OK, let's begin by confessing my lack of knowledge of the proper names of various parts of a sailboat. With that said, here's my NEW problem. I was working, from the cabin, trying to do something (stupid). I accidently raised the cabin top. The braces that hold the cabin top up (I have two, I am guessing these are standard for all Mac 25's) came loose and one fell in the water. I know I really need two. Where can I find one. Thanks
Lifting the Cabin top
- Thread starter KevinMc
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Make one
Just go out and get some pipe (I used metal electrical conduit), and copy the one that you have. Not sure, but I am guessing that you lost the short one, so figure you have to make the new one a tad shorter than your existing one. All you have to do is to cut it, and with a large hammer, smash the ends and angle them to match what you have. Once you have that, drill a hole in the flat spot, and tie a short line to it and the other end to something on the boat. You'll never loose one again. Good Luck
Just go out and get some pipe (I used metal electrical conduit), and copy the one that you have. Not sure, but I am guessing that you lost the short one, so figure you have to make the new one a tad shorter than your existing one. All you have to do is to cut it, and with a large hammer, smash the ends and angle them to match what you have. Once you have that, drill a hole in the flat spot, and tie a short line to it and the other end to something on the boat. You'll never loose one again. Good Luck
Thanks for the heads up.
Now you've got me thinking. You would think that they would float unless they fill with water. I think I'll test that out and if they do float I'll seal the ends. I usually lift one corner at a time because its easier to handle. Now I have an additonal reason. The idea of the leash is a good one I'll do that too.
Now you've got me thinking. You would think that they would float unless they fill with water. I think I'll test that out and if they do float I'll seal the ends. I usually lift one corner at a time because its easier to handle. Now I have an additonal reason. The idea of the leash is a good one I'll do that too.
Top Supports
I know mine won't float! Guess you could fill them with some "Great Stuff". Then they would float. Leash makes more sence. Even if it's floating, you still have to find and retreave it.
I know mine won't float! Guess you could fill them with some "Great Stuff". Then they would float. Leash makes more sence. Even if it's floating, you still have to find and retreave it.
Short one ?
Gregg, mine are of equal length and I'm pretty sure they are original. Why are yours different ?
Gregg, mine are of equal length and I'm pretty sure they are original. Why are yours different ?
get rid of em!
I got real tired of busting my poor back lifting that doggone top! AND having the struts threaten to tumble in the drink everytime. I found the attached website of Mac improvements (MY SPECIAL THANKS TO HIGHREACHDAVE!!!)I duplicated the way Highreachdave did this mod and voila, end of struts! Now when I unlatch the top, it glides all the way open on its own and stays that way until I pull it shut! One of the best things I did to my boat! Bob
I got real tired of busting my poor back lifting that doggone top! AND having the struts threaten to tumble in the drink everytime. I found the attached website of Mac improvements (MY SPECIAL THANKS TO HIGHREACHDAVE!!!)I duplicated the way Highreachdave did this mod and voila, end of struts! Now when I unlatch the top, it glides all the way open on its own and stays that way until I pull it shut! One of the best things I did to my boat! Bob
That is COOL
I know Dave. He is great. The more you can get from him.... The better off you are. He was the commander of ourUSPS, and is now a part of our Redneck Yacht Club. We are three boats strong, and 10 members. Dave is an instructor with the USPS and a vessel inspecter. I have known Dave for about three years, and he is a great guy. We sail all the time. We sail in a northern Lake called Clear Lake as well as in SF Bay. He is the only person that I know of that has had his keel exposed while sailing in the bay on a MAC. I don't have pictures, becase we were doing the same thing, and we were taking water over the bow, but I was on his winward side and I saw his keel. By the way.... His bottom was clean. Dave is a wealth of knowledge, and I use him whenever I can. It is gret that he lives 6 miles from me. Kuddos to Dave. And he has a great boating ethic, and safety is his first priority. My kids were on his boat last summer doing boating safety coloring books while he was trying to keep up with us at about 20-25 degress. A stand up guy and a great guy too. He has a ton of ideas, and I would email him to get recommendations on what you want to do to your boat.... I do. He just doesn't sail fast. I am a racer at heart, so I rib him all the time. Thanks I will tell him. Gregg
