The guide
Everything you need before you drill
- How a one-motor endless loop works, and the safety rules I follow
- The test ladder from bench grip test to empty shuttle to first rides
- The capstan housing cut list and the numbers to measure before you drill
- Chain, belt or direct drive, and how much rope to order
Updated as the build goes. It's a build journal, not a certified design. Build and ride at your own risk.
On the bench now
The prototype, part by part
- Portable Winch PCA-1100 capstan
- UCP205 pillow blocks
- Printed PETG shaft
- 80100 brushless motor
- AmSteel endless loop
- Roller fairleads
- Plywood housing
See what each builder used and what they paid, then size one for your own lake, pond or hill.
Who it's for
Lots of short runs, no boat needed
- Riders with a lake, pond or backyard hill and no boat or cable park.
- Hobbyists comparing ideas and costs before they buy parts.
- DIY builders happy to spend a weekend with a drill and a battery pack.
- Families and clubs who want lots of short runs instead of one long ride.
Questions
Before you start
What is a DIY endless tow?
An endless rope loop strung between two low A-frames on the shore. One motor turns a capstan, the loop moves, and a carrier on the loop pulls the rider. Reverse the motor and the rider comes back the other way.
Is it the same as a cable park or a winch?
No. It's a small shuttle for one rider at a time, meant for foil and skim at a tow height of about 0.8 to 1.5 m over roughly 80 to 150 m. It isn't a cable park, a one-way winch or a wake tower.
What does a build cost?
The parts budget for the prototype is about $1,750 to $5,000. The parts list shows what's on the bench, and community builds show what other builders used and paid.
Can I buy one?
No. System 6.9 is a community build, not a product. The guide, the build gallery and the software are free.
Is it safe?
It's a build journal, not a certified tow system, so build and ride at your own risk. The guide starts with the safety rules: an E-stop on every session, a soft-start motor controller, guards on every nip point and a spotter for every ride.