water ski pylon question

[Mbailey]

2003 pulsare BR2100 I think this is the right forum.

I have to keep the family happy. Does anyone have any advice about a good make of water ski pylon.
I hate to drill the boat, but want one that is clean and removable. I was just going to buy one from the factory but they are around $300. I don't know if they just resell another manufacturer. I cannot imagine they make their own.
I see tons of people talking about water skiing as well as going fast so any advice would be appreciated.
As a side note does anyone have the factory bow cover ? How is it? I need one and would :cheersmount it myself or get one made locally.

 

[CHECK16]

I use a Swivl-eze ski pylon.It might not be the cheapest,but the quality of fit and finish is hard to beat.You can install or remove in less than a minute.It breaks down into three bars that are easy to store on-board somewhere.
Heres a link so you can look.
http://www.outdoorsuperstore.com/product.asp?prod=420865

 

[jallen355]

I've been kind of looking at adding one to my boat for next summer, too. What about this style. They don't have any support rods and therefore look cleaner. I assume you make a hole for the pylon to pass through the rear deck and they are secured to the floor. I'm wondering if that is sufficient support, however. I suppose the underside of the deck where it passes through could be reinforced with a plate or something, though. Has anyone installed on like this?

 

[CHECK16]

I've been kind of looking at adding one to my boat for next summer, too. What about this style. They don't have any support rods and therefore look cleaner. I assume you make a hole for the pylon to pass through the rear deck and they are secured to the floor. I'm wondering if that is sufficient support, however. I suppose the underside of the deck where it passes through could be reinforced with a plate or something, though. Has anyone installed on like this?

I think that it would work good.It's pretty thick behind the rear seat where you would drill your hole.You would have to make sure you had room for the floor bracket.
On my 16 ft.BR the fuel tank would be in the way,but I have a 20gal. tank

 

[Mbailey]

thanks

Check16, Thanks for the ideas. I will definately look at the swivel eze. I like being able to stow it and I want something that will last.
Jallen355 I think my gas tank would also be right under the pole mount base with the other style but I will look.
Any ideas are appreciated. I always like going with something someone has tried and tested.
Any others out there chime in. - Mark

 

[yellowfiero88]

This is what I have on my outboard. Surface mounts with plates under the top of the boat. Remember how much force is on that pole when your cutting hard while skiing or sling shotting the tube! Pretty simple design, I think it might be home made (was on there when I bought the boat)

 

[TheNerd]

There is a nice set up on eddiemarine.com

 

[merc245]

I like the ez swivel with the loop on top from Checkmate. I like the look of havin' it up all the time.And I don't ski or tube much anymore.
But heres a thought, With the tripod style you have a extra handle to pull your a$$ up out of the water.

 

[Big Dave]

We had a "Doc-Rail" tripole setup on Daren34's Diplomat o/b, It looked factory it fit so well, and yes that extra pole really helps climbing the ladder. I was 230# + at the time and slalomed behind it every weekend

 

[Mbailey]

you're right

Well I never thought about it but you are right. Trying to get out of the water is getting harder all the time. I have to slalom ski 2-3 times a year just to prove to the youngsters I can. By the time I am done my arms are shot.
In any case thanks for the info guys. I'm definately going the tripod route. I have the winter to figure out which and get it mounted and backplated.

One more question. What are you running for a ski prop or dont you bother to change? I've got a 24" pitch Trophy on now which seems to have a pretty good hole shot. I was thinking of playing with the ventilation holes and possibly looking around for a 21 or 22 pitch or a HIGH 5. Not having alot of experience with this boat I don't know how it will haul my butt out of the water. The kids I don't worry about.

 

[GFreeburn]

Swivl-Eze Part No.

from my 2100 BR is 922-ADJ-S.

 

[BagMan]

I have a 23 Hi-5 on a '91 200 XRI/21 Starliner. Tried a 22 and it literally sent the boat into the stratosphere. Could pull 2 slalom skiers out of the hole and plane in matter of seconds. Best yet it would grab so hard cornering to get back to skier, made Nautiques jealous. Went to 23, as hitting revs with 22 was too dangerous. 23 still worked great and topped @ 6K-6200 around 60. Hi-5 will lose about 3-4 MPH top end. Currently repowering with new 2.5 280. I'll probably go with 23 Trophy Plus for good hole shot and more top end and a 28 Chopper for hi speed runs. (always also have the Hi-five for serious skiing) Take care!

 

[Old Hickory]

Caught this thread a little late; this is a pic of the ski tow from eddie marine.
I really like this one because of the way it mounts. It is very similar to tournament ski tows; and is cleaner in appearance than the swivel-eze. After looking at towers; extended pylons; and similar ski tows from Rex and Dana, this is the one I'll be installing on my Enforcer.

Hick

 

[slamram99]

so yall might find this helpful this is the pole from rex marine i am satisfied with it i just need to reinforce my deck where it goes through the deck. i got it now so i can plan everything together at the same time. here are a couple pics. im trying to figure out how my gas tank is gonna go let me know if you have any ideas.

 

[Old Hickory]

slamram99,

That is very slick...looked at the rex marine as well...Is that the only mount? the one on the floor? Seems like there may be alot of stress on the thin strip of deck....you may be okay; due to the fact that your splashwell will provide some needed rigidity. I have two options on my enforcer....I can mount at the very back of the boat using the transom. Or mount in much the same place as yours. I'm leaning towards mounting off the transom. BTW....is that coosa you used for your transom rebuild?

Hick

 

[slamram99]

slamram99,

That is very slick...looked at the rex marine as well...Is that the only mount? the one on the floor? Seems like there may be alot of stress on the thin strip of deck....you may be okay; due to the fact that your splashwell will provide some needed rigidity. I have two options on my enforcer....I can mount at the very back of the boat using the transom. Or mount in much the same place as yours. I'm leaning towards mounting off the transom. BTW....is that coosa you used for your transom rebuild?

Hick

ya its the only mount but im going to make sort of a sleeve under the deck for support and have a couple braces glassed in back to the transom. do you mean using the transom? are you going to put it in the splashwell? i couldnt think of any other place to do it. and yep thats coosa! I love the stuff(but not the bank account). ya i still have to encapsulate the transom and stuff but its on its way. this ski pole has put me in a bind about a gas tank though. im thinking im gonna have to get a custom tank made i know a guy thank gosh.

 

[slamram99]

this is what i did for the gas tank and such. battery behind the pole in between the transom knees that arnt there in this picture. 2 twelve gallon tanks.

 

[john lamon]

That should balance the weight out good with the tank on either side, Here's a pic of the added plate for support that's on mine, their is also a plate on the back side.

 

[slamram99]

That should balance the weight out good with the tank on either side, Here's a pic of the added plate for support that's on mine, their is also a plate on the back side.

ya i put a bulkhead fitting on the lower front corner of each tank to link them together.

yours looks great. do you have a pic of underneath?

im trying not to put a plate on the top for a clean look, but i will if needed.

 

[john lamon]

ya i put a bulkhead fitting on the lower front corner of each tank to link them together.

yours looks great. do you have a pic of underneath?

im trying not to put a plate on the top for a clean look, but i will if needed.

I thought there was a plate there, it is just a piece of wood glassed in place, here's a better pic of the top plate.