I tried the search feature and didnt find anything, but I am poor with computers so maybe it has been discussed before. I am installing the pop top power lift on my 1979 Catalina swing keel 22. The boat had been sitting for 6 or 7 years and the pop top seal was rotten. I replaced it so that I could install the lift kit properly, and discovered that with the top dogged down, there are gaps of up to 1 inch in areas around the seal. It only has 2 dogs at this point and Catalina Direct recommends putting 2 more, but pushing down on the top doesnt seem to close the gaps. It seems like the pop top, or the cabin top have warped. Has anybody run into this issue and found a cure??? Thanks _____Grant.
Gap in pop top seal?
- Thread starter gjordan
- Start date
I was about to say yes, my pop top hatch has an imperfect seal, and even with all four dogs tightly secured, there is sometimes a crack to be seen. But dang it, man. An INCH??
This is probably gonna require pics (or video) before anyone can say much.
Just to be clear, you are talking about the SIDES of the hatch, not the forward edge, right?
This is probably gonna require pics (or video) before anyone can say much.
Just to be clear, you are talking about the SIDES of the hatch, not the forward edge, right?
Actually the biggest gap is along the front edge, and more in the middle than on the outer part of the front edge. My first thought was that the cabin top had sagged from ,mast load, but the mast support post is solid and looks fine. The cabin top sounds solid, and doesnt appear to have a collapsed core. The port edge seems ok and the stb side is close enough that I think the additional dogs will bring it down, but the front will let a huge amount of water through. How thick was the original rubber seal? Mine was almost dust from age and neglect, but if I put a thicker seal along the edge I think it would raise the front even more. The seal I put is only about 3/8 of an inch, so I dont think that is enough, but even 3/4 inch would not fill the gap. Since I am a techno-dinasaur, I will have to wait for my granddaughter to stop by to post photos. Gene, when you added the two extra dogs, did you move the original 2 or just add 2, and where did you locate them? I think I will order dogs today. Any help will be appreciated. ____Grant.
I added the pop top lift kit to my 1986 and replaced the gasket at the same time and I had the same problem, (not as badly) but mainly along the sides. My new model came with 4 dogs to hold the top down and I too dad daylight shining through. Luckily, my old gasket came out in one piece and when I compared the two, the old one was mashed a lot flatter than the new one. It's been about a year since I did that and I'd have to go and check to see if the new gasket has sealed any better with all that weight pressing down on it. Since it is a 30 year old boat, I don't expect everything to be in the same shape it was when it left the factory.
I also just replaced the seal on my 82 pop top. I am getting gaps only at the aft end of the sides. I used a foam rubber seal I got from home depot, 3/4" thick I believe. I was going to try replacing just the aft ends with 5/16" thick seal and see if that does the trick, but I also have not re-intalled the dogs to see if tension will help. IMHO, I think the seal should at least make contact all the way around before adding compression with the dogs. I'll take some pics when I get a chance.
Hey Grant, the gap on the forward edge is normal. I can darn near stick my hand through it. The only time it's a problem is while trailering in the rain, as rainwater comes though it in pretty large quantities at highway speeds.
My boat(s) came with four dogs. I thought all of them did! Mine are located two on each side, fore and aft, in each corner basically. I would have to tighten them down REAL HARD to not see a little sliver of daylight here or there, but I never gave it much thought. As long as rain and spray don't come through, I'm happy.
The fellow at Catalina Direct told me that all of the early pop tops came with only 2 dogs. He told me about a 22 that took a knock down and the pop top pulled loose, and the boat sank in a couple of minutes. He highly recommends the extra dogs. I still am concerned about the top not sealing and having a soaking wet boat. I bought this boat to introduce my Lady Friend to sailing, and soggy bunks or floors wont make her very interested in cruising. We hope to tow the 22 up to the San Juan islands for a few weeks this summer, so I will have to figure out a way to make it water tight. I will keep you posted. ___Grant.
Grant, I'm sorry, I misspoke not once but TWICE. I gotta stop relying on my memory so much! First, the big gap I was referring to on my boat is between the sliding hatch and the poptop, NOT between the poptop and the deck. I have no gap there. Second, I lied about where the dogs are located. See pics below for complete correction of the BS I've been spouting.
I'm gonna shut up now, and go double up on all my meds.
I'm gonna shut up now, and go double up on all my meds.
Gene, the photos show where I plan to put the additional dogs along the forward edge. and my present ones are in the same spot as your middle (of the top) ones. I dont know what year the 22s changed to the forward hatch being on the cabin truck, but my boat 1977 is clearly older than yours. I have not even figured out yet, how much gap there is in the sliding hatch so I suspect that it will bring another problem. My thinking is still that the gap is from the cabin top having sagged over the years of hard racing by the previous owner. I dont think I can jack the cabin back up, so I will have to figure out how to fill the gap. Also, the photo of you and your Lady shows that you are on the correct meds for sailors. ____Grant.
Not to hijack your thread but my '86 also has a considerable gap between the sliding hatch and the pop top on the front and the one time I took her up to the lake on a day I knew I was going to run into rain, I took a roll of 2" painters or duct tap and taped off that front part. After towing through a good bit of rain showers for an hour and a half, I was pleased to find no water inside the boat when I got to the campground.
I am also a big believer in duct tape, but I am going to do my best to figure out a more permanent fix. An almost 40 year old boat is always a challenge. I am going to try the extra dogs, but I dont think that will make a big difference, extra thick sealing gasket (hopeful) and maybe glass in tapered spacers to make up for what I think is cabin sag. I dont think that trying to jack the cabin back up is viable. It will be interesting. Advice is always listened to. Thanks ____Grant.
I've been working on an original version C-22 replacing the weldments, and took a photo of the gap you guys have been concerned about. Attached is the photo of the pop-top on the 1982 vintage boat I'm working on, and yup, there is a gap along the front. I seen no evidence of the cabin top being soft, or collapsing. My opinion, this is the way it came from the factory. This boat is 35+ years old, and it hasn't been a problem, I wouldn't worry about fixing what ain't broke. My current C-22 has no gasket material at all on the pop-top,(yes, it's a different design than this). I would bet it's purpose is more of an anti-vibration dampener when motoring to keep it from buzzing.
Just my opinion....
Don
Just my opinion....
Don
Small update, Today I talked to the tech support guy at Catalina Direct and he says that it not an unusual problem. It might be cabin sag from the boat sitting neglected for 6 or 7 years with the rigging too tight, or a less than perfect mold from the factory. They sell a seal that is supposed to be better than the original factory seal, so I may try that and see how it works. I want to solve this so that I can finish installing the power lift for the top. I will keep you posted. _____Grant.
I finished installing the power lift kit today and put 3/4 inch foam all the way around, but the center front still showed about 1/4 inch gap, so I tapered some of the 3/4 and put it on the cabin in that spot and it seems to be OK now. The seal from the pop top meets the seal on the cabin top and looks good. I am very pleased with the power lift kit. It is pricy, but very complete and not too hard to install. Next project will be making the forward hatch water tight. It also has large gaps and rotten seals, but it looks even all the way around, so I think it will be easy. I am also going to put proper dogs to keep it closed. I can hardly believe the silly little sliding latch that keeps it closed now. Hopefully only a couple of weeks before launching. This is getting fun. _____Grant.