Which Tower

[jmac197]

I'm contemplating putting either putting a tower on my '02 197 or biting the big bullet (So I'm finding out) and getting a new boat with the tower.

My question to the collective genius I've found on this board is.....

Which tower is better on the 197? the big Zero Flex or the Mini tower?

Thanks
Jim

[mcprostar197]

I think the mini tower looks totally b*tchin on the 197. That said, if you wanna be getting bigger air, you might wanna go with the big ZeroFlex. If it was me, however, I wouldnt hesitate the slightest bit getting a mini tower.

[maha skier]

Whos got photos of the mini towers....

[parks_jr_55]

These were posted previously by AndyG

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y163/vw_wr/MiniTower1.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y163/vw_wr/MiniTower2.jpg

[mcprostar197]

Every time I try and post a pic in a reply it doesnt let me. How is it done????

[mcprostar197]

That red with the black is a dope color combo. That is almost my dream boat.

[parks_jr_55]

That red with the black is a dope color combo. That is almost my dream boat.

You've gotta host them.

www.photobucket.com works real nice and its easy to use.

Once you upload them on there, copy and paste the IMG thing on there into the message or you can upload them through the IMG icon.

[mcprostar197]

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/mcprostar197/54442927.jpg

[mcprostar197]

Kinda a big file but oh well

[parks_jr_55]

When you click the IMG icon in the Reply area, you dont have to include IMG in it too, just the URL.

That looks good, and thats the same ski i have.
On the back and in the racks.

That pic is my new backround.

[georgea0731]

Do the mini and full tower have the same base?
Are they interchangeable?

We have X7, but ski 95% of the time, so the mini would be our choice which allows it to fit on our lift easier. I too think the mini is much sportier looking? Unless you're a big Wakeboarder, I don't think you need the full tower?

[Ric]

Do the mini and full tower have the same base?
Are they interchangeable?

We have X7, but ski 95% of the time, so the mini would be our choice which allows it to fit on our lift easier. I too think the mini is much sportier looking? Unless you're a big Wakeboarder, I don't think you need the full tower?
The 2004 style Zeroflex and the current Mini Tower have the same base.
What year is your boat?

-

I like the full tower for it's practicality, but the mini tower is far sexier.

[Andyg]

I was going to take some more pictures of my 197 with the mini tower and all the bells and whistles installed on it, but off course I left the camera at home. I think the mini tower looks awesome on the 197. It really fits the lines of the boat well. I do some wakeboarding, but am by no means a wakeboard nut so it fits my needs perfectly. The main reason I got it was to get all of the ski crap out of the boat. If I go skiing some night this week I will try and get some photos.

[Ric]

Crdickey has a bunch of 197 minitower pics on here too (look in the showroom for his boat)

[jmac197]

One of my concerns is how tall the tower is. Does anyone wack their head on the mini tower? I'm 5'8" and the tallest in our family of short little Irish guys.....

How tall is the mini off the "deck"?

[the legend]

I think the main question is what are you going to do off the tower you select?

[jmac197]

I plan on remaining a skier, as does my daughter. My son on the other hand has different plans. He's a wakeboarder. I've tried to raise him right...I don't know where we went wrong.... ;)

Just kidding

We would like a tower to provide a higher tow point for boarders and to allow us to have people in the boat while boarding. Also toobin, not often, but the function needs to be there.

We are also looking to get our equipment off the floor. I would put a set of slalom racks on it as well. There is no big need for speakers but lights might be cool.

Thanks
Jim

[parks_jr_55]

If you son is all wakeboard and you want room, then the big one. But if Your boat is mostly for slalom and you want something for the ocassional wakeboard then the small one.

[erkoehler]

Go with the mini tower, looks much better on the 197! Plus, it will still be 100% better than the pylon for boarding or footin.

[u29460]

My 1.6 cents... (zero flex) ;)

-Higher is better.
-The zero flex is about 7 feed off the deck (you will never bump your head accessing the bow of the boat)
-tower is super easy to collapse
-Costs the same
-Looks cool (IMHO)
-Bottom line..... you will be happy either way, to 197 is just screaming for a tower. :)
http://www.tmcowners.com/photopost/data/500/medium/P4100146.JPG

[JDK]

My 1.6 cents... (zero flex) ;)


Me too, my 1.3 cents (Canadian) is zero flex too. Go big or stay home.

[RobertT]

I have the larger tower...but thought I wanted the MINI. I now think that I like the larger one for several reasons:

1. higher is better for just about everything that you will not use the pylon for.
2. Head room, believe me its a huge pain on the mini.
3. Bimini, if you want a tower mounted bimini (and you do), then the added height of the full size tower is needed. Also, on mine, I can fit speakers and lights under the tower but over my bimini. Its ideal.

The lift canopy is an issue, but easily solved by raising the canopy up and putting a skirt on it.

I agree the mini looks sexy, but the added room the zero flex provides is critical for function.

[zberger]

zero flex.. looks ultra hot on that 197 :eek:

[bucky]

I have the mini on my 190. yes, it looks awesome, but the 7th or 8th time you split your head open, you won't be able to see anymore, anyway. My wife is 5'1", and she cut her head so bad she should have gotten stitches (she didn't want to leave the lake). The taller tower looks good, and there is more space for add-ons, more air, and more headspace. IMHO.:twocents: (full 2 cents american)

[mcprostar197]

One of my concerns is how tall the tower is. Does anyone wack their head on the mini tower? I'm 5'8" and the tallest in our family of short little Irish guys.....

