Folding Tower Lift Springs

The Gause Built 26, and 23, where originally conceived and designed as tower boats which could be trailered. The early boats had fixed, or rigid, towers, but it didn?t take long to determine that a folding tower would allow the boats to travel more easily without worries about height.

The upper stations in the early boats, with folding towers, were pretty simple. Just steering and throttle controls, and a rail to contain the helmsman. But it wasn?t long before owners started requesting more.
Stereo controls, and fishfinders got added. Padded rails added weight, and ?rocket launchers? along the back became a popular choice. Eventually owners even requested chart plotters with weather capabilities, which required designing a larger electronics box. That?s custom boat building!

But each of these things added more weight to the folding portion of the tower, making it more and more challenging to lift it from the folded position. Eventually it became almost impossible for one person to lift the top section on its hinge.

That was a challenge for owners, but the people it affected even more were the guys building the boats. In the process of wiring, and putting everything together, the guys in the shop were folding these things up and down hundreds of times. And the heavy ones required two people, which meant each fold, up or down, meant stopping someone who was working on something else, to lend a hand,?and some muscle.

While this was saving the guys some gym time, it soon became old, and was slowing up production. Lucas Chaffin, who has been with Gause Built Boats since 2003, and Jeff Bush, the shop foreman, who has been there since the beginning, began throwing around ideas for making the process of folding these towers easier. They explored all kinds of concepts, from hydraulic rams to electric motors, but they discarded 8 different ideas, for a variety of reasons.

What they really wanted was something that was simple to install, could be used with the towers they were currently building, and the ideal solution would be one that could be retro-fitted to older boats with folding towers.


One day Luke said ?How about a carburetor return spring?? And that was the origin of the new folding tower lift springs.

What followed was a year of research, trial and error, testing ?and lots of lifting. They created a full size hinge with legs that they could use to pattern parts, and fit the prototypes to. And, finally, they came up with the perfect solution.

The Patent Pending design they eventually created is small, light weight, unobtrusive and can be retro-fitted to any tower on any Gause Built Boat, and probably to most folding towers on ANY boat. When fitted to an existing tower, that tower does not need to be de-rigged, and the springs could even be removed later without any sign they had ever been there. It?s manufactured entirely of high quality parts, made in the U.S.A, to exacting specifications.

The spring portion is 717 stainless and electropolished, to protect it from the environment. Each spring has a rated life cycle of 3 million compression/rebound cycles. There are Delrin spring guides, and a 6061 clear anodized billet aluminum base plate, and cups.

The cups, which cover the springs, were Jeff?s idea, and were added for cosmetic reasons and to prevent snagging fishing lines or clothing on the spring. The entire thing is assembled with stainless mounting hardware, and there is no drilling, welding or cutting required for installation.

The springs take about 80% off the weight of the tower, making the process of raising and lowering the tower dramatically easier. It immediately becomes a one man job to raise, or lower, the tower.

Currently, these springs are only available from Gause Built Boats, and are intended for their clients, both new and old. However, if there is enough interest Gause Built Boats may consider retro-fitting other boats with similar towers, and may even license other boat builders to install them.

More Photos

First Gause Built 26 with 350HP!

Here's a quick peek at "Salt Shaker," the latest Gause built 26 to be completed. It is the first Gause Built 26 to utilize Yamaha's new 4-stroke 350 hp motor, and the first to have a spring assisted folding tower. This tower can be raised with just one hand, making solo trips much easier.

Look for a "Featured Boat" article on this one soon!

Simply The Best Fishing Boats

Gause Built Custom Fishing Boats has been building quality fishing boats for decades. Throughout those years, the Gause family and their crew have become master craftsmen in all of the skills involved in building a modern fishing boat. From the initial design to building and finishing the hull, to fitting the latest electronics, Gause Built Custom Fishing Boats are Simply the Best fishing boats you can buy.

Gause Built 26 in Boca Grand Pass

Fishing Boca Grande Pass during the Professional Tarpon Tournament Series, 2007.

Check out the lines of the new tower with the beautifully styled fiberglass hard-top!

