Baller mlange Posted July 27, 2014 Baller Share Posted July 27, 2014 I got to spend some time in a Prostar last week and one of the things I really liked was the ski racks. Having room for a couple of more skis in addition to what you can get in the trunk would be really nice. So I'm thinking about pulling the existing carpeted structure off of one of the sides in a TXi and throwing a rack in there. Anyone have any ideas on after market racks that would work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller LZywicki1 Posted July 27, 2014 Baller Share Posted July 27, 2014 Been trying to figure that option out for the last 8 year for our RLXI, was going to mount a ski rack, from a tower, and mount some sort a release behind where the Malibu oval badge is on the gunnel. Have never found a ski rack that I like. Larry -----<| Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller 6balls Posted July 27, 2014 Baller Share Posted July 27, 2014 Tough part too is that the Prostar really cut out the gunnels to create space so the racks even with skis don't intrude on walk around room...the gunnels are thin. Harder to do in a boat other than the Prostar right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller rq0013 Posted July 27, 2014 Baller Share Posted July 27, 2014 The Malibu txi and lxi both have a lot of wasted space on the sides with a storage gunnel that you cant really use for skis. I wish they would remove the metal trim and cross bar from the side storage and keep in carpet like a 197 is. Our skis fit great in that even. Maybe they will rework the inside of the txi in the next few years while keeping the txi hull Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller gregy Posted July 27, 2014 Baller Share Posted July 27, 2014 The ProStar really utilizes every bit of the hull with. When I saw the PS ski racks first hand I really liked them, I was imediately invisioning them in my RLX, not sure if it would work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller CowboyTroy43 Posted July 28, 2014 Baller Share Posted July 28, 2014 It's going to be really interesting to see how many ski boats adapt the ProStar storage racks in the future. They save so much space and are absolutely perfect for a family who might ski on a large lake and not have a dock close to a course to keep their stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller mlange Posted July 28, 2014 Author Baller Share Posted July 28, 2014 I'd be willing to bet there would be some demand out there if someone with the resources would make this happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller RAWSki Posted July 28, 2014 Baller Share Posted July 28, 2014 MB had an optional rack on their 190-200 ski boat back in the day. (15-20 yrs) Fixed pieces of black ABS I believe. The set-up held two skis on their side and allowed at least one more on the floor, I was always surprised there wasn't a generic version to install in other boats I would buy one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller oldjeep Posted July 28, 2014 Baller Share Posted July 28, 2014 Doesn't seem like modifying a tower rack would work very well due to how far the skis would stick out. Modifying something like a simple gun rack might work better. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Rugged-Gear-Double-Hook-Dual-Lock-Gun-Rack/6457786 The tower racks all stack like this, so no matter what orientation you installed it you would get twice as much width from the side of the boat than the Prostar rack. And yes, my skis are out in the sun ;) http://oldjeep.com/images/Malibu/07262014_1_1024.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller RAWSki Posted July 28, 2014 Baller Share Posted July 28, 2014 Yep the adjustable molded gun racks look very similar to what Mike at MB had designed and offered until he went...all wakeboard all the time! ha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller PurdueSkier Posted July 28, 2014 Baller Share Posted July 28, 2014 I have a 94 Echelon with very little storage space. About 2 years ago I made a DIY ski rack for the driver side gunnel. It is nowhere as nice as the new Prostars, but does the trick for me. It holds 2 skis and is removable without tools. I dont have any pictures with skis on it, but here is one of the rack. I used a removable garage storage/organizer hanger system that I cut down. Using the existing hardware that holds the side panel into the boat, I attached carpeted 2x3 boards vertically, then cut short pieces of track for the storage system and screwed them into the boards. I cut down the hangers to the proper length then they just clip onto the track (removable). I added some small bungees that can stretch over the skis and hook around the hanger for added security. The bottom ski sits bindings down and the top ski sits bindings up. Newer boats may be able to do something a little different to allow the skis to sit on edge or inside the gunnel, but since my boat is smaller this worked best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller LZywicki1 Posted July 29, 2014 Baller Share Posted July 29, 2014 That's what I'm talking about, but with the machined parts like a tower rack. Larry -----<| Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kstateskier Posted July 29, 2014 Share Posted July 29, 2014 @PurdueSkier thats nice work there. Do the skis bang around under power? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller PurdueSkier Posted July 29, 2014 Baller Share Posted July 29, 2014 @kstateskier nope, not at all. I leave them on there when I trailer the boat as well. The hangers have a rubber coating on them that protects the skis and the bungees pull down over the skis very tight. Never had an issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller braindamage Posted June 16, 2020 Baller Share Posted June 16, 2020 Bump...did anyone else do a mod for a TXi? I just started using my ‘12 and it’s a pain to be stepping over skis when there are 3 ppl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller UWSkier Posted June 16, 2020 Baller Share Posted June 16, 2020 We do three out of my RLX all the time, but my ski goes in the trunk. Other two on the floor behind driver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller braindamage Posted June 17, 2020 Baller Share Posted June 17, 2020 With just a bit of looking, it seems that the carpeted bottom gunnel is on a separate panel from the vinyl upper. Initial look seems like it could be removed and stored in case you wanted to put back to original. Then mount a carpeted ridge strip along the floor. Finally, there’s rough fiberglass that goes upward towards the front of the gunnel that would need some carpet so the front of the ski doesn’t get scratched. Hmmm... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller PurdueSkier Posted June 17, 2020 Baller Share Posted June 17, 2020 I was the one who modified my echelon back in 2014. I now have a 2010 rlxi. I need to do a similar mod. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller braindamage Posted June 17, 2020 Baller Share Posted June 17, 2020 @PurdueSkier I thought there would be more hard core skiers here that would’ve done this mod. @UWSkier the rear locker is an option, but not a great one because it doesn’t dry well unless I leave the cover open every day after I ski. If I stored it in a garage that’s probably not a big deal, but on my lift it’s not so great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller skimtb Posted June 17, 2020 Baller Share Posted June 17, 2020 I have friend w 05 nautique that has factory / dealer option racks on one side. Holds two skis. I think they are bolt in after the fact. Maybe you can still get those. In have not seen for a while, but recall that they are like thin metal (like 3/8” maybe) With cutouts to hold two skis at approx 45 deg angle. You could make something too. The only tricky part is connecting to boat or at least dining a way to secure it in place. That would likely differ from boat to boat... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joeprunc Posted June 17, 2020 Share Posted June 17, 2020 I can put both my wife's and my skis in the rear trunk of the RLXi (one has a RTP). Other guests have skis behind boat driver, or in walk way to open bow. This works for river skiing. When we go to the course, load up the boat, and offload on the dock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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