My 1974 AS 22-2 Refurbish Job is a GO!!

[LilRichard]

James' tower is about 2' taller than a folder- so why fold?  If you're trying to get under the skyway pier, hey- go for it.  If you're spotting tarpon on the beach, why are you worried about clearance?

FYI, electronic controls are about $2,500 - 2,750 total.  Cable controls (morse) will be $1,200.  So that's $1,300 - 1,550 diff.  Not $3,000?

[fishbonz]

Look at my gallery for a full tower on a 222.  Folding is a matter of trailering.  You cannot trailer a full tower in the up position.  Folding to get under bridges is a fallacy.  You will not want to fold lower and raise the tower several times during the day just to get bridge clearance.  If you want to get under the Skyway pier and under some lower bridges AND you do not want to fold the tower to trailer, go for a half tower.  Work with your tower builder to customize to your height.  You want to be looking over the floor when running from the lower station.  Some builders will make a fold-up floor so you can protect your teeth.  Quality in Tarpon Springs has an awful lot of experience at this stuff.

[Undertow2]

What about the pendulum effect and the overall effect on the ride of the boat itself?  Aren't these factors to consider as well with the full tower?  Cost as well?
I really need to do some fish sighting on a half tower to see just how much difference there is with 3-4' less of perspective.  I HAVE spotted fish from a full tower, so I would be able to see the benefit, if any.  If it's considerable, I'll swing for the full tower.  Oh crap, yea, almost forgot am getting a steel storage building that will house the boat and other things...the higher the door clearance, the higher the leg height, the more $ for that...       But, it is all about the ---->   :fish:

Anyone got a half tower boat wanna take me fishing I buy gas and beer and teach you how to fish?   8)

[slippery73]

Fishbonz is right about the folding part, you mostly need it to fold while you are trailering it. You dont really want to get a tower if you frequent under bridges a lot, a full tower with belly band, control box, rocket launchers etc. is heavy as hell to have to fold up and down a lot. Legal trailering height in FL is 13'6" a full tower on a boat is taller than that. Unless you want to ruin that new tower hitting crap as your dring down the road go folding or half tower.

Where can you find electronic controls for under $3000 ???  Call Travis if you have any questions as to what the controls ad to the price. Its around 3k.

[LilRichard]

Where can you find electronic controls for under $3000 ???  Call Travis if you have any questions as to what the controls ad to the price. Its around 3k.

I have seen quite a few places, here is the first one I found:

http://www.seatechmarineproducts.com/ke4_single_enginedual_station_system

[LilRichard]

BTW Undertow, I think that exact design comes from Sanchez Brothers.  If you notice, it is literally a T-top with a hole cut in it for access to the above controls.  They call it a "T-Tower":

http://www.sanchezbrotherscustomfabrica ... owers.html

I have heard mixed reviews about them as fabricators... but I do know they do a lot of work for TA Mahoney's.

[Undertow2]

Pretty sure Paramount does Andros?  Am I wrong?  I know they do Yellowfin (which would sell me, flat out!).

I'll have to check it out.  Thanks for the FYI.

[LilRichard]

Very possible... I was not familiar with them.  Yes, yellowfin using them can only mean GOOD things!

[John Jones]

I wanted this t-top but I can't afford the high maintenance cost.

[RickK]

 

[The Bear]

I'd recommend going full. When I finally get to mine. I am going to do a full folding tower. I like to sightfish the flats and i need to do a fold for trailering to and from the ramps.

[LilRichard]

BTW, I talked to Tom at Marine Specialties in Oldsmar.  I am still trying to figure out the half/full question myself.  He mentioned that he has heard of a few Dorados ROLLING OVER due to two big dudes in the tower hitting a wake from the side.



Anyone ever heard that before?

[John Jones]

My boat feels tippy with two average guys in the tower or when it's windy.

[SnookNreds]

I have had a boat with a half and a full tower...I would'nt go with a half tower again...the full tower has alot more advantages and folding it down isn't as bad as people are making it out to be. The height difference between the full and half is a HUGE difference...I would rather not have a tower than have a half tower..yes price is a cost difference but well worth the extra few dollars...my friend had a half tower on a pathfinder..got on my full tower and replaced his! the half just got in the way when i wanted to drive from the bottom....thats all..good luck in your decision..


as far as that dorado..it happend in tarpon springs/anclote area..And it happend acouple years back. It's the only dorado boat i've ever heard of flipping and they were idling and a big wave from another boat rolled it over...

[The Bear]

but that was a dorado, not an aquasport! come on! haha!  

i hope that doesnt happen to me. as i said i want to get a full tower, but im by no means a small guy. at 6'6" and 275lbs, i might have a chance on swaying it back and forth, hopefully not into a roll over!