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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Pneumatic Lifter

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cat1951
Admiral

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USA
636 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/27/2006 : 08:30:37

I am seriously considering installing the pop top lifter from Catalina Direct as one of next year's projects. We have yet to use the pop top, but if I this would help reduce the weight enough to make it practical I will get one.

Has anyone here installed this unit?...If so, was it an easy project?..and did it make the difference you were expecting? I really want to increase the headroom when we stay overnight on board.

Mike
Grand Lake, OK
N.O. Catalina 25 #4849
In my opinion 75% of the earth is water for a reason. That's why I sail.

Edited by - cat1951 on 11/27/2006 12:38:20

wmeinert@kconline.com
Past Commodore

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USA
353 Posts

Response Posted - 11/27/2006 : 08:45:52

Mike, I won one of those at a race a couple of years ago and installed it. Frankly it was a waist of time. First if you use a boom vang lifting your top is problomatitic to keep the lines out of the way. Second, I don't know how much your top weighs, but the lifters still need your assistance to guide the top in place, after time they won't hold the weight. Finally, its just one more moving part that needs attention and gets in the way. All though they do make good towel holders. But don't take this wrong, but I feel the pop top was a bad concept anyways, I would give up the head space to stop the leaks.

Edited by - on

cat1951
Admiral

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USA
636 Posts

Response Posted - 11/27/2006 : 10:05:02

Bill,
Thanks for the feedback. I do know that we will have to undo the boom vang to use the top and are prepared to do so. As far as I know, the pop top has never been used and is still in the original bag it came in. I do know that the PO didn't use it. We have no leaks around the hatch and maybe it is because it has never been lifted.

Edited by - on

ed_spengeman
1st Mate

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USA
98 Posts

Response Posted - 11/27/2006 : 10:53:11

I put one on my boat and am very happy with it. Not only does it make it pretty easy for one person to put it up, it also makes it less of a vega-matic if it were to fall. I put a fitting on the vang so all I have to do is pull a cord to release it. Rember to use that little cleat on the mast to secure it. As far as leaks, the only leaks I get through there are when it's closed and I'm using a power washer. Different people, different experiences with it. If you use the pop-top,IMHO, it's a must.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 11/27/2006 : 11:04:55

I loved mine on my 82 and am developing one for my 89, CD does not have a kit for the 89.

PS pneumatic?

Edited by - Frank Hopper on 11/27/2006 11:05:32

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 11/27/2006 : 11:41:03

Right--pneumatic. The folks who bought Passage from me added the kit--unfortunately after he hurt his back lifting the pop-top (after my warnings that it was quite heavy). Since he apparently doesn't post here (BILL??), I'll speak for him... He reported that it reduced something like 50% of the weight. But it could be that it'll do better if he pre-loads the cylinders with the mast down. I can't speak for how long the cylinders will work effectively, except that they last for years lifting car hoods, for example. If I'd kept Passage, I would've installed the kit this winter while the mast was down. I liked the pop-top, but boy was it a load! (Mine never leaked, but I never put it in green water.)

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 11/27/2006 11:42:57

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3477 Posts

Response Posted - 11/27/2006 : 12:11:40

I do not have the hydraulic lifters but occasionally raise the pop top. Hearing the comment baout potential leaks....I have none from the pop top and I would have to give it another look because I thought that there was a fiberglas lip that prevents leaks. When the pop top is lowered and secured, it then compresses the gasket but if there is a 1/2" lip there anyway, then where are the problems concerning leaks ? Maybe I am wrong...I am not at the boat right now...but do believe there is that lip. Then the most likely place for it to leak would be same with most boats with or without a pop top and that is the area surrounding the hatch boards - between the boards at the vent or at the top hatch board where the companionway sliding hatch fits up.

Anyone have any leaks solely due to the pop top ? Where ?

Edited by - on

cat1951
Admiral

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USA
636 Posts

Response Posted - 11/27/2006 : 12:41:56

pneumatic it is.... guess I over estimated the weight of the hatch

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 11/27/2006 : 12:56:06

When I had my 82 I noticed that the gap between the forward edge of my main hatch and the pop-top deck did not seal, I could see light! I added some dense foam strip to the face of the pop-top lip that the hatch meets and it took care of it.

Edited by - on

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 11/27/2006 : 13:22:35

I use my Pop Top frequently. I've replaced the weather stripping and have not had any leakage problems.
Having a boom-vang means one additional step - loosen it or disconnect it. Doesn't seem like that big of a deal.
I don't have the lifter kit and I don't think I'll condsider it until lifting the lid becomes difficult. The only issue I have with the Pop Top are those stupid dogs.
IMHO the best item to have relative to the Pop-Top is a quick attach security line to make sure it stays up.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 11/27/2006 : 14:06:38

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by stampeder
 IMHO the best item to have relative to the Pop-Top is a quick attach security line to make sure it stays up.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
...and at a minimum, the hook that fits into the mast track and holds the forward edge of the top against the mast. If it's missing, Catalina Direct sells them. You do not want that sucker falling down--even if it doesn't hurt anyone, other people in the marina would think they're under mortar attack.