The fishing rods, forward, are in holders that are a part of the custom "fighting chair" in the bow of the boat.

Upper Helm Station

Here's the view from the tower. (Yes, the boat is in the water.)

So, we're done and ready to go fishing!

You can see the simple but efficient layout of the controls here. What you can't see is the well thought out padding, the comfortable seating, and the way it was designed so that you can cast, and fish without getting tangled.

We suggest you come take a ride, and check things out from this spot for yourself.

Lower Helm Station

Here you see the center console with electronics installed. You can see that there is plenty of room for large plotters and that the breakers for everything are easily accessible.

What you can't see, in this photo, is that there is a folding "door" that fits into the opening for the electronics area that not only protects your stuff from the elements, but locks it away from potential thieves as well.

Aft Access Panel Rocks!

On either side of the bait well, in the transom, are access panels. It's easy to get to the hydraulics for the jack plate, or trim tabs, and it's a perfect place to put your fresh water wash-down/shower.

And now, there's a place for aft speakers for the stereo! This is an ideal spot for the speakers, pointed directly at the lower helm station, and nicely protected at the same time.

To the right you can see the handle of the boat brush, neatly stored in brackets under the port gunnel.

Electronics installed in Overhead

Here you see the Overhead completed. Note the "cigarette lighter" style power receptical, and that the VHF microphone cord has been retracted into a specially built receptical. No more wrestling with the cord when it's time to close the door over this area.

This is about as neat and organized as it can get.

Radios overhead

Here you can see how the VHF radio and the stereo head unit are mounted in a component that will be secured in the overhead area of the tower hardtop.

This allows a very clean installation and access later.

Clean, well thought out and functional.

Forward speakers

Here you see the speakers mounted at the front of the boat, just behind the anchor well access at the bow.

You can also see another Starboard "bracket" with the battery shut-off swith, and more, mounted to it.

Wired right

When doing wiring for a marine environmet, every detail must be right. Gause Built Boats uses the highest quality wire and connectors, and take the time to make the connections neat, tight and accessible.

Here the amp is mounter to a starboard "bracket" which allows the amp to be removed after installation for better access.

JL Audio Marine Amp

Gause Built Boats has been using JL Marine Audio components for years, and the performance of their products is terrific.

Learn more about this company and their products at:

jlaudio.com

This console is very accomodating

The most recent re-design of the center console has more room to accomodate todays larger electronics.

The area in front of the steering wheel shaft will get a "door," to protect things when the boat is not in use.

Batteries are secure but accessible

This boat will have 4 batteries, and they are placed in the front section of the console under the passenger seating. You can see here how securely they will be mounted, but access is quick and easy.

Gause Built Custom Boats understands that even the best boats need maintenance, updates and repairs. Every piece of equipment on the boat is placed where you can get at it, and easily service it.

Base of console

Here you see the base of the console, including how the tower is fitted and attached to it.

You can see how nicely the speakers are nestled in an area that is protected a bit by the tower struts.

Inside the console

The console and tower are in place and the equipment placement and wiring have begun.

Here you can see the subwoofer and the midrange/tweeter from the inside of the console.

Ease of use

Here you see the same area with the bucket removed. Quick and easy to empty, and inexpensive to replace, if you ever need to.

Often, simple solutions are the best.

Mini-head option

One of the problems with most center console fishing boats in this size range is that there is no head. (Bathroom)

As an aswer to that dilema, Gause Built Boats can provide this nicely done "bucket" solution. This is the starboard forward seating area, and along with the speaker for the stereo, and the access area visible at the front, you can see there is a very comfortable place to sit over an easily removable bucket.

New tower design!

Here is a shot of the new tower sitting on the shop floor waiting to be installed.

You can see the beautifully sculpted fiberglass pieces, and the way the flowing lines work to create a gorgeous, but functional, tower.

Consoles ready for installation

Here are three consoles lined up, ready for installation in boats under construction.

Like all the fiberglass parts used in the construction of the boats, these consoles are built by the Gause family business. The design of the consoles has evolved over the years, getting a bit taller for better protection from rain or spray on a windy day, and to accomodate the larger and greater number of electronics that todays state of the art sport-fishing boats require.

