Right price for custom tower???

[uglyducky]

I’ve spoken to about half a dozen fabricators in SoCal and am getting prices ranging from $4.5k to $20k (not including controls). What have some of you paid for a custom folding tower with shade, ladder and control box? Boat is 27’ and tower will go on top of pilot house. I’m not adding cost of controls in these prices as I’ll be getting those direct from manufacturer.

 

[Antares]

Last price I got for a full folding tower with shade and fiberglass box was 9500. Also included a pile of rod holders

 

[clevel]

Wow, such a wide spread in pricing. Aluminum or stainless?

 

[MYNomad]

Towers are expensive. Get three bids from reputable builders (guys with good designs, good welds and satisfied customers), and make sure the bids all have the same specs including whatever bells and whistles you want. Otherwise, after work has started, the builder may suggest rod holders, antenna mounts, lights, etc. that you didn't specify and at that point it may cost more.

FWIW, based on the very limited info you provided, I would guess $10K + for a good tower.

 

[MATTANZA]

4.5k seems cheap. pacific yacht towers, fishing boats unlimitied, and c fab were the guys i knew.

 

[uglyducky]

4.5k seems cheap. pacific yacht towers, fishing boats unlimitied, and c fab were the guys i knew.

Yeah. The low quote was from one of them.

 

[uglyducky]

Towers are expensive. Get three bids from reputable builders (guys with good designs, good welds and satisfied customers), and make sure the bids all have the same specs including whatever bells and whistles you want. Otherwise, after work has started, the builder may suggest rod holders, antenna mounts, lights, etc. that you didn't specify and at that point it may cost more.

FWIW, based on the very limited info you provided, I would guess $10K + for a good tower.

That’s the spread I gave. Those prices are comparing apples to apples on build. I was thinking $9-$11k was where it would be. I guess the $20k outlier is just looking to gouge dudes with money falling out of their pockets.

 

[butcherboy]

I think this year everything involving the boating industry has been strong.....including pricing.

 

[uglyducky]

So just to be clear, I’m not looking for a bargain. Just trying to get a sense of the right market price. The $ spread in quotes was confusing to me. I don’t think the $20k tower is going to be twice as good as some of the $9k quoted towers. But if everyone who has had one made tells me they paid $30k I have a better sense of the market and where these quotes land. I do agree the $4.5k quote seemed very low.

 

[Vigilant32]

Did you check with Tom Rogers @ Saltwater Specialties ?

Looking for AL or SS?

 

[uglyducky]

Did you check with Tom Rogers @ Saltwater Specialties ?

Looking for AL or SS?

I did not. Looking for aluminum.

 

[af dreamer]

Was the alu exactly the same?I have owned towers of anodized alu and non anodized and the finish after a couple years is night and day dif.I would never do a non anodized one again.JMO,Tom

 

[uglyducky]

Was the alu exactly the same?I have owned towers of anodized alu and non anodized and the finish after a couple years is night and day dif.I would never do a non anodized one again.JMO,Tom

same finish. I don’t share your love for anodizing but I get why people like it.

 

[MYNomad]

That’s the spread I gave.

Sorry, I thought your spread went down to $4.5K

 

[uglyducky]

Sorry, I thought your spread went down to $4.5K

it did. that was the cost i was quoted by one of the well known OC builders. was then told by the $20k guy that he used to work for the $4.5k guy and his stuff is put together by hourly people who don't care, yada yada yada.

 

[MYNomad]

it did. that was the cost i was quoted by one of the well known OC builders. was then told by the $20k guy that he used to work for the $4.5k guy and his stuff is put together by hourly people who don't care, yada yada yada.

In any event, I believe you will find that a tower is a game changer, and lots of fun too.

 

[Vigilant32]

Isn’t C Fab out of business since Steve passed?

Careful, I got ripped off big time by one of those “ I used to work here guys in OC”.

If you want Al , Tom Rodgers is my choice. He built and did great customer support on the custom T top he made for me.

 

[uglyducky]

Isn’t C Fab out of business since Steve passed?

Careful, I got ripped off big time by one of those “ I used to work here guys in OC”.

If you want Al , Tom Rodgers is my choice. He built and did great customer support on the custom T top he made for me.

do you have his contact info?

 

[KneppNasty]

....

 

[uglyducky]

Sorry, as I do not mean to hijack this thread! But does anyone have a rec for someone they know who can work with aluminum and make a ladder for me without breaking the bank?!

Any idea what I should expect an approximately 48” x 18” custom aluminum ladder to cost??

Why does everyone preface the thing they “don’t” wanna do, then do it?

 

[KneppNasty]

Why does everyone preface the thing they “don’t” wanna do, then do it?

You’re absolutely correct. My apologies, as I did not mean to pull a jackass move and hijack the thread. That was not my intention at all. (Comment deleted)
I’ll go ahead and start a new thread like I should have done to begin with....
Please excuse my unsavory conduct

 

[Vigilant32]

Tom Rodgers
Saltwater specialities
714-200-6366

BTW Tom is an expert at Boston Whaler’s

 

[uglyducky]

You’re absolutely correct. My apologies, as I did not mean to pull a jackass move and hijack the thread. That was not my intention at all. (Comment deleted)
I’ll go ahead and start a new thread like I should have done to begin with....
Please excuse my unsavory conduct

just bustin your stones man.

 

[uglyducky]

Tom Rodgers
Saltwater specialities
714-200-6366

BTW Tom is an expert at Boston Whaler’s

callin him now. thx!

 

[MYNomad]

If you want Al , Tom Rodgers is my choice. He built and did great customer support on the custom T top he made for me.

Tom made a great, custom, huge bait tank for me. I would recommend him. But, given the cost of a tower, I can't imagine why anyone would prefer aluminum. No matter how much time and effort is spent washing and waxing anodized aluminum, it is going to pit. For the guys who didn't mind zits on their faces as teenagers, no big deal, but my personal preference is stainless.