Zup / Surf tower rack ?

[BigAbe75]

Super frustrated...

Finally got around to installing tower rack before leaving on a trip tomorrow, and not getting along too well.

We have a Zup 2.0 beginner board (“you got this” I think it’s called) and a liquid force Fish 5.0 surf board.

I have this rack.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F5KQZXQ/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_1adkBbWVC39FX

The surf board is too thick. Actually, I’ve got 2 other surf/surf racks and it won’t fit in any of the slots. I’m not supposed to cram it in am I? It may fit, but I’m afraid it’s going to leave grooves in the board from being too tight.

And the Zup fits (sort of). A good 2/3 of the board is outside the rack. And the gap is so large, the board is essentially resting on the point of each lower finger. That can’t be right, can it?

Any advice here on what I need?

Thanks!!

 

[BigAbe75]

I remember @swatski and @Ronnie have Zup boards, so tagging them.

 

[Mjones]

following - need to buy a rack for this board. Tks

 

[Julian]

I would put the smaller board the other way up so if you dent anything it would be the padded top surface.

I'm not sure any of this style of rack could carry a full size SUP.

 

[sethman919]

I have had these racks on a couple different boats they are really made for a cheap rotomolded knee board. They just rebadged them as surf racks. They really don't work well as surf racks. Even my high end fiberglass knee board fits like your zup. I put mine on a horizontal bar and angled them up a lot more. Hoping this makes the kneeboard fit better or I'll be looking for something else.

 

[W3bexec]

Following too since I just got the ZUP 2.0 based upon @swatski and others mentioning them. I need a place to put it. In the interim I've stuck it along the passenger side wall so it blocks 3 cupholders but it's secure. Only had a chance for each kid to take one turn each on it before it started storming last trip out. The kids love it!

 

[BigAbe75]

I'm not sure any of this style of rack could carry a full size SUP.

Not SUP. Zup.

 

[BigAbe75]

I also emailed Nick at Zup a little while ago for recommendations. He probably won’t be able to say “yes, buy this one “. But at least maybe he would have a few that have been tested, or some pointers.

 

[Ronnie]

I can’t speak to the racks for zup boards as I currently don’t use a rack for storage. My first gen zup won’t fit in any of the boat’s compartments so when we bring it it lays on the deck or it sits at camp until needed. The omnia board licensed to a third party fits tightly into the ski locker.

 

[AZ Native]

This is good timing. I just ordered a ZUP 2.0 today for the grandkids to learn on. I have the exact racks @BigAbe75 has. I have a couple kneeboards and wakeboards. So I ended up mounting the racks so they angle much higher. The ZUP site indicates the version 2 is thin enough to fit in a wakeboard slot. I'll try it when it gets delivered. Doesn't look like BigAbe's tower offers a different mounting option. At least you won't have trouble with heavy boards causing the mount to slip downward. You can see the sharp up angle in this photo. Even the boat next to me did the same thing. Makes the board sit better on their edge, not the bottom.

 

[96Pirate]

That looks to be a knee board/wake rack. You would probably want a surf/surf rack. I forget the difference in inches but a surf rack is smaller than the knee board rack but bigger than a wake rack. I have one of each. My fish fits good in the surf rack but my knee board rack like yours is way too big for it.

These are the 2 that I have.
https://www.bulletlines.com/kneeboard-boat-tower-rack-p/271.htm

https://www.bulletlines.com/double-wakesurf-tower-rack-p/1555.htm

 

[AZ Native]

The Double Wakesurf rack looks perfect. And that's a great price. Honestly my wakeboards aren't getting any use and I'm going to sell them. The ZUP will be their replacement.

 

[swatski]

I remember @swatski and @Ronnie have Zup boards, so tagging them.

I have the OEM rack, I posted on it somewhere, the ZUP fits fine, wouldn't want to cross to Bimini with it in the rack but does fine on the lake
Don't have good pics, sorry - here is a partial:


The rack on the other side - fits a surf board and a wake board

 

[swatski]

Here is the rack post:
https://jetboaters.net/threads/2015-ar240-wakeboard-surfboard-tower-rack-a-beautiful-pair.12723/


I also sometimes just shove the ZUP up behind the admiral chair, like @W3bexec described above.