How tall is the mini off the "deck"?

If you're 5'8, theres no way you'll whack your head. I'm 6'0 and I'll bet I'd clear it.

[mcprostar197]

Maybe I'm wrong about catching your head on it but if you're paying attention to what you are doing, there is nothing to worry about. For getting the skis out of the way, why don't you just put them in the ski locker thing? I can fit three skis in it on my boat. Do the racks on the mini tower hold wakeboards? Thats what takes up room on the floor in my boat, although I just put them behind the drivers seat where no one really ever walks.

Someone said that the mini and the Zero Flex cost the same. Is that true?? I highly doubt it but maybe I'm wrong about that too.

To the people who do have the mini tower, how tall is it, and do you get the same lift when you jump as you do on the big tower?? Either way, its better than just the pylon, and probably perfect for people who don't rip it up out there on the board, and for people who are learning to get air.

[jmac197]

While I agree that if you are paying attention you won't hit your head, but I'm concerned with those who are not on the boat everyday. They generally don't think about what's above them while riding in a boat.

The Zeroflex tower is about 5-800 more than the mini tower. I'm just going off memory, so please correct me if It's out of wack.

Our ski locker is full of barefoot boom, Kid's trainers, Daughters single ski, Wife's combo skis, and a couple of jackets stuffed in the sides to fill up the rest of the room. I also have a shower in there.

When I bring my ski and my son's board and all the other vests it tightens up the usable space around the boat. We usually put those behind the driver's seat along with the cooler and bags for snacks, towels, and change of clothes.

Under the observers seat is the bow filler cushion, spare parts for the course, tool box, cover, and any other vests that will fit. The anchor is also under there, so I don't like to jam crap in there so the anchor doesn't snag and rip anything.

That's my boat....that's also why were looking for more storage up above.

Thanks
Jim

[mcprostar197]

That is a very good reason to get a tower. Sounds like one crowded boat.

[jmac197]

The boat is crowded, but we don't have to go in until either the beer or gas is gone!!!

There is a bunch of mini-kids in the group we hang around with, I love to get them behind or beside the boat. So I just like to be prepared.

[Ric]

I have the larger tower...but thought I wanted the MINI. I now think that I like the larger one for several reasons:

1. higher is better for just about everything that you will not use the pylon for.
2. Head room, believe me its a huge pain on the mini.
3. Bimini, if you want a tower mounted bimini (and you do), then the added height of the full size tower is needed. Also, on mine, I can fit speakers and lights under the tower but over my bimini. Its ideal.

The lift canopy is an issue, but easily solved by raising the canopy up and putting a skirt on it.

I agree the mini looks sexy, but the added room the zero flex provides is critical for function.
speaking of bimini....... Another thing I like about my full zeroflex tower is that I can remove it from the base and it's still a nice looking tower-free 3event boat with a functional bimini.
I think that the mini tower requires you to piece the bimini to the mini tower and therefore your bimini is more or less part of the tower. Again an issue of function over appearance because the mini does definitely look better either way.

[u29460]

There is a bunch of mini-kids in the group we hang around with, I love to get them behind or beside the boat. So I just like to be prepared.


I have 4 girls with ages ranging from 10 to 4 with 2 of them riding off the Zero Flex. I have never pulled anyone on the Mini but going from the ski pole to the Zero Flex made a huge diffrence in getting them out of the water....

Another perk is you can do great backflips off the tower if you are crazy. :eek: That actualy climbing on the tower.... :D

[Ric]

I have 4 girls with ages ranging from 10 to 4 with 2 of them riding off the Zero Flex. I have never pulled anyone on the Mini but going from the ski pole to the Zero Flex made a huge diffrence in getting them out of the water....

Another perk is you can do great backflips off the tower if you are crazy. :eek: That actualy climbing on the tower.... :D
ok I did the same thing..... How can you not?
If you ever think that the kids aren't watching, forget it.
I heard one of the girls telling her friend at the lake sunday (he jumped off from up there). woooops!
-
Hey kids, do as I say, not as I do!

[Andyg]

If you are worried about people hitting their head on the mini tower don't get one. I think everyone that has gotten in my boat has hit their head at least once on it. I warn everyone when they get in to watch their head and so far no one has had any brain damage done from hitting the tower. It usually takes one good bump with the head before you realize you need to duck. At 5"8 you will be close to hitting the tower standing up. If you have speaker or light pods you will definetly hit them as they are about 8 inches lower.

My mini tower is around 5 1/2 feet off the floor of the boat. The bimini is a two piece bimini that is intigragted into the tower. It is the one thing that bothers me about my tower. It takes about 5 minutes to put the bimini up and take it down.

Since I am not a big wakeboarder I went for the look versus the air. I have seen guys throwing flips off of the standard pylon. So if they can do it on a pylon the mini tower should be that much better.

[SD190EVO]

http://www.artisticvinyl.com/images/hpim1601.jpg

I'm 5'11", my mom (pictured) is 5'10", my wife is 5'8" - nobody who's been on my boat has ever hit their head???

I love the mini on the 190 series boats but I do also really like the new racks that swivel-in and you can't have that with the mini...

[mcprostar197]

That is one awesome looking 190.

[Jayc]

I love the look of the mini tower but the full zero flex might be more practicle if you want to add goodies to it.