I want a new tower.

[grantroberts]

I have a 2001 ProStar 209. I'm looking to upgrade the tower from the old version. Has anyone out there ever replaced their old ZeroFlex tower with one of the new towers that MasterCraft manufactured for the 209 in 2007 (the one with the Mastercraft logo routed into the billet aft brackets)? Or a similar upgrade? I already know fiberglass work will be involved to patch up the old tower attachment holes. I'd love to see pics of the upgrade or sump'm similar. Thanks!

[wakeX2wake]

you must not like money... haven't heard of anyone doing one as of yet due to costliness

[jkski]

Keep in mind that MC stopped production of the 209 in late 2006 and replaced it with the 214 in 2007 (I am fairly certain that no 209 were made in 2007, but I could be wrong). Anyways, I do not believe that a 2007 type tower was made for the 209, so you may be needing to look at the 2005/2006 tower.

[grantroberts]

I thought 07-08 was the switch. Either way, its certainly cheaper than a new boat.

[east tx skier]

You might want to read up on the tower braces as well that are being installed on the newer towers (at least the 08s; not sure about 07).

[grantroberts]

Read up on them? Is it being suggested that they are inferior or faulty, or something?

[Monte]

The braces fixed the problem. They were a bit shaky before that.... design went over function.. MC fixed it tho..

I don't think anybody here has pulled that one off. Your pictures will be appreciated.. DIY? or pay somebody?

[vogelm1]

There were some side-to-side flex issues with towers that were loaded up with speakers and lights (lots of weight hanging up there) so MC came out with a brace kit that eliminates most if not all of the flex.

Keep your eyes open on the internet/eBay. I bought a new 2007 MasterCraft tower for the price of a new New Dimension. A MC dealer ordered one for a customer who backed out, and the dealer sold it for a song on eBay - I was the lucky bidder.

[prostar205]

grantroberts -

My boat is an '02 that has the new style ('05/'06) tower installed. However, it was done at the factory. I can tell you the issues you will run into though since I have had my '05/'06 tower off my boat several times.

1) you will have to do fiberglass and gel coat work only on the back mounting areas. The front feet of the '05/'06 tower overlap the holes for your current tower. (at least it is that way on an X-30).

2) you will have to make new aluminum backing plates for all 4 mounting locations. Your boat has aluminum plates sandwiched inside multiple layers of fiberglass. The three new mounting holes for the front feet and the four new mounting holes for the rear feet (x2 for left and right) do not hit the encapsulated aluminum backing plates.

Other than some fiberglass work and making the new backing plates, its a fairly easy swap.

Remember, measure 10x and drill the holes once.

[Lennyp04]

If you want the headace of a shaky tower you could get the 07 - 08 tower. We were able to get tower braces for our 07 x1 under warranty. Parts and labor free. Search tower braces on the forum and there is a video somewhere of an Xstar with a very shaky tower.

[grantroberts]

All good information! Thanks! Keep it coming.

[grantroberts]

...& I'm gonna pay somebody...

[06' X-2 R8R H8R]

If it aint broken.........DONT FIX IT!!!!

[wakeX2wake]

^^^^^ Agreed

a tower is a tower and its only aesthetics from there... your boat was designed for the tower you have on there... no increase in function or efficiency from there... not to mention the new towers are expensive as crap to add lights and speakers onto... but it sounds like you're rolling w/ this thing so good luck... it's just going to be pricey... (could be a down payment on a new/newer one)

[peason]

I have the same tower as you on a 2002 -209 and personally I prefer it to the look of the new towers. If you decide to make the change - I would be interested in buying your board racks if you have any. It would be nice to have a back up pair if anything happens to the current ones I have.