Arch / Tower Selection

[MentorPilot]

We are in the process of ordering a new 2021 R5 and we would be grateful for comments and suggestions regarding arch / tower choice. We will not need to fold the tower as we have a storage facility, only a half mile from the ramp, with tall ceilings and door. And, our lake doesn't have any low bridges. So, there seems to be no point in paying for an electric folding unit. A manual folding tower should be fine. In fact, aesthetically, our family seems to favor the "SS/Alum w/Sunshade" model. This is the arch that has only one “tube” behind a solid arch, and it does NOT fold. Furthermore, it would appear from photos that the Bimini for this Arch is smaller than the others.

I am a bit disappointed to learn that none of the arches incorporate cockpit lighting. It would be nice to have some small LEDs lighting on the bottom of the arch to provide some illumination for the cockpit. Other boats (Regal for example) have arch towers that have this feature. Has anyone added lighting like this?

Whatever arch we select, we intend to have one pair of speakers hung from it, and use the tower for pulling wake boards and tubes. We will probably add a pair of wake board racks at a later date. Would love suggestions and photos on this. Thanks!

[akorcovelos]

I’ve seen cobalt towers with LEDs on the sides. Usually a Cobalt logo back lit with blue LED.

[AsLan7]

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Hey MP. Welcome to the Cobaltchat forum. So glad you found us!

I have not seen too much in the way of folks adding aftermarket LED’s to their towers here. Maybe you could forge ahead with this project and post pics.

We really enjoy outr stainless wake tower and wouldn’t have a boat without one. It’s great for wakeboarding, skiing, and knee boarding. Remember they’re not made to pull tubes. Music projection outside the boat to riders is awesome using horn driven tower speakers.

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Be sure to post pics after you take the leap into a Cobalt.

Again welcome aboard mate!

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[Big Block Power]

Not sure the name of the tower tgrace has but it has 2 blue leds in the top of his tower and the Cobalt emblem lights up. It's pretty cool.

[MentorPilot]

Would love to see photos of the lighted Cobalt emblems that BBP mentioned. I see something like that in photos of the tubular tower options, but at the base of the towers. Our dealer said that the fixed tower has no emblem or lights... plus it costs $2K more! Hard to figure why this towers is the most expensive.

And, I am wondering why are towers not approved for towing tubes? I can only think that they promote too much air?

We will have to wait until spring to take photos, but will certainly share photos when we take delivery. We are planning on Navy Blue hull, with orange boot stripe, Navy blue Bimini, saddle interior with white seats. I was planning on the Geneva interior, but am shying away as several in this forum have noted that they get too hot. This boat will be in Arkansas, and it certainly gets hot there. Our dealer doesn't think it would be a problem, but we are afraid to take the risk.

[tgrace98]

I have the manually folding tower with bimini. Yes they come with LED’s inside the cobalt logo. With your short tow you could even leave the bimini deployed. I put mine out late May and it stays out till early October as my boat stays in a covered slip

[Big Block Power]

The side to side force is easy to much for a tower plus when you submerged a tube that force is crazy. Not a good idea.

[MentorPilot]

The extreme drag of a submerged tube does make sense. But now I wonder if it is OK to drag a large adult on skis or a wake board from the tower?

[akorcovelos]

The extreme drag of a submerged tube does make sense. But now I wonder if it is OK to drag a large adult on skis or a wake board from the tower?

Yes, because skiing and wakeboarding you ca let go of the rope. The tube can submarine and cause major damage where the tower mounts to the boat. There is only 1 tower manufacturer that says it’s built for tubing, but generally tubes pull better from the transom eyes anyway.

[MentorPilot]

Thanks.... all makes good sense.

[MentorPilot]

I have the manually folding tower with bimini. Yes they come with LED’s inside the cobalt logo. With your short tow you could even leave the bimini deployed. I put mine out late May and it stays out till early October as my boat stays in a covered slip

Beautiful boat.... we are considering that tower and the fixed tower, for lack of a better description. The attached photo is of a black fixed tower. We like the look of this arch, but again it does not fold, has no lighting (not even the lighted logo that the others have), and is more expensive.

[tgrace98]

Yes I debated long and hard back and forth but ultimately went with the folding arch. I like that it is all metal so easier to clean and less chance of damaging it compared to the fiberglass. And I'm always one to think resale so down the road a potential buyer would rather have the folding arch.

[CaptBob]

We found an extra benefit to the folding tower. Last weekend we got caught out in a pretty bad downpour. We have an R5 with manual folding tower and bimini. We folded the tower with the bimini open and it snugged right up against the windshield. Pretty much made a covered helm. Closed the windshield, and folding door and drove back in comfort.

An electric would have been a bit handier, but it the admiral was able to hold it into place without launching her out of the boat. (the gas shocks in the tower are pretty stout!)

[AsLan7]

We found an extra benefit to the folding tower. Last weekend we got caught out in a pretty bad downpour. We have an R5 with manual folding tower and bimini. We folded the tower with the bimini open and it snugged right up against the windshield. Pretty much made a covered helm. Closed the windshield, and folding door and drove back in comfort.

An electric would have been a bit handier, but it the admiral was able to hold it into place without launching her out of the boat. (the gas shocks in the tower are pretty stout!)

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Great story CB.

[MentorPilot]

Thanks for the discussion. We have elected to go with the manually foldable tower, as shown in tgrace photos. Might have some other questions on R5 options.... will start a new thread if so. Enjoy the water!