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Speaking of BOOM......poptop

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Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1016 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/18/2006 : 20:56:48

We usually motor with the poptop in the up position. I'm 6'3", my wife is 5' 11" and we like the extra headroom even when underway. Never had a problem before. But the little support thingy dropped Sunday after we encountered a large wake and the poptop came crashing down before I could leave the helm to stop it. What a noise. Probably not too good for the cabintop either. Luckily no fingers or noggins were in the way.

I read in the archives that someone (can't remember who) ties a line from one front support post around the mast to the other front support post to headoff an inadvertent poptop drop. Guess I'll rig something like that from now on.

If you're going to raise your poptop, MAKE SURE THAT SUPPORT HOOK IS REALLY TIGHT!

Steve

Steve Madden
'87 WK #5668 "Lorica"
Fort Myers, FL

Edited by - on

djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 05/18/2006 : 21:21:17

Hi Steve, I have been thinking about the hydrolic helpers that CD offers. I don't know if they would help keep it up or at least reduce the speed of its decent. About the little keeper, I took off the round knereld knob and replaced it with a big wing nut. I can get it much tighter. Cheers.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 05/18/2006 : 21:24:56

Get the gas supports from Catalinadirect.com you will not be sorry.

Edited by - on

Ericson33
Admiral

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USA
892 Posts

Response Posted - 05/18/2006 : 21:35:43

Gotta like that, It even comes with a sharpie :)

Edited by - on

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 05/18/2006 : 23:32:49

We learned the hard way too.
I have a line with snap hooks at each end that I use to secure the opened top to the mast.

Does anyone have any experience with the gas supports? I'd be interested in them if they assisted in opening the pop top, as much as in if they keep it up. The top is so heavy that I really have to question the ability of the supports to do the job.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/18/2006 : 23:42:53

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by stampeder
 Does anyone have any experience with the gas supports? I'd be interested in them if they assisted in opening the pop top, as much as in if they keep it up...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Mike...The gas struts are mainly to assist in lifting the top. CD claims the struts make the 70lb top feel like 20.

Edited by - dlucier on 05/18/2006 23:51:41

bjoyce
1st Mate

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51 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2006 : 07:59:09

We use a small strap with a quick release buckle that we attach just below the pop-top latch on the mast. It prevents it from falling even if the nut comes unscrewed.

Edited by - on

tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2006 : 08:19:34

I seem to remember John G recommending tieing the top up about two years ago.

Val on Calista # 3936, Patchogue,N.Y.

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3324 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2006 : 08:44:13

I cut 2 pieces of 2 x 4 the appropriate length, cut a "U" notch in one end and a "V" in the other and rest the raised pop-top on them. They have never failed.
Derek

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2006 : 09:31:30

The struts are wonderful, you can easily lift your top with one hand and it applies a large force forward against the mast that holds the top against the mast.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2006 : 09:44:31

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Derek Crawford
 I cut 2 pieces of 2 x 4 the appropriate length, cut a "U" notch in one end and a "V" in the other and rest the raised pop-top on them. They have never failed.
Derek
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Do you mean you do that under way? Gravity holds them even going through a wake?

There have been threads over the years on the gas struts--Search will probably dig them up... I suspect the struts will slow the descent somewhat, but not enough to make it "safe". I use a wing-nut also, but don't trust it.

Edited by - on

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2006 : 09:44:48

Once my C-25 pop-top is up, I tie light lines from the upper aft strut pivot to the lower fwd strut pivot. A quick release strap or line around the mast a the notch in the pop-top sounds like it would be even easier.

-- Leon Sisson

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2006 : 09:51:36

We hook the cunningahm hook to one of the struts. the boom vang to the other.

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2006 : 10:11:40

I have the gas struts and would not be without them. I can lift the pop top with one hand. It doesn't feel like 20 lbs but maybe 40. They would not help in the situtation you descrtibe - they would not slow the descent significantly.

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3324 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2006 : 17:32:03

Dave - I could probably jump on the pop-top with the 2 x 4's in place and it wouldn't budge!

Derek

Edited by - on

Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1016 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2006 : 18:39:32

Lots of good ideas. Bjoyce, yours seems pretty simple yet effective...something to keep the hook from falling even if it vibrates loose during movement. I like it! And DJN, replacing the little round knob with the wingnut makes a lot of sense too.

That's what's so cool about these forums...so many smart people.

The gas struts are on my "someday" list.

