage to your boat, unless you were able to access the mounting location and could glass in similar reinforcement blocks.

[Bryan]

Seems like a I've read a post somewhere and the guy was installing a z style tower on a boat. Think it was the Malibu equivalent though. He was advised to install a metal backing plate about 2 feet long starting at the tower mounting position and running forward inside the gunwale towards the bow. This was supposed to spread out the force the tower would exert while towing somebody.

[Thegerman618]

That is what my concern is, I haven't been under there to see what the re-enforcement is or how its done. I would imagine if I didn't have the right thickness I could glass some aluminum blocks in under there to re-enforce it. I found a Alpha Z tower on a Tige that sank and the boat its self is pretty well destroyed from water intrusion but the tower is fine. They lady I talked to at the salvage yard said to make on offer on it, its coming off an 12' RZ4, has a pair of Rev 10's and board racks on it, but no bimini and the tower is black. She didn't seem to really understand much about the tower or speakers, I was planning to start at $500 and see what happens, best case she says sure then I have to figure out how to get it off the boat and shipped from MA. to CA. and pray I get all the pieces I need. Worst case she talks to someone and finds out there is probably 4K worth of Tower there and asks for retail on it.

[NICKYPOO]

They did a bunch of re-enforcement work to the hulls for the Alpha towers. If it actually fits I'm sure it could be done but you are going to be azz deep to a giraffe in work.

I'd rather have a 4 post tower any day.

[Thegerman618]

I don't dislike my tower now its tall and I don't have to duck under my bimini at 6' 4" but the alpha Z tower is so freaking cool looking, I will be limiting myself a bit more to speakers, board racks, Bimini styles but I think the trade off to make it look more like the 09 24Ve would be sweet.

[Bryan]

Not ducking under a Bimini... What's that like? We don't even use ours because it's so stinkin low. It sits in the garage

[Thegerman618]

Its nice, minus the fact you almost need a mechanical engineering degree to put it up. Worst Bimini design EVER. But once its up I have 6' 6" of clearance under the bimini so no ducking under which is huge bonus.
Got word last night from the salvage yard, the lady I spoke with said she would sell the tower only under a few conditions:
1. No Promise that anything on the Tower is in working condition (lights, board racks, Speakers) to include the structural integrity of it.
2. I would need to have someone come in and remove the tower, they are not going to remove the tower due to liability purposes
3. Shipping would be my responsibility
4. The cost.......$1600.00 was the final, non-negotiable price.

[IDBoating]

I think you'd be better off having your own guy (or yourself!) removing the tower from the old boat anyway. That insures you get all of the mounting hardware, you get to inspect in detail how it's structurally mounted to the old boat, etc.

I share the opinion that you're going to have some serious reinforcement going on. IIRC the Alpha Z doesn't just rely on the gunwale for support, it ties in deep into the hull and underdeck area. There may be some mounting hardware glassed straight into the hull.

Idea: Might be worth scanning some of the build photo sequences that people have posted here to see if you can catch a good look at that area of the hull before the deck is lowered onto it.

[NICKYPOO]

I don't know if Eddie G is still at the Tige factory but he would be the man to talk to to find out what what was done and if it can be done.

[Thegerman618]

This idea is quickly having holes shot through it and I am getting the sinking feeling it wont happen. The cost alone of the tower, shipping, and re-enforcement is more than initially anticipated. My hope was to get the tower for steal and just bolt it up and done maybe some light glass work to re-enforce it. Thanks for all the advice guys, but I think I am going to pass on the prospect. At least we figured out that, pre-2008 24Ve' boats did not have the proper re-enforced gunwales to support the Alpha Z for others if they ever attempt this upgrade.

[IDBoating]

My gut feel is you're making the correct decision. There are some very nice looking four-footed towers out there if you're still looking to upgrade, and I wouldn't hesitate to install one on a Tige.

[Bryan]

Could post contact info for the salvage yard that has the boat... Somebody closer may wanna go check it out.. If it is structurally sound then $1600 probably isn't too bad a deal