Can you wakeboard without a tower? Technically, yes. But would it be convenient? Not really. Low towing points aren’t preferred since they literally ruin your balance by pulling you downward.
Towers, on the contrary, lift you upward without exerting much effort. Aside from wakeboarding, they also offer a bunch of other cool benefits.
What are those benefits? Are there alternatives to towers? That’s what I’ll discuss in this article. Let’s get going!
What Does a Tower Offer?
Originally, people used to wakeboard without a tower. They either attached the rope to a ski eye at the stern or to a short pylon. As you might’ve guessed, things worked out. Nevertheless, Towers were introduced shortly after to make the process easier, especially for beginners.
Longer Air Time
When you elevate the tow line, you’ll be naturally pulled upward. This way, you’ll be able to jump higher with longer air time, making it easier to perform challenging, epic movements.
Similarly, using a tower will decrease the likelihood of falling as you’re trying to get up on the wakeboard. Even if you lose balance, a tower will enable you to restore your stance back.
Better, Stable Movement
The thing I hate the most about wakeboarding without a tower is those infernal splashes. A low rope will inevitably catch water. It gets especially annoying when you’re trying to turn between sides.
A tower, on the other hand, indirectly enhances your stability. Low towing might tempt beginners to look downward to check the rope clearance and whatnot. When they do that, they unconsciously bend their bodies forward, which makes them sink almost immediately.
Oppositely, looking up at a tower allows your body to relax while keeping your knees bent.
Storage Rack
Why let wakeboards take your valuable boat space when you can hang them? It’s super easy to install racks onto the tower frame. Most of the time, a rack can be sturdy and spacious enough to hold 3 wakeboards at a time.
Platform for Accessories
Installing a tower can be the easiest way to upgrade your boat with a bunch of cool accessories. For starters, it’s possible to attach speakers to spice things up with your favorite tracks.
You can also mount mirrors to be able to monitor your friend without the need of an additional spotter. Putting some lights can also allow for safe wakeboarding during the night.
Shade for Hot Days
Boat owners often opt for a bimini to provide a nice and wide shade during sunny days. But that’s it! Biminis can’t be used for anything else.
Towers, on the other hand, are much more versatile. A cloth or a large colored plastic sheet can be easily attached to the tower frame to achieve a similar effect.
Disadvantages of Wakeboarding With a Tower
While you’re wakeboarding, a tower won’t have any disadvantages. The main problem of a tower is typically the cost.
Generally speaking, a universal tower, the one that fits most boats, might cost around $1000. If you’re unlucky, however, you may find that your boat needs a specially-designed tower. In that case, the price can go up to a whopping $7000.
And since the installation is quite hard, you’ll have to hire a professional for about $1500.
Can You Use Cleats Instead of a Tower?
Technically, yes. Fixing cleats on your boat stern can elevate the tow point enough to enjoy the benefits mentioned earlier.
However, I strongly advise against that. Cleats aren’t designed to hold the large weight of a wakeboarder. They might detach in the middle of the process, which might cause injuries.
Obviously, people opt for cleats since they’re a lot cheaper. What they fail to realize is, when cleats detach, they’ll likely cause severe damage to your boat’s gunwale. You’ll find yourself paying much more than a tower’s worth.
Furthermore, wakeboarding with side cleats might ruin the balance of the boat itself, making it lean toward the wakeboarder’s side. Expectedly, this will definitely mess up the wakes arrangement. You’ll be more likely to hit turbulent wakes, increasing the likelihood of faceplants.
Can a Pylon Replace a Tower?
Unlike pleats, pylons are definitely safe for wakeboarding. However, they might not be that convenient.
Since pylons are often fixed from 2 points, they need extra means of support. That’s why it’s common to find them attached to the bow and stern with 2 or 4 straps.
I don’t know about you, but I absolutely hate those straps. They instantly block about half of the boat, especially if the pylon is short.
Tips for Wakeboarding Without a Tower
If you’ll use a ski eye, it’d be crucial to pick a short rope. If you use a long rope, you’ll be too far from the large wakes behind the boat.
Go about 20” shorter than the regular length. This should put you exactly over the sweet spot that has the highest wakes. This way, you’ll get bigger momentum to compensate for the low towing angle.
Additionally, don’t attempt to overdo the tricks. With the rope pulling you downward, you’ll get fatigued quicker. Complicating things with challenging tricks will make you unable to even stand up after a short time.
Bonus: How to Pick a Tower
If you decided to opt for a tower, there are some important considerations you need to bear in mind before purchasing.
Obviously, the first aspect is the size. For the best results, a tower has to be specifically created for your boat’s model. If this is too pricey, you can opt for universal towers. But be careful with large size differences to ensure safety.
Then, there’s the material and tube size. I recommend going for towers made of aircraft-grade aluminum. They have the highest strength with the lightest weight. Weaker materials will impair the possibility of adding the useful accessories mentioned earlier.
So, What’s the Final Word?
Can you wakeboard without a tower? Yes, but you’d definitely enjoy it more with a tower. If you want to perform those epic movements you see on Youtube, a tower becomes a must.
The secret lies in the height. Towing to a high point pulls you upward, making it easier to board challenging wakes.
If a tower is too pricey for your budget, a pylon would be the next best thing. If that’s also out of reach, then make sure to pick a short rope to benefit from the more powerful wakes behind the boat.