Question? tower material

[Steel Leader]

derren the info you have heard is right on the money.


with s.s. fit up must be near perfection, no gaps, aluminum gaps are a non issue for the most part.

the polishing is a pain but when your done, your done. very little maintenance.

the ease of bending has me puzzled though. it doesn't matter what material you put into a hyd. bender, you still just push and pull the lever.

[skipopotamous]

softer metal easier to roll and manipulate

[getoffmyback]

In this order

#1 Ti
#2 Stainless
#3 Al

Since Ti is probably out of the question, I suggest SS. It will not corrode or look shitty in 3 yrs like Al most likely will.

If you get the right guys to do it, it will be bullet proof and designed with P L E N T Y of strength, the structural difference between Al and Stainless is negligible in weight, because many grades of SS are twice as strong in most PSI/strength comparisons, the dia. of material can be reduced thus reducing the weight difference between the inferiority of Al in a marine, harsh environment

If you get the right shop to fabricate it, fitment is not an issue with whatever material you decide to go with, the quality of the fabricat-or is key.

This probably isnt something that can be done in your garage with a Sears craftsman stick welder plugged into your wifes dryer outlet, with a few of your bro's hanging out slugging budweiser and giving incorrect information.

The dude (owner I think) at Chingon down in San Diego somewhere is pretty damn good, a few years ago my neighbor took his boat from MDR/LA down to San Diego just because he wanted THEM to do it, lay day costs and all, they did a phenomenal job too....complete SS tower and replaced all the factory AL railing on his 2 yr old 72 Viking, plus a TON of other little stuff he wanted for his tastes....Needless to say, he was not a big fan of AL, but he could afford to be that way. He wouldve done it in Ti had it not been that brownish/greenish color... He likes shiny

[One_Leg]

Unobtanium!!!