[billy201]

Does anyone make or know where to have a crows nest/cobia tower made for a boat with an existing hard top? I would want it to be easily removable for trailering and storage. Any help is greatly appreciated. Also what price range should these be in?

 

[offshore64]

there are a few guys here on the forum that make the towers...im sure they'll post when they read this later on

 

[offshore64]

i meant to put this under there...

PM Tim Barry, i know he builds what you are looking for...he should be able to help...his screen name is<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=smalltxt><DIV id=_ctl1_ctlSearchResultsPostView_ctlSearchResults__ctl0_ctlPanelBar_smAuthorName_SimpleMenuDivLayer onmouseover="InstantASP_OpenMenuMouseOver('_ctl1_ctlSearchResultsPostView_ctlSearchResults__ctl0_ctlPanelBar_smAuthorName','_ctl1_ctlSearchResultsPostView_ctlSearchResults__ctl0_ctlPanelBar_smAuthorName_SimpleMenuDivLayer','<table width=100% class=PanelBar_OuterTable cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0><tr><td><table width=100% cellspacing=1 cellpadding=7><tr><td class=TableCell_Light>View Member\'s Profile</tr><tr><td class=TableCell_Light>Add to Buddy List</tr><tr><td class=TableCell_Light><a href=__doPostBack(\'butSendPrivateMessage\',\'213\'); onmouseover=\'window.status=window.location;return true;\'; onmouseout=window.status=\'\';return true; Class=\'SmlLinks\' Title=\'Send Private Message\'>Send Private Message</a></tr><tr><td class=TableCell_Light><a href=__doPostBack(\'butSendEmail\',\'213\'); onmouseover=\'window.status=window.location;return true;\'; onmouseout=window.status=\'\';return true; Class=\'SmlLinks\' Title=\'Send Email To Member\'>Send Email To Member</a></tr><tr><td class=TableCell_Light><a href=__doPostBack(\'butShowMemberPosts\',\'213\'); onmouseover=\'window.status=window.location;return true;\'; onmouseout=window.status=\'\';return true; Class=\'SmlLinks\' Title=\'Find All Member\s Posts\'>Find All Member\'s Posts</a></tr></td></tr></table></td></tr></table>','165px');" style="DISPLAY: inline" onclick="InstantASP_OpenMenu('_ctl1_ctlSearchResultsPostView_ctlSearchResults__ctl0_ctlPanelBar_smAuthorName','_ctl1_ctlSearchResultsPostView_ctlSearchResults__ctl0_ctlPanelBar_smAuthorName_SimpleMenuDivLayer','<table width=100% class=PanelBar_OuterTable cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0><tr><td><table width=100% cellspacing=1 cellpadding=7><tr><td class=TableCell_Light>View Member\'s Profile</tr><tr><td class=TableCell_Light>Add to Buddy List</tr><tr><td class=TableCell_Light><a href=__doPostBack(\'butSendPrivateMessage\',\'213\'); onmouseover=\'window.status=window.location;return true;\'; onmouseout=window.status=\'\';return true; Class=\'SmlLinks\' Title=\'Send Private Message\'>Send Private Message</a></tr><tr><td class=TableCell_Light><a href=__doPostBack(\'butSendEmail\',\'213\'); onmouseover=\'window.status=window.location;return true;\'; onmouseout=window.status=\'\';return true; Class=\'SmlLinks\' Title=\'Send Email To Member\'>Send Email To Member</a></tr><tr><td class=TableCell_Light><a href=__doPostBack(\'butShowMemberPosts\',\'213\'); onmouseover=\'window.status=window.location;return true;\'; onmouseout=window.status=\'\';return true; Class=\'SmlLinks\' Title=\'Find All Member\s Posts\'>Find All Member\'s Posts</a></tr></td></tr></table></td></tr></table>','165px');">Tim Barry ( BAYWATCH TOWERS )</DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=smalltxt><DIV id=_ctl1_ctlSearchResultsPostView_ctlSearchResults__ctl0_ctlPanelBar_smAuthorName_SimpleMenuDivLayer style="DISPLAY: inline" onclick="InstantASP_OpenMenu('_ctl1_ctlSearchResultsPostView_ctlSearchResults__ctl0_ctlPanelBar_smAuthorName','_ctl1_ctlSearchResultsPostView_ctlSearchResults__ctl0_ctlPanelBar_smAuthorName_SimpleMenuDivLayer','<table width=100% class=PanelBar_OuterTable cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0><tr><td><table width=100% cellspacing=1 cellpadding=7><tr><td class=TableCell_Light>View Member\'s Profile</tr><tr><td class=TableCell_Light>Add to Buddy List</tr><tr><td class=TableCell_Light><a href=__doPostBack(\'butSendPrivateMessage\',\'213\'); onmouseover=\'window.status=window.location;return true;\'; onmouseout=window.status=\'\';return true; Class=\'SmlLinks\' Title=\'Send Private Message\'>Send Private Message</a></tr><tr><td class=TableCell_Light><a href=__doPostBack(\'butSendEmail\',\'213\'); onmouseover=\'window.status=window.location;return true;\'; onmouseout=window.status=\'\';return true; Class=\'SmlLinks\' Title=\'Send Email To Member\'>Send Email To Member</a></tr><tr><td class=TableCell_Light><a href=__doPostBack(\'butShowMemberPosts\',\'213\'); onmouseover=\'window.status=window.location;return true;\'; onmouseout=window.status=\'\';return true; Class=\'SmlLinks\' Title=\'Find All Member\s Posts\'>Find All Member\'s Posts</a></tr></td></tr></table></td></tr></table>','165px');" onmouseover="InstantASP_OpenMenuMouseOver('_ctl1_ctlSearchResultsPostView_ctlSearchResults__ctl0_ctlPanelBar_smAuthorName','_ctl1_ctlSearchResultsPostView_ctlSearchResults__ctl0_ctlPanelBar_smAuthorName_SimpleMenuDivLayer','<table width=100% class=PanelBar_OuterTable cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0><tr><td><table width=100% cellspacing=1 cellpadding=7><tr><td class=TableCell_Light>View Member\'s Profile</tr><tr><td class=TableCell_Light>Add to Buddy List</tr><tr><td class=TableCell_Light><a href=__doPostBack(\'butSendPrivateMessage\',\'213\'); onmouseover=\'window.status=window.location;return true;\'; onmouseout=window.status=\'\';return true; Class=\'SmlLinks\' Title=\'Send Private Message\'>Send Private Message</a></tr><tr><td class=TableCell_Light><a href=__doPostBack(\'butSendEmail\',\'213\'); onmouseover=\'window.status=window.location;return true;\'; onmouseout=window.status=\'\';return true; Class=\'SmlLinks\' Title=\'Send Email To Member\'>Send Email To Member</a></tr><tr><td class=TableCell_Light><a href=__doPostBack(\'butShowMemberPosts\',\'213\'); onmouseover=\'window.status=window.location;return true;\'; onmouseout=window.status=\'\';return true; Class=\'SmlLinks\' Title=\'Find All Member\s Posts\'>Find All Member\'s Posts</a></tr></td></tr></table></td></tr></table>','165px');"></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[Xanadu]

