Where to mount towerless wakeboard rack

[Monterro]

We are going to try and get into wakeboarding this season and need a place to store our wakeboards. We do not have a tower. There are not many choices out there. Trying to keep them inside the boat with tubes and additional people doesn't work so well. I ended up going with the Big Air Oasis.

http://www.storeyourboard.com/towerless-wakeboard-rack-big-air-oasis/

Where would be the best place to install it? I am thinking the rear of the boat would be the best spot. Don't have many options mounting it either. Needs to have at least 15 inches of space to mount it. Do you think one side is better than the other?

 

[Ancient canoe]

Why not geta a tower? If you are just trying out the waters of wakeboarding, I would just carry them on board until you know for sure it's something you will like then find a tower. If you like wakeboarding at all your next upgrade will be a tower anyways, and if you don't like it, then you'll regret needlessly mounting racks to your boat.

 

[sstegh]

Be careful when mounting these that they don't get in the way of docking your boat. They don't look removable.

 

[swatski]

We are going to try and get into wakeboarding this season and need a place to store our wakeboards. We do not have a tower. There are not many choices out there. Trying to keep them inside the boat with tubes and additional people doesn't work so well. I ended up going with the Big Air Oasis.

http://www.storeyourboard.com/towerless-wakeboard-rack-big-air-oasis/

Where would be the best place to install it? I am thinking the rear of the boat would be the best spot. Don't have many options mounting it either. Needs to have at least 15 inches of space to mount it. Do you think one side is better than the other?

View attachment 37549

I agree with @Ancient canoe but if you are limited by vertical storage space, which can be an issue with a tower, I would consider a pylon. They are not terribly expensive and provide a convenient rack base, too.
We used to have one on one of our older boats and it was actually very useful.

 

[Monterro]

I keep my boat outside so I am not limited by space. Just didn't want to go through the hassle of installing an aftermarket tower and not liking it or needing to purchase additional items to make the Bimini work. Also having to modify the cover to fit. A $1000 job could easily turn into $2000.

I actually already have a pylon that is very nice and sturdy. Towers look better but I don't have to drill any holes and setup and takedown takes only minutes.

I was going to do some dry fits of it with the wakeboard to see if they get in the way. Don't think they would because it is mounted high but it would stick out some. I assume wakeboards also stick out when installed on a tower. They are just mounted a lot higher than this one would be.

 

[swatski]

I assume wakeboards also stick out when installed on a tower.

Yes they do. I had to get swivel type racks for that very reason as I slip in a pretty narrow dock/lift.

 

[sstegh]

Yes they do. I had to get swivel type racks for that very reason as I slip in a pretty narrow dock/lift.

I got the swivel type too for slips and for tying up to other boats.

 

[Matt Phillips]

If you're going to get into wake boarding at all, a tower makes a world of a difference. As someone said above, mounting these that low on your boat could seriously limit docking on that side.

 

[Monterro]

Thats everyone for the info. I didn't even think about it getting in the way of docking. It comes in tomorrow so I will take a look at it and see how close inboard I can get the rack. If I can't get it to work I will just return it and have to deal with a cluttered boat. Unfortunately this is my only option. If I do another major upgrade to the boat my wife is going to go crazy. I think I used up all of my "is too good of a deal to pass up" with all the group buys.

 

[Chillypilot]

I agree you need a tower. I just installed one myself. Not all that difficult if you handy. Hardest pard is getting it symmetrical on both sides. You'll never regret doing it right the first time. Mounting that rack on the side of you boat is just asking for trouble. Furthermore I think it be a deterrent for a buyer when if sell you boat.

 

[Monterro]

@Chillypilot Which tower did you buy?

 

[Chillypilot]

I purchased a used stock tower from a guy who removed his. He wanted one he could fold.

 

[SCP1]

Please post pictures when you get it and a review after you use it. Also wondering if it can mount on the front rails or does it need to be mounted to that specific rail? Depending on how it mounts a back mount could work however I have heard the fiberglass is thin .