What are you using to support the tower?

[Scuba_ref]

Hey everyone, I recently relocated my boat from storage at lake Havasu to our house in The Phoenix area. I was going to use the recently acquired shipping cover during transport until I realized that the tower needs to be lowered. Given the roller-coaster quality secondary Highways, i didnt feel comfortable with the tower boimcing against the canke stops. My old AR230's shipping cover went on around the tower.

This made me wonder what I could build or use to support the tower while it is down. I would love to see/learn about what is already being used.

Care to share?
Thanks

 

[jpdaley1026]

I had a neighbor who has the same boat as me. He had some machinist that he knows make a set for him and a set for me. I haven't had to use them, but I took a picture of them and put them on for purposes of this thread. He has since moved, but it may give you an idea of what you can do. Hope this helps.

 

[Ibeflyinhigh]

I didn't want to deal with constantly bolting the brackets in and out so I built a stand with a 5 gallon bucket. I've made about 15 lake trips and logged over 3,000 miles and it works great. I've also gained almost 2mpg towing with the tower down. If I can remember next week I'll take a photo and upload it for you!

 

[jpdaley1026]

Thanks, I would like to see that. Just trying to put those on was kind of a hassle, especially by myself.

 

[Scuba_ref]

I didn't want to deal with constantly bolting the brackets in and out so I built a stand with a 5 gallon bucket. I've made about 15 lake trips and logged over 3,000 miles and it works great. I've also gained almost 2mpg towing with the tower down. If I can remember next week I'll take a photo and upload it for you!

Sounds like what I'm looking for. Something I can place in the boat for the tower to rest on. Looking forward to your photo.

 

[Ibeflyinhigh]

I've got a 5 gal bucket with a little bit of concrete to give the base some weight and stability. 4" PVC with a T notched out at the top to cradle the tower. A $5 travel pillow from Walmart for padding and protection for the tower. I run a bungee from a grab handle around the tower as a safety strap and that's it. I made sure the height of the PVC is sufficient enough that it's not too low and putting pressure on the tower bump stops. We get to the launch, I just grab the bucket and throw it in the back of the truck until it's time to go home. It was cheap, easy to do, and it works. I've had many many trips out of town with it. Maybe theirs better options out there, but this worked for me.

 

[Ibeflyinhigh]

Looks like I have about 5"to 6" of concrete in the bucket to keep the PVC solid in place. I wouldn't go with too much more as the bucket would become too heavy.

 

[jpdaley1026]

nice setup

 

[Scuba_ref]

I've got a 5 gal bucket with a little bit of concrete to give the base some weight and stability. 4" PVC with a T notched out at the top to cradle the tower. A $5 travel pillow from Walmart for padding and protection for the tower. I run a bungee from a grab handle around the tower as a safety strap and that's it. I made sure the height of the PVC is sufficient enough that it's not too low and putting pressure on the tower bump stops. We get to the launch, I just grab the bucket and throw it in the back of the truck until it's time to go home. It was cheap, easy to do, and it works. I've had many many trips out of town with it. Maybe theirs better options out there, but this worked for me.

This is perfect, thank you @Ibeflyinhigh