Adding a Tower to SX 195

Hey Everyone!

Recently bought a 2018 SX195 for a great price and I'm looking to see if anyone has added either the AR 195 factory tower or other 3rd party towers to this boat after the fact? I got the boat on a great deal of a about 3K under MSRP due to an interesting story of someone winning the boat in a raffle and not wanting it.

I've had the boat for a few weeks and love it, but I was originally interested in AR 195. It was a little more than I wanted to spend on a boat and my Fiancé and I really didn't like the bench seat (minority opinion, I know). From what I understand the boat/hull is identical to the AR195 sans the tower, bench seat and color schemes, so it shouldn't be an issue to install it from a support standpoint outside of maybe having to get a new bimini set up.

We were discussing maybe adding a tower down the line (likely a winter mod) but just curious if anyone had any experience doing this, recommendations or tips. Thanks!

I was in the same situation as I didn't want to spend the money on the AR195 either, but after everything I had to add to make it what I wanted I was close to the AR195 in price. Plus the bigger jet pump. Sorry I can't help on the tower as we ended up with the AR195. When I looked it seemed like it would cost around $3000 to add a tower if that helps.

scubasteve87 said:

Hey Everyone!

Recently bought a 2018 SX195 for a great price and I'm looking to see if anyone has added either the AR 195 factory tower or other 3rd party towers to this boat after the fact? I got the boat on a great deal of a about 3K under MSRP due to an interesting story of someone winning the boat in a raffle and not wanting it.

I've had the boat for a few weeks and love it, but I was originally interested in AR 195. It was a little more than I wanted to spend on a boat and my Fiancé and I really didn't like the bench seat (minority opinion, I know). From what I understand the boat/hull is identical to the AR195 sans the tower, bench seat and color schemes, so it shouldn't be an issue to install it from a support standpoint outside of maybe having to get a new bimini set up.

We were discussing maybe adding a tower down the line (likely a winter mod) but just curious if anyone had any experience doing this, recommendations or tips. Thanks!

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There are many options.
Best to use factory reinforced sites for your install. I’m not a big fan of the new AR towers but it would at least be an easy fit.
I did a different one in my old 190, worked well, no issues even took it to Bimini and back, lol.
https://jetboaters.net/threads/sx190-wakeboard-tower.7569/

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Totally understand the cost and logic getting the AR. My Fiance and I were looking at the 19 footers earlier this year but decided to hold off one more year to get the AR and save up a bit more money. However being in NY and not many dealers offering discounts I was at about 40k after taxes, freight, fees and registration which was tough to justify for a new 19' considering what the used market is for all boats.

Cut to a local dealer reaching out to me at the start of the summer out of the blue (after we talked numbers on an AR195 at the local boat show earlier this year) about a brand new sx195 that was won in a raffle, but not wanted by the winner. He was looking to move it and onew I would be interested.

I got a 2018 SX195 in blue with a galvanized trailer for 30k out the door (taxes, prep, registration, etc) so I really couldn't pass it up. Because the boat was never delivered I was also able to get the Yamaha financing deals as well. It really was a win-win for everyone.

I'm certainly happy with the boat in every way (completed the 10hr service already) and I have no complaints. Just curious people's opinions on the AR tower, if someone had installed the forward swept towers on a sx190 or sx195 and confirm if I went with a factory tower I just really need to line up the mounting points without any additional glass work/support.

I was also curious people's opinions on 3rd party towers for this size boat as well and if there were any installation attempts. The forum as a whole has been a wonderful resource and was a significant factor in pushing me towards a jet boat.

https://jetboaters.net/threads/2016-sx190-wakeboard-tower.12365/page-2

https://jetboaters.net/attachments/20170525_192056-jpg.56576/

This is one of the better looking ones in my opinion.

I thought there was another thread that had a better looking forward swept tower. My advice is to look through old threads. As I know there are multiple ones, so you can see what you like the best.

https://jetboaters.net/threads/2016-sx190-wakeboard-tower.12365/page-3

Here is the other one I remembered seeing.

