Cracked Wake Tower

[ZippyBoater]

Pulled the boat out of the water for the winter and when I took the Bimini top off of the boat, I found a crack in the waketower. This is an Aerial Wakesports Assault tower. It is no longer under warrantee. Any suggestions on what I should do? The photos I have attached are of the top corner on the starboard side.

 

[Thermobrett]

You could try to have somebody weld it, but that looks like a pretty high stress area with wind lifting under the bimini. I’m no welder, so it may not work. Maybe a fabricator can cut a section out and patch a new piece in?

 

[ZippyBoater]

You could try to have somebody weld it, but that looks like a pretty high stress area with wind lifting under the bimini. I’m no welder, so it may not work. Maybe a fabricator can cut a section out and patch a new piece in?

I am waiting for the company to return my email to see what they suggest. They have installers near me, but no word on any fabricators or machinist that could do the repairs.

 

[Babin Farms]

I'd weld it. Is the tower one piece or can you take the top of it off similar to a AR230? It would be a lot cheaper to weld it if were off the boat and you could take it to a shop.

 

[ZippyBoater]

I'd weld it. Is the tower one piece or can you take the top of it off similar to a AR230? It would be a lot cheaper to weld it if were off the boat and you could take it to a shop.

It is multi-piece, but I have 4 speaker cans up there, so the wires run through it. Might as well be one piece.

 

[Babin Farms]

It is multi-piece, but I have 4 speaker cans up there, so the wires run through it. Might as well be one piece.

Either way, if your going to weld it your going to have to get the wires out of it or they'll melt.

 

[ZippyBoater]

Either way, if your going to weld it your going to have to get the wires out of it or they'll melt.

Yeah. I know. It is going to be a lot of work.

 

[Mainah]

V grind the crack and TIG weld. Perhaps add another external support like the one lower. Is is just me or does the next major junction down also have a crack at the top edge of the weld or perhaps a non-penetrating part of the bead? Of course remove the wires as already mentioned. Any good local TIG welder should be able to do that job.

 

[84rzv500r]

V grind the crack and TIG weld. Perhaps add another external support like the one lower. Is is just me or does the next major junction down also have a crack at the top edge of the weld or perhaps a non-penetrating part of the bead? Of course remove the wires as already mentioned. Any good local TIG welder should be able to do that job.

yes this is almost correct... you need to drill a small hole at each end of the crack like 1/8 dia to stop the crack from propagating... then V out and tig or mig spool gun weld... grind smooth and then gusset... and if it were me Id check the other side for cracks and gusset the other side to match for good measure...

 

[ZippyBoater]

Finally talked to the Manufacturer and they recommend that I just replace the tower and use larger backing plates. Really don't want to spent $1700 on a new tower.

 

[84rzv500r]

its a $200 fix for a welder and your time to remove and reinstall the tower... take the Bimini pull the wires back and get a canvas to protect from sparks and buy the welder some beer..

 

[ZippyBoater]

I just have to find someone that will come to me. Our lake place is kind of rural.

 

[84rzv500r]

I just have to find someone that will come to me. Our lake place is kind of rural.

mobile welding fix, $500 and beer LOL