Convert A frame Wakeboard tower

[codprawn]

I don't suppose a normal A frame is beefy enough to be used as a wakeboard tower but are there ways of beefing it up enough??? Not just for wakeboarding but for towing big tubes - Hannah's fault!!! Getting me to look at those videos!!!

http://mail.sportsstuff.com/movies/index.shtml#

I was thinking what if you were to pre stress the A frame with 2 ratchet straps going from the top down to some fittings on the deck? Obviously the deck fittings would need to be pretty strong but it should work in theory - only problem would be sideways forces but they should be less than fore/aft.

Anyone done anything like this - or is a normal A frame strong enough to start with???

[jyasaki]

Originally Posted by codprawn

I don't suppose a normal A frame is beefy enough to be used as a wakeboard tower but are there ways of beefing it up enough???

I would suppose it depends on what your A frame is made of.

If it's 2" SS tubing, amply braced, it would probably be fine.

If it's 1" Aluminum, I'd be [edit:more than] a bit leery.

Gotta watch those cute young girls; they put ideas in your head...


jky

[Seaharrier]

I’ve asked the same question for my A-frame when I ordered my rib. The tubes are 1 ½ inch. The A-frame would be strong enough but not the fittings to my deck. They would have to ad an extra inox tube.

That would not have been an elegant view, so I chose for a removable ski-pole.

Paul

[Daniel]

I tow off my osprey A-frame no problem.

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by Daniel

I tow off my osprey A-frame no problem.

What diameter tubes are they??? Any chance of a piccy??? Do you tow a ;arge inflatable tube? They must put on a hell of a load with 4 riders!!!

[EdwardH]

I get the wife to drive and just stand at the back of the rib arms braced and holding the ropes.

It works but my back does get a bit sore.

HTH

[Simon B]

I'd urge caution when using an A frame for anything other than keeping all your elastic trickery aloft, 2" sounds sturdy but... Think how much it would cost if the thing snapped off clean and deep sixed all your antennae...Hmm pricey. This has happened to one friend that I know of.

Would a bridle put the load too low?

[Seaharrier]

Originally Posted by Simon B

... 2" sounds sturdy but...

The frame can handle it but not the fittings.

[gavin]

Do a search about this, I can remember this was discussed maybe 18 months ago, towing with your A frame is like towing a car with a roofrack, unless properly designed to do so

[Daniel]

The osprey A-Frames are very strong and fixed to structural parts of the boat. I'd never tow another boat, inflatable toys or a banna-boat thing from it, far too much load - but for waykeboarding or skiing it seams OK.