Adding tower w/ Rocket Launcher (inexpensively)...

[pjbrownva]

So, the tower that I put up I didn't care for. It could shake too easily, and I don't think it was beefy enough.

I thought about, what happens if a big swell throws someone off balance, and they grab the tower to catch themself.... and the thought that I didn't know if it would hold was scary!

I have since learned that a tower should be cut about 3/4" wider than the mounting feet, that way you pre-load the tower when it's installed, and that can help with shaking.

I gave away the tower to fishing buddy, and found a "tower-in-a-box" from Atlantic tower on Craig's list. I saved about 1/3 off of new, and it had never been installed, so it was worth the 2 hr drive each way to pick it up!

Here's fish beware with the rocker launchers I gave to my buddy.

Fish Beware Rocket Launchers copy.jpg

Even if I had known about the pre-loading trick, I'm still not sure that I would have felt comfortable putting a 20 lb radar up there (like the Raymarine HD Color 18" Radome)... Maybe something lighter like a raymarine quantum. Which only weights 12 lbs.



On a positive note, the tower LOOKED good, it held my spreader lights and VHF antenna just fine, and having the rocket launchers to get my rods up out of the way while fishing were all a big plus... so for less than $200, I can't say DON'T get it... I just decided that it wasn't right for me.

The atlantic tower is SOLID... No worries there... but it cost a LOT more too!