Where to Purchase?
Cost about $699 to $999
How to Install Wakeboard Tower Speakers
If you’ve been wakeboarding or wakeskating for a while and your boat’s stock tow points just aren’t cutting it anymore, then you have likely decided it’s time to put a wakeboard tower up. You’re not alone, a proper wakeboard tower has become a total prerequisite for wakeboarding today. But with so many options on the market it can be hard to narrow it down to the right wakeboard tower for you. This step by step how to will cover everything you need to know from choosing the right tower, installation and fastening, speaker & rack mounting, and even long term maintenance.
So if you’re ready to lift your rope a few feet, then let’s get started.
Mounting Racks and Speakers
The process of mounting your speakers and racks is pretty straight forward. For speakers, make sure there is plenty of clearance between the rope and the speakers. It can be very easy for a rope to get accidentally twisted around a speaker and yank it upwards during take off. Also, when it comes to running your speaker wire, err on the side of caution and leave enough slack speaker wire in the tubes of the tower to account for any unexpected speaker movement, I.e.
what was just mentioned.
When it comes to racks there are a few things to keep in mind. If you’re dock space is tight, it is best to use racks that are easily removed, usually a rack that just slips onto a mounting point with a compression fitting is best. If parking space is not a problem, then definitely opt for racks that have more permanent fasteners as they will stay secure and fixed in their position especially when carrying a few boards.
The other thing to keep in mind when mounting both speakers and racks is clearance. You want to mount both so that the guests on your boat can walk around them without fear of head lacerations. And you also want to keep your racks in a place where you can easily reach your boards without having to climb or overextend just to retrieve them. This same rule applies to mounting other tower accessories as well.
Wake Tower Speakers
Wake Tower Speakers are high output speakers that are in an enclosed water resistant housing.
These speakers are usually mounted to a tower on the boat, that is designed to allow you to project sound up to 100ft behind the boat.
They are a great entertainment addition because their main purpose is to get sound out to anyone behind the boat. This could be for people swimming, skiing, or wake surfing.
There is such a thing as Surf Tower Speakers. They are designed for the person who is wakesurfing directly behind the boat. They are very similar to Wake Tower Speakers, but they do not project as far
What To Look For:
When thinking about purchasing Wake Tower Speakers, one of the things to look for is quality of the speakers themselves. We do not believe in “Best Wake Tower Speakers” because it really depends on the application.
You also want to look at the size of the enclosure to make sure it doesn’t interfere with regular operation of the boat, and the kind of tweeter. (i.e A dome tweeter or a horn loaded tweeter which usually projects sounds further with less distortion at further distances).
Additionally, you want to look into the power handling of the speakers, which will come into play when purchasing the amplifier to match the RMS (maximum continuous power handling) of the speakers.
Some manufactures offer a range of colors. If you are trying to match an existing color or add color to your boat, make sure to see if the manufacturer has additional colors available.
Boat Modification:
As we briefly mentioned above, you want to make sure that these new wake tower speakers do not interfere with any of the boat’s operations.
Adding new speakers does require some modification but it is minimal. The only modifications that would be done to the boat would be on the towers themselves.
For example, the holes for the wires. These holes are generally only around 1/2in, along with others usually unseen, and are placed in a compartment on the boat where the amplifiers would sit.
If you have been told that there would be more complex modification needed, then we suggest you re-evaluate the company.
Can They Be Installed On Any Boat?
No, wake tower speakers cannot be installed on any boat. Just like in the name suggests, they are meant for wake towers themselves.
If the boat does not have a tower there are alternative means to gain the type of sound desired. For example, you could have speakers located on or around the rear of the boat.
A typical install is determined by how many pairs of speakers are being done, as well as the amps and location of the amps being installed.
Usual turnaround time on a basic tower setup (2 towers and a single amp) is around 3-6 hrs.
Wake Tower Speakers can bring new sound to your boat, and allow you to experience the water like never before!
Here are some more Video Guides if the first Video Guide on installing Wakeboard tower speakers and lights does not help you out!
Tower Maintenance
When properly installed, a wakeboard tower will become a permanent fixture of your boat that requires little maintenance. Although most towers are made from stainless steel or high strength aluminum, they can start to develop pitting, especially if you are using your tower in salt or brackish water. Regular application of a metal cleaner will keep your tower looking new for years.
Another area of maintenance has to do with the joints and folding points of your tower.
Be conscientious of dirt and other particles that can creep inside and create squeaks and groans. If your tower develops extra noise over time, the first place to look is the joints. Simply remove the joint assembly and give it a thorough cleaning, and if necessary a light lubricant.
Finally, keep all of your screws and mounting points checked. At the beginning and midway through the season, take a few moments to ensure that everything is tightened properly, and that there is no movement in your tower. Even if just one anchor is malfunctioning it can mean costly damage to the fiberglass hull of your boat when pulling a rider.
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