How is the pop top typically secured in the up position? I have metal tab that slides up and down the mast slot that holds the top up, but there isn't anything to keep it in place, and it has come crashing down several times.
Securing pop top in the up position
- Thread starter dave63021
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thumbscrew
Once the thumbscrew is threaded through the hole in the pop-top and screwed into the bracket you mentioned, the top will stay up.
Once the thumbscrew is threaded through the hole in the pop-top and screwed into the bracket you mentioned, the top will stay up.
The screws that come with bimini tops fit.
These are the stainless screws with thick black plastic heads.
These are the stainless screws with thick black plastic heads.
Further clarification requested
I need further clarification. I have a metal strip that slides up and down the mast. It looks like the screw would first go through this metal strip and then into the fiberglass pop top. Correct? Does the screw slip through the hole in the metal strip and then thread into the fiberglass of the pop top? Is there supposed to be a metal insert in the fiberglass? The hole in my pop top has been enlarged over the years to I don't have any threads to screw the screw into.
I need further clarification. I have a metal strip that slides up and down the mast. It looks like the screw would first go through this metal strip and then into the fiberglass pop top. Correct? Does the screw slip through the hole in the metal strip and then thread into the fiberglass of the pop top? Is there supposed to be a metal insert in the fiberglass? The hole in my pop top has been enlarged over the years to I don't have any threads to screw the screw into.
poptop threaded support
I have a few of these screws, pretty sure its 1/4" x 20. (check last 3 wks posts, it was in there) I'm now thinking of taking the slider off, and inserting a ss bolt from the back, so theres a stud sticking out. then using a wing nut, to secure the top. (this was someone else's idea, and has been already done.) before this I used a bungy around the mast, but it still moved side to side a bit.
I have a few of these screws, pretty sure its 1/4" x 20. (check last 3 wks posts, it was in there) I'm now thinking of taking the slider off, and inserting a ss bolt from the back, so theres a stud sticking out. then using a wing nut, to secure the top. (this was someone else's idea, and has been already done.) before this I used a bungy around the mast, but it still moved side to side a bit.
I put it through the pop top first
and then through the stainless slider, which has a threaded hole.
and then through the stainless slider, which has a threaded hole.
Dave, just the opposite
The screw goes thru the pop-top first and then thru the threaded bracket on the mast. The hole in the fiberglass is oversized - no threads, insert etc. It's a Mickey Mouse design. You have to hold the pop-top and bracket while attempting to thread the screw thru both and not drop it over the side.
The screw goes thru the pop-top first and then thru the threaded bracket on the mast. The hole in the fiberglass is oversized - no threads, insert etc. It's a Mickey Mouse design. You have to hold the pop-top and bracket while attempting to thread the screw thru both and not drop it over the side.
Mickey Mouse - but surprisingly works...
I couldn't believe it was setup like that. I was thinking of setting up something like Kaizen did with the strut, but I found that the Mac setup actually works and works well, even while under sail in chop, it stayed put. But Justin makes a good point, be careful not to drop it over the side when setting it up. -Sean
I couldn't believe it was setup like that. I was thinking of setting up something like Kaizen did with the strut, but I found that the Mac setup actually works and works well, even while under sail in chop, it stayed put. But Justin makes a good point, be careful not to drop it over the side when setting it up. -Sean
Okay, here's how you do it.....
Dave, The pop-top sits on the sliding bracket that's on the mast. Then while holding the pop-top and sliding bracket up with one hand, screw in the bolt with your other hand(through the slider, then through the pop-top(big hole you mentioned), screw it in as far as you can till it creates a reverse type of friction against the mast and holds it in place. The key is that the top is cradled between the slider and the mast, and the second key to screw in the bolt as far as you can. It won't go anywhere after that, until you're ready to take her down. Speaking from the painful experience of trying it every other way I could, before figuring it out, and knocking myself in the head a few times while at it.... *o Good luck, -Sean
Dave, The pop-top sits on the sliding bracket that's on the mast. Then while holding the pop-top and sliding bracket up with one hand, screw in the bolt with your other hand(through the slider, then through the pop-top(big hole you mentioned), screw it in as far as you can till it creates a reverse type of friction against the mast and holds it in place. The key is that the top is cradled between the slider and the mast, and the second key to screw in the bolt as far as you can. It won't go anywhere after that, until you're ready to take her down. Speaking from the painful experience of trying it every other way I could, before figuring it out, and knocking myself in the head a few times while at it.... *o Good luck, -Sean
Sean is correct
Sean is correct. the hole in the top fits between the bracket and the mast. The screw goes into the threaded bracket first and threaded all the way. Also, this way you can leave the screw threaded part way into the bracket and never have to worry about losing it.
