Tower and pitch/roll on 22-2

[gwhitley]

My inquiry here is twofold.  First, for those of you who bought and/or restored a 12 deg. 22-2 and put a top or tower on it, what did you go with and how do you like it?  I am really trying to decide between a half or full (folding) tower and am concerned that the boat may want to roll a bit much on me if I get too much weight up too high.  I have a design in mind for a full tower that would be fairly light, wherein the only solid part of the covering would be where I would stand, but I don't want to get that done and regret having it.  Any thoughts you guys have would be very helpful!

Second, if anyone has one with a full tower and wouldn't mind me coming and taking a ride on it, I'd not only spring for the gas but usually show up with a cooler full of beer as well.  I live in Fayetteville, NC.  I'm heading to Marathon, FL, on April 4 to do some tarpon fishing and so I will be traversing most of the east coast that week.

Thanks in advance for the time and help everyone!

[Blue Agave]

Many things to consider here. First off, if you are concerned about pitch and roll and you want a full tower, have one made that will only be comfortable for one topside.  Here in Florida on the west coast there are a lot of 22-2s with both full towers & half towers.  So it's clear that the boat will accommodate both.  As with any boat the captain must use common sense when operating the boat, a boat with the full tower occupied will be more sensitive to weight distribution than one with a half tower.

[Capt Matt]

You will find it very tippy with a full tower, go with a half tower. Its not just having two people up there but the higher you go up from the water level the more the pendulum swings.  I have a buddy that took the full tower that came with his 23 dorado off, it was silly tippy even with the factory tower. Flatbacks seem much more stable with a tower than a 12 degree deadrise. A 5 ft tower is plenty,  a few more feet of height really don't gain you very much when flats fishing anyway
Capt Matt

[gwhitley]

Thanks for the advice so far guys, keep it coming.  Let me ask those with experience this: if I go with a 5' pedestal, will I be able to easily drive at a lower station?  I'm 6'2", and I will probably drive more at a lower station than an upper, so it's imperative that I be able to do so easily and safely.  Thanks!

[Blue Agave]

I agree with Capt. Matt, not much difference between a 5 & 7 foot tower when it comes to spotting fish on the flats.

[fitz73222]

My inquiry here is twofold.  First, for those of you who bought and/or restored a 12 deg. 22-2 and put a top or tower on it, what did you go with and how do you like it?  I am really trying to decide between a half or full (folding) tower and am concerned that the boat may want to roll a bit much on me if I get too much weight up too high.  I have a design in mind for a full tower that would be fairly light, wherein the only solid part of the covering would be where I would stand, but I don't want to get that done and regret having it.  Any thoughts you guys have would be very helpful!

Second, if anyone has one with a full tower and wouldn't mind me coming and taking a ride on it, I'd not only spring for the gas but usually show up with a cooler full of beer as well.  I live in Fayetteville, NC.  I'm heading to Marathon, FL, on April 4 to do some tarpon fishing and so I will be traversing most of the east coast that week.

Thanks in advance for the time and help everyone!

I'm not a guide nor do I play one on TV but I do have a 12 degree 73' 22-2 with a full folding tower. It is a spotting tower and does not have a helm. This tower puts your eyeballs about 13' above the water. I have not experienced any enhanced pitch and roll issues with a normal sized adult up there. I sometimes ride with two adult females up there without any issues. Now I havent been out in a 4' "beam sea" and pushed any limits. I'm on the east coast of Florida if you want to go splash her and see for yourself on your way down. I'm about 10 minutes off of I95.