I can't believe I did this/now what? Tower issue

[hondaprlud]

Pulling my boat into storage, I hit the top of the tower (the nav light/rope attach point) on the building. I don't know if it was just the right angle or what but it bent it pretty good. It's an 08 230 with the Titan tower. I'm now looking for a replacement or suggestions on how to repair.

I've called Star one (the guys who built the Titan in a previous life) and he was very friendly and offered to try to help but they no longer have any of the tooling for that tower. He seemed to think he could repair it but I'd have to send the entire tower to him and it would take a lot. Read $$$

Initially I thought I could just get the back half replaced, but after talking with Scott it doesn't seem that way.

I called Nautique to see if they had any old ones laying around but as of about 2 yrs ago they don't.

So, I ask PN, what other options do I have? Are there boat salvage yards or insurance wrecks that I might be able to find one? A quick search on the web didn't offer much help. eBay isn't too good for large obscure wakeboat parts.

Maybe later I'll post how/why but right now I'd prefer some options vs being called a dumbass.

[HS]

is it claimable on insurance?

[swatguy]

My first inclination would be to head to a welding shop. That piece looks still salvageable by all accords. Doesn't took to bad at all. Little blow torch and some work should get that back to normal.

The insurance approach for a "new" updated replacement version also sounds like a decent option since an exact replacement isn't available.

[SkiTower]

give www.nautiqueparts.com a call. They may have one laying around or may have a replacement solution


2007 SV211 SE

[Paxdad]

Trying to find another complete Titan tower will be very difficult. I would go the insurance route if available. If not find a very good race car shop that does frame and component fabrication. They will have the tooling to manipulate the piece back in place. In the photo it looks like the tube is creased or is that a reflection? The other option is to take a couple of very large expandable wrenches and some heat to bend it back level. This is what I would attempt after checking with you insurance company.
Good luck.

[nyryan2001]

1. Remove that portion of the tower. The smallest segment possible with the damaged area.

2. Take it to a racing/welding/fabrication shop.

Expect $500+ For a day of quality work.

[Quinner]

Oh man, feel your pain, did that with my 99' tower folded and just caught the port rear leg, it was slight enough I was able to bend it back by hand. Like Swatguy's idea or if there is a hot rod/custom bike builder in your area or a custom metal fab shop. If you go the insurance route an entirely new tower would be my goal. Good luck and better now then in the spring at least

[shag]

Any reputable machine shop should be able to fix that easily. I don't believe the insurance would buy you a new updated tower, they would probably pay to have that fixed (not sure your deductible) then possibly raise your rates... the polished finish on that piece may be the difficult to keep - not sure..... My .02

[Evening Shade]

I would do like several others have said and see if a metal fab shop can repair it. That sounds much more appealing to me than trying change an entire tower or even a portion of the tower. Remounting speakers and running speaker wire etc etc sounds like a real PITA to me.

[hondaprlud]

Thanks for the responses guys. Yes, I'm pretty sure I can claim it, but I'm also willing to work a lot to avoid it.

Just to explain how I could be so stupid. 1. My garage has 10' doors. 2. My 04 210 fit under it without lowering the tower. 3. On the way to the lake I pass under a bridge that is labeled 9’ with about 4" to spare. So I was POSITIVE I would have no problem. I'm watching the sides as I pull in. SMH.

Right now I'm trying to figure out every option so I can cost them and decide.

The tube is bent, here are a few more pics.
Scott from Star One said the way these towers were built the coupling on the top that joined the 2 halves together needed a lot of massaging to get to fit together nicely. He said when the welds cooled they used to have 2 large dudes using special pry rods to find the correct fit. The damage tweaked this.
I like the idea of a local custom shop, hadn’t thought of that. Would they be capable of getting the correct fit?
Nautique suggested looking into New Dimensions towers. Is it safe to say if the tower is $2100 that it’ll be about $3500-4000 installed? Gel repair, install etc.

[swatguy]

That's little more mangled than I originally thought. First pic just looked like the tow eye plate got bent up.

The fact that particular section is the main point of stress and the stainless finish even a fab shop is going to cost you a lot. It's not the simple heat up, bend back and place a few welds to reinforce it. I say you're down to the insurance or surfing the net for a slavage yard if you're looking to stay factory. Otherwise it's great time for a 2 point upgrade at a moment it would cost you the least if your insurance kicks in.

[jesutton3]

I say it is still fixable.

I would just make sure the shop is familiar with working with stainless steel. Too much heat will make stainless no longer stainless. It would look bad then rust. Not that hard to avoid if you are familiar with working with it.

[vision]

Depends on your cosmetic desire. It would be relatively simple to cut off the damaged plate/toe bracket/light. Have a two piece collar that extends complete over the damaged area and clamps in place (imagine a larger tube over the damaged area between your speaker clamps) and have them weld the toe eye/light to the new collar.

[shag]

I still think a good shop will be able to fix that.... $500-800 maybe

[4th ski-doo]

Been there bro! You are not alone, hate to say it but Sh#t Happens.

I say it's fixable.