I know Dave. He is great. The more you can get from him.... The better off you are. He was the commander of ourUSPS, and is now a part of our Redneck Yacht Club. We are three boats strong, and 10 members. Dave is an instructor with the USPS and a vessel inspecter. I have known Dave for about three years, and he is a great guy. We sail all the time. We sail in a northern Lake called Clear Lake as well as in SF Bay. He is the only person that I know of that has had his keel exposed while sailing in the bay on a MAC. I don't have pictures, becase we were doing the same thing, and we were taking water over the bow, but I was on his winward side and I saw his keel. By the way.... His bottom was clean. Dave is a wealth of knowledge, and I use him whenever I can. It is gret that he lives 6 miles from me. Kuddos to Dave. And he has a great boating ethic, and safety is his first priority. My kids were on his boat last summer doing boating safety coloring books while he was trying to keep up with us at about 20-25 degress. A stand up guy and a great guy too. He has a ton of ideas, and I would email him to get recommendations on what you want to do to your boat.... I do. He just doesn't sail fast. I am a racer at heart, so I rib him all the time. Thanks I will tell him. Gregg
Don't know....
Mine are about an inch different. I always put the longer one in and then add the shorter on. I have a spare set that I am shortening so my poptop will go down to the deck. Heighth (sp) is not that much of an issue as I am only 5'6" and the wife is 5'1", I plan on making the shorter ones the same size so I don't have to think after sailing all day. I just want the poptop cover to sit on the deck to keep bugs and most of the wind out. If I had a preference, I would make them the same, so I didn't have to think about which one goes where. Both sets oare different sizes, so my Initial thought was to copy them and keep the world balanced. I am planning on doing what Dave @ Highreach did and use the struts, but I preiced them and they are like 60+ dollars EACH, and I have better things to spend my cash on right now.
Mine are about an inch different. I always put the longer one in and then add the shorter on. I have a spare set that I am shortening so my poptop will go down to the deck. Heighth (sp) is not that much of an issue as I am only 5'6" and the wife is 5'1", I plan on making the shorter ones the same size so I don't have to think after sailing all day. I just want the poptop cover to sit on the deck to keep bugs and most of the wind out. If I had a preference, I would make them the same, so I didn't have to think about which one goes where. Both sets oare different sizes, so my Initial thought was to copy them and keep the world balanced. I am planning on doing what Dave @ Highreach did and use the struts, but I preiced them and they are like 60+ dollars EACH, and I have better things to spend my cash on right now.
pop top
The struts can be pricy for sure! I shopped around and got mine from a camper/RV place for $19 apiece.....Gotta tell you, money well spent!!! I love the way that top glides up! I second my first post....Thanks to (highreach)Dave for a GREAT mod, a great web site, and by all accounts for being a stand-up guy & sailer! Bob
The struts can be pricy for sure! I shopped around and got mine from a camper/RV place for $19 apiece.....Gotta tell you, money well spent!!! I love the way that top glides up! I second my first post....Thanks to (highreach)Dave for a GREAT mod, a great web site, and by all accounts for being a stand-up guy & sailer! Bob
Recycled struts
I did something similiar on my 26S, using old gas struts from a Chevy Astro van. I attached the struts to the the support posts via some homemade alumanium brackets fashioned from some pieces of a discarded ski rack. I have to admit that I still have to help my pop top up, but it takes much less effort than before,and it stays up on its own. No more grunting and straining to hold it up while screwing in the support bolt!
I did something similiar on my 26S, using old gas struts from a Chevy Astro van. I attached the struts to the the support posts via some homemade alumanium brackets fashioned from some pieces of a discarded ski rack. I have to admit that I still have to help my pop top up, but it takes much less effort than before,and it stays up on its own. No more grunting and straining to hold it up while screwing in the support bolt!
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