Have some experience with owning boats, but have not owned one since 99 when I sold my ski boat (Mastercraft). Our kids are older now and we want to get back into it to build memories. Considered doing the competition boat thing again, but decided I want more overall comfort for the family plus not have to pay upwards of $40K for a lightly used boat.

After looking for many months at many Crownline and Chaparral boats we found a 2004 216LS that has been taken care of very well and has 70 hours on the Mercruiser 5.0 MPI. I had a marine mechanic look over it and he gave me the thumbs up. My only hangup with going with this style boat is the lack of a wakeboard tower. I want a tower on my boat, and am wondering if it is a bad idea to add an aftermarket one to a boat that was not designed for it, with a reinforced hull. I have read both arguments for this. Is it a bad idea to add a tower to a boat? I don't want to end up doing damage to it or hurting anyone in the boat. Is it a bad idea to add a tower to this boat specifically?

Is there is anything specific to this model I should consider or know about before finalizing the deal. If it is safe which wakeboard tower have Crownline owners added and are happy with?

I have done a lot of research and I am down to this. I am ready to buy and now that I am this far want to get it done so we can use it the remainder of the summer.

 Thanks ahead of time!

 Tim and Shellie Papaps 

My boat did not come with a wakeboard tower on it but one was ordered from Crownline and added on later. Crownline would not sell the tower unless the VIN on my boat matched their records as a boat that had the reinforced hull as a option that was purchased when the boat was originally bought. My invoice showed the reinforced hull option on it so Crownline allowed the purchase. I would check with the owner of the boat and see if they have the original invoice to see if that option was on it.

 The wakeboard tower on my boat was installed by a local marina and looks great. We have had no issues with it and we wakeboard and tube off it on a regualr basis. Our boat pulls the boarder out of the water with no problems and puts off a decent wake with the trim set in the right spot. While it may not do the same as a true ski boat it provides us with the right mix of a luxury bowrider and a great watersports boat. Hope this helps a little for you.

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Austin, TX
2006 220LS

Many, many, many people add towers to their boats.  My self included.  Reinforcement is not necessary as any good tower will be designed properly and comes with backing plates.  I have a Samson tower and they are designed to fit the boat model specifically. Not a “one size fits all” tower.

 

Check out www.samsonsports.com  they make many styles and have a pretty good photo gallery with many pictures of Crownlines (and others

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1999 202BR MISS "B" HAVEN
Platform by swimplatforms.com
Samson Wakeboard Tower

Tim, I too have a 04 216ls and added the tower after.  I chose to go with the factory tower but only after the vin number varified a reinforced hull mainly because I loved the look but it has a really sweet integrated bimini top.  Given the choice I would still put a tower on using a qualified source like sampson or the like.  I was really impressed by the towers from New dimention and monster.  As for the boat, we love ours, the layout is awesome and if your out with family you can bring everbody along for the day.  The deep v is smooth on big water and can hold its own on the top end as well.  No problems to date just the usual prop head scratching....high five vs. rev 4

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Andy
04' 216ls 350mpi
Razor w/Black&Moonstone

Tim - Did you ever make a decision on the tower? I also own an 04' 216LS and want to purchase a tower - have a lot of the same questions. Any input / thoughts you could share regarding your search?

 Andy - I've had a Hi-Five for the last 2 years and overall I'm not really impressed. It's a 21P, which could be part of the problem. I think a 19P or 20P would do better but the Hi-Five is a heavy prop with no deflection. Maybe too much for a 5.0L MPI? Top end is about 50 (Speedo) but it doesn't seem to plane off as quick as it should, especially with a full tank of gas and 2-3 people in the back seats. I'll soon be searching for a good 4 blade and selling the Hi-Five on Ebay.

 Chris

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2004 216LS w/ 5.0LMPI

If you are going to get serious about wakeboarding, a 19P or even 17P will greatly improve the hole shot, mid range and slow speed stability.

