First post! My dad is buying an R6, but we have a low clearance in our boat house. Any advice?

[Snowman8]

We had exactly the same problem back in May. R5 with manual tower, new bakehouse with boathouse and lift.

We ended up having the top structural section of our boathouse modified. There was an I beam down the center of the boathouse that would have hit the stern light with the boat lifted. Vendor removed a section and welded a a square in its place so the stern light would fit. It's tight, but we never have to attempt to raise/lower the tower.

Not sure about the electric, but lowering manual tower is a pain as you have to disassemble the Bimini.

BBP may have been joking, but we were also quote to raise the entire height of the boathouse - was just more expensive and made me somewhat nervous...

I considered jacking my shed up 2’ at one time. It was cheaper to modify my boat..

[greenhut]

While the boat fit with the stock stern light, it had to be placed -perfectly- on the lift. Called Samson and turns out they make a shorter version (Cobalt has the do the longer custom black one).

The Cobalt R5 light is 5.5" tall. The "standard" Samsone one is 2.75" so half the size. Should make a big difference for us. $155 shipped from Samson.

IMG_1075.jpeg

[Big Block Power]

While the boat fit with the stock stern light, it had to be placed -perfectly- on the lift. Called Samson and turns out they make a shorter version (Cobalt has the do the longer custom black one).

The Cobalt R5 light is 5.5" tall. The "standard" Samsone one is 2.75" so half the size. Should make a big difference for us. $155 shipped from Samson.


IMG_1075.jpeg

Sweet!

[Oliverdarthole]

I want to replace my R6 stern light with this shorter samsone unit. I haven't look in great depth but it doesn't look like the current wires are long enough to cut and spice once you unscrew the 5.5" unit from the arch/tower? When you did they replacement did you have a similar issues and if so how did you resolve.

Thanks in advance.

[AsLan7]

I want to replace my R6 stern light with this shorter samsone unit. I haven't look in great depth but it doesn't look like the current wires are long enough to cut and spice once you unscrew the 5.5" unit from the arch/tower? When you did they replacement did you have a similar issues and if so how did you resolve.

Thanks in advance.

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Hey OdH...so glad you found us my friend.

These folks should chime in shortly with an answer. Any pics of your R6? Feel free to start an intro post if you have time. We love them here.
And welcome aboard mate!

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[greenhut]

I want to replace my R6 stern light with this shorter samsone unit. I haven't look in great depth but it doesn't look like the current wires are long enough to cut and spice once you unscrew the 5.5" unit from the arch/tower? When you did they replacement did you have a similar issues and if so how did you resolve.

Thanks in advance.

I pulled the two wire out a hole in the tower right by where the stern light pole goes up. Cut the old wires pulled dummy cable I could use to fish it back. Spliced on butt connectors. Wasn't too bad. Also on Lanier if you'd like to come by and see.

[Oliverdarthole]

Thanks for everyone that helped. I was able to get the shorter Samson achor light installed this morning. The 3" difference allows me to get the boat in the slip with the tower up which a huge difference. Getting dock re-floated with new 24" floats which will give me another 12" but on Lanier thats a 6 month waiting list so this little 3" delta will make the summer much better. As you can see the original black 3" extension seems unnecessary. Not sure why Cobalt did it that way in the first place the new shorter one looks much better.

[dustinm]

thats what she said

[greenhut]

Great. I hear you on the Lanier vendor queue. I understand re-floating a dock isn't cheap either!

I think Cobalt may have done the extension for better stern light visibility from all angles.

[Asbou13!]

Bought a 2023 R6 this year, replacing a 2015 A25, of course the salesman told me that it would fit right on my existing dock. No so much, I replaced the original cantilever lift with a new HydroHoist, that helped to get more of the R6 under the dock cover. Problem came when I added the touchless cover system. Main effect was adding about 600 pounds of weight to the opening area of the dock and lowering of the entrance height by the structure of the touchless cover. Main issue was the height of navigation light on top of the boat. We Removed the ski tow riser and are able to get the boat into the dock now as long as it is full of fuel. Decided last week to replace all of the floats on the dock to solve the problem long term. Not sure what the options are for a boat house but this is what I have done.

[Krob1114]

Keep the surf tanks full and you'll sit lower in the water.

[AsLan7]

Bought a 2023 R6 this year, replacing a 2015 A25, of course the salesman told me that it would fit right on my existing dock. No so much, I replaced the original cantilever lift with a new HydroHoist, that helped to get more of the R6 under the dock cover. Problem came when I added the touchless cover system. Main effect was adding about 600 pounds of weight to the opening area of the dock and lowering of the entrance height by the structure of the touchless cover. Main issue was the height of navigation light on top of the boat. We Removed the ski tow riser and are able to get the boat into the dock now as long as it is full of fuel. Decided last week to replace all of the floats on the dock to solve the problem long term. Not sure what the options are for a boat house but this is what I have done.

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Wow. So glad you found us A..13! That’s quite a lot of changes to make. Any pics for the members?

And welcome aboard mate.

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[greenhut]

Bought a 2023 R6 this year, replacing a 2015 A25, of course the salesman told me that it would fit right on my existing dock. No so much, I replaced the original cantilever lift with a new HydroHoist, that helped to get more of the R6 under the dock cover. Problem came when I added the touchless cover system. Main effect was adding about 600 pounds of weight to the opening area of the dock and lowering of the entrance height by the structure of the touchless cover. Main issue was the height of navigation light on top of the boat. We Removed the ski tow riser and are able to get the boat into the dock now as long as it is full of fuel. Decided last week to replace all of the floats on the dock to solve the problem long term. Not sure what the options are for a boat house but this is what I have done.

Can you say more about the ski tower riser, what it is, how removed and how much height you lost/gained? Thanks!

[mjcumming]

I have a similar problem - is it convenient enough that with the electric tower, you would lower it every time you lifted it?

[AsLan7]

I have a similar problem - is it convenient enough that with the electric tower, you would lower it every time you lifted it?

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So glad you found us mjc.
Welcome aboard mate.

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