Water Ski Pylon Zodiac Yachtline 530

smh342 · 27 November 2012, 19:11

Does anyone know of a removable water ski pylon that would mount to my zodiac yachtline 530? I'm looking for one that when removed doesn't leave a bracket likely to remove any toes as the center / main mounting pad sits flush with the sunbathing cushions. I've been thinking of something like this:

Pro Ski Pylon - Overton's

but the main pad is 6" diameter while the main mounting pad on the boat is 4" diameter.

thanks,
Steve

slance · 27 November 2012, 19:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by smh342

Does anyone know of a removable water ski pylon that would mount to my zodiac yachtline 530? I'm looking for one that when removed doesn't leave a bracket likely to remove any toes as the center / main mounting pad sits flush with the sunbathing cushions. I've been thinking of something like this:

Pro Ski Pylon - Overton's

but the main pad is 6" diameter while the main mounting pad on the boat is 4" diameter.

thanks,
Steve

Steve, the standard Zodiac one (as you know) is removable, but does leave behind some footings as can be seen in the attached pic.

Have sold several Turboswings over the last year and everyone has been very pleased with the performance. Perhaps something to consider.

LINK: TurboSwing tow bar - water skiing, wakeboarding, fun tubing

It also works VERY well to protect the engine from other boats operated by negligient captains.

Regards,

Stephan

achille2124 · 27 November 2012, 19:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by slance

Steve, the standard Zodiac one (as you know) is removable, but does leave behind some footings as can be seen in the attached pic.

Have sold several Turboswings over the last year and everyone has been very pleased with the performance. Perhaps something to consider.

LINK: TurboSwing tow bar - water skiing, wakeboarding, fun tubing

It also works VERY well to protect the engine from other boats operated by negligient captains.

Regards,

Stephan

+++1 for the Turbo Swing, very good product.

smitty477 · 12 February 2013, 15:16

We have had good service and performance from the turboswing we installed about a year ago - pulls well and is basically out of the way.

Hope this helps

smitty477 · 13 February 2013, 12:37

andyhuddy · 13 February 2013, 13:05

Turboswing is Great!

I have just installed mine!

I got a great price off Maven Marine, Mike will go to any lengths to help you out.

Give him a ring on 08456 588 197

Say I passed your details onto him and im sure he will help you out!

Never mind - Your in the USA!

jyasaki · 13 February 2013, 16:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyhuddy

Never mind - Your in the USA!

Well, this *is* the North America forum...

jky

andyhuddy · 13 February 2013, 16:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyasaki

Well, this *is* the North America forum...

jky

Need to open my eyes a bit wider

smh342 · 15 February 2013, 13:43

Thanks for the idea of the turbo swing. I like the looks of it but I have a little swim platform next to the engine that I'm afraid the turboswing will interfere with. I'll have to take a photo to see if you think it'll get in the way. I really like the swim platform and ladder on the boat. It makes re-boarding so much more civilized...

Steve

smitty477 · 15 February 2013, 15:21

"I like the looks of it but I have a little swim platform next to the engine that I'm afraid the turboswing will interfere with":

Most smaller inflatables have precious little space and support and the transom to allow for towing and boarding.

The trade off was this from our view:
- Pylons required a lot of holes in questionably strong areas of the boat.
- Pylons still have ropes rubbing on and dangling around the motor
- Pylons leave no room for boarding into the boat
- Pylons pass the ski/tow loads through the fiberglass boat features
- Pylons leave unerasable mounting scars on the boat
- Pylons have a more limited load capability
- Pylons pull from an axis point ahead of the motor pivot (try steering this)

Hope this helps

slance · 15 February 2013, 15:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by smh342

Thanks for the idea of the turbo swing. I like the looks of it but I have a little swim platform next to the engine that I'm afraid the turboswing will interfere with. I'll have to take a photo to see if you think it'll get in the way. I really like the swim platform and ladder on the boat. It makes re-boarding so much more civilized...

Steve

It is tight, but it can be managed if the boarding skier is not too big. If so, then no way will he/she fit on your YL530DL. I am not a big fan of that folding Zodiac transom ladder. If I had my druthers, I'd bag that ladder from the transom and use and over-the-tube boarding ladder (either St. Croix, The SS telescoping one from Defender or the new Armstrong RIB ladder).

The points above from Smitty about the towing benefit of the Turboswing are spot on. Very different handling / steering with a truboswing over a ski pylon. Two different worlds completely. His other points about pylon installs leaving holes, etc.....also spot on.

That Armstrong ladder is available at Defender for $549.00. Nope, not inexpensive, but it is the best removable RIB boarding ladder one can buy (in my humble opinion).

Stephan

Peter_C · 15 February 2013, 20:16

My main recommendation would be to contact Zodiac and ask what brand and model of pylon they approve of. They built the boat and know the best tie in points.

Not sure what brand pylon this is but...it is a 530DL.

You can see more of it here.
Zodiac 530dl Yachtline: Skiffs - Dinghies - Tinnies - Inflatables | Boats Online for Sale | Hypalon | Victoria (Vic) - St Kilda Vic

Quote:

Originally Posted by smitty477

- Pylons pull from an axis point ahead of the motor pivot (try steering this)

If you look at every competition wakeboard and water ski boat you will notice the tow point is always near the center of the boat. Pulling off the transom I can easily pull a boat all over the place, while riding a wakeboard.

smitty477 · 15 February 2013, 20:55

"If you look at every competition wakeboard and water ski boat you will notice the tow point is always near the center of the boat. Pulling off the transom I can easily pull a boat all over the place, while riding a wakeboar"

Yes -all the "competition" wakeboard type boats around here are that way as well. They are also inboards with fwd center props and usually center skegs as well, mostly above 20' with much different beams and strakes with akerman rudders not like any RIB. If the turboswing did pull off the transom and did not move its pivot point as the skiier/wakeboarder turned perhaps you could pull it over more.

Hope this helps

smh342 · 16 February 2013, 02:46

That's the swim platform I'm talking about. Zodiac makes a pylon but they want big $'s for it. The boat is set up with mounting pads for a pylon. I've got my eye on something like this:

Pro Deck Master Pylon - Overton's

I just don't like that when removed the bracket that remains is a big chunk of metal in a good place to remove a toe.

If I knew someone with a machine shop this is exactly what I have in mind:

Adjustable Pro Ski Pylon - Overton's

The mounting base on this is 6" diameter, I'd like to get it cut down to 4" diameter so it would fit on the mounting pad zodiac made for this purpose. I'm just having a hard time finding a machine shop.

Steve

Peter_C · 16 February 2013, 05:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by smh342

That's the swim platform I'm talking about. Zodiac makes a pylon but they want big $'s for it.

How much is big bucks?

I had a universal mount installed on my second boat much like the last one you posted. It was kinda a piece of junk. It moved and twisted all over with the riders/skiers cuts. Which of course made a racket.

What about just making one from scratch if the mounting points are already in place? Most of the parts are fairly easy to acquire, modify, and put together. Got a picture of the pad and mount area you are talking about? I might have some ideas to kick around in my head then.