In the past, wakeboard towers were not a common sight. As times have changed, are now dominating the wakeboard scene. Even though most new wakeboard boats come with towers, many boaters are finding themselves purchasing aftermarket towers for their used boats.

Whether you are looking to purchase a boat with a tower, or wanting to add a wakeboard tower to your current boat, here are some things to consider to help you decide if you do need a wakeboard tower:
 
The Benefits Of A Wakeboard Tower
 
Wakeboard towers have many benefits to them:
 

• Wakeboard towers raises the tie off point of the rope, which allows for a rider to not be pulled down by low tie off points, which allows for more hang-time.
• Wakeboard towers free up more space inside of the boat, unlike an extended pylon, which is typically situated in the middle of the boat.
• Wakeboard towers provide ample space to place things such as speakers, wakeboard racks, and lights.
• Wakeboard towers provide additional support for riders when moving around the boat, as well as for getting in and out of the boat.
• Wakeboard towers enhance your boat, providing character to your boat.

 
Where To Buy Wakeboard Towers
 
Wakeboard towers are easy to find these days. Before making a purchase, however, it is necessary to consider who the manufacturer is of your boat and what kind of wakeboard tower will work for your specific boat. There are two kinds of wakeboard towers you can invest in. Custom wakeboard towers are built with your boat’s make and model in mind, while adjustable wakeboard towers are available for boat owners to install themselves. Although many times boat owners will go directly to wakeboard tower manufactures when deciding to purchase wakeboard towers, an excellent alternative and less expensive resource is OnlyInboards.
 
OnlyInboards has the largest selection of wakeboard towers on the Internet. We specialize in providing top of the line accessories in order to enhance your wakeboarding experience. Visit us to see how we can enhance your boating experience today.

With its growing popularity, wakesurfing is quickly becoming a preferred watersport for boaters all over. In order to ensure your wakesurfing experience is the ultimate adventure, there are 3 things you should know before venturing out into the water.

Know what kind of boat to use. It is pretty safe to assume that most wakesurfers are aware of what type of boat is ideal for wakesurfing. In the case that you may not be aware, wakesurfing is only safe when performed behind an inboard boat with either a V-drive or a direct drive. The reason for this is due to the fact that an inboard boat’s motor is located under the boat, meaning you are less likely to come into contact with the motor.
 
Know how to properly weight your boat. In order to create the perfect wake for wakesurfing, it is critical to know how this is done properly. The following are the 3 most popular ways to correctly and safely weight your boat:
 

• Factory Ballasts- While most boats come with factory ballasts, often times these do not create a big enough wake needed for wakesurfing. However, these are essential in creating wake safely and properly.
• Ballast Bags- The most popular way to create wake is by investing in ballast bags. These will help your boat sit lower in the water, but it is critical to know how to strategically place these in your boat in order to create the right amount of wake.
• Boat Passengers- The number of passengers you have onboard will play a significant role in your wake. By properly positioning your passengers in your boat, as well as evenly distributing the weight, you can potentially create the right amount of wake for wakesurfing.

 
Know what speed to use. When pulling a wakesurfer, the maximum speed that should ever be used is 12.5 mph, with 10 mph being the ideal speed. These speeds will vary, depending on the boat, but should be monitored closely in order to prevent any potential accidents or injuries from happening.
 
OnlyInboards is a great resource for all things inboard related. Visit us to view our used boat marketplace, or if you are interested in the best wakeboarding and surfing accessories around.

When it comes to buying a used boat, many buyers aren’t sure where to look or what to ask. While buying from a reputable site or seller is a good start, there are several things to look for when buying a used boat.

Look for mismatched paint. When this is apparent, it could mean that the boat may have been involved in an accident, or there have been repairs made to it. Be sure to ask about the reason why the boat was repainted, and look further into any repairs or accidents the boat was involved in, if any.
 
Look for water lines. By looking for a water line on the inside of the boat an don the engine, you can determine if the boat had any potential issues with taking on water in the past.
 
Check for vibration. When there is too much vibration on a boat, it not only makes for a noisy boat, but it can also mean that there is a bent propeller.
 
Make sure the trim functions. It is critical to ensure that the trim works on an inboard boat. This will allow for the boat motor to move from the down position, to an angled one.
 
Check for soft spots. It is critical to check the floors of the boat and the deck on the bow for any soft spots. This could be an indication of rotting. Another good tip is to smell the floors, which can help you in determining if there is mold or mildew on the boat, which typically indicates any prior leakage, water damage, or neglect issues.
 
Check the response time. When doing a test drive, test the steering from one direction to another in order to determine how long it takes the boat to respond.
 
Know the maintenance history. Perhaps the most critical piece of information is the boat’s maintenance history. Not only will you be able to determine what kind of shape the boat is in, but if it was well cared for by it’s previous owners, if there have been many maintenance issues with the boat, and if any unnecessary work has been performed on the boat. When a boat has had lot of repairs, it will typically translate into more dollars spent for you.
 
