Re: Sportfish Ski Tow Bar
88Phantom, the install went well. I had to move my existing swim platform, as it interfered with the final location, but that wasn't a big deal. I tried to be as particular as possible, as there is something a little unnerving about drilling holes in your boat below the waterline. =-)
I didn't follow the instructions completely (which were mainly "tips" from the Crestliner CS). And, in the end, glad i didn't. There tip was to basically center the tow bar (which i did), but drill & install the upper bolts about 2 1/2" from the top edge of the transom.
In my prep work, holding the bar to those specs, the bar just seemed REALLY high. On the trailer it positioned the rope ring/post WAY above the top of my windshield. So, i ended up mounting it about 5" below the top of the transom edge.
Also, as you might be able to see from the pics, there are basically 3 pieces to this design. 2 side bars, and one "U" shaped top bar that slides into & then bolts to the two side bars. I noticed that there was an opportunity to drill two additional holes into this "U" shaped bar and lower it even further into the side bars (about an addt'l 2").
So in total, i lowered the whole unit close to 5". All i can say is...GLAD I DID! After the install i measure from the floor to the top of the bar and it was 93". Add 5" to that, and it might have been an issue getting it out of the garage with an 8' door! Nobody ever noted anything to me about that.
Things to consider if you're going to install:
1.) Crestliner told me that these bars require a 25" transom. Might want to call CL & make sure your boat has this.
2.) At one point i found the actual manufacturer of this unit online, and noted that they do make custom bars for particular boat designs. I'd have to search out the company again, as i can't recall the name.
3.) Having an another person to help install would have been helpful, as this unit is a little heavy and bulky for one person to hold/align/mark drilling locations. As I did it by myself.
4.) Check your total bar height before drilling. =-)
All in all, i'm very happy with it. It is sturdy as hell, and will definitely do the job.
Sorry for the crappy pics, but was all i could get with it in the garage.