Yes, there is a lip around the opening on the cabintop, and the foam seal is easy to replace (to keep your hose from spraying through).

For the dogs, a little velcro can help keep them up and out of the way while lifting or lowering the top.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 11/27/2006 14:07:56

Renzo
Admiral

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USA
621 Posts

Response Posted - 11/27/2006 : 14:16:28

Love the pop top and use it frequently. No problems with leaks from pop top but do have leak where the hatch and weather board meet in the corner leaving a small hole(especially on the port side) No problems with vang it is connected with quick release snap shackles. I think that lifting the top is a matter of ballance and tecnique; those that use it a lot seem to develop a knack for it or maybe they just develop musceles in different places than other people.

Edited by - on

cat1951
Admiral

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USA
636 Posts

Response Posted - 11/27/2006 : 14:38:28

Sounds like the positive's outweigh the negatives on this upgrade. I would really like to begin using the pop top and our boom vang is outfitted with snap shackles.

One final question though. I have found the two male snap attachments at the bottom left and right of the companionway opening. I don't see any on the cabin top though. Should there be some there, or is it held in place some other way.

Thanks for all the input so far. I think I will add this to my project list for the off-season.

BTW: The attachment bracket is in place on the mast. I think I will also devise an additional way to support the hatch in the forward position. I get hit in the head enough by the curtain rail for the head opening when going forward

Edited by - cat1951 on 11/27/2006 14:40:20

Renzo
Admiral

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USA
621 Posts

Response Posted - 11/27/2006 : 16:57:12

If I understand your question about the snap attachments at the bottom left and right of the companionway for the pop top canvas cover, there are not supposed to be any on the raised portion of the cabin top. The cover should fit tightly over that portion with the sliding hatch slid aft. However there should be two other snaps on each side of the companionway evenly spaced above the ones on the bottom of the companionway.

Edited by - on

cat1951
Admiral

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USA
636 Posts

Response Posted - 11/28/2006 : 09:35:11

Thanks Frank, that's what I was referring to. I will probably have to add the upper snap attachments after I install the top for the first time. That way I will get them in the right spot.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 11/28/2006 : 12:21:32

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by stampeder
 I use my Pop Top frequently. I've replaced the weather stripping and have not had any leakage problems.
Having a boom-vang means one additional step - loosen it or disconnect it. Doesn't seem like that big of a deal.
I don't have the lifter kit and I don't think I'll condsider it until lifting the lid becomes difficult. The only issue I have with the Pop Top are those stupid dogs.
IMHO the best item to have relative to the Pop-Top is a quick attach security line to make sure it stays up.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Clips to keep the dogs up come with the kit.

Edited by - on

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 11/28/2006 : 14:13:07

thanx for the tips.

I'm going to take Dave's suggestion and put some velcro on the dogs. Seems like I miss all the 'obvious' fixes because I try to fix everything with Duct tape first.
I wonder how many rolls of duct tape I'll need next time I misplace my mast bolt?

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 11/28/2006 : 15:19:06

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Not as many as when your keel cable breaks!

Edited by - on

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 11/28/2006 : 23:57:44

Dave Bristle <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Not as many as when your keel cable breaks! <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

The Admiral and every visitor that comes aboard speculates on this very topic every damn time we give a tour of the boat and explain how the keel winch works.
OHHH to be a source of amusement, its the least I can do for society!

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 11/29/2006 : 10:02:27

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by stampeder
 The Admiral and every visitor that comes aboard speculates on this very topic every damn time we give a tour of the boat and explain how the keel winch works.
OHHH to be a source of amusement, its the least I can do for society!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Hey, it's only 3/4 of a ton of cast iron--what's to speculate about??

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 11/29/2006 : 17:17:08

I don't have any problem raising my pop top so I haven't seen any need to get the lift kit. But the safety factor would be nice to have.
I got 4 small plastic clips from Catalina Direct which are used to snap the 4 pop top dogs into. Makes lifting the top easier as they won't catch the clips, or whatever you call them. Unless I'm in really heavy weather, I don't even bother to latch the pop top down.
Being a normal sized 6'2" person the pop top goes up frequently. I'll sail with it up in light winds too. Always up when anchoring or at the dock working on the boat. My old pop top cover from my Catalina 22 even fits it pretty good too, not perfect, but better than forking out 4 boat units for a new one.
Cabin height will be a real biggie whenever I buy a retirement boat.

Edited by - on

cat1951
Admiral

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USA
636 Posts

Response Posted - 11/30/2006 : 08:17:43

Frank,
I am not 6' tall, but I have the bruises to prove that I need more head room. Since this is our first boat I am not ready to jump to a newer/bigger one yet. However, I a couple of years, we are going to be looking at another used one in good shape with a taller cabin. For now, we will use the pop top.

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 11/30/2006 : 14:28:30

Yeah Mike, pop tops rule. especially on beer cans

Edited by - on

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