www.iFourWinns.com

I would like to put a wakeboard tower on my '06 H220 this winter. I am leaning towards the factory setup, realizing there are cheaper ( cost wise ) units out there. I would like to hear the pros and cons of the Four Winns tower vs. aftermarket.

By the way, the arch Four Winns sells is out the budget.
Thanks,
FXDL

I have the stock "Wakeboard Tower Deluxe" that came on my 2006 H240. It functions well, looks good on the boat, has 2 side racks that hold 4 wakeboards, has 2 XTP speaker cans, and an attached bimini top. I ordered a large XTP mirror that attaches to the tower instead of one that clips on the top of the windshield. The family is entirely happy with it. I have not tried to lower it because it looks heavy.

have you had any luck with the factory or after market towers? I prefer the factory look but Socal dealers prefer aftermarket...I'm thinking for kick back purposes...? i could be wrong.

Tower looks heavier than it is. It is actually quite light considering its size but you have to use caution flipping it forward for the simple fact that it is difficult to keep a grip on - it swings up as it folds forward. I had large foam blocks on the bow when I took it off to stow the boat and was glad I did becuse it got away from me but beyond that my wife and I picked it up and off without much of a struggle.
What scared me most was poking one of the legs through the windshied but I had a couple of plys of heavy cardboard laying over the glass just in case.

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2008 Four Winns 210 5.7 GI/SX
2007 GMC Sierra 2500 Crew
1966 Fed-Up Wife

The Four Winns tower is an XTP. Available through monstertower.com Don't bother looking for it on their website though.
The pro's: Very rigid, mounting points are fairly accessible, optional accessories available through one of the greatest companies on the net(monstertower.com) Bimini & replacement parts available through FourWinns. Folds rather easy & looks great.

Cons.......$

Aftermarket towers can be found much cheaper, but possibly at a quality sacrifice & almost definately a sacrifice of looks. Stay away from 13th floor. Very unstable.

You need to consider any future upgrades in tops, speakers, etc. when purchasing. Some tower styles do not accept any, or look terrible with them installed.

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H210SS 6.2
F150 Platinum

Im not a wakeboard guy, but I have to admit...the factory tower on a Four Winns (the XTP Brent is talking about) does look great.

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Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

+1

Local dealers will only suggest aftermarket, DGB, 13th Floor, Air Boom, & Skylon. I was ready to purchase one of the above mentioned but I was not totally satisfied with the look so I backed out. I am glad I did because I was setteling for a sub par product.

I spoke to Cody with Xtreme Tower Products and he was very helpful. The cost for the tower was not bad but the shipping cost to California was expensive. I was hoping I could find a dealer near Nevada, Arizona, or California who could sell and install the tower.

Does Xtreme Tower Products also make the OEM tower for the H180? I really like that one best. I need a Bimini too. whats the best way to go about that? Bimini or tower first??

Craig

I spoke with Joe @ http://www.wakepromarine.com. They are located in the DFW area. He indicated to me that the towers FW offer are produced by XTP, Sampson , or New Dimension. You can google any of the 3 and find their sites. He also lists his prices online. I like the Sampson exact fit. Going through him will save some money.

I plan on installing this in the off season

95FXDL

Tower first!
Then attach a tower mount bimini. Less holes to drill in fiberglass!

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H210SS 6.2
F150 Platinum

I have the factory-installed wakeboard tower on my H220 and frankly, I hate it. It was not designed with the intent to ever be in the "down" position so it's a pain in the rear to raise and lower it, which I must do each and every time I use the boat (so it fits in my storage garage). It cannot travel in the "down" position either. Also, it nearly rips my cover to shreads whenever I lower it, unless I have a massive cushion to rest it on. The bimini top feature is OK but it tends to flap like crazy if you are going above 5 mph. I suppose most bimini tops do the same? Oh yeah, it may appear "light" but it really is quite sturdy and stout. It also reduced top speed. I completely removed it for a while and gained 5 mph at WOT.

I've never looked at an aftermarket design myself, but the factory-installed version ranks a 2 out of 10 in my book. Best of luck!

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2008 H220 Frenzy - 5.7L VP SX Drive
2013 Tahoe LTZ Tow Vehicle (admiral's ride)
2011 Ford F150 XLT Ecoboost Tow Vehicle

Hmmm. I quite like it but I do not have a history of towers to compare it against. I find it is a very nice looking and well finished sturdy and light but I do also tend to agree that the fold-down ability leaves a lot to be desired.

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2008 Four Winns 210 5.7 GI/SX
2007 GMC Sierra 2500 Crew
1966 Fed-Up Wife

I have the FW stainless arch and it is rock solid. I don't care for the aluminum ones too much - they seem unstable to me, even though I'm sure they are fine. The stainless one has zero flex and the double bimini is cool, but FW missed a lot of "duh" moments in the design of the bimini/arch, like:

1. If the bimini is open, how the hell are you supposed to loop the tow rope around the tower mount? I can't reach the mount without some serious stretching and lucky tossing of the rope. A little access zipper would have been nice.

2. When the bimini is open, the rope rubs on the rear of the bimini fabric when towing from the arch. We had slides installed to lower the rear support legs about a foot to avoid this.

3. The bimini straps that go to the front of the boat are single sewn and have already come apart after less than 10 hours of use. Weak.

I do like the integrated navi light on the tower, and I mounted a pair of double can speakers to the underside of the tower (under the bimini).

Jack,
Take the bimini off when you know you're no going to be using it. I only have mine on during the days it's going to be over 100.

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H210SS 6.2
F150 Platinum

I'm still happy with the purchase of my aftermarket Skylon pro XT tower. Putting the tower up and down is pretty easy with help from my wife and 14 year old daughter. My boat is garaged so it's done every time I take it out. In the case of my H190, the factory bimini still fit with the new tower which probably saved about $800.00. The factory bimini may or may not fit on other size boats. The two wakeboard racks I purchased hold two boards eack and help provide extra ridgness for the tower. There's been no gel coat cracks at any of the mounting positions. The factory Fourwinns Tower didn't seem to be available for my 2003 boat when I was looking in 2006, so I tried to buy the best aftermarket tower available. The tower, racks, and installation was around $3000.00 out the door. I have no regrets and would buy the tower again.

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2003 Horizon 190 5.0 Volvo
2003 Chevy Suburban Z71 5.3