We have the pop-top canvas and the aluminum frame is a pain to store. I would like to make it collapse like a tent pole. Basically cut it into sections so it can break down for storage. I am at a loss on how I would reconnect it to use. Would probably need some kind of insert to hold the pieces together or elastic cord running through that you could tighten once it is assembled. Any ideas? Thanks Ashley
Cutting Aluminum tube into sections
- Thread starter Ashley
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If you want to keep..
your current tubing, go and get some dowel rods and sand them down to just fit into the tubing and cut to about 4" in length and drill a screw hole in the top piece of tubing and anchor the dowel. Or you can get some smaller gauge tubing from McMaster-Carr and do the same thing like tent poles, with shock cord inside. Think about it, and you will come up with a solution...Good luck.
your current tubing, go and get some dowel rods and sand them down to just fit into the tubing and cut to about 4" in length and drill a screw hole in the top piece of tubing and anchor the dowel. Or you can get some smaller gauge tubing from McMaster-Carr and do the same thing like tent poles, with shock cord inside. Think about it, and you will come up with a solution...Good luck.
I've been thinking about...
Making a little storage place for it, perhaps above the aft berth, under the companion way. Using some metal spring clips you sometimes see a boat hook stored on. I also don't like having to thread the canvas on it to use (Why didn't they design is with Velcro pockets or something?), and would like to store with the canvase in place, too. Let us know what you come up with. Fair winds, Tom
Making a little storage place for it, perhaps above the aft berth, under the companion way. Using some metal spring clips you sometimes see a boat hook stored on. I also don't like having to thread the canvas on it to use (Why didn't they design is with Velcro pockets or something?), and would like to store with the canvase in place, too. Let us know what you come up with. Fair winds, Tom
Been there, done that...
What I did was to keep it in one piece and mount it on 3 nylon clips (as used for storing for a boat hook) on the headliner above the aft berth, port side. The u-shaped aluminum pole has the legs pointing to port and it is slid back next to the aft bulkhead. Just hold it up against the ceiling and you can see how to position it to aft and to port. I mounted two of the clips to hold the main center section of the u-shaped aluminum pole, and one on the other leg forward. I can take a picture of it, but I have been unsuccessful in the past on posting them to this site. If I could get someone's email, I'll send it to you to clip it and post it. Also, I mounted my boat hook and deck brush pole on more clips along side the pop top pole on the headliner. Hint: don't drill too deep and use short stainless screws.
What I did was to keep it in one piece and mount it on 3 nylon clips (as used for storing for a boat hook) on the headliner above the aft berth, port side. The u-shaped aluminum pole has the legs pointing to port and it is slid back next to the aft bulkhead. Just hold it up against the ceiling and you can see how to position it to aft and to port. I mounted two of the clips to hold the main center section of the u-shaped aluminum pole, and one on the other leg forward. I can take a picture of it, but I have been unsuccessful in the past on posting them to this site. If I could get someone's email, I'll send it to you to clip it and post it. Also, I mounted my boat hook and deck brush pole on more clips along side the pop top pole on the headliner. Hint: don't drill too deep and use short stainless screws.
Hanging storage
Thanks, I may take a look at hanging it from the headliner. I have been thinking about hanging the boat hook, but want it somewhere I can grab it easily if needed. Someone on another board suggested building one out of pvc which might work.
Thanks, I may take a look at hanging it from the headliner. I have been thinking about hanging the boat hook, but want it somewhere I can grab it easily if needed. Someone on another board suggested building one out of pvc which might work.
Photo attempt-headliner mounted
Well let's see if this works. Hopefully, the photo is attached. Pat
Well let's see if this works. Hopefully, the photo is attached. Pat
Attachments
Pole mounted- looking aft
If it works, the aft view of the mounted pole is attached. Pat
If it works, the aft view of the mounted pole is attached. Pat
Attachments
Simple solution
When I'm not using the poptop, I'm not using the aft berth, so what I do is unsnap the top, then standing on the inside fold each corner over at the tube, then pull it over the top of the tube so it hangs down equally on each side of the tube. Then I simply lift the tube out and just lay the whole thing against the hull in the aft berth. It stays put there, and when I'm ready to put it back up, just lift it out and reset the tube in the holes and snap it back on. Fair winds, John
When I'm not using the poptop, I'm not using the aft berth, so what I do is unsnap the top, then standing on the inside fold each corner over at the tube, then pull it over the top of the tube so it hangs down equally on each side of the tube. Then I simply lift the tube out and just lay the whole thing against the hull in the aft berth. It stays put there, and when I'm ready to put it back up, just lift it out and reset the tube in the holes and snap it back on. Fair winds, John
Yes Ashley
That aft view photo shows the water heater and the new inverter that I am installing. The water heater is for my aft deck hot and cold shower assembly. I often take three day weekends on the boat and anchor out at night so I installed it to to keep the crew (and Cap'n) happy (and clean). The pump was not shown in that picture but see attached photo that shows the pump on left and the accumulator tank to the right. It pulls water from the main 20 gallon water tank at the bow. It has valves that I can open to pump out the water heater for winterizing too. When the aft bulkhead is installed, I can operate all valves and see the water temp gage when I open the hatches. The new pic also shows the new 200 amp fuse that I installed on the port battery case to go with the heavier AWG battery cables for the inverter. The various "necessities" being added are great, but I just hope she still floats when I splash her this spring, or may have to reduce the size of the crew (number not weight).
That aft view photo shows the water heater and the new inverter that I am installing. The water heater is for my aft deck hot and cold shower assembly. I often take three day weekends on the boat and anchor out at night so I installed it to to keep the crew (and Cap'n) happy (and clean). The pump was not shown in that picture but see attached photo that shows the pump on left and the accumulator tank to the right. It pulls water from the main 20 gallon water tank at the bow. It has valves that I can open to pump out the water heater for winterizing too. When the aft bulkhead is installed, I can operate all valves and see the water temp gage when I open the hatches. The new pic also shows the new 200 amp fuse that I installed on the port battery case to go with the heavier AWG battery cables for the inverter. The various "necessities" being added are great, but I just hope she still floats when I splash her this spring, or may have to reduce the size of the crew (number not weight).
That's nice
do you have a pic of the shower assembly? I bet the admiral would love that. I don't know where we would put a heater. I have a holding tank for the marine head where your heater is and mermaid heat and A/C under v-berth by the water tank. I do want on demand water at least in the galley, maybe the head and a transom shower would be really nice.
do you have a pic of the shower assembly? I bet the admiral would love that. I don't know where we would put a heater. I have a holding tank for the marine head where your heater is and mermaid heat and A/C under v-berth by the water tank. I do want on demand water at least in the galley, maybe the head and a transom shower would be really nice.
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