You need to call Tim Scallon at Breeze Fabricators. 554-6172

 

[X-Shark]

I'll 2nd Breeze Fabricators.



Now on to some more info.



A Crows nest without controls is, well just BS. It means that you have someone at the lower station that you are hollering at all the time. It also means that they can not see what you see and thus have a more difficult time maneuvering the boat into position. Remember this is all done sometimes in 20secounds when a fish pop's up.



It also means that you have 2 less eyes on the Crows Nest scouting for them, as they are at the lower station driving.



There are fold down models that work really well.



I do NOT like the models that fold aft or forward into the cockpit. They are always in the way when doing anything at the house.

It needs to be strong,yet light weight and very simple to setup. It doesn't get any better than this one. It hinges up and 2 nuts get installed on studs at the aft legs.



About fasteners on these units. All the builders will install stainless Allen head bolts that go thru a clevis type fixture. One side is a little larger so the bolt slips thru and the other side is threaded for the bolt to screw into.



Those fasteners need to be changed to longer bolts. The threaded part should protrude out the other side of the threaded section of the clevis. then a nylon washer is slipped on as well as a stainless flat washer and a stainless nylon lock nut is then installed.

To not do this you will have the bolts loosening up and falling out. The nylon flat washer protects the stainless from the alum.

This is what I have done to mine and it has cured the problem. Yes it's not quite as clean looking ,but would you rather have the unit flopping around up there? I think not, as a bunch of damage can be caused.



I have been around a few shop's that build these units. One in particular [no names] uses a 1in closed cell foam for the padding. The theory is that no rain water will be absorbed into the foam when the boat is sitting out. While that part may be true, the 1in closed cell foam is just as HARD as the alum pipe.

This makes me believe that the particular manufacture has never rode in a Crows Nest. Because if they had, they would know you need at least 2in of padding to protect your body. It can get bumpy Cobia fishing. If your getting the crap beat out of you and you will sometimes. You need protection.

Pix's taken before the Fly-By-Wire controls were installed by me.

Folded down

 

[user207]

I am doing some work for someone right now that is wanting to sell his crows nest. Give me some contact information, and I will pass it along and have him give you a call.

 

[Xanadu]

Litecatch, calling Litecatch!

scott, did you read what X-Shark said? You must have at least 2" of padding for a tower seat! Plywood with nails sticking out is not comfy so at leats pull the nails!

 

[Breeze Fabricators]

If Tim,s used crows nest fits then usually that will be the cheapest route. We have built them from $700 for a bare bones frame to $2000 with a custome fiberglass standing platform,large seat with a saftey style backrest with grab bars on the side. Cushions priceing will fluctuate with all plastic backing and stainless fastners,closed cell foam(no wet but) actual marine rated viny outside covering being the most expensive to automotive grade foam,vinyl,with plywood which will deteriorate,and starboard(plastic)standing platforms.:mmmbeer If you need information call me on my cell anytime 554 6172. Tim Scallan Thanksl