Yamaha Four Stroke Series Outboard

While there are a number of appropriate motor choices for the Gause Built 26, the Yamaha Four Stroke 250 HP is the choice for this boat, for a variety of reasons.

The Yamaha Four Stroke Series motors run smooth and quiet, and some of the specific features of this motor are variable camshaft timing, electronically controlled single throttle valve, multi-port fuel injection, exhaust pressure reduction system with integrated propeller hub cooling, large radius diameter intake and exhaust valves, 70 degree tilting, and a freshwater flush device which does not require running the motor. And, each Yamaha Four Stroke is covered by a three year warranty.

But there is an even better reason for using the Yamaha on this particular boat!

From the PTTS website:

"Yamaha itself will once again sponsor the PTTS Team of the Year Race. This incentive program awards an additional $1,000 each week to the 1st-place team if the vessel used during the tournament is outfitted with a Yamaha engine. The Yamaha Team of the Year will receive a Yamaha F250 V6 4-Stroke engine."

Professional Tarpon Tournament Series

Porta Transom Bracket

With the Porta Hydraulic Transom Bracket you get a motor setback for stability and more room by the baitwell, but you also get a vertical movement range of 12" to 24". Much more than is offered by any other hydraulic jack plate on the market.

Having a boat that will run in less than a foot of water is great, but if the motor is fixed at a depth greater than that, what good is it? The Porta Transom Bracket allows the boat to perform in shallow water the way it was intended.

And, you'll note it's color matched to the motor!

Trim tabs are on

Here the Starboard Trim Tab has been installed.

Underwater Lights!

This is the starboard underwater light installed in the hull.

Two SeaVision SV-20's were installed in the transom.

Visit their website at to learn more about their products.

underwaterlightusa.com

Port side graphic

Who says the port side has to match the starboard side?

Building a custom boat gives you the freedom to do things different.

Custom Graphics!

Here's a shot of the starboard side graphic, wrapped around onto the transom.

The beauty of a custom boat is that it can be distinctively yours.

We're talkin' about shine!

OK, we said a GREAT paint job, and here's what we mean. That's David Gause, taking a photo, reflected in the finish on the boat.

You just don't see paint work like that on production boats, and you'd be hard pressed to find it on other custom boats. It's the extra steps that make the difference, and the extra effort that sets Gause Built Boats apart.

Custom means custom!

Most Gause Built Boats get a vinyl "fish logo," in the color specified by the customer. But for this "Team Boat," being built for the Professional Tarpon Tournament Series, David wanted to do something a little different.

The "fish" will be painted on this hull, with a clear coat over it. Once again, more time and effort go into an application like this, but Gause Built Boats takes the word "custom" seriously.

When it's time to build your boat, don't be afraid to ask for Dave's advice on how to make it do all that you want it to, and look just the way you dream it should.

A GREAT paint job!

So here's the result.

After sanding and filling any small high or low areas in the primer coat, each Gause hull gets numerous coats of the color selected by the owner.

The result is unlike any other fishing boat you've ever seen. This is vintage car, or high dollar yacht, quality work!

Every boat built by the Gause family gets this treatment.

What kind of paint job is that???

Well, it's the beginning of a GREAT paint job!

What you see on the hull is called "Blue Steel" and it's a sanding dye. It gets applied to the surface after the primer has been applied. The Blue Steel then gets sanded off, in a process that shows the high spots and low spots in the primer, if there are any. This allows the Gause team to create a much smoother and straighter hull surface before the paint is applied.

Once again, this process is time consuming, and raises the cost, so most other manufacturers skip this step, but the Gause family wants to produce the finest boats in their market segment, and this is the type of thing it takes to do that.

It may not seem pretty at this point, but that's how you create a pretty paint job!

Choices, choices, choices.....

Each Gause Built Custom Boat is painted, and that means it can be ANY color you want!

Not only that, you can specify a colored non-skid surface, and choose from a very wide variety of canvas colors.

In the end, each Gause Built Custom Boat is unique, and personalized to the owners taste.

Here, Dave Gause looks through the color options for paint and canvas. What you see is just a very small sampling of the colors available.

