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 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
 Catalina 25 Specific Forum
 Pop top power lift kit		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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windseaker
Deckhand

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USA
24 Posts
Initially Posted - 06/27/2014 :  15:11:38  Show Profile
Does anyone have any pointers for installing catalina direct pop top power lift kit. Step one is unstep the mast. I just got the boat back in the water after doing all the swing keel pin, winch, and cable replacements. Now they want me to drop the mast. All I want to do is go sailing.
Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4321 Posts
Response Posted - 06/27/2014 :  16:25:33  Show Profile
Leave the top down and go sailing! LOL

We always need a good topic for discussion during the winter months. This would be a good one to start off with in November! Maybe October in your part of the world.

I'm not in the greatest shape but I can lift my pop top without too much effort. It's heavy but not that bad.

The again I've only raised 2 or 3 times in 7 years.
Edited by - GaryB on 06/27/2014 16:42:24
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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts
Response Posted - 06/27/2014 :  20:37:07  Show Profile
I don't understand why you would have to drop the mast, but I haven't installed it. Several people have installed them in the past couple of years. I imagine they will pop in here soon.
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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5500 Posts
Response Posted - 06/27/2014 :  20:49:24  Show Profile
According to those who have installed the pistons, they have to be fully extended to install them safely (without being partially compressed). In order to do that, you have to open the Pop Top to beyond its natural max with the mast in the way. This shouldn't mean you have to fully drop the mast however, you just have to get it out of the way...
So how do you do this? How about loosening all the stays and shrouds and just pushing the bottom of the mast out of the way?
I'd get a piece of 1"x6" and lay it on the cabintop, disconnect the mast step, push it forward so that it rests on the 1"x6" and fully extend the pop top, attach the pistons, close the poptop down, then reinstall the mast step and retighten the shrouds and stays.
Viola?????
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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4321 Posts
Response Posted - 06/28/2014 :  07:35:43  Show Profile
quote:
Originally posted by Voyager

According to those who have installed the pistons, they have to be fully extended to install them safely (without being partially compressed). In order to do that, you have to open the Pop Top to beyond its natural max with the mast in the way. This shouldn't mean you have to fully drop the mast however, you just have to get it out of the way...
So how do you do this? How about loosening all the stays and shrouds and just pushing the bottom of the mast out of the way?
I'd get a piece of 1"x6" and lay it on the cabintop, disconnect the mast step, push it forward so that it rests on the 1"x6" and fully extend the pop top, attach the pistons, close the poptop down, then reinstall the mast step and retighten the shrouds and stays.
Viola?????


Or just lean the mast forward a few inches with the base of the mast still in the mast step in it's normal position.
Edited by - on
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pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts
Response Posted - 06/28/2014 :  09:19:06  Show Profile
Do not drop the mast. I have installed several and you do not need to drop the mast. ... unless you are 93 and only have one arm.
Measure twice, install the fittings, install one end of the strut and compress the other end to reach the fitting. (Raise the top and lock into position with the mast slot lock when installing the struts themselves.)
Edited by - on
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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9089 Posts
Response Posted - 06/28/2014 :  12:49:07  Show Profile
quote:
Originally posted by Voyager

...So how do you do this? How about loosening all the stays and shrouds and just pushing the bottom of the mast out of the way?
I'd get a piece of 1"x6" and lay it on the cabintop, disconnect the mast step, push it forward so that it rests on the 1"x6" and fully extend the pop top, attach the pistons, close the poptop down, then reinstall the mast step and retighten the shrouds and stays.
Viola?????
...or KABOOM! Wouldn't that allow the mast to pivot at the lower shrouds with the base moving forward, aft or sideways, and come down with a very loud noise? What am I missing there?
Edited by - Stinkpotter on 06/28/2014 12:49:53
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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5500 Posts
Response Posted - 06/28/2014 :  20:43:21  Show Profile
You may have a point there... Maybe just leaning the mast forward would be fine.
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pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts
Response Posted - 06/29/2014 :  07:03:06  Show Profile
HELLO
Are you people not listening!!!! Do not mess with the mast, the install is trivial. Compressing the struts with the top up is nothing, you don't have to compress them to fit with the top down! The easy way to compress is to fit the end to the opened and locked in position top and push up on the lower end of the strut to compress it a couple of inches and place it on the cabin top fitting. Who ever wrote the instructions for the install had been huffing fumes.
Edited by - pastmember on 06/29/2014 11:55:08
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windseaker
Deckhand

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USA
24 Posts
Response Posted - 07/08/2014 :  16:25:34  Show Profile
It was a lot easier than I thought. The screws they sent with the kit for the top were too short. A trip to the hardware store fixed that. I installed the brackets no problem. Then I popped up the top and locked it to the mast with that sliding locking screw. Installed the cylinder to the top bracket removed the forward pop top strut lower screw. The top is supported by the aft strut and the masts sliding locking screw. Then I pushed up on that side forward corner of the pop top about one inch and attached the cylinder to the lower bracket. Had someone sit on the pop top above the forward strut compressing the cylinder and the reinstalling the pop top strut lower screw. Did the same to the other side wala done.
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sethp001
Mainsheet C-25 Tech Editor

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814 Posts
Response Posted - 07/09/2014 :  16:46:38  Show Profile
quote:
Originally posted by pastmember

Do not drop the mast. I have installed several and you do not need to drop the mast. ... unless you are 93 and only have one arm.


But if you still have both arms...
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