So I am online again, searching for a
wakeboarding tower for my boat.
I have 3 kids who always attack the "lake snacks" right after we launch the boat
. They put their grubby fingers all over the place.
I have gear for 5 plus guest in my boat. We all love music. And we spend every July 4th on the lake, it's the
BEST seat in the house to view the local fireworks display.
With these things in mind, I hit the soothing quite that is online shopping & check out towers. I am not much for matching my tower to my gel coat or interior vinyl. I want wither a chrome finish or well, wait, what's this anodized finish i see?
What is "
anodize" and why should i consider it?
A formal definition, according to the Aluminium Anodizer's Coucil is as follows:
An electrochemical process that converts the metal surface into a decorative, durable, corrosion-resistant, anodic oxide finish.
This is accomplished by immersing the aluminium (best suited material) into an acid electrolyte bath and passing an electric current through the medium.
A cathode is mounted to the inside of the anodizing tank; the aluminium acts as an anode, so that oxygen ions are released from the electrolyte to combine with the aluminium atoms at the surface of the part being anodized.
Anodizing is, therefore a matter of highly controlled oxidation.
Layman's Terms
Its a strong, durable product out there that will not only amp up the aesthetic of your lake ride, but will look great, season after season.
It is a clear finish that typically matches the trim on most boat windshields.
It is a patine that you don't have to wait years to get. Anodized finish towers are durable, look great, & do not require a more than once over when you wash your boat.
Anodized finishes resist abrasion of the softer aluminium of the tower as well as keeping it from corroding.
Anodizing turns the surface of the aluminium tubing into a barrier that keeps your tower looking great, wit a finish that is easy to maintain.
If you wakeboard in brackish lakes or coastal waters, this finish is a must.
 |
The difference between Clear Anodized Aluminium
and Polished Aluminium (Clear Anodized Aluminium is
on the left, Polished Aluminium is on the right.) |
Man! I have found my tower finish! Not more cheeto-dust-sunscreen-watermarks-lake grime on my new tower. I won't need to polish my tower. My family can play out brain out (responsibly, of course). The cool-geeky part of my brain is at ease with the fact that the lake water won't dull my towers finish & I'll just wipe it down when i spray off the boar at our local car wash! not to mention, I can get all my gear & tunes up & out of the way with a tower!
So who's getting an anodized tower?
THIS GUY!!!!!