Ready for paint

The hull of the Tournament boat is ready for paint.

Each Gause Built boat gets the final finish painted on. The more common gel-coat method of finishing a boat simply cannot provide as beautiful or as protective a finish as a proper marine paint finish.

While painting requires more time, and involves more cost, there is absolutely no comparison to a gel-coat boat.

Deck hardware installed

After non-skid application the deck hardware gets installed.

You can clearly see how there is nothing sticking up to catch a line or stub a toe.

These boats were designed by fishermen, FOR fishermen.

Ready for non-skid

Here the hull liner and cap have been installed and crafstman at the Gause facility are preparing to add a non-skid surface.

The areas which will remain smooth are masked leaving the non-skid areas exposed to application.

You can see the recesses, or indentations, molded into the cap for the deck hardware. This allows for a very low profile which helps eliminate any chance of fishing line getting caught anywhere around the deck.

Liner and cap ready for installation

Here we see the hull liner and cap ready for placement in the hull.

Once again, the design process generated parts that fit well, work together to add strength, and make maximum use of the available space.

Fuel Tank in place

The Professional Tarpon Tournament Series boat now has it's Fuel Tank installed.

The placement of the tank, and it's long fore and aft shape, help to keep the boat well balanced and show little change in trim as fuel levels change.

As you can see, the stringer and tank were designed to work well together, and the tank is securely fastened in place before being captured by the liner.

Design adds strength and usability

This photo shows the aft section of the stringer, and how it makes best use of available space, while strengthening the critical areas, but helping to keep the weight at a minimum.

The design of critical components like this, even though they are not seen after the boat is assembled, is what sets Gause Built Custom Boats apart from their competition.

These boats excel, not just in how they look and perform, but in how they are designed and constructed, right from the very first step.

Gause Built 26 demonstrates ingenuity in design

This close up gives a better perspective on the integration of clean, usable space, rigid structure and sheer simplicity in the stringer assembly.

The hull is carefully reinforced, right where it needs it most, providing a smooth quite ride and the strength to handle heavy seas.

Gause builds custom 26 specifically for Tournament

With the Professional Tarpon Tournament Series coming up Gause Built Custom Boats has begun construction of a new Gause Built 26 which will be used by their sponsored team.

This photo shows the hull, just out of the mold, with the stringer already glassed in place.

Note how the stringer runs up into the bow section and has an integral anchor locker, providing additional strength in a critical section of the boat. You can also see the molded in storage areas at the rear.

All Gause Built boats are constructed entirely at the Gause family business.

Gause Built Boats Sponsors Tarpon Tournament Team

David Gause, and Gause Built Custom Boats, is sponsoring a team in the upcoming Professional Tarpon Tournament Series at Boca Grande Pass.

The PTTS was a huge success last year, and the Gause family has a long, rich history of Tarpon fishing success, so the combination of the two is an obvious choice.

David will captain the Gause Built 26 that the team will fish from.

Visit the PTTS website:

Professional Tarpon Tournament Series

Two Days on Pine Island Sound

On Sunday, June 27th Fritz Kloepfel (our marketing guy) and I traveled from Tarpon Springs to Pine Island with the newly redesigned Gause Built 26. The idea was to try to get some great photos of the boat in front of some of the area's most scenic and recognizable landmarks. Pine Island Sound has stilt houses, the mansions of Useppa Island, the beautiful island of Cabbage Key and just across Boca Grande Pass is the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse. Our plan was to do a little exploring on Sunday afternoon and then get up early to shoot photos in the morning light. We had made reservations on Cabbage Key for Sunday night and Monday night.

Of course, our best laid plans often run amuck. We got a bit of a late start on Sunday morning, .....well, call it Sunday afternoon. I also wanted to stop by to visit a client of ours, Van Stockwell. We had done extensive work rigging a boat for him and he had called and mentioned that he wished the way the running lights and anchor light were switched was a little different. As we were passing by the area where he lived on the way to Pine Island I decided to stop and have a look. Van recently remodeled a canal home in the Burnt Store area, and it's just gorgeous! We walked through to get to his boat, and spent a little time making a change to the switching for his nav lights. But the work he's done to the house and grounds where he lives kept us a little longer than we planned. We spent quite a bit of time checking out the house, the pool area, the docks and his new garage which included an impressive "tackle room". The house features a number of unique and interesting decorating ideas and a strong "fishing" theme. We loved it. Thanks Van! You were a generous host and we really enjoyed touring your home.

