Towers & Upper Control Stations

Originally called a “tuna tower,” this is an elevated platform designed to give the captain a better view, enabling visibility at a much greater distance.

Towers these days come in many different shapes and sizes, but all accomplish basically the same thing: better visibility. They are made almost exclusively of aluminum to save weight, and can be rigged either with or without a remote helm station.

Though towers are primarily found on boats that are 25 feet or longer, mini-towers have been created for use on some smaller craft, including trailerable boats in the 18- to 25-foot range. Deck or console towers, mounted on the deck of center console boats so that anglers can walk around them easily, have become more popular in certain areas.