Frustration with the G3 Tower

[mbender1123]

Hi all, I recently purchased a 2011 Malibu Wakesetter VLX and I have not been very happy with the tower. We live on a channel, and have to go under a bridge to get out to the lake and back to our lift. We have to lower the tower while going under the bridge. As many of you may know, the tower lays on the steering wheel when it lowers, which makes steering impossible. We retrofitted some PVC to hold up the tower above the steering wheel so we could still steer, but the tower is still basically on top of the driver at that point and it is very hard to maneuver and drive. I've already hit my head 8 times only being on the boat 3 times. It takes two or three people to raise and lower the tower because of how heavy it is, and it just does not seem like it is meant to be going up and down. Does anyone have any experience removing this tower and replacing it with an aftermarket tower that is easier to raise and lower? Any recommendations on a tower that is better for my purposes? 

[Jgf042]

Following. We have the same boat and the same issue exactly 

[oldjeep]

If it takes 2-3 people, the tower struts are extremely worn out.

Do you use the tower?  Maybe just remove it.

[YeloBlammo]

49 minutes ago, oldjeep said:

If it takes 2-3 people, the tower struts are extremely worn out.

Do you use the tower?  Maybe just remove it.

Agreed. Sounds like you need new struts.

Ours does lay on the dash when completely lowered, not the wheel

I raise an lower our G3 tower by myself and its pretty easy. The worst part is just screwing and unscrewing the bolts that lock it in place.

 

[oldjeep]

On my vtx it lays on the wheel as well.

[mbender1123]

Yeah, reading through some other threads gave me the feeling our struts are worn. I haven't used the tower yet for skiing, but I'd like to. If replacing the struts makes things easier that might be enough of a fix. One thing I was curious about if I removed it, are there any holes in the hull from where the base goes on it? 

[oldjeep]

7 minutes ago, mbender1123 said:

Yeah, reading through some other threads gave me the feeling our struts are worn. I haven't used the tower yet for skiing, but I'd like to. If replacing the struts makes things easier that might be enough of a fix. One thing I was curious about if I removed it, are there any holes in the hull from where the base goes on it? 

Skiing?  Guess it depends on what you mean - towing little kids on 2 would be fine.

There would be holes.  Easy enough to put a rectangle of seadeck as a step pad to cover.

[mbender1123]

Well wakeboarding, don't know why I said skiing lol. 

[Mb911]

If you decide to remove it let me know. I am looking for a tower

[mbender1123]

I know it's been awhile, the marina took forever getting the struts for us. But they replaced them and it works as perfectly as I'd hoped! We got the heavier duty struts, so it rises up by itself and it isn't a rush to get the bolts in, but it also isn't hard to hold down with just one hand while we go under the bridge! They also cleaned up the holes for the bolts so they screw in a bit easier.

If anyone comes across this, the struts really do make all the difference! 

[oldjeep]

#1 good it worked out with new struts

#2 omg.  Buy some tools!  I don't even want to know what it costs for "my marina"or "my mechanic" to replace struts.  I'm only sort of kidding.