extended pylon question

[meggsy1221@aol.com]

good day all,my question is about extended pylons are they a viable alternative to having a tower installed?i prefer the look of a tower my son and wife do not care for a tower, we have a prostar 205 and need more room thanks

[Kevin 89MC]

I do a bit of wakeboarding, but no advanced tricks, and I have an extended pylon. I like it a lot, I'm glad I don't have to mess with a tower. I have boarded behind a boat with a tower, and I didn't notice any difference with the pull. It was a wakeboard boat though, so I just about killed myself on the wake! More advanced riders will probably chime in with different opinions, but for me the extended pylon is plenty good. Cheap, easy to store (I have a closed bow), don't have to modify the boat cover, quick to set up. I think they even offer board racks for them now. There is likely much more storage abilities available with a tower, though.
My :twocents:
Kevin

[vogelm1]

I have had similar experience to Kevin...store my boat in the garage, so folding down the tower everyday out didn't appeal to me. However, with my friends X-10, the tower and board racks really provide the extra room. Performance-wise I'd say it's about the same, just personal preference on style, amount of room needed in your boat, and your boat storage situation. I see the new towers fold down in a snap, so it probably isn't a big deal at all.

If you just want the high pull point, it's hard to argue about $399 for an extended pylon VS. $2-3 grand for a tower. I got the pylon for now, and can always add the tower down the road if I get the bug. :twocents:

[AirJunky]

Pylons will flex side to side a lot when a big rider cuts out into the flats. A descent tower doesn't flex hardly at all.

Getting clotheslined by the bow strap as you jump up out of the driver's seat is a real pleasure. Yarding out that ball breaker of a pylon was a much bigger pleasure for me.

I paid $1400 for an Ichor tower & it's sturdy as he11 & breaks down with 2 pins. Definitely not any tougher than breaking down the pylon & bow strap.

Only other towers I'd consider are the Monster & the Titan. Most other towers have a ton of flex to the sides.

[Hoff1]

I’ve had an extended pylon for 5 seasons and just find it hard to purchase the tower for 2 reasons (cost and view). I would love to get my board out of the way though with the board racks. A lot of aftermarket towers are directly above the driver. I’ve noticed on new MC’s that the factory tower is set back some, but at those prices it’s not an option for me to go for a factory tower. I would just hate to give up my unobstructed view on those clear nights. Without the tower or pylon, I feel like I’m in a convertible versus something with a roll cage blocking sight lines.

[jkski]

I’ve had an extended pylon for 5 seasons and just find it hard to purchase the tower for 2 reasons (cost and view). I would love to get my board out of the way though with the board racks. A lot of aftermarket towers are directly above the driver. I’ve noticed on new MC’s that the factory tower is set back some, but at those prices it’s not an option for me to go for a factory tower. I would just hate to give up my unobstructed view on those clear nights. Without the tower or pylon, I feel like I’m in a convertible versus something with a roll cage blocking sight lines.

Have you checked out the board racks which mount to your extended pole. I used to have one and it provides you with an alternative. You do have to watch your head when getting around it, but at least the boards are off the floor.

[Hoff1]

I take the pylon down when I’m not using it. I hate having to maneuver around it and the bow line. Makes my boat feel incredibly small with it up.

I’ve never verified this, but I was under the impression that if you were riding behind the boat, there couldn’t be a spare board in the rack because it would entangle with the rope. Anyone got a real life story on this?

[jkski]

I take the pylon down when I’m not using it. I hate having to maneuver around it and the bow line. Makes my boat feel incredibly small with it up.

I’ve never verified this, but I was under the impression that if you were riding behind the boat, there couldn’t be a spare board in the rack because it would entangle with the rope. Anyone got a real life story on this?

Never had a problem with that. I think it just boils down to how high on the pole you mount the rack. I had a "Fly High" pole and rack, and you could adjust the rack to whatever height you wanted. If you are looking for something like this, call Mid-Ohio Watersports, I know they have one sitting there and I bet they are willing to deal on it (it's been there a while)

[Ben]

meggsy: We have the same boat you do & use the pylon. I'm not a pro wakeboarder by any means, but it works fine. AirJunky is correct that the bow strap is somewhat in the way to get to the bow seats, but it is definitely manageable. The pylon is definitely cheaper (I got mine on eBay), won't require mods to you hull (drilling), and isn't a permanent change. For the 205, I'd recommend a 2 pc model, so you can stuff it in one of the rear side "pockets".

Having said that, a permanent tower with board racks would be nice, but that is way after a few other upgrades like a heater & maybe shower.

[3event]

I've been using a Fly High ext pylon for 4 years on a PS197. We ski and barefoot more than we wakeboard. Plus we would be folding it down a lot since the boat lives on the lift at the lake, every time we come in after a run it goes under the canopy on the lift.

But I noticed this past year, when I finally got some big pullers out there on their boards, that I can hear a bit of "creaking" for lack of better word when they pull hard out. So I tried to get the cable tension just right. And I talked to my boarders and asked that they not go super wide and pull hard - the Fly High advises only 45degrees out from center.

I wonder if this setup stresses the MC pylon over time. And I wonder if I should consider a tower now, to preserve the life of the pylon - we love this boat and it's going to be around for a long time.

[88 PS190]

I'd check the mounting hardware on your factory pylon, just to make sure its all tightened up. that'd creak if it wasn't.