Pop-Top latch safety?

[Lisa Woodburn]

Hi, and Happy Spring Sailing Season to all!Could use some experienced advice on the Catalina pop-top latches. The screw on mine broke off, so now it won't stay in place (Hey, the little boat turned thiry this year - things like this are going to happen, right?). Thank God when that happened I was down below cleaning and my head & back broke the fall from my son's fingers!Anyway, my pop-top latch is still intact, otherwise. Is there any gadget available that can be installed in the mast track that will safely hold the latch in place without me having to take off all the extras attached on the mast & to install?Has anyone had any safety issues with just a latch for their pop-top?I know Catalina Direct has a pop-top "power lift" kit (that still needs a dang latch). Has anyone tried it and what are your opinions?Thanks much in advance for any and all advice.Happy Sailing!Lisa

 

[mg]

latch

i presume you mean the the bracket that rides in the mast slot broke? if so tap out the screw and replace or simply order a new bracket and slide it down from the sail slot and you are done. if that isnt an option i'd go with a a couple of cleats on the inside of the forward edge spaced the width of the mast and use a short piece of line to secure the top in place. i'll admit i never thought of it coming down like that and i may install something as a backup just in case .

 

[Ted]

Get a new one . . .

Catalina Direct sells the entire latch for about $8.00I would think that is the easiest way, since it is an 'odd duck' in terms of finding replacement hardware.Regards,Ted

 

[Brian]

boom stops

my pop top latch screw broke off also. another option would be to get another boom stop (the little slugs with thumb screws that slide in the mast)and put it below the pop top latch. i had an extra one and ith works great.