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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Pop Top Power Lift and Noodle trick

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monty0
1st Mate

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USA
51 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/16/2007 : 12:48:55

I'm trying to decide on whether I should up-grade to a power lift for our Pop Top on our 77 Catalina. I understand that it will make the lifting easier, any other views on the advantages or disadvantages?

Is there something about being able to sail with the Pop Top partially up with the use of a swim noodle? I seem to have some muddled memory of this possibility?

Monty

1977 Catalina 25 #66 SRSK "Prana"

Edited by - on

djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 04/16/2007 : 14:10:24

Hi Monty, Yep I sailed on nice days with a swin noodle keeping the poptop up about 4 inches. I was going to do the mod but I found that I did not pop the top that often, so I spent the $$$ on other things. Cheers.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 04/16/2007 : 17:31:51

One advantage to the pneumatic lifters is that you might not throw your back out, as did the guy who bought Passage from me. He subsequently installed the lifters, but his rehab will take so long he decided to sell her. He said they reduced the effort by half or maybe a little more, although he may not have fully charged them since he didn't install them with the mast down (as recommended). I suspect they also offer some increase in safety--less force if the lid comes down un an unplanned manner.

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cat1951
Admiral

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USA
636 Posts

Response Posted - 04/17/2007 : 08:41:54

Dave, I am considering the pneumatic lifters on our 25 and am curious about your "mast down" statement. I don't know how to charge them, so could you fill me on on why the mast being down is better? Thanks,

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 04/17/2007 : 08:55:54

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by cat1951
 I don't know how to charge them, so could you fill me on on why the mast being down is better?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

It's because in order to install the fully extended gas struts, the poptop needs to be pivoted farther forward than the raised mast would allow.

Edited by - dlucier on 04/17/2007 08:57:21

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 04/17/2007 : 09:08:42

Correctomundo.

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 04/17/2007 : 11:15:03

The mast is recommend to be down simply to facilitate the installation, it makes no difference to the sealed, charged pneumatic lifter. I just bought a set for my 89 because I loved them on my 82, (installed with the mast up), but the pop-top on an 89 has shorter supports so the lifts are too long for my boat. I am planning on asking around the docks to see if anyone wants to buy the kit.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 04/17/2007 : 12:06:01

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by fhopper@mac.com
 The mast is recommend to be down simply to facilitate the installation, it makes no difference to the sealed, charged pneumatic lifter.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Sorry--that's not what CD told me. Maybe it's changed.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 04/17/2007 : 13:07:15

I am sure their ignorance was not intentional. These are the same pneumatic struts we all use all the time on vehicles and other things, fully sealed, fully charged. I can imagine some older sailors or women not being able to compress the piston and needing the pop-top swung forward so they could connect the ends with no compression involved.

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glivs
Admiral

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USA
836 Posts

Response Posted - 04/17/2007 : 20:27:09

Frank,
I also am interested in the lifts for our '89....can you explain the issue in a bit more detail. Does the length issue arise when the poptop is in its lowered position?

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 04/17/2007 : 21:07:10

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by fhopper@mac.com
 ...I can imagine some older sailors or women not being able to compress the piston and needing the pop-top swung forward so they could connect the ends with no compression involved.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Maybe that's what they meant. If they're strong enough to lift that top, they'll be pretty difficult to compress by hand while getting them on the bolts.

Edited by - on

esailor
Navigator

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USA
118 Posts

Response Posted - 04/17/2007 : 21:15:24

Intentional Ignorance...I like that

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ngrinich
1st Mate

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28 Posts

Response Posted - 04/17/2007 : 21:32:40

I installed the pop top pneumatic risers from CD on my 87 fin keel. Both my son and I are well over 6 feet so we enjoy raising the pop top while at the dock. Now, it's easier to elevate the pop top and it feels more secure standing under it knowing the the weight of the pop top is partially supported by the pneumatic tubes, and that it won't come crashing down hard on our heads. Follow the directions from CD and you should not have any problems with the installation.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 04/18/2007 : 09:38:05

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by glivs
 Frank,
I also am interested in the lifts for our '89....can you explain the issue in a bit more detail. Does the length issue arise when the poptop is in its lowered position?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Oh the irony, our boats have so much more head room with the top down than the OLD boats that the aluminum pop-top supports were shortened so the "popped" head room would be the same as in the older boats. The support moves from laying aft, across vertical, to pointing a little forward, these struts are longer than the supports so the top cannot cross the vertical position. These struts are very high pressure and I have not been able to find any others that would meet the lifting requirements.

Edited by - Frank Hopper on 04/18/2007 09:53:47

cat1951
Admiral

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USA
636 Posts

Response Posted - 04/18/2007 : 12:25:04

Frank,
I sent you an e-mail re the pop top kit you have. Did you receive it?

Edited by - on

jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 04/18/2007 : 13:31:43

what's the 'noodle' thing all about?

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 04/18/2007 : 13:45:00

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by cat1951
 Frank,
I sent you an e-mail re the pop top kit you have. Did you receive it?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Yes, I replied last night. I have some friends locally that I should offer it to, if they do not want it you can buy it. Please give me a week.

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.