Wake Boards and rocket launchers

[Will W]

The kids saw the nice wake the parker put out and wanted to know if they could wake board and use the rocket lanchers to tie the rope to. Does anybody know if the rocket launchers will work for this? 2320

 

[DaleH]

IMHO you'd be better off tying a Y-bridle from the cleats on the foredeck and running it back over the pilot house roof, adding chafe gear where it rests on the top.

Your safety ... your call, but rocket launchers weren't designed for such torque :shock: ! Also ... most ANY boat will create a decent wake with the right (read: 'wrong') speed/RPM and trim combination ...

FWIW when I have towed HEAVY loads using my boats (like a beached 22' CC off the beach!) I rigged a bridle using the bow, mid, and stern cleats (criss-crossed from hawser-to-hawser too, effectively tying in the WHOLE stern), in conjunction with the stern eyes.

 

[MaxOut]

I have tied a ski rope on my rocket launchers but have the dual row ones that have 8 bolt through mounting points and are pretty sturdy. A wake board can put a considerable amount of stress on the tow boat and wouldn't try it unless your kids are less than 150lbs. I would add a bolt through ski hook on the aft top edge of the roof (under rocket launchers) and put a decent backing plate on it if I was still skiing. Dale’s idea would work but could cause damage to the roof or any other hardware you have up there when making turns. You would still have to tie it off somewhere aft on the roof to keep it from dropping off and in a turn and that point is going to bear the stress. Better off just adding a ski hook aft. Keep it simple. If you are going to tie to the rocket launchers I would use a Y bridal and tie to outer ends of launchers down low at the mounting points (do not attempt if not through bolted). One word of caution is to riders in the cockpit to stay seated fore while towing a wake board as the rope is short and will be no room to stand without getting "close lined" off the boat. Parker PH are not the best ski boats for wake boards but doable. Have fun

 

[DaleH]

Good input Maxout ... forgot about taking turns - doh!

 

[Bryan 2530]

I wouldn't do it.

If you have the factory launcher like I do then it is only fastened in with 6 1/4-20 bolts and a few washers on the back.

You would need some modification in my opinion, and it seems the same with the rest of the guys above.