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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Keeping Pop Top up

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dnorth
1st Mate

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USA
36 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/04/2007 : 18:40:43

How to you keep the pop top up?

I was out clean my boat and decide to put up the pop top. I have never had it up before. It would not stay. I do have a boom vang, but I loosend it and with just a few lines between the top and the mast it would not stay up.

David North
Catalina 25, Swing Keel, 1977, Hull #6
Edmond, Oklahoma

Edited by - on

atgep
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

1009 Posts

Response Posted - 07/04/2007 : 19:19:19

There is a key that holds the top up. It sits in the sail-slot and slides up to catch the top.

It also helps to have everything out of the way between the mast and poptop. You could use a 2x4 cut to the right length on each side of the top for now.

Tom.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 07/04/2007 : 19:19:26

With one of these...

Catalina Direct $26.70

[url="http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=318"]Pop Top Mast Lock Assy[/url]

Edited by - on

ddlyle
Captain

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302 Posts

Response Posted - 07/04/2007 : 21:48:24

I use a stout bungee from the top of the forwardmost (pop-top) support down to the base of the mast. The little key-thingie usually drops down the slot on my boat, so the bungee works better for me.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/04/2007 : 22:28:43

The top should lean forward a little against the mast. No lines should be between the top and the mast. The sliding lock is only intended to prevent an accidental fall due to wave action or jarring of the top, but won't work if a line is between the top and the mast. An additional restraint is a good idea in case the lock slides down. Is there any evidence that somebody repositioned the struts, either on the cabintop or on the pop-top?

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3324 Posts

Response Posted - 07/05/2007 : 10:16:49

I have never trusted that inadequate lock. I ease the vang, lift up the pop-top and put a length of 2 x 4 (notched at each end) under it just aft of the regular lifts. It's solid enough to (almost) walk on!

Edited by - on

jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 07/05/2007 : 12:18:57

Gotta say, the pop-top mast slot lock has always worked very satisfactory for me. It's important to tighten the thumb screw, but after that no worries!

Edited by - jerlim on 07/05/2007 12:19:44

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 07/05/2007 : 12:37:22

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dlucier
 With one of these...

Catalina Direct $26.70

[url="http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=318"]Pop Top Mast Lock Assy[/url]
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

They also sell a replacement knurled knob to replace the nylon one, I recommend the upgrade.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/05/2007 : 12:39:33

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by jerlim
 Gotta say, the pop-top mast slot lock has always worked very satisfactory for me. It's important to tighten the thumb screw...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I used a wing-nut for better tightening. A toothed lockwasher might not be a bad addition. Also worthwhile is Catalina Direct's pneumatic strut kit--I think there's one listed in the Swap Meet.

Edited by - on

bear_tm4
Navigator

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USA
143 Posts

Response Posted - 07/05/2007 : 21:43:18

I use the pop top mast lock, as well as invested in the lift shocks from CD, WOW what an improment, makes lifting the whole thing nice, and now I dont mind doing it half as much as I did in the past, so I would recomend it if you plan on using your pop top more offten, its worth it in my book. If you check my post you will see a pic or two with it up....
Cheers

Edited by - on

dnorth
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
36 Posts

Response Posted - 07/05/2007 : 22:13:24

Thanks for your answers. I am glad I am not going crazy. I will have to get one of those locks. As alway you guys have all the answers for those of us with less experience.

Edited by - on

atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts

Response Posted - 07/05/2007 : 23:20:32

A couple of things about the pop top lock.

You will need to drop the mast to put it in the sail slot unless you can get it into the cutout for the main.

When lowering the mast with the lock in place, dont leave it at the bottom or it can grind the deck when the mast is lowered to the rear. If it is too high, it can grind on the poptop edge.

One more "oh by the way"

The lock is more than enough to keep the top up.

Tom.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/06/2007 : 07:46:23

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">You will need to drop the mast to put it in the sail slot unless you can get it into the cutout for the main.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Mine easily went in and out of the mast gate. (I believe CD suggests lowering the masts when installing the struts to make it easier to fully preload them.)
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">The lock is more than enough to keep the top up.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I essentially agree--however, if one little boat wake or human error ever causes the top to fall, somebody or something could be badly hurt. The struts should soften the blow (but don't take the place of the lock).

One more thing: I never, ever sailed or motored with the top up.

Edited by - on

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 07/06/2007 : 08:19:49

My boat didn't come with the p/t lock, so I ordered one and it didn't fit in the sail slot, but I couldn't see dropping the mast for that so I put it to the grinder (lightly

) and it slipped right in!

Edited by - on

dnorth
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
36 Posts

Response Posted - 07/06/2007 : 21:57:41

I was out on a sail tonight and what do you know, I have a pop top lock installed on the mast. Thanks again for the help in knowing what to look for.

Edited by - on

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 07/09/2007 : 23:45:46

AHA!!!

I have one of those pop top locks and I thought it was a broken mast track cleat. Finally, never throwing anything away finally comes in handy.

To date, I've been using a dock line to keep my pop-top in place. I loop the line around the mast and both of the struts - this gives me somewhere to hang things to dry.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 07/11/2007 : 15:01:01

No one has mentioned it yet but there is a kit from CD that makes raising thepoptop a lot easier. It uses gas struts. I had one on my C22 and it made a world of difference.

Edited by - on

KiteKraemer
Navigator

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191 Posts

Response Posted - 07/19/2007 : 21:30:17

Nauti, Do they have them for the 25? The pop top is MUCH heavier on the 25 than the 22. CD is redoing their site and I can't seem to find it. Does anyone know where to get a power lift for the pop top? I noticed one vessel (cat 22) for sale had a power pop top. ??? I didn't get a reply upon my inquiry. Gas struts would be really nice, I can barely lift the top myself.

-jeff

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/19/2007 : 22:49:32

CD has a kit for the C-25. Reports I've heard say it reduces the apparent weight by 1/2 - 2/3.

Edited by - on

KiteKraemer
Navigator

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191 Posts

Response Posted - 07/19/2007 : 23:26:48

Cool! I'm all over it! Their website under const. has no search function!
I'll call them on the tele. Thanks Sarge!

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2007 : 09:37:06

CD is short for http://www.catalinadirect.com/

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2007 : 10:06:40

My vang has snap shackles on either end, I used to detach the boom end, raise the top, then run the vang around one of the posts and take it back to the mast or the boom and snug it up. - it provided that extra peace of mind

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2007 : 10:08:27

Try this
http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display& Product_ID=612

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2007 : 10:09:10

It's on this page: (The C-250 guy beat the st!nkp*tter posting a C-25 answer.)

http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm?currentpage=2&fuseaction=category.display&category_id=37&sort=name

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 07/20/2007 10:13:33

ricmon99
Deckhand

Members Avatar

Canada
7 Posts

Response Posted - 09/10/2007 : 09:47:27

Can anyone tell me what the total length of the cylinder and piston is when the schock is fully extended....also what the opening size with the top up from the bottom of the poptop to the top of the cabin roof.....would like to incorporate this lift into my Venture Newport 23....thanx

Rick

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 09/10/2007 : 11:14:05

You will find all of the parts you need here...
[url="http://stores.ebay.com/Great-Lakes-Skipper-LLC_Deck-and-Cabin-Items-Hatches_W0QQcolZ2QQdirZ1QQfsubZ4QQftidZ2QQpZ10QQtZkm"]Great Lakes Skipper[/url]
they have lots of different lengths and fittings, however I think the Catalina Direct ones are rated at 90 pounds. A Catalina 25 poptop is a seriously heavy item.

Edited by - on

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