Poptop Improvement
-
007davesa
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Sat May 22, 2021 3:47 pm
- Investigator Boat Name: C Queen SN 146
- Location: NSW
Poptop Improvement
Hi all just a quick post of a couple hrs work to improve the poptop on my boat. A couple of old gal tentpoles cut and drilled to give a little extra height and accessibility into the cabin without being clocked in the head stepping off the cabin step to cabin floor. In the retracted position they are the same length as original rear struts but now able to extend and actually cover the roof from light rain . If doing this to your own boat turn the thumb screws inboard which I will be doing another day as they slightly foul the top when down 
- Attachments
-
-
-
-
Geoff
- Posts: 317
- Joined: Tue Oct 29, 2019 12:04 pm
- Investigator Boat Name: #50 Timeless
- Location: Monto, Queensland
Re: Poptop Improvement
Mate that's beaut.
The exact same job is on my to do list. Pushing forward until the forward struts are vertical places the lid in a much better position. I have disconnected the rear struts and had a dry run but haven't got around to cutting the extensions. Thanks for the inspiration.
I did make up a couple of straps that I attach to the top of the struts and also to the hand rail. A bit of tension on them takes the lateral movement out of it.
The exact same job is on my to do list. Pushing forward until the forward struts are vertical places the lid in a much better position. I have disconnected the rear struts and had a dry run but haven't got around to cutting the extensions. Thanks for the inspiration.
I did make up a couple of straps that I attach to the top of the struts and also to the hand rail. A bit of tension on them takes the lateral movement out of it.
Geoff
Investigator #50 'Timeless'
Investigator #111 'Missy'
As the engineer said, "sure it works in practice, but will it work in theory?"
Investigator #50 'Timeless'
Investigator #111 'Missy'
As the engineer said, "sure it works in practice, but will it work in theory?"
-
007davesa
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Sat May 22, 2021 3:47 pm
- Investigator Boat Name: C Queen SN 146
- Location: NSW
Re: Poptop Improvement
Yep Mate such a simple fix but still a pain in the A to raise and lower, had noticed in a few past posts people using bungee cord to help stabilize it which seems like a good idea, still a work in progress.
-
Geoff
- Posts: 317
- Joined: Tue Oct 29, 2019 12:04 pm
- Investigator Boat Name: #50 Timeless
- Location: Monto, Queensland
Re: Poptop Improvement
LOL, I just had a lucid moment. I have already made mods to the poptop. I rarely put it up when sailing so I had forgotten.
When I bought my second Investigator, it was missing all the poptop support hardware. So I moved all the bits from my main boat to it and made up new pieces using shs aluminium for my main boat.
I went a different way though. I made the rear struts longer, but fixed length, not sliding like yours. But at the top of them I drilled through the struts and brackets I had made and fitted a sliding pin. One of the ones with a little detent ball in the end. So when I put the hatch down I pull the pins out and lay the struts down on the hatch before I lay the poptop down.
It's raining here now and for a couple of days, but when it stops I will put it up and have a look because I am working from memory. Which isn't good obviously. I will take a few pics.
I don't think I got mine as high as yours, and yours is a more elegant solution - being adjustable rather than fixed is much superior.
I don't find it too much of a problem to raise, although it used to be until I got used to it. I close the sliding lid fully rearwards, push up the front, push forward until the front struts are vertical, then tilt to fit the rears. The only drama is if you tip the front down at any stage the sliding lid smashes open. I got around this by fitting a small stainless sliding bolt to keep it shut, which is good for security too.
When I bought my second Investigator, it was missing all the poptop support hardware. So I moved all the bits from my main boat to it and made up new pieces using shs aluminium for my main boat.
I went a different way though. I made the rear struts longer, but fixed length, not sliding like yours. But at the top of them I drilled through the struts and brackets I had made and fitted a sliding pin. One of the ones with a little detent ball in the end. So when I put the hatch down I pull the pins out and lay the struts down on the hatch before I lay the poptop down.
It's raining here now and for a couple of days, but when it stops I will put it up and have a look because I am working from memory. Which isn't good obviously. I will take a few pics.
I don't think I got mine as high as yours, and yours is a more elegant solution - being adjustable rather than fixed is much superior.
I don't find it too much of a problem to raise, although it used to be until I got used to it. I close the sliding lid fully rearwards, push up the front, push forward until the front struts are vertical, then tilt to fit the rears. The only drama is if you tip the front down at any stage the sliding lid smashes open. I got around this by fitting a small stainless sliding bolt to keep it shut, which is good for security too.
Geoff
Investigator #50 'Timeless'
Investigator #111 'Missy'
As the engineer said, "sure it works in practice, but will it work in theory?"
Investigator #50 'Timeless'
Investigator #111 'Missy'
As the engineer said, "sure it works in practice, but will it work in theory?"
-
007davesa
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Sat May 22, 2021 3:47 pm
- Investigator Boat Name: C Queen SN 146
- Location: NSW
Re: Poptop Improvement
Interesting, that sounds like it would work, in regards to the raising I'm still getting used to it, but basically just resting it on my head which is a bit awkward. Will try and find a better technique and see if bungee cord helps.