--

 

[mattschepker]

https://www.monstertower.com/media/...25d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/m/t/mt-20171121_245.jpg

Here is the rack I bought in the zup board fits fine. I also added the swivel mount. O also have the 2.0 you got this board. I've run wide open board does not move. I'm trying to go through my pictures now trying to find the picture of the board actually in the rack.

Is it possible you could put more angle on your forks?
Could you get a couple noodles go over the forks to make the spacing smaller?

 

[BigAbe75]

Is it possible you could put more angle on your forks?
Could you get a couple noodles go over the forks to make the spacing smaller?

I’ll play with the angles in the morning before we leave. Since I have to reinstall anyway, that will be easy enough. I do have a horizontal bar, I may be able to make that work.



You can see the collar placement on the vertical from the previous rack. Now that I look at it, there is some sort of collar on the horizontal. No idea what that goes with, yet. But, I’ll see if that spot does me any good.

Actually, @RampRage sent me a text this evening and offered up the noodle idea and I think that’s going to work. Here’s a couple pics (rack not mounted, since I already took it off in disgust previously)



I did manage to find a slightly larger noodle and will be going with that instead, but it was too dark to take pics at that point.

I’ll see how we get along on this trip, but still going to want a surf rack I guess, for my other board. We’re just getting started surfing, so I’m hoping that aspect will grow in the years to come.

Thanks all for the links! I plan to go back through them all to check things out.

 

[Ronnie]

Honestly my wakeboards aren't getting any use and I'm going to sell them. The ZUP will be their replacement.

You may want to wait a season before you sell your wakeboards. What I’m finding is that people want to move on to wakeboarding and knee boarding after they build their confidence up on the ZUP. My son wants to try wake surfing now that he has stood on the ZUP Omnia without using the foot holds/bindings.

 

[mattschepker]

I’ll play with the angles in the morning before we leave. Since I have to reinstall anyway, that will be easy enough. I do have a horizontal bar, I may be able to make that work.

View attachment 76930

You can see the collar placement on the vertical from the previous rack. Now that I look at it, there is some sort of collar on the horizontal. No idea what that goes with, yet. But, I’ll see if that spot does me any good.

Actually, @RampRage sent me a text this evening and offered up the noodle idea and I think that’s going to work. Here’s a couple pics (rack not mounted, since I already took it off in disgust previously)

View attachment 76923 View attachment 76924 View attachment 76925 View attachment 76926

I did manage to find a slightly larger noodle and will be going with that instead, but it was too dark to take pics at that point.

I’ll see how we get along on this trip, but still going to want a surf rack I guess, for my other board. We’re just getting started surfing, so I’m hoping that aspect will grow in the years to come.

Thanks all for the links! I plan to go back through them all to check things out.

My Forks are quick release. My garage ceiling is too low to mount the forks and the zup board. So the pictures are represented the rack actually at the angle it would be on the boat. I can swing the zup board and the rack won't move like it is. Here's some pictures

 

[sethman919]

This is good timing. I just ordered a ZUP 2.0 today for the grandkids to learn on. I have the exact racks @BigAbe75 has. I have a couple kneeboards and wakeboards. So I ended up mounting the racks so they angle much higher. The ZUP site indicates the version 2 is thin enough to fit in a wakeboard slot. I'll try it when it gets delivered. Doesn't look like BigAbe's tower offers a different mounting option. At least you won't have trouble with heavy boards causing the mount to slip downward. You can see the sharp up angle in this photo. Even the boat next to me did the same thing. Makes the board sit better on their edge, not the bottom.

I had the same problem with my racks rotating down on the horizontal bar with boards in them. I ended up drilling and taping to add a set screw to mine. they are rock solid now.

on the Zup thing. Do the kids really have a much easier time with this? I have a 5 year old and I'm struggling to get him to try the knee board. he will get on it and let me pull him to the boat with the rope when we are anchored, but he is afraid to let me pull him with the boat. I was really hoping to get him going on the knee board this year.

 

[mattschepker]

@sethman919 The zup board is a huge hit on our boat. Is allows kids or adults who have never done Watersports to participate because it's so easy. The first two pictures are of my just turned 7 son riding the zup board for the first time. All my boys have ever done is right it tube occasionally. The last two pictures is the second time my son's ever ridden the board. He also was able to stand up and hold on to the Rope but unfortunately my wife did not have the camera ready to go and we missed it