Hammock “top” or am I crazy?

Penasco.Pirata

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May 28, 2020
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I am rebuilding a 1993 Crownline 196br that has either been neglected all its life or sunk at some point. New engine, new interior, new floor, stringers, engine mounts and transom.........way more than I planned for when i got this “good deal” but its coming together.

The boat came with a wakeboard tower and I’m not looking to learn how to use it. I’d really like to build a frame about the size of the seating area and hold it up with a couple more of the wakeboard mounts. Weave some “mule tape” between the frame members and viola! I have a “hammock” upper deck that also works as a sun shade.......or am I crazy?
 

TyeeMan

Master Chief Petty Officer
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Feb 27, 2006
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I wouldn't want to be on the hammock after a boat leaving a good wake goes by. Liable to get thrown right out the boat.

Higher center of gravity. . .
 

Penasco.Pirata

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This boat is mainly going to just be a to and from thing. We go to the local cove and tie up.....no wakes there.
 

JimS123

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Jul 27, 2007
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I don't know if you're crazy or not, but I would guess that yours will be the first and only one like it.
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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remember, everything added to the boat that wasnt there when the boat was new is subtracting from its capacity. the wake board tower is #150 added to the boat, now add a bunch more stuff up high, and you have a high center of gravity. sort of like standing in a canoe.

you cant compare it to a flats boat with a tower, because those have a single person centered over the CG of the boat, where you want to make a platform the size of the whole seating area

if you want shade, add a bimini to the wake board tower, put your VHF radio antenna up high mounted on it and maybe put some speakers or lights up there.
 

Penasco.Pirata

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There is no way the present tower weighs 150lbs......possibly 80 with the speakers but I hear you on the COG. I figured 150-175 with the flat rope weave for the hammock and framing. It would definitely not have anyone or anything on it why under way. I would guess the Bimini top and the tower to be somewhere around 100lbs total, not sure how adding 50 on top of that kills the COG enough to capsize the boat.
 

Penasco.Pirata

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I have seen plenty of boats with King Bling billet EVERYTHING bolted to a gigantic WBT.....never have I seen one capsized at the lake. That’s kinda where this idea came from.
 

JimS123

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Jul 27, 2007
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Maybe you could add a centerboard.

Regardless, if you do it and the boat DOES capsize, please take lots of pictures.
 
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