8 Best Wakeboard Tower Accessories for Gear Storage for Lake Families

On a crowded weekend lake trip, a cluttered boat deck quickly turns from a minor annoyance into a serious safety hazard for a busy lake family. Utilizing the vertical space of a wakeboard tower is the smartest way to clear the floor, protect expensive boards, and keep essential safety gear within arm’s reach. Elevating your storage game transforms the cockpit into a comfortable, organized hub where everyone can move around without stepping on fins or tripping over tow ropes.

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How to Maximize Your Boat Tower for Family Gear

A wakeboard tower is the ultimate storage asset on a family day-boat, yet many owners only use it to tie off tow ropes. By moving bulky items like wakeboards, surfboards, and safety gear off the floor and onto the tower, you reclaim precious deck space for seating and foot traffic. This simple shift drastically reduces the risk of stepped-on gear, stubbed toes, and scratched fiberglass.

Successful tower storage requires a strategy that balances accessibility with weight distribution. Heavy boards should sit securely in dedicated racks on the sides of the tower, keeping the center of gravity as balanced as possible. Meanwhile, lightweight items like life jackets, ropes, and pool noodles can reside overhead in cargo nets, keeping them dry and out of the wind.

The key is to match your tower accessories to your family’s specific water sports lineup. Do not buy single-purpose racks if your kids swap between wakeboarding, kneeboarding, and wakesurfing throughout the afternoon. Invest in versatile, high-quality mounts that can adapt to changing gear loads as your family grows and matures on the water.

Wakeboard Rack – Monster Tower Double Wakeboard Rack

Leaving wakeboards sliding around the floor of a 20-foot bowrider is a recipe for damaged edges and torn vinyl upholstery. A dedicated double wakeboard rack keeps two boards securely positioned outside the gunwales, completely clearing the interior walk-through. This keeps your boards ready to deploy the second the boat idles down for a rider.

The Monster Tower Double Wakeboard Rack excels here because of its robust construction and thoughtful protection. It features thick, UV-resistant rubber bumper inserts that cushion the board rails, paired with a heavy-duty shock cord that keeps everything snug in rough water. The brushed and anodized aluminum finish resists corrosion, while the quick-release lever allows for fast removal when trailering or storing the boat.

Before purchasing, verify your tower’s tubing diameter, as this rack fits standard tower sizes out of the box, though universal inserts may be required for non-standard tubing. Additionally, consider the clearance around your dock slip; boards sticking out from the tower can catch on dock pilings if the driver is not careful.

• Capacity: Holds two standard wakeboards
• Tubing Fit: 2.25-inch to 2.5-inch (universal collar options available)
• Materials: 6063-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum
• Security: Heavy-duty UV-resistant shock cord strap

This rack is the ideal choice for families with dedicated wakeboarders who want a permanent, rattle-free mounting solution. It is not suitable for thicker wakesurf boards or kneeboards, which will not fit into the narrow, standardized tines.

Surfboard Rack – Roswell Triton Board Rack

Wakesurf boards are thicker, lighter, and far more fragile than traditional wakeboards, making them highly susceptible to dings from stray feet or anchor chains. Standard wakeboard racks are too narrow for surf fins and thick foam cores, making a dedicated surfboard rack essential. Storing these boards vertically or securely clamped prevents expensive composite layers from delaminating or cracking.

The Roswell Triton Board Rack solves the storage problem with its revolutionary telescopic clamping arm system that eliminates the need for annoying bungee cords. Its premium vertical orientation keeps boards secure even during aggressive, high-speed turns or rough lake chop. The soft-grip TPU inserts mold around the rails of up to two surfboards, preventing any metal-on-board contact.

Users should note that this premium clamping system has a slight learning curve when adjusting the tension for different board thicknesses. Regular rinsing with fresh water is required to keep the spring-loaded telescopic mechanism sliding smoothly over time.

