Pop Top Power Assist: single handed install -- Catalina 22 -- Jim's Little Boat

Jim installs the pop top power assist kit from Catalina Direct and figures out a way to do it by himself. Good video to watch if you think you might want to install the power assist. You can see what's involved before you spend 200 dollars.
One viewer did inform me that when he installed his power assist by himself, the top went too far forward and did indeed rip out the screws. He was able to remove the top and recover the job by filling the holes with epoxy. SO some means of controlling the forward motion is important.
PS the clips that CD shows in the video did not work very well for me. I used springs instead.
Jim's Little Boat is dedicated to helping beginning sailors and providing a video reference for work on their own boats. There are more than 50 videos in the Jim's Little Boat archives of You Tube. While some of the videos are very specific to Catalina 22 sailboats, most are general and apply to all small mono-hull sailboats.
You can reach Jim directly at: [e-mail]

[@shawnl6959]

I did this last fall, by myself. And you're entirely correct -- if you let it go too far forward it will rip the screws out of the pop-top. The ones that hold the original upright members on. They're just sheet metal / wood screws into the wooden core inside the fiberglass. Ended up removing the pop-top entirely, flipping it over and poring slightly thickened epoxy in all the holes, letting it cure and then re-drilling. Took an extra day of work. But, the lift assist is really nice. I think it was worth it if you ever put your top up.

[@jimslittleboat4388]

Thank you, Shawn. I was pretty sure that would be the result. When the strongest guy I know could not compress those springs, I knew it was a force to respect.

[@tristanmanlapaz4480]

Hi I don't know if u remember me but u were my sub for awhile you were a good teacher

[@jimslittleboat4388]

Indeed Tristan, I do remember you. In 50 years, you were the only student named Tristan. Hope you are well. Mr S

[@markashlock9017]

Out of necessity, I’ve been working by myself for so long, that not only do I prefer it, I find it difficult to have someone help me. Of course I try to be gracious enough to try to be appreciative when someone offers. Your quote of the day reminds me of one of my oft used favorites... “It’s not what you don’t know that’s gonna get you. It’s what you know with absolute certainty,...that just ain’t so”. Good job on the pop top. Loved the water buckets. Thanks for another informative vid!!!

[@jimslittleboat4388]

Thanks.

[@philvissicchio19]

Jim, I'M in the am I gonna do this stage with sailing . Love you vids , and words of wisdom . You're showing me the real world of sailing .. Thanks. P.S. if I were any where near you I woulda helped you

[@matthewsilva8225]

I'm thinking about this for next season... We'll see how it goes this year. Can you show us how you step your mast and set up your rigging when you launch?

[@jimslittleboat4388]

Kind of depends how much hurry Tony is in. Making a video adds a lot of time to the whole process. If I had been more on it, I would have done it a week ago before I decided to do the power lift assist thing. For sure we will do it with the upcoming video "Two New Sailors and Their Barn Boat".

[@benkanobe7500]

Were the black knobs part of the kit or did you add those to the hold-down dogs? I really like them and would like to know where they came from. Thank you!

[@jimslittleboat4388]

When I went to plastic rails for the sliding hatch, there was virtually no friction. The hatch would slide with only a tiny push. It wasn't safe to stand on. So I created a locking system for the hatch. I had a sheet metal shop make some stainless bars about a 1/16 thick and as wide as the flat area next to the rails. On the hatch side, I got some little pedestals intended for installing Bimini tops. I found the star nobs somewhere on line. It works great. I can lock the hatch in any position I want.

[@KarenReadsTaillight]

Well, Jim, I'm embarrassed to say that I was all proud of myself for completing the project only to try to close the hatch and the forward two stanchions ripped out. The springs didn't close. CD can't figure out what happened. I did it after I painted the boat and before I reinstalled the sliding hatch cover. Do you think the lack of weight might have prevented them from closing correctly?

[@hansschweikert9153]

How about the kit from The Stingy Sailor? I believe it's cheaper and every bit as good. Thanks for posting this. I've been itching to do this.

[@jimslittleboat4388]

I considered Stingy's kit. It could very well be as good or better. I made my decision because Stingy is a guy and CD is a company. CD will still be around even if Stingy decides to get out of his side gig.

[@sAILIN817]

Do you have a link anywhere to the installation videos m

[@jaymorgan8017]

Hi Jim, I did my best grind my cast iron swing keel, prime and paint it to keep it from rusting. Well it's rusting through after just 6 months, was wondering if you have any thoughts sir.

[@jimslittleboat4388]

Hi Jay: I have never had to do anything to my keel other than keep up the work done when I got it. BUT, I have watched a number of videos and talked to a few folks. They emphasize that the moment you get to bright metal, the keel starts rusting. As soon as they grind/sand/sandblast the keel they put on a rust inhibitor. Seems like I heard the word "zinc chromate." After that they apply some coats of barrier coat made of epoxy. (I put seven coats on my bottom.) Then finally a couple of coats of bottom paint. You might want to contact Kevin Patton on the C22 user group-Facebook. He did the whole thing on his boat and it seems to be holding up well. Thanks for watching. jim