Lowering 212x tower is a pain

[Englewoodcowboy]

@Belleville_Boater I have not. I found them through the Thomas registry, I use that source whenever I am R&D projects. I do like the idea of them being adjustable as well for wear in down the road. Either way I am very interested in what you have done, it will be a must on mine as soon as I can get it. I took the tower down once on my 192 and it was a PITA, it will def. need to be made much easier with the 212. BTW is the stripe accent on yours yellow or green? I have seen several photos and depending on the photo it looks bright yellow or a lime green... I am hoping it is the green as green is my fav. color.

 

[nate kennedy]

Anybody else make these or have the specs to do so?

 

[surfer212]

I am definitely interested... Great design to have the quick release pins fit tightly into the bore, then allow the outer knob to tighten as well.

Any updates on fabricators? Any specs available? I would expect a healthy percentage of Yamaha AR or X owners with the aft swept tower design would be potential buyers.

 

[Steve_SXR]

Anyone else done this year or have more info on it? I am going to do this to my 212x as well.

 

[Steve_SXR]

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?

What kind of pine are you guys using? I like the idea of the quick release and being able to tighten themy as well. I found this video on YouTube of how the quick release pins works but I don't see how this style could tighten too.

 

[justason]

Ok. Made a quick video today on my solo lower and raise system on the tower.
I do this 2x each weekend with no issue. Another plus on the 2x2 board is it lowers the tower more than standard and makes for a better fitment in the garage

 

[Cohenmd86]

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.

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@Belleville_Boater awesome solution, can you help me out so I can do the same if you don't mind. do you have your order or build of material list you used. These are Carr-lane correct? What size insert and ball lock pin did you use, Are those Yamaha stock knobs or were those custom? Thanks man much appreciated, mine fell on my arm and dislocated it so I definitely need a safe solution as I have to keep my 212x in my garage

 

[Cohenmd86]

A couple pics of her

 

[Cohenmd86]

A couple pics of her

 

[Steve_SXR]

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.

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I'm still looking to do this mod. Where did you get the pins?

 

[Cohenmd86]

X2 looking for the whole setup, Carl and quick release, thread insert sizes, and custom Knob

 

[Steve_SXR]

A huge thank you to belleville_boater for his idea. I was able to modify it slightly to fit my needs. I spent hours looking for parts and figuring out how I wanted to do it. I decided I didn't need to protect the threads and I could just drill out the holes and press in bushings. I drilled out the top and front holes on the ¾” aluminum tower support bracket so I could press in the bushings. I wanted to put bushings to help protect the holes from wearing. If they did wear, I figured I could replace the bushings. I bought ones for both the bracket and the boat, I didn't put any in the boat yet, I only drilled out and installed them on the bracket. The only thing I changed on the back hole/setup was removing the existing knob and replacing it with a piece of 2” round aluminum cut to 3.5” in length with a ½-13 tapped hole. This supports the tower when it is in the down position. Some of the parts from CarrLane have been back ordered. I am still waiting on 1 pin to come in and it's been close to two months now. I am a little disappointed at how long it has taken. They do have other options other than the T-Handle, you can get it in a knob or L-Handle. I don't see any reason you couldn't use one of those instead. I went with the ball lock caps so that I could have a little more clearance in my hole size for the pins to help make it a little easier to fit the pins in. In order to achieve a slip fit for the pins, I had to run my drill through both the bracket and the tower/boat together. Below are the parts I used, how many I used, where I purchased them, and some pictures of my system.

McMasterCar Parts: $44.13 + shipping

5231K95 (PVC Tubing UV-Resistant, Qty 1 foot) $11.91ea.
https://www.mcmaster.com/#5231K95


6381K47 (Bushings ½” ID, ⅝” OD, ¾” Length, Qty 4) $1.72 ea.
https://www.mcmaster.com/#6381K47


Optional(I bought them but didn't use them. They would go in the front lower hole boat side and top hole on the tower)- 6381K467 (Bushings ½” ID, ⅝” OD, ½” Length, Qty 4)
https://www.mcmaster.com/#6381K467
8974K71 (2” Round Aluminum Stock, Qty 1 Foot) $25.34 (I had this already)
https://www.mcmaster.com/#8974k71/=15lywez


CarrLane Parts: $217.52 + shipping


CL8BLRS (Ball Lock Receiver Cap, Qty 4) $13.85 ea.
https://www.carrlane.com/catalog/in...900101B030010543C1C0C16190D172D252A5E4358585A


CL8ABPT1.75SC (T-Handle Adjustable Stainless Steel Ball Lock Pin. 1/2" Diameter Grip Length 1.75"+-1/4" with cable, Qty 4) $40.53 ea.
https://www.carrlane.com/catalog/in...A1F0900101B030010543C1C0C16190D172D252A5E445C


Total=$261.65 + shipping

 

[cpalladino11]

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.

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Are you selling this kit? I desperately want to find something to replace my current set up. Way too inconvenient. Thanks in advanace!

 

[Av8tor07]

Are you selling this kit? I desperately want to find something to replace my current set up. Way too inconvenient. Thanks in advanace!

I already asked weeks ago and got no response

 

[Av8tor07]

Anyone? I want something like this.

 

[justason]

Do the thru pins allow the assembly to rattle or float vs a hard lock down by a threaded hole ? I know when we are in rough seas I need to stop and re-torque the threaded handles on occasion to stop the racking.

 

[Ratket]

I so need to do this... does anyone have a kit or could throw a kit together?

 

[InmyElement]

2 biggest letdowns on these models...no hinged seats and ridiculous method to lower the tower...glad to see after I spent 50K in 2016... they fixed it in the newer models.
Great ideas and write ups..Thank You

 

[Ratket]

For sure going to be a project this winter.

 

[Ratket]

So I have been looking at parts to do this, I found some t handle Morroso pins from Jeggs they are only 1/4 thick but say they have a “double-sheer load of 8k pounds” and I think that’s more than enough for the top and bottom front mounting point, but I could be wrong. Any advice?