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Talk tuna towers

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by Fountain333, Aug 5, 2022.

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  1. Fountain333, Aug 5, 2022
    #1
    Fountain333

    Fountain333 New Member

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    Jul 17, 2022
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    Location:
    Florida
    Looking for tuna tower manufactures and also insights from guys that have added them on their boats. Ive looked over the net for builders and most of the photo galleries they have dont show the center steps going up. Im wondering why most of them dont have the center steps? Is there any other downfall other then possibly cost? Looking to possibly add it to a 65 sport fish with a enclosed bridge. View out of the enclosed bridge is good but having the tower would be a game changer i believe. Also anyone know of where possible takeoffs could be. I realize thats a long shot but hey you never know.

    thanks in advance.
  2. MBY, Aug 5, 2022
    #2
    MBY

    MBY Senior Member

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    If you want a no BS response from a well known and high quality tower builder, reach out to Tim Bausch from Bausch Towers. He will explain the pros and cons of center steps and guide you through the process. His quality is fantastic which is why he is the only tower builder we will use for the boats we build.
    Hatterized likes this.
  3. Hatterized, Aug 5, 2022
    #3
    Hatterized

    Hatterized Member

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    Annapolis & St. Pete
    years back Pipewelders on many SF, now Bausch is on top of the competition and deservedly so.
  4. Slimshady, Aug 6, 2022
    #4
    Slimshady

    Slimshady Senior Member

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    Palm Beach towers owned by viking does a lot of custom towers.
    We're not getting a tower on our 70 spencer and don't have one on the 60 either. We don't feel they add much. Your view of the spread is a little better but 95% of the tower boats fishing don't have a guy up there.
    Can't be in tower when rough, slows boat down 1 to 1.5 knots, increases rolling, adds an hour to boat clean up. Considerably more maintenance and added weight.
    Have you priced a retro tower yet? You'll hit $ big money for it and gain what?
    Why don't any of the top Carolina charter boats have them?
    Fountain333, leeky and captholli like this.
  5. ychtcptn, Aug 8, 2022
    #5
    ychtcptn

    ychtcptn Senior Member

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    Location:
    Lighthouse Point, FL
    I third Tim Bausch.

    You know what they say? "have a tower, add an hour" That is in relation to the extra time to clean.
  6. Capt J, Aug 9, 2022
    #6
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I like a pipewelders tower over Bausch. However, if you want the very best tower it's Jack Hopewell with Marine Welding in Ft. Laud. He does towers for a lot of the custom builders like Jim Smith and Rybovich etc. All of the welds are polished, the tower is anodized in one piece..........I worked on a 75' Jim Smith that had one of his towers and it was beautiful.
  7. Slimshady, Aug 9, 2022
    #7
    Slimshady

    Slimshady Senior Member

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    Unfortunately pipe welders is on their way out. They do great work.
  8. Capt J, Aug 9, 2022
    #8
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I don't know if I'd say they're on there way out. Bradford marine owns them now, as well as the entire conglomerate over there. So no lack of funding, just no focus on increasing sales either. They still have their operation in NC as well.
  9. Slimshady, Aug 9, 2022
    #9
    Slimshady

    Slimshady Senior Member

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    I agree, but we were told otherwise. That's the only reason we didn't use them again on new build. They have been great to deal with and riggers and pipework still look new.
    I wasn't over joyed putting viking parts on a custom boat!!!
  10. SplashFl, Aug 10, 2022
    #10
    SplashFl

    SplashFl Active Member

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    S. Florida _ Bertram 46
    Second boat with a PipeWelders Tower and custom railing. 26 years old and still shines like new. Suspect may have been Ceramic Coated but just a guess as that was the only product that brought the aluminum on previous s/f back to life of shine. Would I build a new one; probably not but in this case was part of the package.
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