Thanks,

Steve

Edited by - Lightnup on 05/19/2006 18:43:18

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2006 : 22:08:07

Derek
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I wasn't wondering about you jumping--I was wondering what might happen if the BOAT jumped!

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2006 : 22:19:53

OK, Steve, here's what I'm thinking... You're a little taller than me (5'9") but we're both a little taller than the interior. Along the lines of Derek's idea, I'm thinking I might take a couple of 2x6s (or 2x8s) a few feet long, groove both sides (not the ends) to fit the hump under the pop-top and the edge of the pop-top, and use one on each side to lift the top about 5" (or 7") for headroom and air. The top won't be as high, but it'll be high enough and perhaps more stable and less dangerous under way, or even at anchor when a wake shakes the boat. Whadaya think?

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 05/19/2006 22:21:02

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2006 : 22:50:58

Regarding propping up the pop-top a little, I remember someone posting that they used large diameter fun noodles under both sides of the pop-top to give them a bit more room in the cabin. They're cheap, can be cut with a butter knife, are easily stored, and you can use them during a swim call.

Edited by - on

Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1016 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2006 : 22:54:55

Re: raising the top 5"-7"

That's not a half-bad idea. That way, it wouldn't interfere with the boom vang, couldn't accidentally fall and would provide the extra needed headroom. Instead of long pieces of lumber though, how about using a shorter one at each corner to allow for more airflow and less sight obstruction from the helm?

Or, once raised to that level, you could fiberglass the gap (optional: brass portholes along each side) and have more headroom permanently. Taller hatchboards and a stern pulpit perch to see over the new cabintop and you'd be all set.

Send pics when you're done.

Steve

Edited by - Lightnup on 05/19/2006 22:56:45

lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 05/20/2006 : 19:34:40

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by fhopper@mac.com
 Get the gas supports from Catalinadirect.com you will not be sorry.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Does the power-lift kit work on the Mk. IV pop-top? Someone I was talking to at Folsom Lake Marina, has an '89 WK and the CD Power Lift Kit he bought could not be installed. He said the gas struts were "way too long" and didn't even remotely fit to the connection points shown in the instructions. He said as near as he could tell, the kit was designed for the original C-25 pop-top, which was used from '77 to '87 models (Mk. I, II, and III). When the Mk. IV with the lowered cabin floor was instroduced, the pop-top was redesigned; it has a somewhat different shape and the support legs are several inches shorter. Maybe there are two different Power Lift kits, and CD sold him the wrong one?

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 05/20/2006 : 21:45:16

There are three, contact CD for the right answer

Edited by - on

PamC
Navigator

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171 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2006 : 09:51:45

We have used the pool noodle method also. I'm not crazy about the aesthetics, but Dave points out I'm not the one taking divits out of my scalp regularly. He's quite thrilled he found extra thick ones- 4" or 5"- for this season. They can be cut into sizes that provide support without obstructing too much view or airflow. And it allows us to use the boom vang.

Edited by - on

ilnadi
Captain

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452 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2006 : 11:13:00

We did have a C25 Deck Saloon discussion a while back (http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=9540), complete with drawings.
We run a load strap (1/2in webbing with metal buckle) around the aft struts and the mast. Only way I feel safe. We have the 4-wing nuts on the dogs. I do not know about the round knobs but these do not slide off when lowering, so you have to free all four one at a time. Maybe round is better.

Edited by - on

mikengina
Deckhand

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USA
7 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2006 : 22:38:27

Re: the pop-top drop ...
Back in the 70's and early 80's, my brother and I were Catalina dealers. One of our first sales was a C-22 to a very nice couple who had retired from the Army and stayed in Augusta. They bought the boat but knew nothing about sailing, so part of the deal was that we would teach them to sail. On their very first sail in their brand new boat, the pop-top latch slipped and the thing came crashing down breaking three fingers on our customer's hand! After his fingers mended, he resumed the lessons. Not only did he not sue us, the couple continued the lessons, became pretty good sailors, and purchased the 1st Catalina 25 in Augusta -- another pop-top!

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Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1016 Posts

Response Posted - 05/23/2006 : 08:48:10

Ouch! That was obviously before lawyers advertised on TV, people accepted that accidents happen and that one is not automatically entitled to massive compensation when they do.

I don't picture Augusta as much of a sailor's location considering the distance from the Atlantic and the size/configuration of the nearby lakes. But I had one of the best Sub sandwiches ever at Baldino's in Augusta.

Steve

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