Tower lowering/raising ideas!

[TXtraumaRN]

For those that boat alone, or for whatever reason don't have a helping hand when lowering/raising your tower, what do you do/use?
I used to do the jetboat owners acrobatics and hold with one hand, lean the opposite direction and counter with my weight, prop a leg up on the ledge, and unscrew with my other hand. But with the addition of the Bimini top, my very heavy JBL Tower speakers, and soon to be light bar, this is no longer an option.
The only thing I have come up with is using 2x4's. I use a 30" 2x4 on the deck to protect the mats, then use a 75.5" 2x4 wedged in place to support it while I unscrew the mounts. This has made it tremendously easier to do. Anyone have any other ideas? Pics?

 

[Shack]

This is what I have. Super easy to use. Not sure if you can buy singles of the product. I’m in construction so I bought a 4 pack of them. Really handy for a lot of things. They’re normally used for closing off an area for demo work to control dust. I also use them for making a room to spray finishes on projects.
FastCap 3rd Hand Support System 57-to-144-Inches, 2-pack #3HAND5 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000067S12/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_1J255CRF1BMNJ0ENPCC0

 

[Robbyw]

Cheap at harbor freight

Ratcheting Cargo Bar

Amazing deals on this Ratcheting Cargo Bar at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[Matt J]

For those that boat alone, or for whatever reason don't have a helping hand when lowering/raising your tower, what do you do/use?
I used to do the jetboat owners acrobatics and hold with one hand, lean the opposite direction and counter with my weight, prop a leg up on the ledge, and unscrew with my other hand. But with the addition of the Bimini top, my very heavy JBL Tower speakers, and soon to be light bar, this is no longer an option.
The only thing I have come up with is using 2x4's. I use a 30" 2x4 on the deck to protect the mats, then use a 75.5" 2x4 wedged in place to support it while I unscrew the mounts. This has made it tremendously easier to do. Anyone have any other ideas? Pics?

This is great man, thanks! I am in the process of buying a new boat with a tower, and was just thinking how I would lower it myself. Unfortunately I am going to have to lower it each time I come into my dock/before I lift the boat out of the water since my clearance is limited the way the dock wood supports are installed.



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Cheap at harbor freight

Ratcheting Cargo Bar

Amazing deals on this Ratcheting Cargo Bar at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Thanks for the link! This should work for me as long as it goes up high enough.

 

[jetboater4life]

I made mine out of PVC. I have a bigger one but couldn't find a pick of it. I have a few different lengths that I need to use it for. I keep it in the boat because I can turn the pvc elbows around and use it as a hook. I've picked up many items that have blown out of the boat with it. One thing I haven't gotten around to doing is making an attachment for a paddle.

 

[CarolinaJet]

For lack of any better options nearby I use my telescoping boat hook. It’s not super steady but I don’t lower the tower much and it works!

 

[Zuppy51]

I’ve been using a 15’ ratchet strap. I rig it from rear tower bar at tow spot, then to the stern grab handle. Make sure the ratchet end is up near the top of the tower, lift up into place, tighten ratchet. Then it’s hands free supported by itself. Lastly, I screw down the tower anchor points. Simple, and easy to store. Stowage or dropping is the reverse.