Lowering 212x tower is a pain

[smthng]

... I do this to both sides then drop the tower which will JUST fit inside the bottom rear loosened knob and rest the tower on a cushioned spacer...

I feel for ya if you have to do that every time you leave or return from your ramp/dock. That would suck... a lot. Fortunately, I only have to worry about storing mine when I get home. Following your method, do you think I could get the last knob out with the tower down? That would make my process at home a lot easier.

Regardless, if you come up with a better method of handling this critter, add me to the seriously interested column. Anything you come up with, I'll be happy to test to see if it works with the '08-'12 models (which doesn't mean I'm fishing for a freebie). I'm not sure if there are any differences in the '13 and '14s.

 

[Belleville_Boater]

Following your method, do you think I could get the last knob out with the tower down?

I believe you can but you would have to put the tower down on the seats to get the last know off then put the spacer pad in after.

 

[spaz1868]

I would be interested in a quick release for the AR...I do something similar now. I loosen the lower knobs and remove the upper knobs and then rest the tower on a 2x3 going across the crossbar. We do this to be able to store our boat under covered storage each outing. Anything that would save time on this process would be nice.

 

[Englewoodcowboy]

All this talk of tower height and it has me wondering... I am toying with the idea of upgrading from my AR192 to a 212X for next year possibly. My 192 with tower up just and I mean by the thickness of a piece of paper, clears my door in my shop where I store it. Now Yamaha claims the height of the 212X on trailer to be the same as the 192 on trailer (tower up). Can anyone verify this? I don't like dropping the tower already when I have too, and I would not like to have to do it every time I put the boat away or take it out if I upgrade...

 

[smthng]

Mine's currently hiding in the back yard and has probably sunk an inch or two while waiting for pavers and concrete to get finished. It's going on the concrete this weekend if I have to drag it over shipping pallets, so I can get you measurements then if no one can get them earlier.

 

[Belleville_Boater]

Sorry haven't provided an update but my quick release design works great, it only takes a few seconds now to lower the tower. Still waiting for one last piece of the puzzle from the fabricator that will hold the tower off the seats in the down position so it's just 'drop and go'. Hoping to have these by Memorial Day weekend. I will take some pics next time I'm out of the mods I did. By the way these mods do not require any permanent changes of the boat as purchased, and you can return it back to the slow removing knobs at anytime if needed

 

[Englewoodcowboy]

Thanks, my upgrade all hinges on the ballast mod I just did to my 192. If I can get it to surf with me then I will be happy for a few years as my current plan, if not, then I may be looking to upgrade much sooner... It pains me to be even thinking about it as I haven't owned this for a year yet and bought it late last season... I feel like I am cheating on it somehow... LOL

 

[smthng]

@Belleville_Boater That sounds awesome and I'd love to see what you managed to cook up once you have a working "prototype".

@Englewoodcowboy I wouldn't worry too much about it... I have my LX210 that I had for a year sitting right next to my new-to-me 212X. As soon as my yard construction is done, she's on craigslist. Just think of the AR as being the boat that showed you what kind of boat you want.

 

[soggyshoes]

@Englewoodcowboy here is a video that Will @JetBoatPilot made to demonstrate the heights for a 2012-2014 212x on a trailer.

 

[Englewoodcowboy]

Thanks for the info. I dont know what I was reading... just checked things again and the 212 is 11" taller than the 192 so if I go this route, I will have to see a quick and easy way to drop the tower to get through the door. Inside my shop I have plenty of room.... just my luck.

 

[Belleville_Boater]

@Belleville_Boater That sounds awesome and I'd love to see what you managed to cook up once you have a working "prototype".

I've been using it for the last couple weeks as a test and have been very pleased, about 10 to 15 seconds to release the tower and lower it. I know I still need to get pics and a vid up, I will work on that soon I promise

 

[Englewoodcowboy]

 

[Englewoodcowboy]

@Belleville_Boater any pics or videos to update? I'm getting the 212x in a few weeks and will have to drop the tower to get it in and out of my shop. Looking for options.

 

[Geiger41]

I don't lower the tower anymore. Manual says not to if trailering. I don't keep the boat in a garage ever so I leave it up year round. Luckily for me.

 

[Belleville_Boater]

As promised here is my quick release design for lowering the tower, also the custom knob serves as a rest for the tower so that it stays off the rear seats. The process of lowering/raising the tower is about 10-15 seconds.

 

[smthng]

A - I want that kit!
B - Previous generations might be a little different. From your pictures, it looks like the main brace (the removable part) mounts to the outside of all the frame points. On my 212X, it's on the inside. I doubt this would have an effect, as the posts and screws should be essentially the same... suspect that on yours, the main brace is threaded, whereas on mine, the brackets are threaded instead.

What do you do with the brace once the tower is down... leave it hanging by the one pin, or take it off? If you leave it there, is there any chance of it rotating back and hitting anything or resting on gel coat and scratching it up as you drive?

Regardless, nice job. Did I mention I want that kit?

 

[Englewoodcowboy]

You can put me on the list too. Man I need to get my 192 GONE!

 

[Belleville_Boater]

A - I want that kit!
B - Previous generations might be a little different. From your pictures, it looks like the main brace (the removable part) mounts to the outside of all the frame points. On my 212X, it's on the inside. I doubt this would have an effect, as the posts and screws should be essentially the same... suspect that on yours, the main brace is threaded, whereas on mine, the brackets are threaded instead.

What do you do with the brace once the tower is down... leave it hanging by the one pin, or take it off? If you leave it there, is there any chance of it rotating back and hitting anything or resting on gel coat and scratching it up as you drive?

Regardless, nice job. Did I mention I want that kit?

Thanks @smthng Yeah I can't speak for sure towards previous model years of the 212X or any of the other Yamaha models but I suspect that this modification would still work based on what you described on yours still. To answer your question about the center section.. yes I leave it down and you can re-tighten the knob if you choose but I don't see the need to. Also you brought up something I forgot to mention, I have added a small clear adhesive bumper to protect the coating when rotated back.

 

[Englewoodcowboy]

If you dont want to put the kits together and have the dimensions needed, I found a company that can make the pins to the exact length and I think they could make the other threaded part as well.

http://www.bigskyprecision.com

 

[Belleville_Boater]

If you dont want to put the kits together and have the dimensions needed, I found a company that can make the pins to the exact length and I think they could make the other threaded part as well.

Thanks @Englewoodcowboy I may look into that, the length is adjustable so that you can tighten the plates together after engaging the pins so there is no "slop" while the tower is up. If they can produce them with the same shear strength and safety factor at a cheaper cost I would definitely be interested. Have you dealt with them at all?