This project fixed a problem I was having with my Malibu G3 tower knobs. This fix can be used by anyone with a first generation (2010-14) G3 tower who opted for the
tower knobs.
Background: The knobs on my tower, which secure it in the upright position, kept coming loose. No matter how tight I got them, including using the built-in allen wrench
socket, they would loosen up. Especially when towing. I had the starboard side knob come off on 4 separate tow trips. Fortunately the knob fell into the boat each time
and not on the road. At $100 each (Malibu's price) that would have been expensive. I tried using lock washers, star washers, boosting the tower tight with a jack before
tightening the knobs. All failed. So I set about trying to come up with a solution to keep the knobs in place and tight. I considered fabricating a leash, using some
kind of collar made from PVC, and some other crazy ideas before I came upon the one that worked. And I also wanted the solution to look good.
I went to Home Depot with an idea in mind. In the plumbing section I found a 2" rubber end cap for ABS pipe that fit the knob perfectly. I purchased 2 and removed the
included hose clamps.
To secure the cap to the tower I used a 24" length of 1 1/2" nylon webbing with a quick release clamp. I had the webbing and clamps from an earlier project but those
materials can be purchased online at McMaster-Carr or at JoAnne Fabrics.
I sewed the receiving end clamp permanently in place, put the end cap on the knob on the tower and placed the webbing over the end cap and over the tower bracket. I put
the adjustable end of the quick release clamp on the webbing and adjusted the strap where I thought it should be when fastened together. I marked the strap where it
crossed the end cap on both edges then removed the pieces. I decided on using pop rivets with washers on the inside of the cap and outside of the strap to secure the
strap to the end cap. I drilled two 1/8" holes from the inside of the end cap opposite each other as close the the edge as possible and through the webbing. Then I
installed the rivets and added a dab of black paint to make the rivets blend in.
The end result is what I loosely refer to as my tower knob jock straps. Once I have tower in the upright position the straps go one and stay on, even while on the water.
In the two plus years and 6000 plus miles I've had the straps on I have not only not lost a knob but not once have they even loosened up. The end cap has a slight convex
shape to it and that helps add pressure to the knob while the snug fit of the rubber in combination with the strap keeps the knob from turning. The total cost of
the project was about $20 and the time was 1.5 hours. IMHO I think it looks pretty good too.
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