A few weeks ago Fritz had gone to Sanibel Island to the newly opened "Doc Ford's Sanibel Rum Bar & Grille" for a book signing by our favorite author, Randy Wayne White. For those of you not familiar with Randy's work, he has written 11 novels about a character named Doc Ford and his pal Tomlinson. These books are largely set on the west coast of Florida and include lots of time on the water, and the islands of southwest Florida. Randy, himself, is a former fishing guide, so it's no wonder that Fritz and I love these books so much. If you enjoy fishing, the water, and high adventure, do yourself a favor and buy a Doc Ford book today. We promise you won't be disappointed! You can learn more at Randy's website:

DocFord.com

While at the book signing Fritz mentioned that he did our website and Randy indicated that he'd like to see one of our boats sometime. As we were going to be launching at the Pineland Marina, and that is just steps away from Randy's house, we called and mentioned that we were going to be in the area. Randy not only invited us to stop at his home, but he took the time to show us through his great old house perched atop an Indian mound, and to tell us some stories which had us laughing for much of the visit. We enjoyed a drink and some conversation and had the chance to meet his oldest son Lee. Terrific folks!

We also took some time to show Randy the boat (on the trailer) and he seemed genuinely interested in it. As a result we invited he and his two sons Lee and Rogan to join us for a sunset trip the following evening. We agreed that we'd meet at the beautiful Tarpon Lodge just across the street the following night.

Well, by this time our "exploring" scheduled for Sunday afternoon had turned into a quick launch at Pineland Marina and a fast run across to Cabbage Key before it got dark. We arrived just in time for a drink at the bar, a terrific meal in the restaurant and a bit of reading "Tampa Burn," the latest Doc Ford novel. Our classic wooden "fish camp" style cabin perched on the edge of the water was inviting and offered the perfect "feel" for our trip to photograph classic landmarks of the area. If you ever get the chance to visit Cabbage Key don't pass it up. It offers history, ambiance, friendly staff, interesting clientele and great management. The Island is owned and run by the Wells family. They are avid fishermen and wonderful hosts. Rob II (or "Old Rob" as he's called) happened to be at the bar when we arrived and we had a grand time talking about boats, exchanging stories of tarpon fishing and playing "do you know?" Yes, we found we had a lot of friends in common and had experienced a lot of the same things on the water, and we all had a burning interest in boats. Learn more about Cabbage Key and check out the great photographs at their website:

Cabbage-Key.com

Well, remember what we said about "best laid plans?" We awoke early to a completely overcast day and our plans to shoot photos in the morning were shot. Time for a new plan. We jumped in the boat and started north for a breakfast at "The Outlet at the Inlet" restaurant in Boca Grande. This is a little "hideaway" place I frequented when I was a guide, tarpon fishing in Boca Grande for so many years. Terrific food, reasonable prices and nice folks. But to get there we had to cross Boca Grande pass, and along with the overcast day we'd been blessed with a good breeze blowing against the tide. It was CHOPPY. There were almost no boats in the pass, which is very unusual for the middle of Tarpon season, but I suspect it was the big chop that was keeping them away. We had been running pretty fast in behind the islands, but when we got in the pass I throttled back a little. Still, even I was impressed with how dry we stayed and how good the ride was in those conditions. Our decision to redesign the 26 had been a tough one, but when I can experience how much difference it made in the boat I know it was the right one. Along with trying to make a living I build these boats for my own use and enjoyment. I've always appreciated a good boat, and this is a good boat.

