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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Pop Top Assistance...

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IndyJim
Navigator

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USA
130 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/06/2002 : 22:31:53

Ahoy Cat Skippers!

I know I've read some of eariler posts regarding pop tops and the proper methods for securing it in the up position. Well, I've removed my dodger and popped the top for the first time this season. Love the head room! I have a very nice canvas/vinyl pop top enclosure that appears to be almost new and I really wanted to see how it fit. Now I'd really like to know the proper or most reliable way to secure the pop top in the up position. I remember reading about some bumps on some craniums because of insecure top fastenings.

I know that according to the manual it is not recommended to cruise with the top up so let's sail past that. Is there a hook of some type that secures to the mast? I have a couple of stainless steel hook type fittings on the top that the mast sort of straddles. Is there some type of cord that loops around the mast and fastens to each of those hooks?

And last but not least, I think I recall some upgrade or replacement pneumatice air cylinders that reduce the weight and make rasing the top easier. I don't recall if they were from Catalina Direct or some ingenious skipper retro-fitted some from a 1976 Ford Pinto Hatchback. (just kidding) If any of your wonderful Cat Skippers can make my pop top dreams come true I'd appreciate it.

Thanks and fair winds to all!

IndyJim
"Itza Dew Sea"
#4525 SK/TR

Edited by - on

John G-
Admiral

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793 Posts

Response Posted - 07/06/2002 : 23:21:19

IndyJim
There should be a hook that fits into the mast slot that will slip under the lip of the poptop. If you don't have one Catalina Direct has them for very little money, however until you get one, tie a line around the forward "leg" of the poptop and around the mast and back to the other forward "leg" to keep the poptop from slamming down. I have the "hook" but use the line as a safety anyway. My poptop slammed down one day when the launch drove by a little too fast and it chipped the fibreglass around the opening so I use the safety always. I do love the poptop in the hot weather it maybe the best feature of the C25 at anchor or on the mooring.

[url="http://www.peregrinefund.org/"]<img src="http://www.peregrinefund.org/images/intro_mid_image.GIF" border=0>[/url]
 John G- "PEREGRINE" C25-#4762 FK

Edited by - on

Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 07/07/2002 : 03:04:54

The picture of the hook is in the parts manual. It is a vertival offset pet just below the small cleat in the lower mast slot. It has a thumb screw knob for tightening and can be slif vertical to latch onto the foward lip of the pop top. This latch/peg has been known to slip or come loose alowing the top to fall with a crash. They are heavy. Some people use a short piece of 1 1/2" dowel as a back up prop and wedge it verticaly between the top and the cabin. Others have sailed with the top up about 4" by putting a float tube/foam around the perimiter of the top to cabin joint. Go to
http://c25c250.best.vwh.net/restricted/pc16.gif

Doug&Ruth
Wind Lass
Tacoma Wa.

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1769 Posts

Response Posted - 07/07/2002 : 10:08:35

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
The picture of the hook is in the parts manual.

Doug&Ruth
Wind Lass
Tacoma Wa.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Hi Doug,

In the past I've seen several references to the "parts manual," and I've taken for granted that people were talking about the Catalina 25 Owner's Manual(s) that are available on the website. I printed out both the old and new versions of the owner's manuals, and I keep them in a notebook for reference. I can't find the diagram you linked to in your post ... is the parts manual something different? How do I get one?

Thanks!

Buzz Maring, C-25 SK/SR #68, "Freya"

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/07/2002 : 11:06:56

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
The picture of the hook is in the parts manual.

Doug&Ruth
Wind Lass
Tacoma Wa.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>
In the past I've seen several references to the "parts manual," and I've taken for granted that people were talking about the Catalina 25 Owner's Manual(s) that are available on the website. I printed out both the old and new versions of the owner's manuals, and I keep them in a notebook for reference. I can't find the diagram you linked to in your post ... is the parts manual something different? How do I get one?
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>
Buz: Besides Catalina's parts list (on the site), people are often referring to Catalina Direct's Owners Handbook, a ring-bound book they sell for $9.95, I think, and worth it (even though it's essntially their catalog). There, you can see the mast hook for the poptop, and their gas strut system (for some serious boat units) to assist in lifting it.

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette "Passage" in SW CT

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1769 Posts

Response Posted - 07/07/2002 : 11:34:16

[/quote]
Buzz: Besides Catalina's parts list (on the site), people are often referring to Catalina Direct's Owners Handbook

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette "Passage" in SW CT
[/quote]

Hi Dave,

Yep, I've got one of those ... 'still feel like I'm missing something though.

Thanks!

Buzz Maring, C-25 SK/SR #68, "Freya"

Edited by - on

Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 07/07/2002 : 11:49:36

The link I posted was to the Brochures & Manuals section of this site. The link is in the Catalina Factory Parts Catalog. Scroll down to the rigging section and look for the "Mast". I think its the third picture.

Doug&Ruth
Wind Lass
Tacoma Wa.

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1769 Posts

Response Posted - 07/07/2002 : 15:19:46

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
The link I posted was to the Brochures & Manuals section of this site. The link is in the Catalina Factory Parts Catalog.

Doug&Ruth
Wind Lass
Tacoma Wa.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Hi Doug,

I went to the Brochures & Manuals section ... lo and behold, I had overlooked the Parts Catalog. 'Don't know how I missed it, but I'm going to print it out and put it in my reference notebook with the rest of my stuff. I've been scratching my head over lots of hardware questions, and that parts catalog with all its diagrams is going to be a BIG help.

Thanks Doug!

Buzz Maring, C-25 SK/SR #68, "Freya"

Edited by - on

jellyfish
Navigator

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USA
171 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2002 : 16:26:16

take the boom vang and run it under the cabin and latch it to the eye that locks the top batter board.

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2002 : 16:59:15

IndyJim,
While we're on this topic, are you familiar with the hydraulic assist kit for the poptop?

Edited by - on

RichardG
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2002 : 17:34:51

Here's the lift kit... http://www.catalinadirect.com/power%20lift%20kit1.html

Here's the mast slot clip... http://www.catalinadirect.com/pop%20top%20mast%20lock.html

RichardG 81 C25 SR/FK "Sanity"

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3321 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2002 : 20:42:47

Use 2 lengths of 2" x 2" (cut to size of space in open pop-top). Cut a V-slot in one end, a square slot in the other. Lift top, insert 2 x 2's. Safe, easy, cheap and fits the K.I.S.S. principle...<img src=icon_smile_cool.gif border=0 align=middle>
Derek

Edited by - on

IndyJim
Navigator

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USA
130 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2002 : 23:18:48

Man! Thanks everyone! I appreciate all the input and assistance. It is always great to know there's a boat load of knowledge and experience here to tap into!

I love that pop top! I'm going to like it even better when its easier to raise and secured!

Thanks again skippers!

IndyJim
"Itza Dew Sea"
#4525 SK/TR

Edited by - on

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