Sean is correct. the hole in the top fits between the bracket and the mast. The screw goes into the threaded bracket first and threaded all the way. Also, this way you can leave the screw threaded part way into the bracket and never have to worry about losing it.
Kaizen
I am in the engineering stage of gas struts for my pop top. I really like your set up. Where did you get the triangular mounting plate for the aft end of the strut? Ditto for the forward mount. What is the silver bracket for that is just forward of the left hand aft mount point? More pictures please. Does the two welded on cross tubes get in the way? It really, really looks great! John S Boise
I am in the engineering stage of gas struts for my pop top. I really like your set up. Where did you get the triangular mounting plate for the aft end of the strut? Ditto for the forward mount. What is the silver bracket for that is just forward of the left hand aft mount point? More pictures please. Does the two welded on cross tubes get in the way? It really, really looks great! John S Boise
Gas strut
Hi John / Chris, I got the SS triangular plates for gas struts from The Store Mason at Port Credit, Mississauga. I believe West Marine sell them too. I got the gas struts from the surplus section at Princess Auto. They were used for lift gate on station wagon. I forgot the part number. Because of the weight and short stroke, you need a pretty strong one with about 6-7 inches of stroke. I'll try to read the number on the unit and take some more pictures this weekend and post on this forum. Stay tuned. I added an Aluminium tube from the back of the "man hole" to the top of the (original) aft aluminium tube. Plastic mounting hardware for bimini frame is a very handy way to secure the tube to the frame of the boat. It is a piece of plastic with a SS thumb screw that you can remove. I take down the support tube when sailing. With the support tube in place I can sit on top of the pop-top without it falling down.
Hi John / Chris, I got the SS triangular plates for gas struts from The Store Mason at Port Credit, Mississauga. I believe West Marine sell them too. I got the gas struts from the surplus section at Princess Auto. They were used for lift gate on station wagon. I forgot the part number. Because of the weight and short stroke, you need a pretty strong one with about 6-7 inches of stroke. I'll try to read the number on the unit and take some more pictures this weekend and post on this forum. Stay tuned. I added an Aluminium tube from the back of the "man hole" to the top of the (original) aft aluminium tube. Plastic mounting hardware for bimini frame is a very handy way to secure the tube to the frame of the boat. It is a piece of plastic with a SS thumb screw that you can remove. I take down the support tube when sailing. With the support tube in place I can sit on top of the pop-top without it falling down.
Pop Top Pic
Great Picture! Thanks for the trouble of getting that shot on this board. The cross bars must really help to firm up the whole assembly. I would really like to be able to lean against my pop top rather than treat it with kid gloves like I do now. I have my gas struts already. I found a good source for the brackets, too. I really like the braces in the back as well, like are used to brace up a bimini top. Do you still use the sliding bracket in the mast? Seems like the assy you have here plus that single point on the mast would make the top very strong, maybe even allow you to walk on it. I put a gas strut on my lazerette top because I cut myself on it when it was free to fall on me. I situated the strut so it both holds the cover up as well as down. Do your pop top struts hold you top down as well? Thanks for the ideas, Kaizen, John S Boise
Great Picture! Thanks for the trouble of getting that shot on this board. The cross bars must really help to firm up the whole assembly. I would really like to be able to lean against my pop top rather than treat it with kid gloves like I do now. I have my gas struts already. I found a good source for the brackets, too. I really like the braces in the back as well, like are used to brace up a bimini top. Do you still use the sliding bracket in the mast? Seems like the assy you have here plus that single point on the mast would make the top very strong, maybe even allow you to walk on it. I put a gas strut on my lazerette top because I cut myself on it when it was free to fall on me. I situated the strut so it both holds the cover up as well as down. Do your pop top struts hold you top down as well? Thanks for the ideas, Kaizen, John S Boise
Pop top
John S, Thank you for your nice comments. I removed the sliding bracket in the mast. The other benefit for this set up is the ability to motor thru canals (Trent Serven waterway and Rideau canal in Canada) with the mast down and still able to keep the pop top up. The pop top is very sturdy now. Sometimes my kids sit on it. Please post your pic when done. Good luck and happy sailing.
John S, Thank you for your nice comments. I removed the sliding bracket in the mast. The other benefit for this set up is the ability to motor thru canals (Trent Serven waterway and Rideau canal in Canada) with the mast down and still able to keep the pop top up. The pop top is very sturdy now. Sometimes my kids sit on it. Please post your pic when done. Good luck and happy sailing.
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