SCP1 said:

View attachment 79448 https://jetboaters.net/threads/2016-sx190-wakeboard-tower.12365/page-3

Here is the other one I remembered seeing.

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Thanks for the replies everyone. I had found a few of these threads before but nice to see the variety of towers. Based on what I have seen I really like the Samson Harpoon tower on it as it looks compact, sleek and can be installed right on the factory reinforced areas.

I think the Samson or the factory AR would likely be the tower of choice. Definitely will be a winter project for next summer but I appreciate the info everyone.

Did you ever install a wakeboard tower on your 2018 sx195?? I have the same vessel and looking to do the same on mines.

Avega said:

Did you ever install a wakeboard tower on your 2018 sx195?? I have the same vessel and looking to do the same on mines.

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I wound up holding off on purchasing a tower. After shopping around the costs, shipping, install etc the end really didn't justify the means. I had a whole summer last year to use the boat and never really had a huge need/desire for it based on my boating (original reason I went with the SX195 v AR195, that and the deal I go on the SX).

I did a lot of tubing, some slalom skiing and some wakeboarding with friends and family and never felt I "needed" the tower when the swim platform tow mount worked fine. Would it be nice? Sure, but it was cost prohibitive in the end. Always about that Smiles / Dollar value IMHO.

In my research however you can install to the factory areas as it is the same hull as the AR (thicker fiberglass in those areas). So a Yamaha factory tower will work, same with the Samson Harpoon or anything else that mounts in those factory designated spots. May wish to put a plate underneath, but all would really work. Any other towers would likely need some plates and be on a case by case basis. I just didn't see the benefit based on my usage justified the cost of the tower, shipping and new Bimini set up.

scubasteve87 said:

I wound up holding off on purchasing a tower. After shopping around the costs, shipping, install etc the end really didn't justify the means. I had a whole summer last year to use the boat and never really had a huge need/desire for it based on my boating (original reason I went with the SX195 v AR195, that and the deal I go on the SX).

I did a lot of tubing, some slalom skiing and some wakeboarding with friends and family and never felt I "needed" the tower when the swim platform tow mount worked fine. Would it be nice? Sure, but it was cost prohibitive in the end. Always about that Smiles / Dollar value IMHO.

In my research however you can install to the factory areas as it is the same hull as the AR (thicker fiberglass in those areas). So a Yamaha factory tower will work, same with the Samson Harpoon or anything else that mounts in those factory designated spots. May wish to put a plate underneath, but all would really work. Any other towers would likely need some plates and be on a case by case basis. I just didn't see the benefit based on my usage justified the cost of the tower, shipping and new Bimini set up.

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I would agree with your decision. I looked at adding a tower to my 2012 SX190 at opted out. Keep in mind if I was comfortable installing myself that probably would of swayed my decision. I now have a AR195 and love the tower. However we don’t use it for towing that often. It looks cool, but is really not necessary. In all honesty I think the best upgrade is the J seating as it gives you more seating in the shade from the bimini top. That is my one complaint about the 2019 19’s is you lose seating that is covered by the bimini top. Love all the other upgrades on the 2019’s but just not a fan of seating loss (and storage loss under the rear seats).

SCP1 said:

I would agree with your decision. I looked at adding a tower to my 2012 SX190 at opted out. Keep in mind if I was comfortable installing myself that probably would of swayed my decision. I now have a AR195 and love the tower. However we don’t use it for towing that often. It looks cool, but is really not necessary. In all honesty I think the best upgrade is the J seating as it gives you more seating in the shade from the bimini top. That is my one complaint about the 2019 19’s is you lose seating that is covered by the bimini top. Love all the other upgrades on the 2019’s but just not a fan of seating loss (and storage loss under the rear seats).

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Yeah I liked the look of the AR's but my fiancé and I were more realistic about our needs. We wanted the secondary captains chair, the larger bimini, etc. So in saving a few grand, plus getting more what we want we chose the SX. Its worked out well and maybe down the line when Kids factor in a bit more and we have a need for a bigger boat, well we'll cross that bridge when we get there.