The Big Air Ice Tower is a wakeboard tower designed for boats, offering a robust structure for watersports enthusiasts. Manufactured by Big Air Pylons Inc., this accessory enhances the functionality of a boat by providing a elevated point for towing wakeboarders, kneeboarders, and other watersports participants, thereby improving the wake and overall experience. The "Quick Guide" provided outlines the essential steps for assembly and operation, emphasizing the importance of referring to a more detailed installation manual for comprehensive instructions.
Function Description:
The primary function of the Big Air Ice Tower is to elevate the tow point for watersports. By raising the tow rope attachment point significantly higher than a traditional transom-mounted tow hook, the tower creates a larger, cleaner wake, which is ideal for wakeboarding and wakesurfing. This elevated tow point also helps in lifting the rider out of the water more easily and provides a better perspective for tricks and maneuvers. Additionally, wakeboard towers often serve as mounting points for various accessories such as board racks, speakers, and lights, further enhancing the boat's utility and the watersports experience. The tower is designed to be sturdy and durable, capable of withstanding the forces exerted during towing activities.
Important Technical Specifications:
While the "Quick Guide" does not list exhaustive technical specifications, it does provide crucial details regarding installation and required tools.
- Mounting Stance: The recommended mounting locations for the tower are between 40 to 60 inches from front to back of the boat, measured at the centers of the gaskets. This range allows for flexibility in fitting various boat sizes and designs while ensuring optimal stability and performance.
- Drill Bit Sizes: Specific drill bit sizes are required for installation:
- 3/8" (10mm) Drill bit: Used for initial pilot holes or specific component attachments.
- 9/16" Drill bit: Used for drilling through the side of the boat for the main mounting bolts. The manual specifically instructs to run the drill in reverse when drilling these holes, a technique often used to prevent gelcoat chipping or splintering on fiberglass boats.
- Bolt Sizes for Laying Down: The tower utilizes 10mm bolts for connecting the front and rear legs to the base mounts, as well as for connecting the front legs to the top bar. These bolts are critical for the tower's structural integrity and its ability to be folded down.
- Materials (Implied): Although not explicitly stated, wakeboard towers are typically constructed from marine-grade aluminum or stainless steel to ensure corrosion resistance and strength in a harsh marine environment. The presence of gaskets implies a design intended to protect the boat's surface and provide a watertight seal at mounting points.
Usage Features:
The Big Air Ice Tower is designed with user convenience in mind, particularly regarding its ability to be folded down for storage or transport.
- Assembly Process: The assembly involves several steps, starting with marking mounting locations, drilling holes, and then attaching the mounts and legs. The guide emphasizes the importance of ensuring the top bar is centered side to side, suggesting a measurement from the edge of the top bar to the outer side of the corner of the leg.
- Preloading the Tower: A notable recommendation in the assembly instructions is to "preload the tower" by pulling the corners into the Top Bar with a ratchet strap. This technique helps to ensure a tight fit and potentially reduces flex or movement during operation, contributing to the tower's stability and longevity.
- Folding Down Feature: A key usage feature is the ability to lay the tower down. This is crucial for boats that need to pass under low bridges, fit into garages or covered storage, or for trailering. The guide provides two scenarios for folding the tower:
- Parallel Rear Mounts: If the rear mounts are perfectly parallel, the process involves loosening 10mm bolts on the rear legs to allow tilting, unthreading 10mm bolts connecting front legs to base mounts, laying the tower down, and reassembling in reverse.
- Skewed Rear Mounts: If the rear mounts are not perfectly parallel (skewed), the process is slightly different, requiring unthreading 10mm bolts connecting the front legs and one of the 10mm bolts from one of the rear legs before laying the tower down. This indicates a design that accommodates minor variations in boat hull geometry or installation.
- Accessory Integration: While not explicitly detailed in the "Quick Guide," the inclusion of "PYLONS · TOWERS · ACCESSORIES" in the company's branding and the general nature of wakeboard towers imply that the Big Air Ice Tower is designed to integrate with various watersports accessories, such as board racks, speakers, and lights, which are commonly mounted on such structures.
Maintenance Features:
The "Quick Guide" primarily focuses on installation and initial setup, so detailed maintenance features are not extensively covered. However, some aspects can be inferred:
- Corrosion Resistance (Implied): Given that the tower is for marine use, it is expected to be constructed from materials that resist corrosion, such as anodized aluminum or polished stainless steel. Regular cleaning with fresh water after saltwater exposure would be standard maintenance practice to preserve its finish and integrity.
- Fastener Checks: The repeated mention of 10mm bolts for assembly and folding down suggests that these fasteners are critical. Regular inspection and tightening of all bolts and connections would be essential maintenance to ensure the tower remains secure and safe for use. The use of metric Allen sets as a required tool further supports the idea of specific fasteners that need periodic attention.
- Gasket Integrity: The use of gaskets at mounting points implies a need to maintain their integrity to prevent water intrusion into the boat. Periodic inspection of these gaskets for cracks or wear would be a recommended maintenance step.
- Chamfering Holes: The instruction to chamfer holes using a mounted grinding ball/stone after drilling is a maintenance-preventative step during installation. Chamfering helps to prevent stress cracks in the gelcoat or fiberglass around the drilled holes, which could otherwise lead to structural issues or water intrusion over time.
In summary, the Big Air Ice Tower is a functional and adaptable wakeboard tower designed to enhance the watersports experience. Its key features include a sturdy design, a flexible mounting stance, and a practical folding mechanism for convenience. While the "Quick Guide" provides essential installation and usage instructions, users are encouraged to consult the full installation manual for comprehensive details on setup, operation, and long-term maintenance.
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