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 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
 Catalina 25 Specific Forum
 pop top lifter		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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H20boy
1st Mate

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USA
31 Posts
Initially Posted - 05/11/2003 :  10:50:24  Show Profile
I have purchased a lifter kit for my boat and want to install it this week...Have any of you purchased this lift from Catalina Direct? and if so do you have any helpful mistake saving tips? and will anyone out there just do it for me so I can get the lawn mowed and the deck furniture washed. thanks Rick

Rick Price
"79" 25' SK/Standard
Hull # 1237
Tacoma, Wa
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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1768 Posts
Response Posted - 05/11/2003 :  14:12:49  Show Profile
Hi Rick,

I just installed a poptop lifter last month. The installation is pretty easy ... I just followed their instructions and it worked out fine.

The cylinders have to be installed with a preload ... that's why the instructions tell you the mast must be down. I hate to say it, but I don't know how you'd get around that part ... I hope your mast is already down. In my case, I had about six projects to do on the mast, so the mast was coming down anyway.

The instructions also tell you to install two more dogs to hold the poptop down ... in fact, they stomp their foot and scream about it ... 'makes me wonder if a law suit drove them to it. Anyway, I didn't install two more dogs ... I'm just using the two that were already there. I might install two more later, but I really don't see the need for them yet ... the poptop is MUCH easier to raise now, but it doesn't leap into the air or need to be held down so it doesn't pop up on its own.

One other thing that might help ... the instructions show a tedious process for blocking up the poptop to keep it open and slightly forward while you install the cylinders ... I didn't do that. I have a mast crutch that I use when my mast is down ... here is what it looks like:

<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3db30b3127cce97a4923c7a180000001610" border=0>

The crutch fits in the tabernacle in place of the mast, and the two galvanized landscape nails keep it in place. The nails don't make a really tight fit though, so the mast crutch moves forward about three inches when the poptop is leaned against it. That extra three inches of travel is perfect for preloading the cylinders, and it also keeps the poptop in the raised position ... I didn't need all that blocking. BTW, the mast crutch is just a scrap piece of landscape timber ... you could use a 4X4 or a couple of scrap 2X4s bolted, nailed, or glued together to do the same thing (of course, unless you use it for a mast crutch later, you don't need that crapola on the top either).

'Hope that helps ... good luck!

Buzz Maring
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3df23b3127cce9306a9b3abad0000001010" border=0>
~~Freya~~
C-25 SK/SR #68
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H20boy
1st Mate

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USA
31 Posts
Response Posted - 05/11/2003 :  17:08:29  Show Profile
Buzz, I don't what kind of luck it is to have my mast down already....but I do( not by my choice either) but at least that step is out of the way. Thanks for the picture of the crutch I am on my way to make one now!....THANKS for your help.. Rick

Rick Price
"79" 25' SK/Standard
Hull # 1237
Tacoma, Wa
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H20boy
1st Mate

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USA
31 Posts
Response Posted - 05/13/2003 :  10:43:43  Show Profile
Job done....it was easier for me to look at all the pretty pictures and do it other than reading through all the print. Thanks again for your help...Rick

Rick Price
"79" 25' SK/Standard
Hull # 1237
Tacoma, Wa
Edited by - on
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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1768 Posts
Response Posted - 05/13/2003 :  22:04:36  Show Profile
COOL! <img src=icon_smile_cool.gif border=0 align=middle> 'Glad it all worked OK!

Buzz Maring
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3df23b3127cce9306a9b3abad0000001010" border=0>
~~Freya~~
C-25 SK/SR #68
Edited by - on
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Dave B
Admiral

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Mali
863 Posts
Response Posted - 05/13/2003 :  22:40:10  Show Profile
I'm jealous... and my mast is up for the season.

Dave Bristle, 1985 C-25 #5032 "Passage" SR/FK/Dinette/Honda in SW CT
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
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.