• Capacity: Holds two wakesurf boards of varying thicknesses
• Mounting: Standard Roswell swivel mount compatible
• Materials: Marine-grade anodized aluminum and molded TPU
• Clamping: Hard-locking grab arms with adjustable tension

This rack is perfect for the serious wakesurfing family who rides high-end, fragile epoxy boards and wants absolute peace of mind. It is a premium investment, making it overkill for casual riders with cheap, indestructible plastic boards.

Kneeboard Rack – Krypt Towers Kneeboard Rack

Kneeboards are notoriously bulky, wide, and difficult to tuck away in standard boat storage lockers. They end up taking over the floor space under the console or blocking the rear walk-through. A specialty kneeboard rack extends the tower’s utility to these wider, classic family toys without sacrificing safety.

The Krypt Towers Kneeboard Rack stands out because of its massive 4-inch wide fork opening, designed specifically to accommodate the thick profile of modern kneeboards. Made from 6061 aircraft-grade aluminum, it is CNC-machined for a precise, wobble-free fit on your tower. The rack uses double-reinforced bungee cords to lock the heavy board into place against thick, protective rubber inserts.

Keep in mind that a fully loaded kneeboard rack places a decent amount of leverage on your tower due to the board’s wide surface area catching the wind. Mount this rack lower on the tower legs to minimize sway and reduce the strain on your tower’s mounting points.

• Fork Width: 4 inches (designed for thick kneeboards)
• Material: Polished 6061 aluminum
• Mounting Angles: Adjustable clamp allows mounting on angled tower legs
• Protection: UV-resistant polyurethane bumper strips

This is a must-have accessory for lake families who still love the classic thrill of kneeboarding and want to keep these wide boards out from underfoot. It is not designed to hold thin wakeboards securely without them rattling, so it should be used strictly for its intended purpose.

Combo Board Rack – Origin Advancer Wakeboard Surf Rack

Most lake families do not stick to just one sport; a typical afternoon involves a mix of wakesurfing, wakeboarding, and tubing. Installing separate racks for every discipline can quickly overcrowd your tower and drain your budget. A combo rack provides a versatile middle ground by accommodating different board types in a single, compact footprint.

The Origin Advancer Wakeboard Surf Rack features one narrow slot for a wakeboard and one wider slot for a wakesurf board. This dual-purpose design uses a brushed, heavy-duty aluminum frame that resists both rust and structural fatigue. The adjustable clamp mechanism rotates 360 degrees, allowing you to level the rack regardless of the angle of your tower leg.

While highly versatile, you must remember that you cannot fit two thick surfboards on this rack simultaneously. You will need to plan your gear loading accordingly before leaving the dock for a long day of mixed riding.

• Capacity: One wakeboard (narrow slot) and one surfboard (wide slot)
• Clamp Size: Universal fit for 2-inch to 2.5-inch tubing
• Strap System: High-stretch bungee cords with integrated hooks
• Adjustability: 360-degree rotating clamp for leveling

This combo rack is the smart buy for multi-sport lake families who want to maximize their storage options without buying multiple expensive racks. It is not ideal for groups that ride exclusively surfboards or exclusively wakeboards.

Tower Cargo Net – Monster Tower Cargo Net

Life jackets, pool noodles, and wet towels have a habit of taking over every seat in the boat when not in use. Left on the floor, they never dry and quickly become tripping hazards. An overhead cargo net utilizes the unused space directly under or on top of your tower structure to stash these lightweight, high-volume items.

The Monster Tower Cargo Net is built with heavy-duty, marine-grade elastic webbing that stretches to accommodate bulky gear while maintaining high tension. It securely fastens to the tower frame using rugged nylon quick-release buckles, making installation and removal simple. The open-mesh design allows maximum airflow, ensuring wet life jackets and towels dry quickly in the sun and wind while you cruise.

