Any Ski Tow/Grab Bar Install Lessons Learned??

[macattack]

I'm about to tackle the install of a MC Ski Tow/Grab Bar. Looking for any lessons learned and any info on tow weight limitations. Any thoughts?? tks, mac

[macattack]

Finally made time to install the ski tow/grab bar on my 2005 MC PS197. Attached file shows the step-by-step process with pics. Many thanks to Mod 1 for helping me convert my word doc into a pdf file and to dsoby and bmargo for some insight on the project.

Only question remaining are there any "official" weight restrictions from MC when using the tow bar? Does anybody have any paperwork that came with their boat that had this option? Jim@BAWS??? tks, mac

[Tap]

I have a similar boat (#50) but was curious as to why you needed the Ski tow/ Grab bar? Is this something that I should look into?
My first guess is that this would allow you to ski someone & have people sitting on the rear bench?

[macattack]

Tap: Two reasons:
1. Something to "grab on to" when getting on/off the ski platform
2. Would like to put the back seat in while pulling the grand kids tubing and skiing and have more room for family members

[JohnnyB]

This is on my to-do list for the same reasons as you state....except kids, not grandkids

[Jim@BAWS]

Originally Posted by macattack

Finally made time to install the ski tow/grab bar on my 2005 MC PS197. Attached file shows the step-by-step process with pics. Many thanks to Mod 1 for helping me convert my word doc into a pdf file and to dsoby and bmargo for some insight on the project.

Only question remaining are there any "official" weight restrictions from MC when using the tow bar? Does anybody have any paperwork that came with their boat that had this option? Jim@BAWS??? tks, mac

Tried to open the file is said it was corrupt

Anyway...single skier, or whatever I would say upto 500LBS
easy install through bolted through the removed rubrail on the stern

not made to pull hard shortline slalom or multiple tubes

Jim@BAWS

[macattack]

Jim: tks for weight restriction info!

I reinforced the composite strip behind the rub rail with an aluminum strip and bolted the grab rail through both; pics are included in my attached file. I checked the link again and it worked fine from here, so I am not sure why you can not open? tks again for the info, mac

[JohnnyB]

A few observations:

1) Is this the factory location - I assume it is since the kit included the rub-rail caps.
2) I am surprised that there wasn't a mounting plate already glassed into the hull. Every other accessory I've mounted seems to have one??

Nice work!!!

[macattack]

JohnnyB:

1. Yes, this is the factory location
2. Agree; I was also hoping there would already be a mounting plate located there; this was probably the most challenging piece of the installation due to the narrow/hard to get to area behind the rub rail; I also had to use a Dremmel to sand down a "fiberglass bubble" that was protruding/preventing the support bracket from laying flat on the composite strip that anchored the rub rail. Adding the aluminum support bracket is optional; however, it was a suggestion from my local MC dealer. Made sense to me, so I added it.

tks, mac

[yankee]

Thanks for the great detail. I'm getting ready to attack this exact project this weekend and was looking for tips. This is absolutely perfect!