Look for extras. Certain extras are necessary on a boat, and it’s a big bonus if the owner has already installed these for you. Some extras to look for are things such as depth finders, marine radios, quality stereo systems, speed control devices, and life jackets. In many cases, trailers may be included in your purchase, but make sure that the trailer is in good condition as well.
 
It is always a good idea to obtain an appraisal and have a good idea of how much the boat is truly worth before making the purchase.
Only Inboards is the Internet’s largest inboard specific site, specializing in the sales of used inboard boats, as well as top-of-the-line accessories. Visit us to see what we can offer you and your ultimate boating experience.

In observation of Earth Day this week, here are some tips on how you can help the environment by going “green” during your boating activities:

Prevent oil and fuel leaks. By keeping your engine well tuned and in good condition, you can ensure that you are preventing any current or potential oil or fuel leaks from occurring. One good practice is to place an oil absorbent pad under your engine in case of drips. Be sure to check these frequently, disposing of them as hazardous waste.
 
Prevent oil spills. When changing your boat’s oil, it is always best to use an oil pump to transfer your oil. Be sure to use a spill-proof container for the oil you are transferring, as well as wrap a plastic bag around the oil filter. This will prevent any oil from spilling into the bilge.
 
Prevent fuel spills. By slowly, as well as avoiding doing any topping off of your gas tank while refueling, you can eliminate any chances of potential fuel spills.
 
Never use soap for cleanups. When cleaning an oil or fuel spill, using soap is not only harmful to the environment, but it is also against the law.
 
Save your maintenance projects for the boatyard. By performing boat maintenance projects and repairs in the water, you are increasing the risk of potential waste being deposited into the water. Using things like tarps and vacuum sanders will help to contain the waste, and will allow for proper disposal.
 
Properly dispose of your waste. It is highly imperative that things such as batteries, oil and oil filters, antifreeze, and cleaning products be disposed of in a proper manner, and at a hazardous waste facility.
 
By ensuring that we are doing our part for the environment, we can prevent the deterioration and allow for the conservation of recreational lakes and waterways, allowing for the continued enjoyment that boating bring us.
 
OnlyInboards is a proud supporter of the boating world, and recreational watersports. Visit us to view the Internet’s largest inboard specific marketplace, or to check out our boating accessories.

1. It's easy to find someone to teach you

Just like when a skier or snowboarder buys the lift ticket and lesson pass to hit the mountain for the first time, there are plenty of people who are great at teaching wakeboarding around the world.  More likely than not, there is someone in your city who coaches the sport so you can learn without picking up any bad habits or bad experiences.

2. You can choose to use a boat

Even if you can't find anyone who owns a boat, you can check out a Cable Park to get started.  Cable Parks are set on small lakes and involve 2-5 towers posted around the lake with around six carrier systems pulling people in circles around the lake.  There are generally ramps and rails in the water that people use for tricks, just like in snowboarding and skateboarding.  Once you fall off, you take a short swim to the shore and line up for another turn.

3. It's a social sport

You get to know your friends well by spending countless hours in the boat with.  These friendships transfer to a large network of people who love boating.  Even better, wherever you are in the world, there is usually someone stoked to take you wakeboarding in their hometown.  It's one really big community.

Where to start

Only Inboards is the web's number one source for wakeboards, wakeboard boats,

ski boats, inboard boats with wakeboard towers,wakeboard racks and wakeboard towers. Start your wakeboarding with Only Inboards!

There was once a time where seeing a wake board tower was a rare occurrence.  Now, they are everywhere.  As the water sport industry grows, so does the wake boarding scene.

Whether you are buying a new boat, or looking to add a tower to an old boat, you need to figure out what tower will be the right one for your needs.  Even more important, ask yourself where you can find a quality wake board tower at a great deal.  How do you buy the right tower for your needs that also works on your boat?

The Run Down

It is common for wake board boat manufacturers to work with various wake board tower companies to provide wake board towers that fit perfectly with their boats.  Towers like these are called original equipment manufacturers (OEM) towers.  Boats and wake board towers like these are typically the creme de la creme for wake boarding.  Though creme de la creme may sound yummy, it is overbearingly expensive!  To get the best bang for your buck, look for a local business who is knowledgeable in everything wake boards and sells quality products.

The key is to find someone who can offer a variety of pristine wake board towers, along with gently used wake board towers in great condition.  By looking at both used and new wake board towers, you can get a general idea of what your budget and preferences can handle.  You may even find that a used wake board tower could be just as good as a brand new one, just cheaper!

As a dominant resource on the web for buying & selling inboard specific wake board and ski boats, Only Inboards is the place to start your search for the right boat, wake board, rack, wake board towers, and much more.  We strive to offer the best in inboard boat accessories for your needs.