I run a 17P x 14-1/2 Rev4, 5.7L 1.48 gears and it has a good hole shot and mid range with 48mph GPS WOT

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1999 202BR MISS "B" HAVEN
Platform by swimplatforms.com
Samson Wakeboard Tower

chris, 

Great looking boat you and I have the same color and model.  I've come to the conclusion that I too am going back to the rev 4.  My high five 21p just won't quite hold a good solid wakeboard and tube speed with two families on board.  Last summer I tried the 19p but it cavitated too much and felt like too much motor not enough bite.  I also tried the rev 4 in a 17 and 19 and guess the 17 is the best choice with loads of pulling power and slow speed stability but I"m still not happy to lose the top end. The rev 4 is such a huge prop, compared to the five.  Hey anyone want to trade high five 21p for a Rev4 17p .  I know where two are available..... good luck and let me know what you discover.op

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Andy
04' 216ls 350mpi
Razor w/Black&Moonstone

I bought the boat and we have had it out quite a few times already, but I really want to get the tower more than every now. I kind of wish i would have held out for a boat with the tower from the factory on it, but oh well.

 

I am leaning toward the Samson tower, however I have had too much on my plate to further my research on it. I need to call the owner as someone mentioned, will probably ease my mind about adding it to a boat that was not reinforced for one.

 

I guess my biggest concerns are I want to make sure I have a strong tower, plus one that will work with my bimini so I don't have to spend another $500 on the tower makers bimini which will most likely be very small compared to the awesome 4 bar bimini on the Crownlines.

 

Anyone else have any input to give?

Chris and Tim 

I m sure you already know if your reading here often but on ebay they are selling the leftover or slightly blem towers that I beleive are the same as the factory razor unit.  I got mine from the dealer but I do know the sticker said 220LS so I would expect those on ebay to fit.  They look exact, there was even a foreward version on their as well. Check it out      Andy

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Andy
04' 216ls 350mpi
Razor w/Black&Moonstone

Check out monster tower also.

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Limited Edition 230BR 8.2Liter/502CI (GSI Volo Penta) DP-S

LAKATION

Project(s) Completed:
2000 Watt Stereo Systerm
Swimplatforms.com

Coming Soon:
Wakeboard Tower and Speaker Setup
Custom Graphics

A Samson tower does not need factory reinforcement.  It comes with backing plates that can be glued into place when the tower is installed.  You can install a tower yourself. I have installed a Samson tower and it's not too hard.

 Also, I have a contact  that can get you a very good price (dealer + about 10%) on a Samson tower if you are intersted

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1999 202BR MISS "B" HAVEN
Platform by swimplatforms.com
Samson Wakeboard Tower

Randy Brooks:

A Samson tower does not need factory reinforcement.  It comes with backing plates that can be glued into place when the tower is installed.  You can install a tower yourself. I have installed a Samson tower and it's not too hard.

 Also, I have a contact  that can get you a very good price (dealer + about 10%) on a Samson tower if you are intersted

Randy:

I have emailed them twice and no response. Can you send me your contacts info? Maybe they are not getting their RQI via their site?

Please PM me.

Thanks!

 

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Limited Edition 230BR 8.2Liter/502CI (GSI Volo Penta) DP-S

LAKATION

Project(s) Completed:
2000 Watt Stereo Systerm
Swimplatforms.com

Coming Soon:
Wakeboard Tower and Speaker Setup
Custom Graphics

Hmmmm, wonder why they don't reply.  Not their style.  I live about 1.5 hrs from there and have been there several times.

PM sent.........

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1999 202BR MISS "B" HAVEN
Platform by swimplatforms.com
Samson Wakeboard Tower

Randy- PM sent! Looking forward to hearing from you!

 

Tim

Well,I am in contact with Randy's connection, and am working out the details to get a Samson tower for my boat. There is a nice discount by buying through him vs. straight from Samson.

 

Can't wait to get the tower installed and using it. I think it is going to add even more enjoyment to our boating experience!

 

Thanks again Randy!