For those looking for something a bit more unique, the Big Air Twister Wakeboard Tower offers an inventive design featuring integrated swiveling wakeboard racks. Easily rotate your boards in and out of the boat with a twist of a knob, and the tower can store up to four standard wakeboards without needing additional aftermarket racks. Designed to be universally adaptable, this tower fits any boat with a beam width between 72 and 103 inches. Constructed from lightweight, strong, and silent aircraft-grade 6061-T6 aluminum, it offers both power and durability.
The mounting feet use a single bolt to attach either to the side of the hull or the top of the gunwales. With standard-height gunwales, you can expect an impressive 7 feet of head clearance, leaving plenty of room for additional accessories like speakers and bimini tops. The tower also features a dual swiveling rope head for maximum freedom of movement. Plus, the tower folds up easily and is available in either polished aluminum or a black powder-coated finish.
What to Look for When Buying a Wakeboard Tower?
Materials
Aluminum is the preferred material for wakeboard towers due to its lightweight and rust-resistant properties. However, not all aluminum is created equal. Mike Dovey from Wakeboard Towers UK advises that "the marine environment is tough, so unless you feel like polishing your tower every time you use it, don't cheap out on a polished aluminum tower for saltwater use." Instead, he suggests going with a high-quality anodized or powder-coated finish to ensure your tower will continue to look and function its best for an extended period.
Fit
Although aftermarket wakeboard towers are designed to be compatible with a wide range of boats, there is no guarantee that they will fit in practice. According to Loren Swor from Big Air Waketowers, each tower model has "specific requirements for boat width, as well as interior access and hull thickness." You must take all of these into account when deciding which route to choose. Some manufacturers offer custom solutions for boats with an unusually wide beam or specific types of boats, such as pontoons.
Installation
Wakeboard towers typically come with mounting feet that give the user the option of installing the structure on the side of the hull, on top of the gunwale, or both. Some also have the ability to be adjusted to perfectly match the exact angle of the mounting location. This feature is highly recommended by Dovey because it "prevents torsional stresses from passing through and damaging your boat." Similarly, it is better to have a lower number of bolts required per foot. Less drilling improves the hull's strength and integrity and reduces the risk of Gelcoat cracking over time.