When using a cargo net, avoid placing heavy, hard, or sharp objects inside, as they can sag down and impair the driver’s rear vision. Always pack the heaviest items closest to the support bars to prevent the center of the net from drooping over time.

• Material: UV-treated nylon elastic webbing
• Attachment: Heavy-duty straps with quick-release buckles
• Best For: Life jackets, towels, ropes, soft water toys
• Compatibility: Universal fit for most tower designs

This accessory is an absolute game-changer for large families with kids who carry an endless supply of life jackets and soft toys. It is not suitable for heavy metal anchors, hard coolers, or boards, which can stretch or tear the netting.

Flag Holder – Aerial Wakeboarding Ski Flag Holder

In many states, law enforcement requires displaying a bright orange safety flag whenever a rider is down in the water. Passing this flag back and forth between passengers is distracting and often leads to the flag being dropped or lost overboard. A tower-mounted flag holder keeps this vital safety indicator high in the air, ensuring ultimate visibility for surrounding boaters.

The Aerial Wakeboarding Ski Flag Holder mounts directly to your tower tubing, keeping the flag highly visible above the bimini top. Constructed from polished billet aluminum, it features a quick-release pin mechanism that allows you to raise or lower the flag in seconds. The holder accepts standard 0.5-inch flag poles, gripping them tightly to prevent them from flying out at cruising speeds.

Ensure you mount this holder in a location where the driver or spotter can easily reach it without leaving their seat. Periodically check the mounting screws, as the constant wind resistance on the flag can slowly vibrate the clamp loose over a long season.

• Material: CNC-machined polished billet aluminum
• Pole Compatibility: Standard 0.5-inch flag poles
• Clamp Sizes: Universal inserts for various tower diameters
• Operation: Quick-draw pin for fast deployment and storage

This is an essential safety upgrade for any lake family operating in busy, high-traffic waterways where quick, clear communication is required by law. It is less necessary for families who only ride on private, empty lakes with minimal boat traffic.

Rope Caddy – Airhead Heavy Duty Rope Caddy

Tangles are the bane of any water sports session, and a coiled tow rope left on the floor will invariably knot up within minutes. Furthermore, wet ropes left in dark lockers quickly mildew and rot, weakening the fibers. A tower-mounted rope caddy keeps your expensive mainlines coiled, dry, and ready for immediate deployment.

The Airhead Heavy Duty Rope Caddy is a simple, highly effective organizer made of UV-resistant heavy-duty webbing and durable buckles. It wraps securely around your tower frame or bimini support, keeping wet ropes out of the cockpit and in the drying wind. The quick-release buckle system allows you to grab the exact line you need without untangling a mountain of nylon cord.

To maximize the lifespan of your tow ropes, make sure to rinse them with fresh water before wrapping them into the caddy. Avoid wrapping them too tightly, as this can trap moisture in the center of the coil and cause mold to form.

• Material: Heavy-duty, marine-grade nylon webbing
• Closure: High-strength hook-and-loop and quick-release buckles
• Capacity: Holds up to two standard wakeboard or tube ropes
• Mounting: Universal wrap-around attachment

This is a low-cost, high-value purchase for any boater tired of untangling knots while anxious riders wait in the water. It is not necessary for those who only use a single rope that stays connected to the tower tow point all day.

Fender Clip – Roswell Marine Fender Hanger

Tying and untying boat fenders every time you approach a dock or tie up with friends is a tedious chore. Adjusting the rope length on the fly while fighting wind and current often leads to poorly positioned fenders and dock rash on your hull. Utilizing a quick-release fender system on your tower or gunwale rail streamlines this process entirely.

The Roswell Marine Fender Hanger utilizes a push-button quick-release receiver that allows you to deploy or store fenders in under two seconds. Constructed from premium anodized aluminum, this hardware mounts permanently to your tower or rail system without rusting. The receiver holds the fender rope at the perfect, pre-set height every single time you click it into place.