After breakfast I ran Fritz over to Turtle Bay, as there are some stilt houses there he had never seen. He shot a bunch of photos, but complained the whole time about the poor light. Photographers can be fussy bastards. Eventually we ran back over to Cabbage Key and adjourned to the bar. Fritz wanted to make a new plan immediately, but I feel there's little sense in rushing into things, especially when the beer is cold and the natives are friendly. We took time to contemplate our day. We took time to discuss our day. We took time to enjoy another beer. Maybe two. Eventually Rob Wells came in and the conversation once again turned to boats. The weather had improved a bit and I offered Rob a ride. The three of us jumped in the boat and just cruised around that scenic area near Cayo Costa and up toward Boca Grande. The wind had laid down and it had turned into a pretty day. I had been talking about how shallow the boat will run while I let Rob drive. At one point he said "Are you afraid of getting stuck?" to which I replied "Nope." Well he took me at my word and on a pretty low tide he ran us through the "back way" to the docks at Cabbage Key. I'm not sure how shallow it actually was, but the grass was laid over and when we made it through Rob said "Yep, she'll run shallow." A nice compliment from a guy with a lot of years of fishing experience and a lot of knowledge about boats.

Back at the bar we decided that it might make more sense to spend the night at The Tarpon Lodge in Pineland, and as the Wells family owns and operates that resort as well they kindly changed our reservation and saved us a room there. While I'd been on Cabbage Key many times I had never stayed at The Tarpon Lodge. We'd walked through there the night before, after chatting with Randy, and it certainly looked nice, and had the added advantage of having a pool. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to learn more. While not as rustic as the buildings on Cabbage Key, The Tarpon Lodge sits on the edge of Pine Island Sound facing west. They have a great dock with two scenic boathouses at the end and a huge lawn with coconut palms. They also have a wonderful restaurant and bar. You can learn more about The Tarpon Lodge at:

TarponLodge.com

When we got there we noticed Lee White across the street and wandered over to see what he was up to. He was doing some work on his dad's house while on his summer break from college, but was just finishing up for the day. He invited us in for a drink and we sat on the screened porch where Randy does most of his writing and talked about fishing. After a short while Rob Wells III (Young Rob) wandered over. He watches over The Tarpon Lodge and does guide fishing from there in a really nice Avenger. The conversation soon turned to... you guessed it. Boats. Young Rob had talked to his dad and he was interested in knowing more about our boat. We got into a pretty good conversation about fishing boats and what features are important to us, when he got a call (from his wife?) which he ended with "I'll leave immediately." As a result we only talked about another half hour. Before he left we decided we should go for a ride the following morning.

That evening we spent a couple wonderful hours in the company of Randy White and his two sons Rogan and Lee. Rogan, according to his dad, is a great fisherman with a natural ability to find fish. He's currently in college and working this summer at Pineland Marina, but we think there's some chance that he may want to "follow in the old man's footsteps" and do some guide fishing. I found both of these guys interesting and fun to talk with. Lee is a fine fisherman in his own right, but I could see "the look" in Rogan's eye. I predict time on the water for that young man. Randy currently owns a Maverick 21 flats skiff, so he knows a good boat when he sees one. After allowing me to show him all the best features of our boat he said, "This is the most well thought out boat I've ever seen." Later he told us, "You've raised the bar for boats of this type." Coming from a former full time guide, and a true "waterman," I took this as high praise. Thanks Randy, for taking the time from your busy writing schedule to go boating with us!

Our evening at the Tarpon Lodge couldn't have been better, and I'll be hard pressed to decide whether to stay there or on Cabbage Key the next time I'm in the area. The Wells family and all their staff treated us great and we can't wait to return. We had a nice ride with Young Rob the next morning, although with the tide up we had trouble finding water shallow enough to demonstrate just how little water it takes to float a Gause Built 26.

We failed to get the photos we went after, but we met some great new friends, discovered another terrific place to stay when in the area, and enjoyed spectacular food. Our plan didn't go quite as we had anticipated, but we had a wonderful time both on and off the water and we've introduced our boats to a few new people. One of the best rewards of running a business like Gause Built Custom Boats is the opportunity to make new friends and share our experiences. Thanks to Randy, Lee and Rogan White for their time and stories, and many thanks to Old Rob and Young Rob and all the wonderful folks who help them run their resorts. We can't wait to return!