This system requires you to purchase the matching receiver and pin sets for each fender you plan to use. You will also need to ensure the mounting location allows the fender to hang low enough to protect the widest part of the boat’s hull.

• Material: 316 stainless steel and anodized aluminum
• Mechanism: Instant push-button male/female quick-connect
• Rope Capacity: Accepts ropes up to 1/2-inch in diameter
• Mounting Option: Clamp-on tower mounts or flush-mount deck options

This accessory is perfect for boaters who frequently dock, raft up with other vessels, or lock through busy waterways. It is not a necessary investment for boaters who keep their boat on a private hoist and rarely use temporary fenders.

Assessing Tower Weight Capacity Before Adding Gear

Before bolting on every rack, speaker, and accessory available, you must understand your tower’s maximum weight limit. A wakeboard tower is engineered to handle vertical pulling tension, but adding excessive static weight high above the gunwales can compromise the boat’s stability and stress the fiberglass mounting points. Overloading a tower can lead to spider-web cracks in the gelcoat or, in extreme cases, structural failure of the tower itself.

Check your boat manufacturer’s manual to find the exact weight rating for your specific tower model. As a general rule of thumb, most factory towers are rated to hold between 100 and 150 pounds of static gear, which includes bimini tops, speakers, and racks. Remember to calculate the weight of the racks themselves, plus the wet weight of the boards, which can increase significantly after a session.

Distribute the weight as evenly as possible between the port and starboard sides of the tower. Having two heavy surfboards on one side and nothing on the other creates an uneven load that affects your boat’s handling, lists the hull at idle, and puts uneven torque on the tower joints. Keep heavier boards low on the tower legs to keep the center of gravity as close to the deck as possible.

Safe Trailering and Highway Storage Practices

High-speed highway trailering subjects your wakeboard tower and its accessories to massive wind resistance and vibration. Leaving boards in their racks while driving down the interstate at 70 mph can easily strip the racks off the tower or crack the board cores. The turbulent airflow behind a towing vehicle exerts far more force on your gear than a day of normal lake riding ever will.

Always remove all wakeboards, surfboards, and kneeboards from their racks before hitting the highway. Store them securely inside the tow vehicle or strapped down flat on the boat floor under a tight-fitting trailering cover. Additionally, remove any safety flags, ropes, and loose accessories that could catch the wind or vibrate loose.

If your tower is foldable, consult the manufacturer’s instructions regarding whether to trailer with the tower up or down. If trailering with it up, ensure all mounting bolts are hand-tightened and locked. For towers folded down, use padded trailering props to prevent metal-on-metal contact and strap the tower securely to the hull to prevent bouncing.

Saltwater Protection and Structural Maintenance

For families operating in brackish coastal rivers or saltwater bays, tower maintenance requires daily diligence. Saltwater is highly corrosive to aluminum, stainless steel fasteners, and rubber components alike. Without regular cleaning, salt buildup will quickly pit anodized finishes, seize quick-release pins, and rot the elastic bungee cords on your board racks.

Thoroughly wash down the entire tower, including all racks, clamps, and accessories, with fresh water after every single outing. Pay close attention to joint hinges, swivel mounts, and the crevices behind rubber inserts where salt crystals like to hide. Applying a high-quality marine metal barrier spray to all aluminum surfaces twice a season provides an extra layer of protection against oxidation.

Regularly inspect all mounting hardware and structural bolts for signs of loosening or stress. The constant vibration of running through chop can slowly back screws out of their threads. Apply a marine-grade thread locker to non-moving fasteners and lubricate quick-release pins with a dry Teflon spray to keep them operating smoothly without attracting dirt.

Conclusion

Equipping your boat tower with the right storage accessories does more than just organize your gear—it elevates the entire weekend experience for your lake family. By choosing high-quality, specialized racks and mounts, you protect your expensive investments while keeping the deck safe and clutter-free. Make the investment in smart storage today, and enjoy a safer, more relaxing ride the next time you hit the water.